March 2021

Strange times indeed!

As January becomes February, and February becomes March, most children have been out of school for a significant part of the last year. Even the most resolute parents, who have been striving to do their best at home-schooling, have admitted that it has been, or has become, challenging, and some have told us that they have given up. Return to school is eagerly awaited by parents as well as pupils.

We at Step Ahead have tried to offer help, support and advice to any who have contacted us, on a no fee basis, as well as continuing regular sessions with those committed to gaining the benefits that our service provides.

Even though there are doubts about exactly what the examination diet will look like this year, our tutors are reporting that tutees are getting ready for all eventualities. Many of the parents of Step Ahead tutees have expressed their delight, some through glowing testimonials, especially from those whose children have gained independent school places. As we await the final numbers, approximately two dozen youngsters will be taking up offers this year, scholarships and bursaries amongst them, bringing our total to nearly 450 places offered and taken, while our Director himself is this year celebrating his 200th successful candidate, mainly in to private schools in Scotland, but also in England and abroad. And this in a year where there has been a huge demand where candidates have far outnumbered places on offer, especially in one of the most sought-after schools.

In the light of such fierce competition, the best advice that Step Ahead can suggest to parents who might be considering applying is not to wait but to get their children assessed in the first few months of the year in order that they can be fully prepared for the Entrance Tests and Interviews which typically take place later in the year.

 

Christmas and New Year 2020

In all our years, we have never been prouder of our tutees, who, despite all the difficulties encountered in 2020, have worked hard, consistently and to a high level.  And all that has been achieved through Skype, FaceTime and /or Zoom, which has become a hugely popular method of tutoring.

We know that they deserve to do well and feel sure that they will reap their rewards in 2020, gaining successful results and places at university and/or into top classes in high schools and/or into independent schools.

Because of the Government’s decision to abandon not only National 5s, but also, very controversially, Highers and Advanced Highers, our Director’s view is that this is the very time for there to be a complete revamp of our education system – a root and branch reform – as statistics show that our once highly respected education system has fallen far behind many other countries.

Without exams in May, but with continuous assessment, parents and youngsters are slowly coming to realise that it is necessary to ensure that study plans are in place and are adhered to, and that study needs to be regular, continuous and rigorous, and cannot be left to, as often happened previously, the last minute before taking prelims and national exams.  Our on-going tutoring over two decades has proven to be highly beneficial, and even more so this year, when we expect further outstanding outcomes.

We send festive greetings, but particularly for this Christmas and New Year – please KEEP SAFE.

 

New Session : 2020 -21

One of our particularly clever tutees, Matthew Mc, told our Director, and also his maths teacher, about Augustin Rayo.

Matthew said,” Rayo’s number is the smallest positive integer bigger than any finite positive integer.”

It might surprise some people that youngsters not only learn from their teachers, but have much to offer if an adult is prepared to listen.

In these challenging times it is important that we are concerned about the mental health of our young people, and that we try to keep their minds fully active and to challenge them as much as possible.

Statistics show that only 10% of most children’s brains are being used (yes, just 10%).

As a result, George, in addition to the normal sessions, is issuing a variety of different challenges to tutees, with a competitive element.  More in due course.

Step Ahead tutors continue to be busy, and to prepare for tests and exams, whether for children of primary school or secondary age, even though we do not know what the future holds. We intend to ensure that Step Ahead tutees are ready for any eventuality.

Parents, as well as Step Ahead, have expressed their appreciation of current and on-going services from the likes of principal tutors :

Pat B, David C, Mike C, Hilary C, Virginia C, Dominic H, Kevin K, John K, John Mc, Moira Mc, Mairi Mc, Brian M, Trevor M, Lesley M, Jannet R.

 

 

Summer News 2020

 

This is the 23rd successive year that we have presented youngsters for SQA National exams, and every year our students have excelled. The wonderful news coming in this year is that once again many have not only done well, despite all the difficulties presented by Covid19, but have exceeded expectations.

Congratulations to all our tutees and their tutors.

 

This follows on from a different group of tutors helping 30 children, from several countries, to gain places this year in eight different independent schools.

Step Ahead’s overall total now well exceeds 400 successful tutees into thirty schools in the UK and abroad.

 

Our service has flourished even more in the past five months as students and tutors have adapted well to, and benefited from, tutoring electronically. Any misgivings have been swept away as the advantages have become obvious.   

 

Reading Suggestions

This is a great time to be encouraging youngsters to read daily. These are some of the most favourite books, as voted for by Children aged 5-11 years

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss
• Winnie-the-Pooh by A A Milne, illustrated by E H Shepherd
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien
• Charlotte’s Web by E B White
• Northern Lights [from His Dark Materials trilogy] by Philip Pullman
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis
• Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams

Step Ahead can make further suggestions according to age, stage and interests. 

June 2020

It has been difficult for families to maintain any kind of consistent approach to home-schooling. Many have striven to put things in place and have come to realise that it is not at all easy. We get messages and calls repeatedly telling us how hard mums and dads are finding home schooling, with many appreciating, perhaps more than ever before, the value of a good teacher.

