MSP & Councillor Welcome New Schools for Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP and local ward Councillor Keith Brooks have today (Wednesday) welcomed the news that 30 new schools are to be built across Scotland faster and sooner than planned.

Last week’s budget brought forward £80m of the cash as part of a £1.25billion investment to ensure the school projects get underway quicker. Inverclyde will see the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Primary School.

Mr McMillan said;

“Thanks to the SNP Government 30 new schools will be built across Scotland including the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Primary School here in Inverclyde.

“Even more pupils from across the country will benefit from top-quality classrooms as a result of the beginning of phase three of Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme and construction workers will benefit from new projects getting started sooner.

“Today’s announcement is part of the Scottish Government’s £1.25billion investment in the school building programme to ensure pupils have access to safe and productive learning environments.”

Local Ward Councillor Keith Brooks added;

“I am delighted to learn that St Patrick’s Primary School is to receive a refurbishment under the SNP Government’s investment in school projects.

“This announcement is a welcomed boost for Scotland’s education sector and also the construction industry.”

Ends

Scottish Government release -

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/09/school-buildings26092012

McMillan Raises College Concerns with Management

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Friday) written to the Principal of James Watt College to highlight correspondence he has received from lecturers, parents and students who are concerned with a perceived breakdown in communication with management.

Mr McMillan has been made there have been a number of strikes in recent weeks and more are planned. Alongside this, students are concerned with the number of classes being cancelled.

Mr McMillan MSP said:

“I have received correspondence from lecturers, parents and students who have, individually, raised their concerns in relation to a perceived breakdown in communications between management and staff.

“The students, some of whom I will be meeting, are anxious to get their classes up and running again.

“Plainly, there are strong concerns amongst lecturers, parents and students at the College about current relations with management and a strong desire for the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible and for classes to commence.

“Therefore, I have written to the Principal to ask what actions are being taken to resolve any perceived difficulties and to ask for a meeting to discuss these matters.”

MSP & Councillor Welcome News of New Larkfield Nursery

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) and Ward Councillor Innes Nelson have today (Monday) welcomed the news that Inverclyde Council is to open a new nursery in the Larkfield area of Greenock following last October’s closure of Ladybird Pre 5 Centre.

Mr McMillan attended and spoke in support of the campaign to save Ladybird Pre 5 Centre at the public meeting on Wednesday 13th October 2010.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the news that a new nursery is to be established in the Larkfield area of Greenock.

"I was only too happy to attend the public meeting in support of the campaign to save Ladybird Pre 5 centre. Therefore, I am pleased that a new nursery will be established in Larkfield.

"I note the number of places at the new nursery is less than what was previously available, however, this is a step in the right direction."

Councillor Nelson said:

"The new nursery, although not a like for like replacement, will go some way towards meeting the needs of parents in the area."

McMillan Welcomes Record Funding Settlement for Council

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the news of how Inverclyde Council has been able to spend the record funding from the Scottish Government on frontline services. The figures highlight that Inverclyde Council has been able to budget for a 4.1% increase in 2009-10 over what was spent in 2008-09.

The official statistics show in particular that education funding in Inverclyde has increased 13.2%, or over £6,300,000 per year, since the SNP Government came to power in 2007.
Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the news from the SNP Scottish Government that Inverclyde Council is continuing to receive record funding to pay for frontline services such as education and police.

"The Scottish Government is showing its commitment to making Scotland fairer and stronger by giving Council's the necessary funding to invest in vital services.

"I would urge Inverclyde Council to invest this funding wisely and provide services which are fit for purpose. It's important they follow the lead of the Scottish Government and deliver for the people of Inverclyde."

Notes:

The vast majority of funding for councils comes from central Government. The Scottish Government currently provides over seven times more to Inverclyde Council (£185m) than it raises itself in Council Tax (£26m).

