Meeting of the Parliament 14 May 2025
I welcome this debate on a very important issue for my constituents and for people across the country. There is no doubt that the number of ASN cases is rising, and that is very much reflected in my own case load. People are coming to my surgeries regularly now to seek advice and assistance, particularly when placing requests for specialist provision are being denied.
There has been a rapid increase in the number of such cases that my office and I have been dealing with this year, which far exceeds that of the years before the pandemic. Parents and children are being left frustrated and worried, and many are turning to the First-tier Tribunal once all avenues with the council have been explored.
I visit schools in my constituency every Monday, and I can testify to the fantastic work that our dedicated teaching staff and talented pupils are involved in. However, in almost all schools, I hear that the number of young people who need additional support is rising, and that is putting extra pressure on the schools.
There is no doubt that local authorities—it is North Lanarkshire Council in this instance—are under pressure in that regard. Of course, it does not help that they have often taken decisions to cut key resources, such as classroom assistants, as has been done in my local authority area.
However, I know that the council is also trying to find other solutions. For example, on Monday, I visited Shawhead primary school in Coatbridge, where I was informed that, from next term, the school would be used as a new enhanced mainstream provision with capacity for 10 children who have been denied ASN placements. That will involve additional staff and resources at the school. I very much welcome that step, and I am keen to find out how that exciting policy develops.
There is no doubt that the Scottish Government has supported local authorities to deliver in this area, with more than £1 billion spent on additional support for learning in 2023-24. However, we need to think more radically. We have a solution right in front of us that can help to tackle the rising incidence of additional needs, as well as behavioural difficulties, and to close the attainment gap. The cabinet secretary will know what I am going to say—it will be of no surprise to her. I believe that the introduction of a play-based kindergarten stage could be that very solution.
For several years, I have advocated the introduction of a kindergarten stage for Scotland. Almost a year ago, I brought a members’ business debate to the chamber on fostering a discussion on a kindergarten stage. The debate was engaging, with positive feedback on the idea from members across the parties. As I said in that debate, the UK is a complete outlier when we look at when our children start school, with our primary pupils starting between two and three years earlier than many of their European counterparts.
Kindergarten would give us the opportunity to allow children to flourish physically, mentally and socially. I understand that the introduction of a kindergarten stage will not necessarily solve all the factors behind pupils’ requirements for additional support needs. However, I firmly believe that taking that step will benefit pupils immensely and might address some developmental issues that can occur with our children. We currently have a system whereby children are expected to make a jarring transition from a nursery environment to a school environment while they are still between critical developmental milestones.
I could say so much more on the issue and talk about how the evidence points to a kindergarten stage reducing the attainment gap and behavioural difficulties. However, time is very tight in this debate, so I will end by urging the cabinet secretary to please explore the issue further, especially ahead of developing manifestos for 2026. A kindergarten phase will not solve all the issues in our education system overnight, and work must be done to help children who are struggling right now. However, the introduction of a well-designed kindergarten phase to at least the age of six, and possibly to the age of seven, will reap huge benefits in five to 10 years’ time. It could be truly game changing.
It is time for the Government and the Parliament to be bold and to come together and deliver the system that lets children be children, continues to support parents and carers and finally puts an end to the current Victorian-based model of children starting formal school at the age of four or five. If we are committed to such a positive change, in only five to 10 years’ time, debates such as this could be a thing of the past.
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