Conscientious teachers are trying to provide a partial service, even though it was in classrooms and with classes of children that they were trained for. Some parents have told us that the outcome of what they are seeing is inconsistent, some feeling that their children are inundated with work whilst others feel that they are getting far too little. Some work appears to be being marked, other work left unmarked.

Perhaps unsurprisingly a large number of parents are expressing concern about their children, in effect missing five months (maybe more) of schooling, and wondering about the longer term effects of losing so much momentum.

At Step Ahead, where the vast majority of our work has, over the past two decades and more, been done in either a tutor’s home or a client’s home, we have experienced a huge shift.

Even prior to Covid19, more and more families were seeing the value of tutoring by Skype, Facetime or Zoom. Since Covid19 virtually all our work has been done electronically, and even these tutors and tutees who were unsure have embraced it and do now in fact welcome it.

Those who thought that the absence of a tutor in the room might mean a lack of concentration or allow for distraction have seen that it is the quality of the tutoring that counts and that the right tutor gets and keeps the focus of a youngster, and indeed that indeed more work can actually be accomplished, Homework done, sent, marked and returned electronically can also benefit the dynamics and momentum. Without travel, which can eat up valuable time, and with much greater flexibility as to the best days and times for sessions, it is being appreciated that this is the form that tutoring is going to take in the future, and will become the new norm.

Step Ahead has experienced teachers who can advise, support and tutor youngsters, both through this pandemic, and importantly as schools endeavour to get back to some form of normality. Feel free to give George, our Director, a call (01383 624599) for a no obligation chat.

MAY 2020

SPRING 2020

 We need hardly say that everyone has been affected by the horrendous pandemic sweeping the globe.

We earnestly trust that everyone, no matter who, is keeping safe.

We are truly grateful for the people in the NHS who are doing such a fantastic job, as well as other essential workers. THANK YOU.

We are particularly anxious that all our tutees, your parents and families, our tutors, and all with whom we work and associate will come through unscathed, although it is clear that many aspects of life will never be the same again.

We have been working on a new look web-site which is not yet completed. Our previous one has served us well for many years, but it was time for a change : we hope that it is to your liking.

Many tutors are still providing our services despite the Coronavirus. Instead of the tutor going to the client’s home, or the client going to the tutor’s home, we are working through Skype, FaceTime or Zoom, which allows for maintaining continuity and momentum for the tutee, and also ensures that a programme of learning is ongoing, especially when schools might not be offering enough. We also hope that we are occupying the youngsters and giving parents a little breathing space.

Separate from our own clients whom we strive to help continuously, our Director has sought to “give back” and has been offering and giving freely his expertise to parents and youngsters in his local community. If anyone, especially those in the essential services and those struggling in any way need advice or support, please contact George 01383 624599 or 07967024726.

Please be and stay safe.

 

New Year 2020

Once again, the new year has brought great news for Step Ahead and our tutees and their tutors.

Another large batch of youngsters have gained places in a variety of independent schools as a result of Entrance Tests.

Prelim results for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers have been very encouraging.

Several new tutors have joined us – and they are all welcome.

Sadly we have to report that we have lost one of our best ever tutors, Brian Ogilvie. Our Director represented Step Ahead at Brian’s Memorial Service where it was evident the esteem in which Brian was held. RIP.

Late 2019

Several pieces of exciting news to report as the year rapidly comes to an end :

One of our very best younger tutors, Hilary Clydesdale, has just been awarded – Master of Science with Distinction in English Literature. An outstanding achievement!

Congratulations are due to Fergus D, one of our 11 year old tutees who applied for, made a presentation, was voted for, interviewed, and appointed – HEAD BOY at Cairneyhill P.S.

We are thrilled to record that one of our tutees, Qingyang X, has won the Scottish National badminton title for singles and female doubles at Under 11. 

As each year, there will be no let up for those tutees who are preparing for Prelims or Entrance exams, They will be working hard with their tutors in the final days and weeks, including over the Christmas school holidays.

Autumn 2019

 We are delighted to report that David Chambers has been appointed Deputy Director of Step Ahead.  Dave is a very experienced and outstanding school teacher and has been achieving significant successes with our tutees.

He is already working close to our Director and will start to take more and more responsibility for the development of the business. After 23 years, George feels that the contributions that Dave brings and will bring in the future are of great benefit to clients and tutors alike.

Social media has never played much of a part with Step Ahead, but we are being encouraged to ask ALL our clients and tutors to “follow” Step Ahead on Facebook. Please help us grow by undertaking that simple task, and by encouraging others – family, friends and neighbours – to do likewise.  And while you are at it, please refer people to these News pages on our web-site.

In 2013 the Sutton Trust published Parent Power?, a landmark piece of work authored by 

Prof Becky Francis and Prof Merryn Hutchings demonstrating how social class influences parents’ ability to support their children in their schooling. Five years later Parent Power 2018 revisits the cultural and financial resources parents use to boost their children’s chances of educational success.

 One of the main recommendations :

Implement a means-tested voucher scheme for tuition and enrichment. The government should introduce a means-tested voucher system, funded through the Pupil premium, enabling lower income families to purchase additional educational support. Through this, lower income families could access additional support and enrichment, including extra-curricular activities and one-to-one tuition. Limited trials of such voucher schemes have shown them to be successful. Tutors should be experienced and well qualified.

