My Golden Jubilee

A personal reflection by Ronnie Boyd

There will be no fireworks, extra holidays or celebrations. However, I will pause for a few minutes’ reflection on the occasion of my golden jubilee of my leaving school in May 1972. School was out for me but just for the summer as in the autumn I started a B Ed degree course that was the beginning of a 50-year association with Scottish education that saw me teach in secondary schools for 30 years, have 10 years in local authority quality assurance and over the last few years work as an associate tutor in a west of Scotland university’s school of education.

I have consciously avoided being a commentator on all matters Scottish education. However, I ‘m going to indulge myself on my important anniversary by sharing a few thoughts on our schools.  My council and university work over a period of 14 years has allowed me the opportunity to visit a large number of schools: early years, SEN, primary and secondary.

Reflecting on these numerous visits, I am left with one main question. What am I missing? Almost to a school, to a classroom, I have seen motivated and well-behaved pupils, taught and supported by skilled and hardworking teaching and support staff.  

I enjoyed school back in the 60s and early 70s and did well out of the senior secondary system. But the quality of education on offer today to all our pupils is of a standard only dreamt of in my schooldays. It is miles better today than in the past. The breadth, width and relevance of the curriculum today is far beyond what was the case fifty years ago. The school buildings are palaces compared to those I was taught in, there are modern resources and loads of opportunities far beyond the basic curriculum and the staff are better trained and more professional than their counterparts of yesteryear.

And yet. And yet when I read the outpourings of some frequent commentators on Scottish education, the picture is very different from what I see. It is for some a picture of unruly pupils, sub-standard teachers, meagre resources and endemic underachievement.  What is the reason then for the chasm between my experience and some of the comments I read?

Is it down to the Scottish propensity to find the dark spot in a home lighting shop or is it politically motivated by some to run down an area of Scottish life run from Edinburgh? Or is it simply down to the fact I am missing something?

Of course, things are far from perfect and improvements should be made in several areas. The poverty attainment gap. The out of date exam system, The top heavy structures. But in addition to highlighting the shortcomings and failings it is vital that we also recognise the many shining examples of what is good about our education system.

Like wee Edith Piaf I have no regrets but would have much preferred to be leaving school today than 50 years ago.