Petitioner: Julie Wales
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
21 June 2013
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to improve national quality in the primary one academic year by reducing average class sizes to 18 with an upper limit of 20; direct additional funding to resource the measures taken with appropriate staff, accommodation and physical resources; protect the family unit through amendment to current policy to ensure that siblings are not refused placing requests to be schooled alongside family members, and proactively prepare for future upsurges in the population to avoid displacement of siblings in primary schools.
Summary:
1 October 2013: The Committee took evidence from Julie Wales, and Lynne Connor, member of the public, East Renfrewshire. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, COSLA and a selection of local authorities. Link to Official Report 1 October 2013 (477KB pdf)
Below: Julie Wales and Lynne Connor giving evidence on Tuesday 1 October 2013
10 December 2013: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 on the basis that policies on school admissions rest with local authorities and the Scottish Government intends to consult on class sizes in early 2014, providing the petitioner with a further opportunity to submit her views. Link to Official Report 10 December 2013 (425KB pdf)
Written Submissions:
Is there a feedback mechanism from birth and migration rates information in Scotland into the Education authority?
Has the issue of dark winter mornings/clock changes been considered when 5 year olds have been displaced into separate schools?
Should placing requests to accompany siblings into schools of choice not be highlighted in red as "high risk strategies" for parents?
Could each council not facilitate better planning for sibling requests by requesting information about family members likely to want to join same schools in the future?