 From the Times Education Supplement Scotland online of 26th September 2019 Teachers told John Swinney his promise to recruit an extra 1000 school support staff, while welcome, would have little impact unless it was coupled with a commitment to increase additional support needs (ASN) teacher numbers.  One teacher, Eddie Burns, who addressed Mr Swinney at the Scottish Learning Festival (SLF) in Glasgow yesterday said that the promise was “like putting an Elastoplast on a broken leg”.  

Step Ahead knows that there is considerable concern from many parents especially as ASN teacher numbers dropped by over 500 between 2012 and 2017, from 3,248 to just 2,733. Meanwhile, the number of pupils with ASNs rose by over 65,000, from 118,034 to 183,491.

We recommend the writings of Cameron Wylie, recently retired Head of George Heriot’s School, and a true educator, and someone worth listening to. He has a column in “The Scotsman” but can be followed on=line : “A House in Joppa.”  

He does not hide away from controversial subjects, for example last week’s being “The Great Unspoken Issue:”  “Research suggests that the vast majority of boys and an increasing number of girls access porn regularly, and most of our young people develop into entirely normal, health, loving human beings.  But, just as a small proportion of those who start with alcopops will become alcoholics, or those who share a spliff at 16…will become addicted to drugs, there are those kids who will, in effect, become addicted to a porn habit and that habit will, I’m afraid, damage them in all sorts of ways – their ‘moral character’ being the least of their worries.”  The full article is worth a read.

Summer 2019

Before the start of the school summer holidays, we would wish to record our congratulations to a number of our tutees:  

to more than two dozen girls and boys who have gained independent school places for August;

to Bertie Mc who has won the Scholarship to George Heriot’s School :  this follows on from Jason T, also one of our tutees, who won it last year;

for outstanding creative writing pieces, produced by several pupils, which have won awards;

to David C and Caitlin H who both sailed through their Police Standard Entrance exams, their fitness tests, and their interviews;

to now-10 year old Matthew Mc who continues to amaze academically, and arrived recently armed with, and able to pronounce, the longest word in the English language (see below).

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters) … 

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters) .. 

Hepaticocholangiocholecystenterostomies (39 letters) … 

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters)

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a word that refers to a lung disease contracted from the inhalation of very fine silica particles, specifically from a volcano.

Disappointingly some schools are clearly struggling to cope with the range of learning, social and medical difficulties that they are experiencing in their classes. We have had a very alarming example of this as six children, all from the same school, and all in different year-groups, have been seen recently, and all six who are more than able pupils, are seriously under-achieving. 

Worryingly, increasing numbers of parents from many parts of the East of Scotland are contacting us expressing concern that they feel that their children’s potential is not being realised.

Some issues for consideration :

New figures from the SQA show that exam results have fallen by a third since standard grades were replaced by Nationals. The statistics show that overall in 2013 – the year before the new qualifications were introduced – there were 555,631 entries for national qualifications at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 3-5, the levels covered by the old foundation, general and credit Standard grade. However, entries at those levels under the new qualifications regime had dropped to 415,708 by last year, a fall of 25 per cent.  Meanwhile, attainment volume – the number of A-to-C passes at those levels – went from 508,453 to 339,516 over the same period, a fall of 33 per cent.

 Article by a secondary school teacher, “Boys don’t read or won’t read – let them play Xbox instead.” “Boys don’t like writing – it’s difficult and pointless – let them watch football instead.” “Boys don’t communicate, so it’s OK if they answer with a grunt, eat dinner on their bed and don’t engage.”  While we don’t want to try and make boys behave like girls, the over-worn trope that “boys will be boys” in statements like those above provides a convenient excuse: an excuse for boys passively to accept the role society dictates for them, and an excuse for adults engaging with them. And it’s an excuse that is failing our boys. “We cannot inspire change when we passively accept our own low expectations of boys – this is how we disempower our young men.”

Article by Hugh Ouston (Warden at Glenalmond College) on problem solving and how “we do our children a great disservice when we do not challenge them… The last thing we should do is protect our pupils from what is difficult”.  Mr Ouston talks about how Glenalmond pupils are challenged (e.g. the junior drama production of Peer Gynt) and how “only when a school provides this kind of challenge can children learn the most important lesson: how to become adults. 

Finally, we send our best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable (and sunny) holiday period to all involved with Step Ahead.

Easter 2019

Wishing all our tutees, families, friends, and tutors and their families a very Happy Easter!

As usual at this time of the year, emphasis has turned on the SQA National examinations which are almost upon us.  Excellent reports from tutors suggest that our youngsters are going to produce yet more outstanding results.  Very best wishes to all examinees.

And congratulations to our recent batch of adult tutees who have gained entry to the Scottish Police Service.

Some current news:

The findings of Nielsen Book Research’s annual survey into the reading habits of British children show that most parents stop reading to their child by the age of eight, with 19% of 8-10 year olds read to daily by an adult across all socioeconomic groups.  Boys are less likely to be read to daily than girls, at 14% compared to 24%.  According to experts, story time should be an intrinsic part of the school day up to their teens.  Egmont Publishers said the decline in parents reading to their children signalled a “significant threat to children’s wellbeing.” It highlighted a strong correlation between older children being read to and children choosing to read independently for pleasure.

