SUE aims to improve Scottish schools as places of learning rather than sites of activism. Join: bit.ly/SUEjoin
Joined September 2022
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The Higher Maths controversy raises a bigger question than whether one paper was “too hard”.
If pupils are over-trained on predictable past-paper patterns, then unfamiliar wording can feel unfair even when the underlying maths is valid.
The answer is not narrower exam rehearsal, but a broader and deeper maths course that builds confidence with unfamiliar language, varied problems and genuine mathematical thinking.
#ScottishEducation #HigherMaths #EducationScotland
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Schools should support pupils who are struggling.
But has mental health policy confused care with intervention — and awareness with evidence?
Teachers can notice, listen and refer. That is not the same as making every adult responsible for children’s psychological development.
#ScottishEducation #MentalHealth #EducationScotland
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This draws on Graeme Arnott’s article on mental health awareness, labelling and Scotland’s school wellbeing strategy.
The full piece asks whether policy has been sufficiently evidence-led — and whether some interventions may unintentionally encourage over-labelling.
bit.ly/sue161ga
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If schools claim to value tolerance, why are some pupils afraid to share their opinions in class?
Tolerance cannot mean welcoming approved views while treating lawful, alternative ones as unacceptable.
#ScottishEducation #EducationScotland
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“Tolerance” in education now too often means tolerating only approved views — and why pupils may feel unable to express lawful political opinions in class.
bit.ly/sue161news
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We agree 💯 with @prof_curiosity1
Affirmation is not kind & it is certainly not progressive. Our ScotGov must withdraw its school guidance immediately @WRNScotland @ForWomenScot @ScotUnionEd @pittparents
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Scottish Union for Education (SUE) retweeted
Jun 2
Correct.
The Higher Maths controversy raises a bigger question than whether one paper was “too hard”.
If pupils are over-trained on predictable past-paper patterns, then unfamiliar wording can feel unfair even when the underlying maths is valid.
The answer is not narrower exam rehearsal, but a broader and deeper maths course that builds confidence with unfamiliar language, varied problems and genuine mathematical thinking.
#ScottishEducation #HigherMaths #EducationScotland
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The Higher Maths controversy raises a bigger question than whether one paper was “too hard”.
If pupils are over-trained on predictable past-paper patterns, then unfamiliar wording can feel unfair even when the underlying maths is valid.
The answer is not narrower exam rehearsal, but a broader and deeper maths course that builds confidence with unfamiliar language, varied problems and genuine mathematical thinking.
#ScottishEducation #HigherMaths #EducationScotland
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1,588
The wider article places the Higher Maths controversy inside a bigger question: are pupils being prepared through deep subject teaching, or narrowed exam rehearsal?
bit.ly/sue161news
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What values should schools actively cultivate?
A SUE discussion with @Miss_Snuffy highlighted:
• Gratitude
• Kindness
• Personal responsibility
• Duty to others
as foundations for a dignified life.
What values matter most?
#Schools #Values #Education
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Find the discussion with Katharine Birbalsingh and James Sibley here:
bit.ly/interviewKB
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Scottish education debates often focus on structures and politics, while declining standards and curriculum remain unresolved.
If teacher training increasingly prioritises “transformative” practice and “social justice” over knowledge transmission or neutrality, what happens to subject expertise?
Should teacher education return knowledge and disciplinary expertise to its core purpose?
#ScottishEducation #Education #Curriculum
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Read the full article here: bit.ly/sue160jf
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Scotland has few alternatives when local schools fail.
Should we look to England for alternatives?
What educational alternatives would parents most value?
#ScottishEducation #Parents #Education
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What should be the primary purpose of teacher education in Scotland?
Preparing teachers to transmit subject knowledge and develop expertise — or preparing them to become agents of social change?
Can these aims coexist, or do tensions emerge when one becomes dominant?
#ScottishEducation #TeacherEducation #Education
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The article suggests Scottish teacher education may have moved away from a liberal model toward a more activist one.
A bigger question follows:
What kind of teachers do we want schools to produce — instructors, facilitators, advocates, activists… or something else?
#Education #TeacherEducation #Schools
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The article reviews Scottish teacher education programme handbooks and raises questions about social justice frameworks, neutrality, and the purpose of teacher training.
Read the full analysis here:
bit.ly/sue160jf
Do the findings reflect reality — or is teacher education being misunderstood?
#TeacherEducation #ScottishEducation
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Scottish councils have recently reaffirmed that Curriculum for Excellence expects political impartiality in schools.
Yet concerns continue over the promotion of contested political and social ideas by some teachers and third-party organisations.
If schools are to be politically impartial, should there be greater scrutiny of external resources, teaching materials and classroom practice?
It is time to ask whether the curriculum’s aspiration and classroom reality always align.
#ScottishEducation #Education #Bias
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Original article:
uklfi.com/concerns-grow-over…
What safeguards should exist to ensure balanced and impartial teaching?
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