No Sire. It's An Educational Revolution

My letter in The Herald on Sunday (07 September).

Dear Madam,

I like a good laugh. But nothing quite prepared me for the coffee-spluttering, full belly chortle prompted by James McEnaney's plea that political parties should be kept out of education.

The Scottish education system is failing. I would say that it was failing right, left and centre but it would be more accurate to say that it's the left and centre that are failing it. “It”, that's such an anonymous way to put it. Failing the pupils, their parents, the teachers, the support-workers, the employers, the people of this country.

Our universities are dependent on foreign fee-paying students with their concomitant effect on urban land use, housing and social coherence. Our schools lack discipline, our teachers lack the respect they should deserve, and far too many of the pupils lack the motivation to even bother turning up. And our colleges struggle on numerous levels, in part, because of the relentless drive to get as many pupils as possible into "free" university places. The list could go on and on and on. There is failure at every level and in every sector. And every single one of these failures can be traced back to, at best, liberal educational policies, and at worst, progressive ones.

As Mr. McEnaney knows full well, arguing that political parties should be kept out of education is itself a deeply political act. It pretends neutrality where there is bias. In fakes disinterest to the advantage of interested activists. It seeks to maintain power for an elitist left-of-centre agenda to the exclusion of the concerns of ordinary people. And it demonstrates the extent of the cosy left-wing consensus in Holyrood which ranges from the Scottish Conservatives to the Greens, the mostly left to the loony left.

It's this leftist consensus, that for all his criticisms, Mr. McEnaney wishes to preserve. Unfortunately for him though, his missive communicates more than it intends. It communicates fear. Fear that for the first time in the devolution period, there is an opportunity to make the Scottish education great again. Fear that the education system will put the priorities of ordinary people first. Fear that the ordinary people who’ve had a belly full of the mendacity, the incompetence, the anybody-but-them-attitude that takes their taxes, treats them as scum and when the find their voice derogates them as white supremacists, the far-right, or whatever the clichéd slur du jour happens to be have an entirely different set of educational priorities from the luxury beliefs of the Scottish educational establishment. 

So I was delighted to read Mr. McEnaney's article. It made my day. It indicates, perhaps even proves, that the progressive/liberal educational establishment with their over-inflated salaries, their mickey-mouse courses and their divisive diversity agendas are worried. They have every right to be. With success, this won't be the start of an educational revolt; it'll be the start of a revolution.

Yours Sincerely, 

Graeme Arnott.

Jim McColl, Newlands Junior College, and Scotland’s Education Conundrum

Introduction

Jim McColl OBE, a prominent Scottish businessman and CEO of Clyde Blowers, is not only known for his industrial achievements but also for his passionate interest in education. This passion led him to establish Newlands Junior College (NJC) in 2014, an innovative attempt to address the issue of disengaged students in Scotland. While NJC demonstrated significant success, its story also highlights the challenges of educational reform and the entrenched resistance to change.

"Allowing children to leave school at 14 isn’t writing them off...it’s giving them the chance to reach for the stars"

McColl’s Background and Motivation

McColl’s own experience shaped his perspective on education. He readily admits that school wasn’t his forte, expressing that an old car engine was of more interest than his schoolwork. His career began with an engineering apprenticeship, a path he credits as crucial to his success. This background likely fueled his desire to create an educational alternative that focused on vocational skills and provided a more engaging learning environment for students who were struggling in the traditional system.

Newlands Junior College: Innovation and Impact

Newlands Junior College was McColl’s solution to address the problem of students disengaging with secondary school. NJC offered vocational classes alongside traditional subjects, creating a unique educational space. The results were impressive. The college achieved significant improvements in student outcomes, including increased attendance, achievement, and positive destinations for students. Testimonials from students highlighted a transformative change in their attitude towards learning and a newfound sense of belonging.

The Challenges and Closure of NJC

Despite its success, NJC faced significant challenges. Opposition from the "educational establishment," or "the blob" as it’s called in the reference text, and funding issues ultimately led to its closure in 2019. The document argues that the college’s demise reveals a systemic resistance to change within the Scottish education system.

McColl’s Continued Advocacy

McColl’s involvement in education reform didn’t end with the closure of NJC. He has publicly supported proposals to lower the school leaving age, sparking debate and controversy. This highlights his continued commitment to challenging the status quo and advocating for reforms that better serve students.

Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

The story of Jim McColl and Newlands Junior College offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in education reform in Scotland. It underscores the difficulties in overcoming systemic resistance and the importance of confronting the "blob" head-on. The need for systemic change is evident. McColl’s efforts, though met with setbacks, serve as a reminder that innovation and a willingness to challenge the norm are essential for creating a fairer and more effective education system in Scotland.