The retired Head of George Heriot’s, Cameron Wylie, has written, “I think the first step in closing the poverty-related attainment gap should be to ensure that all Scottish schoolchildren can read and write and use a computer at a level appropriate to their age by the time they leave primary school”.  Hear, hear!  Step Ahead has held that view over the past two decades and more, and such a statement echoes the wishes of parents who bring their children to us.

For those taking National subjects, six N5s are now apparently the norm for S4 pupils – down from eight or nine a decade ago.  Unfilled teacher posts remains high – almost 700.  The lack of music provision in state schools risks depriving the industry of future talents. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) suggests there is a growing disparity between the music offered in state and independent schools across the UK.    

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI has said, “These BPI findings make us profoundly concerned that music education and tuition in state schools is beginning to lag far behind that in the independent sector.”  

Winter-Spring 2019

February 1997 saw the start of Step Ahead, so after 22 years we are still going strong – well some more than others, it has to be said.

Congratulations to the likes of Tony Aitken, Moira McCann, John Kilday, Mike Chandler and Jonathan Shelley who joined our Director in the late 1990s. 

Of course, we have been joined over the two decades by other outstanding tutors, many of whom have helped youngsters and adults to fulfil their potential and also produce some astonishing results in a wide range of examinations, particularly at school, college and university levels.

Talking of which we are in the process of collating this year’s independent school offers, and we are again thrilled to report that at least two dozen Step Ahead youngsters have been offered places, including scholarship and bursary awards.  Some have actually been offered places in more than one prestigious school – mainly in Edinburgh and Fife.

David C and Trevor M should be mentioned particularly as, along with our Director, they lead the team who provide such a service.

Our grand total is fast approaching 400 (yes, four hundred) successful entrants, with scholarship awards in to double figures. Several of the independent schools are very well aware of the involvement of Step Ahead and of the standard that we help youngsters achieve, and have remarked positively on it.  

Preparations are in full swing for the SVQ Examinations, especially for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels in the forthcoming month of May.

We are also delighted to report further adults have been aided to successfully pass entrance tests for the police force, fire service and RAF this year.

Step Ahead believes that we have consistently and continuously demonstrated what can be achieved with the right commitment and attitude so it is disappointing to learn that things do not appear to be improving nationally on the education front.

Two areas of concern are featured below:

Larger numbers of teachers are leaving the profession than ever before. Unfortunately, this phenomenon will get worse before it gets better. Our society simultaneously devalues teaching and demands more from educators. The status quo chides educators to work for the “love of teaching”, or out of “love for the students”, and vilifies us when we ask for adequate pay. It also poo-poos away the very real and oftentimes deleterious effects of our sustained output of emotional labour. The educational system has been “corporatized” – which is not a sustainable model, and which has resulted in abominable conditions for students and educators, alike. We can do better than this.  We must.

More than £185 million has been spent in recent years to meet the growing cost of supply teachers in Scotland as classroom vacancies continue to mount. In the past year over £60m was paid by councils to cover supply teachers filling in at schools across tens of thousands of days, with the bill rising by almost £1m in 2018, a Freedom of Information request has found.

In the past year over £60 million was paid by councils to cover supply teachers filling in at schools.  And more than £100,000 was taken from the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) – Scottish Government cash set aside to close the attainment gap in schools – prompting fears that the money is simply plugging teacher shortages. This reliance on supply teachers also fails to provide children with the consistency that they need, and gives head teachers significant challenges. The highest pay-out was in Glasgow – the country’s biggest council – with a bill of more than £15m in 2017/18 – a rise of £1.5m on the previous year. Supply teachers are hired when schools cannot fill teaching post and can charge almost £200 a day in some parts of the country. The rise in their cost comes after recent figures showed there are almost 700 teaching vacancies across Scotland, including head and deputy head posts, while thousands of positions have been re-advertised as schools struggle to fill roles. 

Teaching union the EIS said the cost highlights a “crisis” in teacher recruitment in Scotland.“There are occasions when using supply teachers is an appropriate option, eg short- term illness,” a spokeswoman said.“Having to use supply teachers to cover vacancies, however, is just one example of the effects of the current recruitment and retention crisis facing Scottish education. “The lack of supply cover in many areas is a further example of the staffing challenge facing schools. In order to make teaching an attractive career option, issues of severe workload and declining pay must be addressed.” The number of teachers in Scotland’s schools has fallen by more than 3,000 in the last decade to fewer than 52,000.

End of 2018

It has been a tremendously successful year during which large numbers of tutees have passed a variety of examinations at school, college and university levels, as well as more adults being admitted into the arenas of the police, fire, social work and teaching.

So congratulations are due to the tutees themselves and to their outstanding tutors.

We hope that you all have an enjoyable break over the festive period. We are already looking forward to the New Year.

