Crisis over class sizes

The "historic" concordat between the Scottish Government and the 32 local authorities is a fragile construction based on a fine balance of goodwill and self-interest. The divisive issue of class sizes now looks set to be its first serious practical test and one that threatens to blow it apart. The legal standing of the Scottish Government's agreement with the councils - that they should "work towards" class sizes of 18 in the first three years of primary school - has been called into question as a result of a parent pursuing a placing request after being told there was no room for her child.