The figures can be found at;
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/07/06093528/0

McMillan Calls on Council to Reverse Teacher Cuts

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today (Thursday) written to the Director of Education at Inverclyde Council to urge him to reverse cuts in the number if teachers employed by the Council and to ascertain why teacher numbers in publicly funded schools (pre-school; primary & secondary) have dropped from 907 in 2007 to 860 in 2008. The figures for Inverclyde local authority area have come to light in the National Statistics Publication for Scotland (24th March 2009) document.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was disappointed to read the recent statistics which highlight that the number of teachers in publicly funded schools have dropped 5% in Inverclyde from 2007 to 2008.

"This drop in teacher numbers comes on the back of increased funding per pupil from 2006-07 to 2007-08 of 6.7% in primary schools and 2.3% in secondary schools in Inverclyde. This is a golden opportunity to provide smaller class sizes and better education for all children which makes it vital that sufficient teacher numbers are in place within Inverclyde to undertake the education of our pupils.

"I felt it necessary to write to the Director of Education to ascertain why there has been a drop in teacher numbers and to ask what is currently being done by the Council to address this issue.

McMillan Welcomes Accelerated Funding for Higher Education

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed the recent announcement by the Scottish Government that accelerated funding of £20.5 million has been brought forward. The Scottish Government has brought forward the capital in response to current economic conditions in order to create and maintain modern facilities where people can get the skills and qualifications they need to get into work, remain in work and contribute to Scotland's economic future.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the announcement by the Scottish Government that they are to bring forward capital investment to help higher education.

"This funding will see James Watt College benefit to the sum of £675,000, which is an increase of around 38% from capital allocation in 2008/09.

"It is important that the Scottish Government invest in future generations and this acceleration of capital allocation will allow many more people in Scotland to benefit from Higher Education, which can only help Scotland's economy through a better educated workforce who are more able to undertake employment."

MSP Welcomes Holocaust Education Support

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has taken action to guarantee the future of Auschwitz visits for Scottish school pupils to learn about the Holocaust.

The Scottish Government has pledged to provide £214,000 to ensure the flights from Scotland continue.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to hear the Scottish Government is providing funding to ensure Scottish school pupils learn about the Holocaust. I have been to Auschwitz and know that it left a lasting impression on my thinking and its something I was glad to be able to see first hand.

"We must ensure that these issues are treated sensitively and that Scottish school children continue to learn the important lessons from one of history’s darkest moments.

"The previous Labour/Liberal Executive did not provide any financial assistance for these important visits, and it is excellent to see the SNP government take this initiative. I am delighted that their intervention will mean that the visits from Scotland will continue.

"I trust that all those Labour politicians who chose to play politics with this issue will also congratulate the Scottish Government for their action in providing this funding, for the very first time by any Scottish administration."

McMillan Encourages Schools Nominations

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today encouraged people in Inverclyde to nominate their local schools for the Scottish Education Awards.

The Scottish Education Awards are a celebration of the good practice and innovative developments taking place in schools across the country.

The awards highlight best practice in Scottish classrooms, celebrate schools and acknowledge the dedicated individuals who devote their lives to helping young people fulfil their potential.

Mr. McMillan said;

"It takes commitment and enthusiasm from pupils and staff alike to make Scotland's schools the successful and positive learning environments that they are.

"We should all be proud of the many innovations and creative initiatives underway in our schools and I would love to see Inverclyde schools nominated.

"The Scottish Education Awards are about giving recognition where it's deserved and rewarding achievement and there is much to be recognised in Inverclyde..

"I’m also delighted there is to be a special Homecoming Scotland Award in 2009 recognising how schools are celebrating Scotland’s great contributions to the world".

Notes:

· Nominations for the Scottish Education Awards, sponsored by the Scottish Government, are open from today until Friday 27 February 2009.

· For further details and to make a nomination visit the Scottish Education Awards website.