On a less happy note, our politicians seem quite unable to agree on much, including in education, and instead of pulling together for the betterment of our children, they seem intent on scoring points against each other.  There is even a threat of teachers’ strikes in the coming year – something which has not happened since the 1980s.  Let’s hope that the powers that be will put our children first!

Autumn 2018

Lots of exciting and positive news to report on involving tutees and tutors.

Our 100% record (over 40 in total) of helping get adults in to the Police Force is still intact with the latest recruits all successful, and two more in preparation.

Several youngsters have been offered independent school places this term, even though the main entrance exams do not start until late November and through December and January.

We are thrilled to report that Jason T, who received the highly prestigious Senior School Scholarship at George Heriot’s, has hit the ground running as has Ben W (also in the top six scorers) – both proving to be outstanding students. Others of whom we have heard – Ailsa W, Zahra S and Ella B – are also doing well at GHS.

During the past two decades we have helped over 170 youngsters gain places at Dollar Academy, including this year – Isaac H, Alexander M, James M, Cooper E, Alexander W, Scott M, Ronan A and Ryan J.

Matthew A was initially not keen to attend an independent school, but has loved George Watson’s since he started there and is thriving in that environment, as is Fred D and Sam D.

We also understand that The Edinburgh Academy is suiting Helena B, whilst Merchiston Castle is proving a great choice for Savva N.  

One of our top tutors, David C, has reported how pleased he is with the progress of Cayden G, who despite her very young years is reading well and tackling all tasks well.  Our tutors report regularly to our Director and Trevor M, a very popular tutor, has expressed his satisfaction with all of his tutees aged from 7 years to 17 years.  

We are fortunate in that we get to meet some outstanding people, and currently we have some very clever and committed children, backed by equally dedicated parents. Mums Samina and Moona are perfect examples as they value highly the education of their children and are prioritising same.

Our Director, George, tells us that we have reported on Matthew Mc previously, and Matthew is now continuing to impress and amaze.  Amongst his other achievements he has scored 14 years 3 months on the Schonell Diagnostic and Attainment spelling test.  Whilst three others have equalled that score in the past, all three were 11 year olds, while Matthew is still only nine years old!!

George is also predicting great things for Bertie Mc who has started very promisingly.

For the eighth successive year, STEP AHEAD has been chosen to provide tutors for The City of Edinburgh Council education initiative in Cameron House Community Centre, Prestonfield, on the south side of the City.

George spent half-term in New York and was given the opportunity of meeting with the Principal of The British International School of New York. Having himself run a British International school in the past, George loved being back in that environment, and was invited to speak to classes (one of which is being taught by one of George’s sons) who are studying the British monarchy and the US republic.

Session 2018-19

Well the new session has started for us with a bang! Once again, outstanding national examination results – and many very happy tutees and parents. 

It is so rewarding to hear that a number of our youngsters have earned their university and/or college places.

However the national picture in education is not looking so rosy.

Almost 700 teaching posts across Scotland remained unfilled with less than two weeks left until pupils returned for the new term. 

Areas such as Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray are facing a real shortage of staff, with the Highlands and Glasgow also having a higher numbers of unfilled vacancies.

Subjects such as science, maths and computing are the most in-need with the majority of shortages across the country being in those key subject areas. 

Music, languages, physical education and home economics are also all undergoing a shortage. 

John Swinney, the Education Secretary, was forced to shelve plans for the biggest shake-up in decades of Scotland’s education system after fierce criticism from teachers, parents and opponents. He chose a time in the summer when other major news was dominating the headlines to announce that he would not move forward with the new Education Bill – despite previous claims that his flagship education policy (his Government’s stated priority area) would offer a boost to pupils and teachers.

Last week, Mr Swinney insisted that in Scotland there is no “crisis in morale” among Scottish teachers as he faced a grilling over punishing workloads and low pay.

The SNP Deputy Leader was told by one retiring head teacher that the profession is “haemorrhaging” staff with questions raised over his ability to deal with the situation. Mr Swinney also played down the prospect of a strike over pay as he appeared on the BBC Radio Scotland phone-in with Stephen Jardine. 

But he admitted there were “challenges” in the profession as he was grilled by one retiring primary teacher, identified as Susan, who has worked in the profession for the past 39 years.

She said: “The number of teachers who are leaving – haemorrhaging out of the profession – I would like to know how many probationer teachers carry on and how many years they go into the profession.

“You have a real crisis in recruitment and retention and I don’t hear anything there that you’ve said this morning that would convince me that you have got a handle on this.

She added: “The working time agreement for teachers is almost a joke – there’s no way teachers can do the work in the contracted hours in enough time. The morale is so low.”

The Education Secretary accepted that teaching is a “very, very busy and demanding life” and admits he often gets “tough feedback” in discussions with teachers.He said: “My door is very much open on this question to try to reduce the amount of bureaucratic burden that teachers feel they are facing.

Mr Swinney added, “I don’t think that we have a crisis in morale. I think what we have got is a very challenging period in education where we have some staff shortages. The last vacancy survey said we were about 800 teachers short – about 1.5% of the teaching contingent in Scotland.”

Mr Swinney’s comments are in direct contrast to what I am told on a very regular basis by many stressed teachers – working in all sectors – who cannot take much more, and also from parents who have their ear to the ground and listen to their schools and teachers. 

