Curriculum audit branded a 'whitewash'

Education Correspondent

Thursday 24 May 2012

AN audit to find out how ready Scottish secondary schools are to deliver controversial new exams has been dismissed as a shallow whitewash.

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Andrew Denholm Education Correspondent

The attack came after schools quango Education Scotland published the results of a national audit as part of the introduction of National 4 and National 5 qualifications, which replace Standard Grades.

Education Scotland said just 30 subject departments had expressed concerns from Scotland's 367 secondary schools – proving the new curriculum and qualifications were on track and there was no need for a delay.

However, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) said the audit was deeply flawed because it did not seek the views of all teachers.Instead, Education Scotland consulted with council officials who, it has been argued, are not fully aware of the problems at school level.The audit is crucial because it will inform the Scottish Government of the readiness of schools to deliver the exams, introduced as part of the new Curriculum for Excellence (CfE).Some 54,000 pupils in S2 will be sitting the first National exams in 2013/14, but there has been long-standing concern over whether schools will be ready.East Renfrewshire, the top-performing education authority – and a number of leading private schools – have already decided to delay for a year.The Scottish Government has provided a £3.5 million package to support schools that need extra help, but identifying where help is needed was a key part of the national audit.Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: "The audit has been a shallow exercise which barely skimmed the surface of the discontent felt in many schools."The superficial nature of the consultation in most authorities and schools tells a deeply depressing story about how little the voice of the classroom teacher is listened to."Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the SSTA, added: "It has become very clear over the last few weeks that any individual brave enough to stick his or her head above the parapet and admit to not being ready to implement these courses is subjected to an interrogation worthy of a police state."However, Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said the results indicated there was no need for any school to delay the new exams. "The audit is just one part of Education Scotland's ongoing daily discussion and visits with teachers, headteachers and local authorities on CfE," he said. "We will continue to work with teachers and all other partners to keep implementation under review and ensure we stay on track in every subject and in every school."Dr Bill Maxwell, chief executive of Education Scotland, said the audit was "thorough and comprehensive" and indicated good progress was being made."We are engaged in a process of major change in the secondary curriculum and change always produces challenges, but the picture I am seeing is of a highly professional workforce of teachers and school leaders responding positively," he said.Hugh Henry, education spokesman for the Scottish Labour Party, described the audit as a "whitewash"."Education Scotland haven't spoken to the people who really matter, namely classroom teachers, and have instead sought the views of directors of education and headteachers."Liz Smith, education spokeswoman for the Scottish Tories, added: "I am sure parents will be very concerned to hear that major teaching unions consider the audit is a whitewash." Cosla, which represents councils, said: "CfE is being delivered successfully on time across the country as councils are wholeheartedly behind it."

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Curriculum audit branded a 'whitewash'

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