Professor John Robertson OBA, former Associate Dean (Quality Assurance) Faculty of Education, UWS
BBC Scotland this morning is repeating a report of increased school absences in Scotland, from Reform Scotland – Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Chair), Chris Deerin (Director) and Alison Payne (Research Director!).
I can’t see this year’s version in full yet but last year:
That’s according to research for a think tank. The Commission on School Reform says ministers must work with councils to reverse the trend. The Scottish government says it’s looking at challenges that influence attendance…..the figures are based on Freedom of Information requests from the Scottish local authorities who were able to respond to them. The figures suggest nearly one in three children are missing an average of one day a fortnight, while nearly 20% of high school pupils miss a day every week…. A Commission spokesperson says children who miss a large proportion of school time are less likely to attain and less likely to form good relationships.
Once more, a Reporting Scotland headline story not covered on the BBC Scotland website.
Commission on School Reform? No names mentioned because
Chair – Rt Hon Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale
Director – Chris Deerin, just another journalist and regular SNP-critic.
Research Director – Alison Payne. Some Researcher! See this:
In recent years, popping up as just a ‘mum’, unattributed, on Reporting Scotland, GMS and Kay Adams to moan about SNP school policies, Payne began her career within the Scottish Conservative MSPs’ Research Unit, going on to spend four years as Head of Research. She later went on to become Political Adviser to Annabel Goldie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Group of MSPs. This role included acting as adviser to the Scottish Conservative Policy Advisory Group. She also spent 10 years as a Girl Guide leader, prior to the birth of her second child in 2010. And, how did she become a Research Director with no evidence of research training – PhD, MRes, even an honours degree with a dissertation? Girl Guide connections?
Sample for the research? Only 5 of 34 LAs are mentioned.
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Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
In very few other lines of work could you be rubbish at your job. Leave. Then become an “expert” in the field.
Lordy!
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”Reform Scotland ” – McConnell’s ‘Think Tank’ appears to have the appropriate name for another bunch of anti-SNP/Scotland self-serving parasites . Just a northern branch of the Farage extremists .Expect him to endorse them soon !
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“Jack McConnell’s think tank does not think that well”
That’s the problem with certain so called ‘Think Tanks’, in that their way of thinking often ends up tanking .
As it becomes way too obvious that , as a so called Think Tank, they are more fixated with establishing (flawed) conclusions that fits the obvious partisan nature of their own prejudices against those that they oppose politically.
As opposed to them, as a so called Think tank, producing what should be research that is objective, honest , factual and so worthy of consideration.
Labour Lord Jack McConnell is very very critical of the SNP mainly because his own Labour party are in opposition to them in Scotland , so then what possible chance is there that any so called Think Tank that he is connected to will seek to produce research whose findings are positive, non biased , factual and fair in respect to the SNP as a party or them as the current Scottish government.
Nae chance.
If there is to be so called Think Tanks then surely they should be totally independent and so never be aligned with politicians from specific political parties, because with that situation they, as a so called Think Tank, then become heavily influenced (tainted) by the political party that these politicians are affiliated with .
How many bloody Think Tanks does the UK need ?
Then of course the media often seek the non impartial opinions and input from individuals associated with these so called Think Tanks.
I am starting to think that both the research findings and also the opinions of these so called Think Tanks may be contributing towards what the public now think in relation to both politics and politicians who are connected to pro UK parties and WM governments, which is that they are both tanking in the public’s estimation.
What is obvious is that it is well past the time when more in Scotland should be starting to think about the future of their country before WM politicians and WM governments , aided by these so called Think Tanks, do their best to tank our economy which will then be to all of our detriment as citizens of Scotland.
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I am just about to launch a new “Think Tank”, it is called….TANK…or giving it the full title….Think About Not (wearing the designer mini) Kilt.
JB
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