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Scotland : Organisation/control of education system

2.1 Organisation and control of system/structure

2.1.1 Control

See section 2.1.1 of the mainstream Scotland Archive.

2.1.2 Funding

Provision for additional support needs is supplied through mainstream funding from the Government to local education authorities.  Local authorities have a responsibility to provide for the needs of students who have a record of needs, and also for the needs of those who do not, insofar as this can be considered part of their general duties for school education.¹

In addition, the Government provides annual funding through the special educational needs in-service training specific grant scheme.  This funding is provided to education authorities to assist them in meeting the training needs of staff involved with special educational needs in the classroom.¹

2.1.3 Private sector education

In 2005 there were 33 private sector schools (usually known as 'independent schools') catering for children with additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland.  Education authorities may place some students with ASN in this sector whilst meeting any fee requirements.  It is also possible for education authorities to send some children with ASN to schools outside Scotland and even outside the United Kingdom. ^{1  32}

In 2005, 1,132 students attended independent special schools and there were a total of 330 (full-time equivalent) teachers in such schools. ³²

2.1.4 SPECIAL PUBLICLY-FUNDED PROVISION WITHIN OR OUTSIDE MAINSTREAM EDUCATION

Support measures within mainstream education

The majority of children in Scotland (around 99 per cent) are educated in mainstream schools.  A wide range of additional support needs (ASN) are met in this context.  These include support for:

• students who have relatively minor or temporary difficulties in learning,
• students with language related difficulties such as dyslexia
• students with behavioural problems or problems of social adjustment and, exceptionally, high achieving students.¹ 

The Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act^2, Section 15, requires all children to be educated in mainstream schools unless:

• this would not be suited to the child's abilities
• this would hamper the efficient education of other children, or
• it would result in unreasonable public expenditure.¹

Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1981⁷ a parent of a child with a record of needs can make a written request to any education authority at any point during their child's education, to have their child educated within a mainstream or special school under the education authority's management.  The education authority can refuse if one of the above Section 15 stipulations is the case.¹

Within mainstream schools, children with ASN usually follow the normal pattern of education both at primary and secondary level and experience the same teaching methods as other students.¹

Students with ASN are also usually supported by a learning support teacher who assists by:

• Offering consultancy to teachers and members of the management team on policies and practices relating to ASN.
• Working alongside subject teachers to give support to students with ASN.
• Providing individual or small group tutorial support to students with ASN.
• Offering advice to colleagues on the curricular programmes being provided.
• Providing staff development and in-service training for colleagues when requested to do so by the headteacher.¹ 

In many cases, students with ASN have Individualised Educational Programmes (IEPs) which are used as a basis for planning, setting targets and ensuring progress.  In some cases, curricular modifications for a particular student may also be specified. All teachers of students with IEPs are expected to be aware of the IEP and to take it into account.¹

Special schools

In addition to mainstream schools, there are a variety of institutions in Scotland, which cater for students with more significant learning needs.  These include day or residential special schools or units, and special classes.  Some of these provide for students with similar additional support needs (ASN) such as those related to visual or hearing needs.  Special schools are encouraged to develop strategies to enable students to interact with the community or neighbouring schools. ¹

There are also several schools which are run by independent governors or charitable organisations, but which are supported financially by the Scottish Executive.  These schools offer residential or day provision for children with a specified range of needs.¹

Hospital schools

For many years, there has been education provision for children in hospitals both for children with long term illnesses and those within psychiatric hospitals.  In the latter case it is now policy to place children in hospital only if they require medical attention.  Children who have been committed to secure units also receive education that is appropriate for their age and level of attainment. ¹

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