Catriona Stewart

The University of Glasgow will continue its review of Jason Arday’s appointment despite his recent death, after plagiarism allegations prompted wider questions about his academic qualifications and claims. Arday, who worked at Glasgow in 2022 and 2023 and later left a Cambridge role during an investigation, had denied plagiarism; Liverpool John Moores University concluded that he had not plagiarised his PhD thesis. The article also reports concerns from Edinburgh professor Emily Sena about the personal scrutiny of Arday, a Black autistic academic, and its implications for race equality, belonging and institutional culture.

Glasgow City Council is asking parents and carers to complete a survey to help shape upcoming play-area renewal projects. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney criticizes cuts of more than 70% to the council’s parks department over the past decade, warning that staff reductions and poor maintenance have left facilities, including parks on Broomfield Road and at Hogganfield Loch, in serious disrepair. He also says promised renovation work at Broomfield Road had not begun by the end of the summer holidays. The consultation covers several parks across the city and is intended to inform improvements supporting children’s play and active lifestyles.

Social Security Scotland still has no clear operational plan to recover £36 million in fraud and overpayment debt arising from benefits previously administered by the DWP. The Scottish Government says the money has not been written off and that the agency has extensive recovery powers, but the debts must first be transferred by the DWP and the available mechanisms remain unclear. Social Security Scotland generally seeks voluntary repayment and can deduct money from its own benefit payments, while court recovery may be costly. Opposition Conservatives and Labour accuse the SNP Government of incompetence and risking taxpayers’ money, while ministers defend their decision not to adopt tougher UK measures such as direct bank-account deductions and driving-licence sanctions.

A Mindroom survey found that 98% of working parents caring for neurodiverse children said the demands had harmed their mental health. Nearly nine in ten reported limitations on their ability to work or advance their careers, almost three-quarters had changed their working patterns, more than half had reduced their hours, and 30% had taken a career break or left employment. The charity, whose service demand has risen by 309% in five years, is urging employers to provide better support and arguing that inadequate systems—not neurodivergent children—are driving the pressure on families.

Three wardens, including former head Lucy Elphinstone, and 16 trustees have left Glenalmond College since its 2025 takeover by 35 Education, a venture involving Basak Akdemir and former Qatari minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah. Parents and insiders are concerned about limited communication, the replacement of the former council with a husband-and-wife board, overdue regulatory filings, a reported £2 million loss, falling enrolment and failed partnership plans. Current Warden Jenny Davey says the deal has secured the school's future, funded infrastructure improvements and provided more than 40 bursaries.

Dundee University’s philosophy programme is at risk as part of plans to cut a further £20 million from its budget, with new degree entry potentially suspended from 2027. More than 5,300 people, including over 1,100 academics from 365 universities across 40 countries, have signed a petition opposing the move. Campaigners and prominent philosophers, including Shannon Vallor and Luciano Floridi, argue that philosophy is increasingly essential to AI safety, ethics, governance and responsible deployment, and propose replacing the existing course with a Philosophy and AI degree. Professional philosophical bodies and the campaign’s leader, Oisín Keohane, also support retaining the programme, while highlighting its strong recruitment of female students. The university has previously cited very low student numbers as the reason for ending the course.

The article examines whether earlier or more sustained social-work intervention could have prevented the death of three-month-old Dahlia-Rose Gartshore. Her mother, Courtney Gartshore, was jailed for six years after using a hairdryer on the baby for up to an hour, causing extensive burns and fatal heat-related injuries. The court heard that Gartshore had mental-health, addiction and trauma-related vulnerabilities but had been considered capable of caring for Dahlia-Rose without intervention. While officials declined to comment on the individual case, Liberal Democrat MSP Duncan Dunlop argued that society and support services share responsibility for failing to identify risks and provide non-stigmatising help. The Crown Office is still considering whether to hold a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry, while the case has prompted broader debate about child safeguarding, vulnerable parents and criminal justice.

The City of Edinburgh Council has reversed its previous decision to allow trans women to access the women-only Willow Service, which supports vulnerable women leaving prison and those involved in the criminal justice system. Following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers and updated Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance, the service will now be limited to people assigned female at birth. The council says gender-neutral alternative provision will be available for transgender and non-binary people. For Women Scotland and Murray Blackburn Mackenzie welcomed the change, while the council said its priority remains supporting all service users with respect and protecting their wellbeing.

