The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 2238 contributions
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
Thank you.
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
I will continue on that theme. You have convinced me that residential education is a good idea, but can you convince me that it has to be residential outdoor education? That is a specific question. If we have time, I would also like to ask about the ages at which kids do things.
As an example, it has been suggested that it is valuable for young people to go to Kew gardens, but that might not count as residential outdoor education. Ms Smith and I have a friend who takes groups to the first world war battlefields. At the end of my first year—that is, S1—we went on a tour of the Highlands. I do not remember what we did, but I remember being at different places. I have a number of friends in Glasgow who have never been to Inverness, let alone a park. If we have £30 million a year to play with, should we not widen things out a bit, or does it have to be spent on residential outdoor education?
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
As you mentioned the age issue, will you tell us whether you are convinced about the P6 to S4 focus? Would you want flexibility on that, too?
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
Professor Loynes, is the bill too specific or are you happy with it?
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
I am sure that they would need reassurance about the cardboard boxes. Dr Scrutton, do you want to comment?
Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 November 2024
John Mason
I did not really pursue that point, as Professor Mannion gave me an answer on it. Dr Scrutton, do you agree that we should be more flexible on the ages?
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Meeting date: 30 October 2024
John Mason
I am relatively new to the committee and some of the jargon slightly escapes me, so please forgive me if I am asking obvious questions. The leaving certificate and the Scottish diploma of achievement have already been mentioned by two of my colleagues. Are those exactly the same thing? We are using two terms, but are they the same thing?
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Meeting date: 30 October 2024
John Mason
Would that be entirely subjective?
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Meeting date: 30 October 2024
John Mason
That is helpful.
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Meeting date: 30 October 2024
John Mason
Professor Hayward, do you want to come back in on that point?