This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6189954.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
School quality 'varies too much' Schools quality 'varies too much'
(about 13 hours later)
Variations in the performance of Scotland's schools are "too great", according to a major new study.Variations in the performance of Scotland's schools are "too great", according to a major new study.
The HM Inspectors report is the first complete picture of all Scotland's 32 education authorities and has taken six years to compile. The HM Inspectors report is the first complete picture of all of Scotland's 32 education authorities and has taken six years to compile.
Inspectors said many were making a real difference to their schools but most were just meeting basic requirements.Inspectors said many were making a real difference to their schools but most were just meeting basic requirements.
The report also said the effectiveness of an authority was linked to the quality of its leadership.The report also said the effectiveness of an authority was linked to the quality of its leadership.
The watchdog said in more than a quarter of councils the work of staff was only fair.The watchdog said in more than a quarter of councils the work of staff was only fair.
And a quarter were judged only fair or unsatisfactory when it came to managing money and other resources. A quarter were judged only fair or unsatisfactory when it came to managing money and other resources.
More needs to be done to work cooperatively and to share good practice Graham DonaldsonSenior Chief Inspector of Education More needs to be done to work co-operatively and to share good practice Graham DonaldsonSenior Chief Inspector of Education
It also said there were emerging difficulties in recruiting and sustaining high quality leaders. The report also said there were emerging difficulties in recruiting and sustaining high quality leaders.
The survey found that just 10 education bodies had sustained high-quality leaders over the years, while nine authorities were judged to have major or important weaknesses in this regard.The survey found that just 10 education bodies had sustained high-quality leaders over the years, while nine authorities were judged to have major or important weaknesses in this regard.
Scottish Borders was the worst performer, with 40% of its indicators receiving the bottom grade.Scottish Borders was the worst performer, with 40% of its indicators receiving the bottom grade.
Elements of Moray, Shetland and East Dunbartonshire authorities' services were also "unsatisfactory". At the other end of the scale, East Renfrewshire was rated "very good" in all areas.Elements of Moray, Shetland and East Dunbartonshire authorities' services were also "unsatisfactory". At the other end of the scale, East Renfrewshire was rated "very good" in all areas.
'More vulnerable''More vulnerable'
And East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Lothian all had a majority of their indicators assessed as "very good". East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Lothian all had a majority of their indicators assessed as "very good".
Other authorities, such as Aberdeen City Council, had their education authority rated primarily as fair.Other authorities, such as Aberdeen City Council, had their education authority rated primarily as fair.
The report noted there was no direct relationship between the size of a council and its effectiveness.The report noted there was no direct relationship between the size of a council and its effectiveness.
Senior Chief Inspector of Education Graham Donaldson said: "We found no direct comparison between size and effectiveness, but small councils are more vulnerable. Senior Chief Inspector of Education, Graham Donaldson, said: "We found no direct comparison between size and effectiveness, but small councils are more vulnerable.
"In particular, priority must be given to identifying and supporting future leaders."In particular, priority must be given to identifying and supporting future leaders.
"There is also encouraging evidence that many authorities are increasingly working in partnership with other services, and more needs to be done to work cooperatively and to share good practice. This is another critical independent report into how our public services are run under this devolved coalition Lord James Douglas-HamiltonScottish Conservatives
Study report "There is also encouraging evidence that many authorities are increasingly working in partnership with other services, and more needs to be done to work co-operatively and to share good practice.
"Such joint working will be essential if emerging issues of capacity and quality are to be addressed.""Such joint working will be essential if emerging issues of capacity and quality are to be addressed."
SNP education spokeswoman, Fiona Hyslop, said "misdirected political initiatives" from the Labour / Lib Dem coalition were hampering the education system.
She also said a "blind drive" on public/private partnerships meant there were not enough resources to improve the school estate.
Conservative education spokesman Lord James Douglas-Hamilton said Scotland needed an education system that recognised teachers' skills and where central government interferes as little as possible.
"This is another critical independent report into how our public services are run under this devolved coalition," he said.
Study carefully
The Scottish Executive welcomed the report and said its contents would be studied carefully.The Scottish Executive welcomed the report and said its contents would be studied carefully.
A spokesman said: "The report confirms that council's can make a key contribution to improving quality in schools and HMIe have identified much good practice which is clearly adding value. A spokesman said: "The report confirms that councils can make a key contribution to improving quality in schools and HMIe have identified much good practice which is clearly adding value.
"However, wide variation in performance exists across council's and some have much work to do to match the standards of the best." "However, wide variation in performance exists across councils and some have much work to do to match the standards of the best."
A spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said it would need to study the report carefully as it had not seen it ahead of publication. A spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said it was studying the report carefully.