Awards will be given across 17 categories:

One Scotland Active Citizenship Award
Learning Teach Scotland Ambition Award
Determined to Succeed Most Enterprising School Awards (three awards given - for Primary, Secondary and Special)
Determined to Succeed Best Enterprise Award
Quality Meat Scotland Health and Wellbeing Award
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Learning Award
Greener Scotland Award
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Schools for All Award
International Schools Award
Daily Record Award for Education Supporter of the Year
Daily Record Award for Teacher of the Year
Daily Record Award for Headteacher of the Year
Daily Record Award for Probationer Teacher of the Year
Daily Record Award for Lifetime Achievement
Homecoming Scotland Award

The Homecoming Scotland Award has been introduced for 2009 - Scotland's Year of Homecoming. This award will recognise how schools and young people have explored and celebrated Scotland's great contributions to the world, including Scots who have emigrated around the world and played a part in the development and history of other countries.

McMillan Congratulates Bishopbriggs Teacher

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today congratulated Bishopbriggs teacher, David Miller, for winning the UK Secondary School Teacher of the Year Award.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I was happy to congratulate David for winning this award. He is a credit to St Ninian’s and the quality of teaching we have in East Dunbartonshire.

"I have also submitted a parliamentary motion to publicly congratulate David and I hope other MSPs will sign this to show their appreciation of his work.

"Teachers like David deserve to be recognised and I am delighted Scotland has shown the way forward for education with this award. We have an excellent track record for teaching in Scotland and I am delighted David is continuing that trend for our future generations".

Note for Editor

· Text of Stuart McMillan MSP’s parliamentary motion:

Short title: Bishopbriggs Teacher Best in Britain

That the Parliament congratulates David Miller from St Ninian's High School in Bishopbriggs for winning the Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School award at the 2008 Teaching Awards; notes his commitment to children in the area by serving on a children's panel, prompting his decision to take up teaching; also notes the excellent standard of teaching in Scotland's schools, and recognises the hard work teachers in Scotland put in to create a safe and enjoyable learning atmosphere.

McMillan Urges Local Schools to Enter Euroquiz

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) is encouraging every primary school in Inverclyde to enter a team in the 2009 Euroquiz.

The competition is organised by Scotland's local authorities in conjunction with Scottish European Educational Trust.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is an excellent opportunity for Inverclyde primary school pupils to pit their wits against their peers from across the country.

"The teams must come from Primary Six - but the whole school can get behind their team to cheer them on.

"Inverclyde primary pupils are a talented bunch, and I'm sure any team that enters will have an excellent chance of making it to the final rounds but just taking part will be a great experience and a fun way for all Primary Six pupils to find out more about European geography, history, sport, language and culture.

"I would encourage every school in the area to take part, and I look forward to seeing how many take up the challenge".


Notes
· Euroquiz is open to all Primary Schools in Scotland, with each school to enter one team of 4 pupils from P6. Heats in each local authority area will take place between September 2008 and
10 April 2009, and the winners of these will travel to Edinburgh in May 2009 to compete in the Scottish Final, hopefully in the Scottish Parliament.

· Questions will cover history, geography, language, sport, culture, general knowledge and European Union, and are also available in Gaelic. The winning team in each heat will receive a trophy and individual prizes, and runners-up also will get individual prizes. Each school will receive list of useful websites, addresses for materials and sample questions to help prepare for the quiz. Entry is free of charge, with travel costs to the National Final covered by the Scottish
European Educational Trust.

· Further details about the quiz are available from Barbara MacLeod at the Scottish European Educational Trust on 0131 557 9886/07903 693106 or seet@euromove.org.uk.

McMillan Congratulates Inverclyde Pupils

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today congratulated secondary school pupils in Inverclyde on their excellent exam results.

This year saw an 8 per cent increase in pupils gaining one Higher or more, six per cent increase in pupils gaining three Highers or more and a three per cent increase in pupils gaining five Highers from last year’s results.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I would like to congratulate pupils in Inverclyde on their achievements in both Higher and Standard Grade exams.

"It can be a nervous time waiting for exam results and I hope the pupils get the results they deserve, which will stand them in good stead for their future plans.

