Bombshell new figures released by Education Scotland appear to show that more than half of schools in the Scottish Borders have not been inspected since 2012.
36 of 69 schools have not been inspected for a decade, meaning that less than half have had an inspection since 2012.
According to the data, three schools have not been inspected since 2007 – Broomlands, Fountainhall and Walkerburn primaries.
The data has been released under a Freedom of Information request to Education Scotland. The Scottish Government agency is charged with improving schools.
Although the figures have been affected by Covid-19, only 8 inspections took place in 2019, 4 in 2018, and just 2 in 2017.
Education Scotland say that ‘schools are inspected on a proportionate basis, using a sampling approach, rather than a cyclical model.’
Despite the loosening of almost all restrictions in Scotland, inspections have yet to restart.
Local MP John Lamont is calling on the SNP Scottish Government to take action to address this to ensure schools in the Borders maintain their high standards.
John Lamont MP said:
“These figures will come as a shock to parents across the Borders. Several schools in our area have not been inspected in the last 15 years. And around half have not been inspected since 2012.
“And this is according to the SNP government’s own education agency. This is another embarrassment for Nicola Sturgeon who said that education would be her number one priority.
“Our teachers do an amazing job, and this has been highlighted during the pandemic when they have had to deal with restrictions in their classrooms, and regular periods of self-isolation for pupils and teachers.
“We need to see a proper plan put in place by the SNP Government to provide regular and rigorous inspections of schools. This will reassure parents and give senior management in our schools guidance on how to maintain the high standards they are expected to uphold.”