I have just heard from a concerned parent who told me that she had taken her two children to their weekly swimming lessons.

She said, “It’s based in our catchment secondary school. In the school hall there is food crushed and stamped into the floor, a yogurt smashed against the wall, and juice spilled alI across the floor in the main corridor.

It got me thinking:  for goodness sake it’s only the first day back and this is the kids trashing the school already.
Every time I take my children to swimming I think to myself, ‘Now will my children attend here?’  It’s the best secondary school in the area; the rest are so much worse. 
The sad part was trying to explain to my children why there was food and juice all over the walls and floor.  My 7 year old daughter’s question was, ‘ Mum, why would grown up children do this?’

My 5 year old son said, ‘ My P7 buddy was starting school here today and came into this….’ “

Regardless of any of the negativity and doom and gloom, it is our intention that Step Ahead will continue to offer our pupils the highest quality of service, as we have been doing for the past two decades and more.

Summer 2018

Although schools close for summer holidays, Step Ahead continues.

Indeed many of our tutees do their best work in summer holiday periods once they have had a break.  Seven weeks, and in the case of some, ten weeks, is actually detrimental for many children to have such a gap in their education.  There is clear evidence that progress will cease – or indeed regress.

As many prepare for new classes, especially in high school or independent school, having youngsters “up and running” for their new start can be very beneficial, not only in the short term.

Many tutees whether at examination level or simply after a successful year thoroughly deserve warm congratulations.

As an example, one such youngster is Brooke M, whose tutor is full of praise for her all-round work, but particularly her creative writing, which includes, as an 8 year old such as, “She gasped to herself as she saw the bubbling lava rise further…”,  “My legs went to jelly, I turned pale and set off pretending to be brave, but as I passed the graveyard gate, it creaked which made my hair stand on end.”

A further example of an outstanding level of spelling, understanding, and correct use, of words came from 9 year old Matthew Mc – using and spelling words like “endeavour”, “pronounce”, “impatient”, “sacrifice”.

To everyone associated with Step Ahead, we trust that you will all have a great and sunny summer!

April/May 2018

For the seventh successive year, Step Ahead tutors have undertaken the exciting Cameron House examination preparation programme involving students from a variety of schools – in Higher and National English and maths.

We are equally pleased that tutors are again reporting that their tutees are preparing well for the imminent National exams, and trust that we shall again be reporting outstanding results come August.

The highly-useful and well-read annual “School Guide” magazine – the indispensable guide to Edinburgh’s best independent and state schools – has again interviewed our Director and has a detailed article written by him covering all that parents need to know about “School Entrance Exams.”

February/March 2018

Hugely exciting news as three Step Ahead tutees have been offered Scholarships for leading independent schools.

Jason T has accepted the Scholarship offer at George Heriot’s School who have also given a bursary to Zahra S. Other Scholarship results are pending.

Once again this year Step Ahead tutees are going to be taking up a number of places in private schools in Edinburgh and Fife, as well as further afield.  Congratulations are certainly due to them, as well as to their outstanding tutors, whilst we wish to acknowledge our appreciation for many parents taking the time to provide us with (glowing) testimonials. 

The Scotland on Sunday newspaper has published an article with the heading ‘Education in Crisis’ which has featured the views of several of our teachers. That article can be viewed on our Facebook pages : @stepaheadtuition

Early 2018

We trust that tutees and tutors alike are refreshed and ready to resume in preparation for whatever examinations are to be faced.

Nationally the new year has not started particularly well.  Following the two news items below, several other major issues have been revealed – and you can read about these, and subsequent ones, on our facebook pages :  @stepaheadtuition

December 2017

Step Ahead wishes all our clients, tutors and friends a very enjoyable Christmas and Happy New Year.

2018 is likely to prove a challenging year for those involved in education which does not have its troubles to seek, as we have been recording on our news pages!

This year has ended with the following separate news items, just two examples of the issues facing educators :

1.  A leading headmaster has condemned the Scottish Government’s plan to raise £5 million from private schools, saying he now feels “utterly despondent” that he had supported the SNP in the past. Rod Grant, headteacher at the fee-paying Clifton Hall School outside Edinburgh, said plans to end business rates relief for institutions like his would “wreck” Scottish education by placing a huge financial burden on the state sector.

Grant’s remarks came as the backlash against the controversial plans outlined in last week’s Scottish budget mounted. Headteachers warned they would force up school fees, reduce the number of children from low-income families being privately educated and even lead to the closure of schools. In an article posted on the Clifton Hall Facebook page, Grant argued that the policy had been driven by a “narrow-minded” desire to “kick” private schools. 

Last week Finance Secretary Derek Mackay produced a budget that will end the arrangement whereby private schools are exempted from paying 80 per cent of their business rates. The policy is estimated to raise £5m, but its opponents have argued it will drive up school fees, cut bursaries and force many families to pull children out of private schools.

