What Makes a School Great?

“My problem is that it’s taking autonomy away from the child. And it’s admitting that teachers cannot influence that autonomy to educational ends.” Cameron Wyllie As the Scottish Government opens its consultation on a mobile phone ban in Scottish schools, Rod and Cameron take this on and look at the issues surrounding implementing a ban or keeping things as they currently are. While they recognise the disruption phones can cause in classrooms, they question whether removing phones altogether is the best solution. Instead, they explore whether schools should be teaching young people how to manage technology responsibly – with clear rules, appropriate consequences and the opportunity to develop their own judgement, which leads them into a much bigger discussion about autonomy, risk and resilience and a social media ban for under 16’s. Are today's children being protected from risk to such an extent that they aren't learning how to assess it for themselves? Rod and Cameron compare modern childhood with their own experiences of growing up, when children were often given considerably more freedom to travel, make decisions and solve problems independently. Do you think phones should be banned in schools? Should under-16s be prevented from using social media? Or should young people be taught how to use both responsibly? Send your voicenotes or email thoughts and comments to [email protected]

There’s too much division in our society and the more we’re able to work together the better.” Lord Foulkes George Foulkes, former Labour politician, councillor, MP, MSP and member of the House of Lords, joins Rod and Cameron for a wide-ranging discussion about the future of education in Scotland. Drawing on his experience as Chair of Lothian Education Committee, an MP and Minister, Lord Foulkes reflects on his political career and his own experience of both state and independent education before turning to one of the most contentious issues in Scottish education: the future of independent schools and the introduction of VAT on private school fees. Does the policy create additional funding for state education, or does it simply make independent education more expensive and potentially reduce access for families who rely on bursaries and smaller schools? At the heart of the conversation is a fundamental question: How can Scotland create a better education system for every child? Lord Foulkes makes his case for developing community schools, arguing that school buildings and facilities should be used throughout the day and made available to the wider community. He also supports greater involvement from parents, grandparents and other members of the community, alongside greater autonomy for schools and headteachers. The discussion then turns to independent education. While once tempted to abolish private schools, he now believes parents should retain the right to choose, while arguing that the state sector should become so strong that fewer parents feel the need to choose independent education. Chair of the Board of Governors and former Head of Clifton Hall School, Rod brings a very different perspective, drawing on his experience running an independent school and the hundreds of families he encountered who sought independent education because their children were struggling in larger mainstream settings. He highlights the role of bursaries and access to independent education for children from less affluent families. Their conversation also explores parental choice, educational aspiration, school size, social mobility, inequality, school governance and the role of government in education. Ultimately, this is a conversation about much more than state schools versus private schools. It is about what kind of education system Scotland wants, how much choice parents should have, and whether improving education means bringing people together or reducing the differences between schools. Listen, subscribe and join the debate… What do you think? Should Scotland develop a network of community schools? Should parents retain the right to choose independent education? And has the introduction of VAT on private school fees made Scottish education fairer — or simply made independent education more exclusive? Send your voicenotes or email thoughts and comments to [email protected]

Rod and Cameron are joined by Lindsay Paterson, Emeritus Professor of Education Policy at the University of Edinburgh, to discuss the current state of Scottish education, particularly focusing on the Curriculum for Excellence. Lindsay critiques the curriculum's failure to adequately prepare students with systematic knowledge, emphasising the need for a balance between engaging teaching methods and foundational knowledge. They explores the historical influences of university academics on education policy, the importance of teacher motivations, and the necessity of cross-disciplinary learning. Lindsay also compares Scottish education with systems from other countries, advocating for a more structured approach to literacy and numeracy across the curriculum. This conversation explores the significance of literature in understanding humanity, the importance of knowledge in education, the challenges faced by disadvantaged children, and the effectiveness of teacher training and curriculum in Scottish schools. They also highlight the need for better teacher training to equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to foster critical thinking and confidence in students. We'd love to hear your thoughts, stories and questions about schools and education today. Email or send us a voice note to [email protected]

"What if every school had the autonomy to deliver the best possible education?” Whether you're a parent considering school options, a teacher interested in education policy or just simply care about the future of Scottish schools, this conversation offers an honest and engaging perspective on one of education's most important debates. Rod and Cameron explore the value and challenges of independent education in Scotland, covering discipline, autonomy, extracurricular activities, facilities, and funding. They debate the impact of private schools on society and consider innovative ideas for reforming the entire education system. The conversation goes beyond the public versus private debate to ask a bigger question: What if every school had the freedom and support to deliver the best possible education? Key Takeaways from this episode 1. School culture matters as much as academic results.The discussion argues that clear expectations, consistent boundaries and strong relationships create environments where children feel secure and ready to learn. 2. Teacher autonomy can improve educational outcomes.When schools have greater freedom over policies, curriculum delivery and discipline, teachers can respond more effectively to the needs of their pupils and communities. 3. Opportunity extends beyond the classroom.Access to extracurricular activities, from music and sport to debating and drama, helps young people discover their strengths, build friendships and develop confidence.

“The most important stuff in life cannot be measured.” — Kenny Primrose What is character education — and should schools be responsible for shaping the values, virtues and personalities of young people? Rod and Cameron are joined by teacher and character education specialist Kenny Primrose for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, kindness, morality, resilience and the true purpose of education. They explore whether schools should actively develop character traits such as courage, honesty, integrity and compassion, or whether these qualities are formed primarily through family and life experience. What is the role of extracurricular activity, leadership in schools, school culture, Curriculum for Excellence, teamwork, trauma-informed education and the challenge of defining what it means to be a “good human being” because school is about far more than exam results. Along the way, the episode touches on: