The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland - a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson
By Professor John Robertson OBA
BBC Scotland today is making much of teacher strikes planned for Glasgow this month. There is no context offered.
Here is some.
The first reliable school statistics, avoiding double-counting,1 were published in December 2013. There were, then, 51 078 teachers and 673 530 pupils and the pupil/teacher ratio was 13.5/1.2
By 2024, there were 53 412 teachers and 702 428 pupils giving a better pupil teacher ratio of 13.3/1.3
In Glasgow Council schools the pupil teacher ratio was an even better 13.1/1.4
Glasgow City Council expects a 9% decline in pupil numbers over the next 10 years.5
How does Glasgow compare with other parts of the UK? From a 2024 report:
Pupil to teacher ratios were lowest in Scotland (13.2), and similar in Northern Ireland (17.4), England (18.1), and Wales (18.6). The total number of students in further education (FE) in the UK increased in 2022/23, rising in every part of the UK and by 4.1% overall compared to 2021/22.6
So, in Glasgow, the average teacher has slightly fewer pupils in a class than the Scottish average and far fewer than in an English or Welsh class.
Sources:
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-schools-scotland-3-2012-edition/documents/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-schools-scotland-4-2013-edition/pages/1/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-for-schools-in-scotland-2024/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-for-schools-in-scotland-2024/documents/
- https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/24670649.drop-children-expected-enrol-primary-one-classes-glasgow/
- https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-and-training-statistics-for-the-uk/2024#:~:text=Pupil%20to%20teacher%20ratios%20were%20lowest%20in%20Scotland,UK%20and%20by%204.1%25%20overall%20compared%20to%202021%2F22.
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Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
From 17th May last year
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24327271.motion-concerning-glasgow-huge-teacher-cuts-defeated/
“A Glasgow Labour motion which called for cuts to teacher numbers to be “urgently addressed” has been defeated by the SNP and Greens, who said “tough decisions” are needed due to a £107m funding gap.”
continues
“Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour’s education spokeswoman, presented a motion which voiced “deep concern” over the potential removal of 450 teaching positions over three years — as well as an ongoing review of the MCR Pathways mentoring scheme.”
continues
“However, a composite amendment was passed by SNP and Green councillors. It stated a £107m funding gap over the next three years meant “tough decisions need to be taken”.
They added there has been “inadequate” funding from both governments as well as pressures caused by “Labour’s equal pay scandal”.”
Not so well known is Labour’s own sneaky proposal. 👇
“The SNP and Green amendment stated Labour’s proposed budget would have cut the equivalent to 650 teachers over three years. Cllr Pidgeon said Labour’s plans would have avoided the 172 teaching posts proposed this year.”
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30% of pupils go from school to university. Others go to colleges and apprenticeships. 98% favourable destination to continue their studies. Or job prospects. Scotland unemployment 3.8%. Lower than the UK average.
Lifelong learning. Inclusion. Additional needs supports. Still needs employers to be more understanding and diversify. 1 in 20 people. More p/t hours but getting there.
Oxbridge funded 20 to 1 of all other universities. Plus tax evaded charity. Privilege. Labour increasing funding for Oxbridge. No equality or equal access. After increasing private education taxes. No joined up thinking.
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removing double counting in these calculations is nothing to celebrate. Pupils with very extreme needs are being mainstreamed. Double counting was used to calculate teacher pupil ratio with young people with SEBN and extreme autism. If it’s sire moved teachers cannot meet their needs. These calculations are incorrect and do not look at the effect of SEBN inclusion and the effects on pupils and staff.
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