"This year’s exam results were the most successful since the current exam format was introduced in 2000 and I have no doubt that teachers, parents and most of all pupils, in Inverclyde should be extremely proud of the achievement.

"I wish every pupil the very best of success in whatever they go on to do next".

McMillan welcomes Woodhill Primary School's award for languages

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed the recent announcement that Woodhill Primary School has received a European award for Languages. Woodhill Primary School in Bishopbriggs was the only Scottish school to receive a European Award for Languages at a high-profile, prize-giving ceremony hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald in London this week.

Mr McMillan said;

"This is excellent news to hear that Woodhill Primary School has received such a prestigious European award for languages.

"The fact that the school was the only Scottish school to receive such an award on helps to reinforce the achievement of the pupils who have worked very hard on their project called Passeport santé et citoyenneté or Passport to citizenship and health.

" With the pupils learning French I am sure this will stand them in good stead for the future and encourage them to be outgoing.

" I was happy to put down a Parliamentary motion to acknowledge this excellent achievement and wish them every success for their future endeavours."

Date of Lodging: 31 July 2008

Short Title: Woodhill Primary School, Bishopbriggs, Wins European Award for Languages

S3M-02355 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament
congratulates Woodhill Primary School in Bishopbriggs on receiving a European award for languages at a prize-giving ceremony hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald in London; acknowledges that Woodhill Primary School was the only Scottish school to receive such a prestigious award; notes that 12 awards were presented to schools with outstanding language initiatives to recognise creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate students and make the best of available resources, and further notes that the Woodhill Primary School project was called "Passeport santé et citoyenneté" or "Passport to citizenship and health" and involved pupils learning French through blogs and podcasts centred around the themes of good health and citizenship as part of an Anglo-Franco-Scottish project.

McMillan Congratulates East Dunbartonshire Schools

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today congratulated East Dunbartonshire schools on their success at the Scottish Education Awards 2008.

East Dunbartonshire schools won in four categories and were shortlisted for seven, the highest of all councils in Scotland.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is an excellent achievement for the winning schools and East Dunbartonshire as a whole.

"These awards are something to be proud of and shows the Council are putting a lot of effort in to the education of young people in East Dunbartonshire.

"The awards recognise the hard work in Scottish education and with East Dunbartonshire winning so many categories I was also pleased to lodge a motion in Parliament offering my best wishes".

Notes:

· East Dunbartonshire school winners and categories:
St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch - International Schools National Award/Teacher of the Year National Award

Milngavie Primary School - Most Enterprising Primary School National Award

Merkland School, Kirkintilloch - Most Enterprising Special School National Award

· Text of Stuart McMillan MSPs motion in Parliament:

S3M-02239 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates East Dunbartonshire schools for their four awards in the Scottish Education Awards 2008; notes that awards were given to St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch, International Schools National Award and Teacher of the Year National Award, Milngavie Primary School, Most Enterprising Primary School National Award, and Merkland School, Kirkintilloch, Most Enterprising Special School National Award; recognises the fantastic achievement in winning such awards and that East Dunbartonshire won the most awards of any local authority in Scotland at the ceremony on Friday 13 June 2008, and acknowledges that East Dunbartonshire schools were shortlisted for seven national awards.

McMillan Welcomes St Stephen’s School to Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) yesterday (Wednesday) welcomed senior pupils from St. Stephen’s High School to the Scottish Parliament.

Mr. McMillan took part in the pupil’s BBC Schools Question Time event in April and invited the team to Holyrood to congratulate them on a successful evening.

Mr. McMillan said;

"St. Stephen’s being the only Scottish school in the finals of the competition was a fantastic achievement and following such a well conducted event I was delighted to invite the pupils to the Parliament for lunch.

"The pupils all put in a great deal of hard work and this is my way of saying well done and to wish them the best of luck in the future.

"The group also consisted of two students who have recently taken part in a NASA junior astronaut programme in the US, which again was a great achievement for them to be selected".