Grant estimated that the consequence of more children having to be educated by the state would be £10.8m bill for the taxpayer. “The anticipated effect of this policy will be that around 1,800 return, almost overnight, to state-funded education,” Grant wrote. “State education costs the government £6,000 per pupil. On that basis the implementation of this policy will cost the country £10.8m whilst the rates increase will bring in £5m. “So let’s be really clear, this is an attack on independent schools. It will not increase revenue, it will reduce it. It will not improve education it will continue to wreck it. It will not decrease social inequality, it will strengthen the dogma of elitism.” 

Grant said it was wrong to characterise independent schools as elitist, arguing that one quarter of his pupils receive financial assistance, which meant children from all economic backgrounds were at Clifton Hall. “I’m really saddened that at a time when schools like mine are doing everything they can to be community-spirited, less elite and, in particular, absolutely devoted to ensuring children from the poorest of backgrounds can attend, government seeks to add a tax burden on a tiny group of charitable institutions in complete contradiction to its stated aim of reducing inequity in society. This must, therefore, be a political decision as it certainly isn’t a financial one, which is really narrow-minded.” 

Grant warned that the business rates hike would force private schools to close ranks and stop sharing expertise and facilities with state schools and the community. He said: “I am now utterly despondent that I put my cross against SNP at the last election as this now appears to be a government that has rapidly changed from a socially democratic and ethical party into a body that is infatuated with control, dislikes dissent and is fixated on every element of society toeing the line. “Unfortunately, this latest political decision directly affects children, Scotland’s children. The policy is being introduced not to avoid elitism, not to increase revenue, not out of some philosophical deeply held belief in us all being Jock Tamson’s bairns, but rather to kick ‘private’ education because it doesn’t fit with the government’s notion of educational equality.” 

Grant’s claim that there would be an increased burden on the state sector was echoed by Cameron Wyllie, the principal of George Heriot’s in Edinburgh, who suggested the future of smaller private schools would be on the line. “Obviously, we at Heriot’s are very disappointed that the Scottish Government has come to this decision.” said Wyllie. “We do not believe, in essence, that the move will bring in any revenue, when it is balanced against the increased costs to the education budget in Scotland which will accrue from pupils leaving independent schools because a) their parents cannot afford the increased fees or b) schools find themselves having to reduce bursarial aid in order to find the money or c) because schools close.”

John Edward of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), which represents more than 70 institutions, said: “It would only take three per cent of our pupils, which is nothing, to go back to the state sector for the £5m to be wiped out altogether. This is at a time when they are being told to build over 500 new classrooms by 2020 just to accommodate the rise in secondary pupils. If the numbers don’t add up, which they don’t, it suggests it wasn’t a financial argument. If it is not a financial argument then at least have the decency to say so.” Wyllie said it was a “crumb of comfort” that the Scottish Government had said it would exempt independent special schools from the business rates hike.

However, Edward said it was still unclear how schools for children with additional needs would be separated from mainstream private schools in the legislation. He also suggested that many children who needed learning support were educated in the larger mainstream private schools. The rates change was originally proposed in the Barclay Review, an exercise commissioned by the Scottish Government to examine business rates and carried out by former RBS head of Scottish operations Ken Barclay. The review, published in September, also said the arm’s length bodies running leisure and cultural facilities for councils (ALEOs) and universities should pay the full amount. The Scottish Government decided against ending business rates relief for ALEOs and universities.

2.  An Edinburgh school has failed in its bid to fill two vacant maths teacher positions – at the second attempt. Trinity Academy has been plagued by a teacher shortage in recent months with university students drafted in to cover maths lessons. Trinity Academy has been ravaged by teacher shortages. 

Despite a number of individuals applying for the positions, nobody deemed suitable has come forward to fill them. The two maths positions at the secondary school have remained vacant since the summer. The issues faced at Trinity are indicative of a wider problem facing schools all over the country, with many, particularly in rural areas, citing severe staffing shortages. In a letter, Trinity Academy rector, Bryan Paterson, appealed to parents, asking for their help in recruiting suitable candidates. “I write to assure you that plans have been put into place to mitigate against the national shortage and to ensure that all classes are supported by mathematics ­teachers. “Where necessary, maths teachers may also share some classes, particularly in S1-S3, with colleagues from other faculties who have a mathematics background. “Finally, if any parent can support us in any way, or knows anyone who might be able to do so, please contact me directly.” 

It was later announced that university students would be drafted in to assist with lessons, while an established teacher took charge of the class. On Trinity Academy’s latest recruitment failure, a City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with the school over filling the vacancies and will continue with the various measures put in place, which has the support of the Parent Council, to minimise disruption to the pupils’ learning. Our priority remains ensuring that the curriculum continues to be delivered to the highest possible standard.”

Mr Paterson has said there will be a drive to enlist probation teachers in the New Year. The remaining maths teacher vacancies are expected to be re-listed in due course. A Scottish government spokesperson has noted the challenges faced by schools in certain areas of the country. “Although teacher recruitment is a matter for local authorities, we recognise some areas have faced challenges filling vacancies. This is why we have invested £88m in 2017 alone, resulting in 453 more teachers in Scottish classrooms than last year. “We have taken decisive action to help recruit and retain teachers through our Teaching Makes People campaign, focusing specifically on attracting new teachers and career changers into Stem and other subjects. “We also recently announced bursaries of £20,000 for career changers to train to become teachers of priority Stem subjects.”

