Meeting of the Parliament 06 February 2024
I did not know that, so I thank Finlay Carson for that information.
Given that much of the decision making around education is the responsibility of local authorities, it is down to the leadership of those authorities to make or break innovation in education. It is important to recognise that all the many achievements of Dunoon grammar have occurred under existing structures and systems. Nevertheless, if there were greater freedom for, and greater empowerment of, headteachers, even more such achievements could happen.
I must draw my remarks to a close, but first I lay down a direct challenge to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, who I am delighted to see is in the chamber to respond to the debate. What will the Scottish Government do to learn the lessons of Dunoon grammar’s success and ensure, in any way that it can, that that success can be replicated across Scotland?
The school is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when teachers are given the freedom and support to think and act creatively, and when pupils are made to feel part of something bigger and are encouraged to think about social good. On that note, I should mention that there are Dunoon grammar pupils currently undertaking work in Tanzania. Dunoon is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when a local community has a stake in the success of its school.
Dunoon grammar and David Mitchell—his team, his leadership, his teachers and his pupils past and present—have achieved so much and will no doubt go on to achieve much more. To help Dunoon grammar and every other school in Scotland, however, it is imperative that we in the Parliament remove the barriers to success and let our schools flourish.
17:03