Simpson In Schools Inquiry

TORY councillor Graham Simpson is taking part in a national inquiry into schooling in Scotland.The East Kilbride West councillor - who fought a successful campaign for parental choice in South Lanarkshire - is representing his party on the Commission for School Reform.The inquiry, established by independent think-tanks Reform Scotland and the Centre for Scottish Public Policy, includes representatives from political parties, heads of schools and colleges and figures from the business and sporting worlds.The Commission is chaired by Keir Bloomer, former president of the Association of Directors of Education.The inquiry is designed to ensure young people are able to reach their full potential in education.Cllr Simpson said: "We start with a blank sheet and can look at any aspect of education in Scotland."We'll start by examining whether Scotland's international reputation for excellence is still justified and whether our schools are still enabling young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to fulfil their potential and meet the unprecedented challenges of the modern world."The commission will identify any problems with the current school system in Scotland and try to analyse the root causes of them."It will consider key questions such as whether any problems are the result of a lack of funding or are connected with more fundamental structural issues such as the way in which our schools are governed and managed."I start from the standpoint that there should be more choice within the state sector and more freedom given to schools and parents."It's going to be exciting to be involved and to learn from some real experts in the field." Mr Bloomer said the commission will look at the school systems in other countries to establish how their achievements compare with those in Scotland and to consider if they would provide a "good guide".He said: "The commission will take evidence from a variety of individuals and organisations and, together with the lessons that can be learned from other countries and from our own past experience, this will inform the recommendations that the commission makes as to how we can improve the school system in Scotland. The aim will be to produce a report setting out the commission's findings and recommendations in the latter part of 2012."