November 2017

There is rarely a day that goes by when we do not hear of further widespread concern about the state of Scottish education.

Anxious parents contact us for advice, tutors report conversations with parents and tutees, teachers in schools express bewilderment, and are increasingly stressed, and a variety of politicians,councillors, journalists, community groups all seek information or advice.

Last week a tutor reported a conversation that took place between a concerned parent and her child’s teacher. The mother was stating that her child is bored, is under-achieving and needs more challenge, including homework. 

The teacher’s response was that the child was doing fine, and that she could set her own homework, and concluded by stating : “We create a NON-COMPETITIVE, inclusive and non-threatening environment.”

Reaction to “Head above the parapet”

We have been receiving many reactions supporting the teacher who has exposed the situation in schools. 

Widespread comments such as, ” No surprise in any of it. Hopefully tide soon turning as the curriculum isn’t meeting any child’s needs and is impossible for teachers to negotiate.” 

And, “Indeed. I agree with what he is saying. We are changing so much that no one really knows what they are doing any more. That’s how I feel.”

Head above the parapet

A Scottish secondary school teacher has written an open letter to Nicola Sturgeon in which he describes Scotland’s education system as “utterly broken”. 

Mark Wilson, a biology teacher at Dunfermline High School, claims that a sub-standard curriculum and “never-ending bureaucracy” is preventing school staff from doing their jobs properly. 

“Today, right now in schools across Scotland, teachers are losing morale on a scale I’ve never seen,” stated Mark Wilson.

In a letter to the Scottish First Minister published on his blog and reported by the Herald newspaper, he described the SNP’s flagship education reform Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) as a “disaster” for pupils and teachers. 

He claimed that the standard of Scottish education had gone into “unprecedented decline” over the past six years, adding that the curriculum was “utterly failing the children in our care”. 

Mr Wilson, who has been a teacher for 16 years and is also a successful novelist, was previously a member of the SNP and voted in favour of Scottish independence in 2014. 

“Today, right now in schools across Scotland, teachers are losing morale on a scale I’ve never seen and didn’t think could happen,” he wrote. “The current conditions for teachers are so gruelling that we are beginning to hate, 

to dread, stress over and now depart a role we loved so much.” ‘Ground down’ He added: “Teachers are demoralised, stressed and being ground down because we know that we are not doing the best that we can for the kids in our care. 

“We are being prevented by a sub-standard curriculum and never-ending bureaucracy from educating our kids properly. We are failing these kids.” 

Ms Sturgeon has promised that improving education is her “number one priority” after studies showed pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills worsening and the nation sliding down international league tables. 

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said the letter was a “serious warning” to the SNP and called on ministers to stop “dithering” on reforms to CfE.

“This teacher speaks for many when he highlights the lack of clear direction within the Curriculum for Excellence and the lack of academic rigour in far too many subjects, all of which is having a devastating effect on teacher morale,” she added. 

A Scottish Government spokesman said it “values teachers for the vital work they do educating and inspiring our young people” and insisted that CfE was the “right approach” for Scotland. He added: “We have made a commitment to tackle bureaucracy and address excessive teacher workload. 

“That will continue to be a key theme of our bold education reforms, which also include headteachers being given more power to make decisions in their schools to improve education and more money to make the changes needed. 

“Changes to National Qualifications were welcomed when announced last year, with the removal of unit assessments freeing up time for teachers to focus on learning and teaching.”

Unfortunately we have to report that many of our tutors who are teachers are reporting similarly, and words like “stressed out”, “demoralised”,” demotivated”, “low morale”, “confused” are being heard regularly.

 September 2017

Our reputation is clearly spreading as more and more interest is being expressed in our work in preparing youngsters for independent school entry.

.We have received a number of enquiries in September, many much earlier at the start of autumn than usual, and we have already seen several very able pupils indeed!

Usually once a tutor has worked with a tutee, or completed work after several months, or longer, and often after the euphoria of outstanding examination results, we receive, and are grateful for, glowing testimonials.

However, we were thrilled recently to receive one immediately after an assessment had been carried out by our Director, and we are proud to quote from it, as it demonstrates the value of our approach and our USP :

”  A small note to say thank you for sharing your passion for learning with both our boys. 

It was a delight to meet you.

You managed to sum up, in such a short time, both boys perfectly, and our thoughts on their learning.

You do have a wonderful way for seeing what is needed, and exciting them about learning.

Both of us felt certain that, although we had not been recommended to you, we had made the right choice both in seeing you, in going ahead to have tutoring, and in trying the children out for a private school.  “

 Early August 2017

Examination results for senior pupils tend to be the be all and end all at this time of year.

Step Ahead tutees invariably report outstanding successes, and this year is no exception!

It is still early days as youngsters return from holidays and get ready to re-start school, but we are already hearing of some wonderful achievements, including a Higher at Classical Studies with not only an A, but a top band A (over 87%), a number with at least five Higher passes, several with 5 As, and many who have secured their university places.

This year too, there are lots of our tutees who are transferring from primary school to either secondary school or independent school, and we wish them all the very best of good fortune at a period in their lives which is both exciting and challenging.