Educating our future generations is possibly the single most important area of work for this Council – by providing our young people with the tools and confidence to grow into successful members of society we can ensure future prosperity for Glasgow in the years to come.

We will:

• Provide at least 600 hours of free nursery education every year
• Embark on a systematic school refurbishment programme
• Take steps to further improve attainment in our schools
• Promote entrepreneurship in school
• Strengthen links between schools and further and higher education

Education Spokesperson Cllr Jennifer Dunn

EARLY YEARS

Glasgow has a strong nurture philosophy in early years and the SNP will continue to support nurture. We will work tirelessly to implement the Scottish Government strategy, "Getting it Right for Every Child" for the benefit of our youngest citizens and make best use of the Early Years Change Fund. We will take forward the findings of pilot schemes in the north of Glasgow in support of early intervention and preventative action as well as looking further afield, to learn from what works elsewhere. We will work with the Scottish Government to deliver at least 600 hours of free nursery education per year.

We will provide a more comprehensive system of provision and better information for service users of facilities across the private, voluntary and public sectors within Glasgow.

We will work with trades unions and be a leader to other employers in the city in ensuring our working practices allow for flexibility to accommodate parental responsibilities of our employees.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

New build and refurbished schools

We have, for many years, offered potential solutions to bring Glasgow's primary school buildings up to a high standard. We supported a recent proposal to carry out a full review of non-PPP schools in Glasgow to establish their current condition. This will mean planned – rather than reactive – work is carried out to maintain our school buildings. We will prioritise funds to carry out refurbishment of our primary schools.

The Scottish Government has developed a model of funding new buildings in Scotland led by the Scottish Futures Trust. Glasgow is benefiting from three primary school projects under this method of finance – Garrowhill, Glendale and St Brendan's Primary schools. We will continue to make the case for new build or refurbished schools in Glasgow, where needed.

Gaelic Schools

Glasgow has a strong Gaelic medium education tradition, with high levels of interest from parents and pupils alike. We welcome the announcement of additional funding for Gaelic medium education in the city and will continue to support provision as part of our efforts to sustain Gaelic in Glasgow.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Success for our pupils

Improving attainment rates amongst Glasgow's young people is a top priority of the SNP in education. While recognising the excellent work of pupils and staff, it is widely recognised that more needs to be done to raise the record of attainment in Glasgow.

Glasgow can learn from good practice elsewhere, which is why an SNP administration would work with the Scottish Government to convene an attainment summit, to learn what could be usefully applied in Glasgow. An SNP administration will also consult with teachers and trade unions to find workable solutions to improving attainment in the city, and develop ways in which attainment in schools can be improved within the new Curriculum for Excellence.

This may include measures such as a new system of concordats between schools and the Council, which will ensure that improving attainment will be rewarded, or a city-wide Attainment Task Force to support schools in their work to improve attainment.

Entrepreneurship in schools

To improve the entrepreneurial spark in our young people and to tackle Glasgow's low rate of business start-ups, we will work to increase links between young people and businesses. We will look at innovative models for the delivery of entrepreneurship examples in schools.

Additional Support for Learning

The Council provides a wide range of support for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN), including physical, mental and psychological needs. Glasgow has an extensive Additional Support for Learning infrastructure. An SNP administration will work with families to ensure the best education for their children, by sympathetically considering pupil requirements and matching these with appropriate facilities.

UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

Building on the excellent reputation and achievements of Glasgow's colleges and universities, we will work with them so that Glasgow's young people can gain greater access to facilities at college or university through the Curriculum for Excellence. Those wishing to enter more vocationally-focussed courses or employment could be provided with access to college and vocational material. Likewise, links between schools and universities in the city will be developed that would prepare school students for the world of university.