Scotland’s exam pass rates rose modestly in 2026, and record numbers of 18-year-olds qualified for university, including a seven per cent increase from deprived areas. However, the poverty-related attainment gap remains substantial, with a 25-point difference between the richest and poorest groups and state-school results still well below those of private schools. Education Secretary Mairi McAllan defended the government’s record, citing the disruption caused by Covid-19 and continued investment in teaching, curriculum reform and additional support needs, while refusing to apologise. Opposition politicians argued that the SNP had failed to deliver Nicola Sturgeon’s 2015 pledge to substantially eliminate the gap by 2026. McAllan also reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to free university tuition and blamed UK immigration policies for financial pressures on universities.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society plans to form an international pressure group and establish an independent special purpose vehicle to take responsibility for reconstructing Glasgow School of Art’s fire-damaged Mackintosh Building. The proposal follows the art school’s admission that a faithful reinstatement, estimated to cost about £265 million, is unaffordable under its current model. The Society argues that the GSA should no longer determine the building’s future, while the Scottish Government supports faithful restoration and says it will work with the school and other partners. The GSA remains committed to exploring partnerships to rebuild the landmark.

Sandie Peggie has been granted permission to proceed with a full appeal against the 2025 employment tribunal judgment concerning her dispute with NHS Fife. The tribunal upheld her harassment claims against the health board but rejected allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation, while dismissing all claims against Dr Beth Upton. The Employment Appeal Tribunal found reasonable grounds for 13 appeal grounds, with a hearing expected early in 2027. The case has become a prominent flashpoint in debates over transgender rights and women-only spaces.

A surge in social media content promoting urban exploration is drawing young people into dangerous derelict buildings across Scotland. Researchers report significant risks including unstable structures, hazardous materials and live electrical systems, while property owners struggle to secure sites that have gone viral online. Experts warn that TikTok’s vast #urbex viewership is accelerating real‑world trespassing, with incidents and fire‑raising rising sharply during school holidays. Emergency services highlight recurring seasonal spikes, and VPS urges both improved site security and more structured youth activities to divert interest from hazardous locations.

Internationally prominent philosophers have joined a campaign to prevent the University of Dundee from suspending entry to its philosophy degree as part of £20 million in proposed cuts. Lecturer Oisín Keohane has organised a petition with more than 4,300 signatures from academics in 87 countries, arguing that the programme’s closure would eliminate Scotland’s only specialist European philosophy offering and disproportionately affect women, who enrol at significantly higher rates than the national average. Supporters highlight the rising demand for philosophers in AI ethics and governance, citing graduate Amanda Askell’s role in writing the constitution guiding Claude’s behaviour at Anthropic. The university has said low participation numbers justify the proposal, though the figures are disputed, and noted that philosophy content would continue within a broader MA programme until at least 2030.

A mother seeks answers after being allowed only a brief visit with her son before his death while in care, despite a court recommendation that contact be reinstated. The boy had experienced multiple placement moves, lack of family contact, and was placed on palliative care without his mother being consulted. Advocates and former social work professionals argue statutory procedures were not followed and that the local authority failed to review his care needs or involve the family. Politicians and support organisations call the case symptomatic of wider systemic problems in Scotland’s care system, while Renfrewshire Council maintains it acted in the child’s best interests and met required reporting standards.

Heriot-Watt University has closed clearing to Scottish students after filling all government-funded places, prompting criticism of the Scottish Government’s funding cap on domestic university admissions. Opposition parties argue the system is underfunded, unfairly restricting Scottish applicants and forcing universities to rely heavily on international fees. The government defends free tuition and highlights an ongoing sector-wide review aimed at sustainability. Universities and political figures warn of mounting constraints on clearing options as exam results approach.

More than half of Scottish councils are reportedly not directing the full allocation of government funding intended for free instrumental music tuition to the service, raising concerns among researchers and tutors. Although pupil participation in music lessons has increased significantly since fees were removed, many areas face persistent waiting lists and resource constraints, including limited instructor capacity and inadequate teaching spaces. Researchers argue that ring‑fencing the £12 million fund would ensure proper distribution, while the Scottish Government maintains that all funding is expected to support tuition. Stakeholders highlight financial pressures on councils but describe the funding as essential, calling for continued monitoring and for music tuition to be embedded more firmly within the school curriculum.

A third of Scottish local authorities already conduct lockdown drills, and more schools will adopt formal anti-attack procedures when Martyn’s Law takes effect next year. The legislation requires schools to establish evacuation, invacuation and lockdown processes and appropriate alert systems. Councils across Scotland are preparing in varied ways, with some already conducting drills and others forming working groups or pilot programs. The Scottish Government is working with the Home Office to assess whether existing English guidance is suitable for Scotland. Lockdown practices range from simple hiding procedures for young pupils to full classroom barricade protocols. Some councils treat lockdowns as multipurpose responses to risks beyond terrorism, including chemical or fire incidents. The expansion of drills follows broader concerns about school safety and rising violence.

