Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Individual local authorities may gather this data.

The Scottish Government commissions six-monthly reports from local authorities on school counselling services which asks for number of young people accessing counselling, broken down by gender and year groups. The reports also seek information on outcomes, inward and outward referrals as well as the issues young people are presenting with.

Within the reporting form there is a free text box where authorities are encouraged to share additional information, such as information on waiting times if they have that data available. Although some authorities have reported that services are at capacity, no concerns have been raised about young people’s needs not being met.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is committed to implementing reform of our national education bodies as part of a holistic approach to education and skills reform, building on the recommendations of recent independent reports. An update on plans will be provided to Parliament in the Autumn.

I have met with all the trade unions representing staff at both the SQA and Education Scotland. Most recently, I met with SQA unions on 13 September, and with Education Scotland unions on 14 September. In addition, my officials are in regular contact with staff and unions at both bodies on matters related to reform.

SQA’s approach to grading the exams in 2023 was based on its established awarding processes. Using ‘grade boundaries’ – the marks needed to achieve an A, B or C grade in each course – SQA checked that each assessment was set at the right standard or level of difficulty.

During the grade boundary setting process, SQA appointees – experienced course teachers and lecturers who are subject experts in each course – determined the grade boundaries by looking at all the available assessment evidence and course information, including the impact disruption and course modifications had on how young people performed in the assessments. For example, I understand that evidence indicated there had been particular challenges seen across the cohort around developing listening skills in modern languages. In recognition of this, adjustments were made to grade boundaries.

This process ensured fairness for this year’s students while maintaining national standards. Adjustments to grade boundaries were smaller this year than in 2022, reflecting the continuing recovery in skills, knowledge and understanding on the part of students.

We are committed to reducing the cost of school uniform and supporting families so that every child in Scotland can attend school feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with local authorities, has already delivered on our commitment to increase the level of school clothing grant in Scotland. This vital support for families has increased to at least £120 for eligible primary school pupils and £150 for eligible secondary school pupils. As part of action to further reduce the cost of the school day for families, we have committed through the 2023-24 Programme for Government to increase funding to local authorities for school clothing grant in the next financial year.

To further support families, we will introduce national guidance on school uniform. This will support schools to work with families to develop and implement affordable and sustainable uniform and clothing policies that recognise the individual needs, circumstances and identities of all pupils. It is anticipated that the guidance will be published in spring 2024.

These measures are being taken forward as part of our wider action to tackle child poverty and protect people as much as possible during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The Scottish Government has collected six-monthly reports from local authorities on school counselling services since January 2021.

The number of young people that accessed the service in each period, broken down by local authority can be found below. It is acknowledged that some young people accessed the service in multiple periods so may be recorded twice.

The information requested relates to Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) data and is not held by the Scottish Government.

SQA has advised that this information is available on their website, including historical data for all courses including those specifically listed. The data can be accessed at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/105159.html .

As Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills I engage with the SQA and Education Scotland regularly on a range of business, including on education reform. This involves meetings with the SQA Chair and Chief Executive and with Education Scotland’s Interim Chief Executive. Additionally, I have undertaken direct engagement with staff in both organisations, by attending an all-staff session with SQA on 4 September 2023 and an Education Scotland all-staff event on 22 August 2023.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials have met representatives of the college sector frequently since 1 April 2021 through in-person meetings, visits and online meetings.

The number of post probationers in each local authority on temporary contracts will be published in the Summary Statistics for Schools publication in December.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the proportion of temporary contracts offered to post probationers, as the recruitment and employment of teachers including recruitment practices are matters for individual councils.