Young learners' turn to have a say on education reforms

South Kintyre councillors are urging pupils to speak up as Argyll and Bute's education reform consultation starts its last and 'most significant' phase – giving young people the chance to have a say on a proposed new way of running schools.

 

The much-debated consultation process, focusing on adults up until now, has already been extended twice, with the current end date now March 31.

 

The council says consulting pupils from P4 upwards is the 'final and most significant' part of its ongoing consultation on its 'collective' model for school leadership.

 

'I am delighted that our young people are being given the opportunity to empower their future,' said Councillor Rory Colville.

 

'The rapid changes that are taking place in all aspects of education require careful consideration; the most important, in my view, is enabling teachers to teach.

 

'Schools, small or large, should have an equity of education delivery, something the proposers hope will result from the consultation.'

 

Councillor Donald Kelly added: 'It's vitally important that everyone gets an opportunity to contribute to this debate, especially the pupils who, at the end of the day, will be the people most affected.

 

'Given the magnitude of the proposed changes, no decision should be taken to progress this in the lifetime of the present council.

 

'This should be left to the incoming council, which will ultimately be responsible for any changes which may or may not be made.'

 

The process giving pupils their say has already started but there are concerns that parents were not given a heads-up that their children were about to be consulted.

 

Lobby group WISE4All is worried parents may not be informed when their children are taking part in the consultation and fear that could hinder pupils being able to get more information to form informed views.

 

'Young learners should not be manipulated into agreeing with school leadership proposals which many of their teachers and parents believe will impact negatively on the future sustainability of their communities,' said a WISE4All spokesperson.

 

Reform plans include bringing schools together in a hub, under one executive leader, which would cut the number of head teachers in Argyll and Bute.

 

Pupils are being consulted through their pupil councils and schools have been given materials to help with that, including videos tailored to suit three different age groups, using age-appropriate language and levels of detail.

 

The sessions are being pupil-led with support from school staff, where required. Pupils are being asked to work through the key points of the proposals, then discuss the pros and cons together, before agreeing a unified response on behalf of their school.

 

Argyll and Bute Council says it is working with teachers to make sure young people with additional support needs are included in this process.

 

'This consultation with pupils has already begun to make sure their views are heard and considered, as the change proposals are further developed and refined before being presented to the council's education change committee,' said a council spokesperson.

 

The WISE4All spokesperson added: 'What will young learners learn from this exercise? If they are being asked to engage with an age appropriate version of the materials sent to adults, they will simply see a glossy advert for a new school leadership model.

 

'There will be no evidence for the need for change and no explanation of how the changes will improve the key issues identified; falling pupil numbers and difficulties recruiting staff.

 

'They will see no alternatives to the education service proposals. They will be asked, as adults are, to agree with a series of assertions.'

 

To see a film talking through the proposals, visit www.EmpoweringOurEducators.co.uk