Scottish schools report a sharp rise in children unable to ride bikes, a problem worsened by the pandemic’s impact on motor skills, physical activity and access to equipment. Riverside Primary School in Perth has expanded cycling support with early training, a bike library and safe‑route clubs, boosting confidence, attendance and family participation. National groups such as Cycling Scotland cite limited parental cycling experience, safety concerns, inequality in bike access and reduced outdoor activity as key barriers. Instructors also note affordability issues and lack of proper equipment. Early‑years initiatives and Bikeability training are helping address the gaps, but challenges linked to post‑pandemic development and constrained spaces remain significant.

John Edward, the new Chair of Governors at Fettes College, argues that private schools are being unfairly treated by government policies such as VAT on fees, which he says harms disadvantaged pupils who rely on bursaries. He calls for greater appreciation of the independent sector’s role in Scotland’s educational landscape and suggests state schools could benefit from boards of governors drawn from their communities. Edward discusses sector-wide changes, financial pressures, and the impact of technology and social media, while highlighting Fettes’ focus on pupil wellbeing and its response to historic abuse cases. He emphasises the need for schools to prepare students for a rapidly changing future.

Parents of a seven-year-old boy who was bound with cable ties by teacher Richard Robin Greenwood criticised a sheriff’s decision to admonish him and grant an absolute discharge despite a guilty verdict for assault. They expressed concern that Greenwood continues teaching at Merchiston Castle School, while the court deemed the incident a one-off lapse in judgment. The school noted the case occurred outside a professional setting, and the General Teaching Council for Scotland is understood to be taking no action.

Teachers across Scotland report that Pride Month activities were scaled back amid fears of backlash, with some lessons on LGBT rights cancelled by school management. Head teacher John Summers-Campbell says educators feel tired, worried and cautious due to online abuse and the professional risks of advocating for inclusion. The teaching union EIS and the Time for Inclusive Education group note that harassment and disinformation are undermining teachers’ confidence, though they also highlight that many schools have integrated LGBT-inclusive education throughout the curriculum. Advocacy groups encourage teachers to continue engaging with national guidance and training to support inclusive practices.

A boycott by Scottish Greens and many SNP MSPs has left fewer than half of Holyrood’s members consenting to publication of equality data, despite its use in monitoring women’s representation. The dispute follows the removal of sex categories from the parliament website and a new survey asking MSPs to disclose both biological sex and trans status. Parliament officials say the lack of consensus threatens implementation of the Gender Sensitive Audit and future diversity reporting. Critics argue accurate sex data is essential for policy and women’s participation, while campaigners accuse the Greens of inconsistency for refusing publication despite prior support for monitoring.

Overcrowding in Edinburgh’s state schools has intensified amid disputes over the impact of VAT on private school fees. George Watson’s College principal Lisa Kerr argues that government policies have reduced private school enrolment, increasing pressure on state schools, while the council denies the link and attributes rising demand to demographic trends. Parent councils report severe overcrowding, and political tensions escalate as national leaders clash over the tax’s effects. Calls grow for a reassessment of VAT policy as schools implement affordability measures and face mounting capacity challenges.

A Reform MSP argues that declining standards in Scottish state schools led her to send her younger children to a fee-paying school in England, citing poor literacy, numeracy and discipline in their former school in Dumfries and Galloway. She plans to pressure the Scottish Government to restore traditional teaching fundamentals. Local council officials defend the performance of their schools, while the education secretary rejects claims of falling standards. The MSP has previously attracted attention over controversial social media activity, including messages to far-right activist Tommy Robinson and a dispute with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

A joint warning from Scotland’s 32 Chief Social Work Officers highlights an acute shortage of suitable care placements, forcing social workers to house children inappropriately, including taking them home or placing toddlers alongside teenagers. The lack of capacity is increasing risks of abuse and neglect, with newborns remaining in hospitals and foster carers overstretched. Critics, including MSP Duncan Dunlop, accuse the SNP government of failing to deliver promised care reforms under The Promise initiative. The government states it is addressing pressures through increased funding, new legislation on placements and creation of the National Social Work Agency, while acknowledging significant challenges remain.

Survey findings show that 42 percent of Scottish parents cannot access childcare that meets their needs, with rural families facing the most significant shortages. Connect warns of economic consequences and calls for expanded wraparound care, better understanding of informal childcare, and faster policy action. Opposition parties blame the Scottish Government for slow progress, while ministers highlight new support funds and plans to deliver broader childcare coverage by the end of the parliamentary session.