400,000 STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM COUNCIL TAX ABOLITION

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today highlighted figures obtained by Labour MSP Clare Baker which show that 388,560 students currently liable for the Council Tax will benefit from its abolition and replacement with a Local Income Tax.

Mr. McMillan said;

"There are currently 388,560 students facing an additional burden throughout their studies from the council tax payment..

" Thus, with nearly 400,000 students liable for the council tax, it is quite clear we must abolition this unfair and discredited tax system and replace it with a local income tax based on the ability to pay. This will lift the burden from those thousands of students currently being punished through the council tax.

"Only those earning over the tax allowance will be eligible to pay local income tax. At present a student on minimum wage would need to be working over 20 hours a week throughout the year to face any tax under the SNP's proposals.

"Labour claims of sympathy for working students mean little coming from the party that has just doubled the tax rates these students pay from 10% to 20% and that voted against the abolition of the Graduate Endowment.

"The SNP's proposals for Local Income Tax will lift the burden of council tax from over 388,000 students and leave four out of five households better or no worse off In Scotland."

Notes:
S3W-12348 - Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) (Date Lodged Friday, April 25, 2008): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the First Minister's statement on 24 April 2008 that some 400,000 students in Scotland are currently liable for the council tax (Official Report c. 7934), which categories of student are included in this calculation and how many students there are in each category.

Answered by John Swinney (Thursday, May 22, 2008): Part-time students aged 18 and over are not exempt from paying council tax by virtue of their student status and so are potentially liable for council tax. Some full-time students in further education are enrolled on courses that do not qualify them for a council tax exemption as the course is not considered long enough to be full-time for council tax purposes, and they will also be potentially liable. On that basis, the numbers of part-time students that are potentially liable for council tax break down as follows:

Postgraduate 41,550

First Degree 15,985

Other HE 49,300

FE 281,725

Total 388,560

Note: This information is based on Higher Education Statistics Agency and Scottish Funding Council enrolment data, and excludes; dormant, visiting exchange, writing up and sabbatical students at HEIs, as well as those college students who failed to complete 25% of their course.

McMillan Welcomes Scrapping of the Graduation Endowment

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today welcomed the scrapping of the graduation endowment which will come into affect from the 1st April 2008. The Graduate Endowment Abolition (Scotland) Bill means that all current and future students, as well as those who graduated on or after April 1, 2007 will not have to pay the charge.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is a important day for current students within Higher Education and those planning to enter university.. No longer will our students face the burden of having to pay a tax when they graduate.

"The Cabinet Secretary has called this the scrapping of a tax on learning, and I for one wholeheartedly agree with those comments. The removal of this tax will help those who are less well off and are worried about the potential debts higher education may mean for them. With the removal of this tax I hope this will encourage people to attend university and to learn and not have to worry about the potential debt levels they may face after graduation.

"Education is a right for all and the removal of this barrier is welcomed".

McMillan Takes Questions from St Kenneth Primary School Pupils

Stuart McMillan MSP (West of Scotland) today visited St Kenneth Primary School as part of an MSPs in Schools programme. Mr McMillan was briefed by pupils on their involvement in developing tourist guides for children and introducing them into the Greenock area. He then participated in a question and answer discussion session where pupils questioned him on a range of local and national issues.

Commenting Mr. McMillan said;

" I welcomed the opportunity to go along to St Kenneth Primary School and meet the pupils. This has allowed me to witness first hand the excellent work the school is doing in promoting the area and specifically the work carried out in making tourist guides for children."

" I enjoyed the question and answer session which the pupils had arranged and found the questions to be thought provoking and interesting. The questions ranged from specific local issues to more general issues which have national significance."

" I was thoroughly impressed with the time and effort the pupils had put in to this session and the brief they provided me with about their tourist guides for Greenock. Meeting school pupils is an enjoyable part of being an elected representative and I encourage all MSPs to visit schools within their constituency or region to see the work that is going on"