Scottish Conservatives call for ‘buddying’ system for schools

Head teachers should be given more autonomy to decide how to improve literacy and numeracy performance, the Conservatives have said.

A new paper outlines the party’s vision to improve state school education in Scotland ahead of May’s Holyrood election.

It argues budget control should be handed to head teachers and a “buddying” system be put in place to help spread best practice between the best and worst-performing schools.

Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “We want to make your local school your school of choice so that parents who currently feel the need to pay fees or move catchment area to secure a better start for their child, don’t have to.”

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon will call for a “great, ambitious and thriving debate” on improving education as the SNP seeks a third term in office.

The First Minister will use a speech to confirm the publication of a National Improvement Framework for Education on Wednesday as a means to close the attainment gap.