§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that teachers have the time, materials and resources requested by teachers' organisations to implement in full the Higher Still programme by August 1999. [32540]
§ Mr. WilsonWithin months of taking office, we allowed an extra year for teachers to prepare for Higher Still. This has been widely welcomed.
By the time Higher Still classes commence in schools in 1999, around £20m will have been invested in the reforms by The Scottish Office, with further substantial sums invested by other key partners. This investment will ensure that teachers in S5 and S6 are better supported than ever before. The Higher Still Development Unit has provided local authorities and colleges with detailed plans of what will be provided, and when. These timelines cover the period from now to implementation in 1999, to the Advanced Higher in 2000 and beyond.
The most significant initiatives in support of teachers are: the National Staff Development Programme, offering all principal teachers and subject leaders in-depth training; the support materials strategy, offering teaching support materials; the National Assessment Bank, offering nationally validated tests for teachers; and IT based guidance materials.
In the run up to introduction of the reforms, a programme of implementation studies will assist authorities in considering priorities and managing implementation within available resources. Field Officers have been assigned to work with each authority on implementation planning.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent response he has made to the concerns expressed by teachers of English about the content of the Higher Still English syllabus. [32542]
§ Mr. WilsonAdditional seminars and advice have been provided to English teachers about the new course. The Higher Still assessment arrangements are broadly comparable to those of the existing Higher. I recognise, however, that the workload associated with assessment in English has been an issue for English teachers for some time.
778WWorkload issues are always prominent when major change is implemented. Teacher representatives have, however, been positive about the range of support which the Higher Still Programme will provide. This is because we have listened to the views of the profession; adapting the programme and responding to needs. I am confident that teachers in S5 and S6 will be better supported than they have ever been before.
In comparison with other subjects, however, English has a heavier load of internal assessment. We intend, therefore, to reduce the burden of internal assessment for English to bring it more into line with other subjects. I am confident that these changes will be broadly welcomed as further evidence of our commitment to partnership with the profession in implementing Higher Still.