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Education in Scotland during the medieval era was not unlike that in England and Catholic Europe in general. Formal education was limited and what did existed was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. The Church organized Church choir song schools and grammar schools in the main burghs as well as some smaller towns. Some of the earliest schools were the High School of Glasgow (1124) and the High School of Dundee (1239). As in the rest of Western Europe, universities were founded in thate late medieval period. This included the University of St. Andrews (1413), Glasgow (1451), and Aberdeen (1495). Parliament passed the first Scottish Education Act (1496). It made the education of barons and wealthy property owners compulsory. The motivation appears to have been to improve the administration of justice. It was the aristocracy tand wealthy landowners who were primarily responsible for the justice system. Scotland convrted to Protestantism early in the Reformation. Calvinism spread by John Knox was accepted throughout much of Scotland. This had a major impct on educatin because of the Protestant belief that it was important for the individual to read the Bible. This meant that some form of public education was needed. Thus Scotland has the longest history of universal public education in the British Isles, three centuries before a similar commitment was made in England. The educatinal approach is also somewhat different. Scottish schools once past the primary level have tended to persue a course of studies emphasising a broad range of subjects. English schools on the other hand tend to persue a more narrow curriculum, but in greater depth. Scottish schools are mostly non-denominational. The Church of Scotland does not have a substantial educational program like the Church of England. There are some Catholic schools in Scotland. This was made possible by the Education Act (1918). They are within the state system, fully funded by the Scottish Government. Like the secular schools, they are administered by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate. Many but not all of the Catholic students are of Irish ancestry. Many Irish people emigrated to England and Scotlnd during the 19th century seking jobs in undustrial cities like Glasgow. State schools in Scotland are owned and operated by the local (municipal) authorities which are the Education Authorities under Scottish law. Attendance is compulsory at both the promary and secondary level. Many secondary schools are referrred to as high schools, a term not commonly used in England.
There is only a small private (independent) sector, in part because the state system has been highly regarded. The private system has expanfded in recent years, largely because of parental concens with preceived declines in the quality of the state system.
Education in Scotland during the medieval era was not unlike that in England and Catholic Europe in general. Formal education was limited and what did existed was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Even the nobels in the early medieval period were not educated. The Church organized Church choir song schools and grammar schools in the main burghs as well as some smaller towns. Some of the earliest schools were the High School of Glasgow (1124) and the High School of Dundee (1239). As in the rest of Western Europe, universities were founded in thate late medieval period. This included the University of St. Andrews (1413), Glasgow (1451), and Aberdeen (1495).
An important northern renaissance teacher was Robert Henryson, associated (1470-1500) with the grammar school founded by the Dunfermline Abbey. Parliament passed the first Scottish Education Act (1496). It made the education of barons and wealthy property owners compulsory. The motivation appears to have been to improve the administration of justice. It was the aristocracy and wealthy landowners who were primarily responsible for the justice system.
Scotland convrted to Protestantism early in the Reformation. Calvinism spread by John Knox was accepted throughout much of Scotland. This had a major impct on education because of the Protestant belief that priests were not needed and each individual shiuld seek his salvation through reading the Bible. This meant that some form of public education was needed. Thus Scotland has the longest history of universal public education in the British Isles, three centuries before a similar commitment was made in England.
Scottish shools are mostly non-denominational. The Church of Scotland does not have a substantial educational program like the Church of England. There are some Catholic schools in Scotland. Many are located in Glasgow and other ciyties and are attended by Irush immigrants. The Irish emigrated to England and Scotlnd during the 19th century seking jobs in undustrial cities like Glasgow. At the time Ireland was part of the United Kingdom and there were no immigration restrictions.
Not all of the Catholic students are of Irish ancestry, but many are. The creation of state-supported Catholic schools was made possible by the Education Act (1918). They are within the state system, fully funded by the Scottish Government. Like the secular schools, they are administered by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate. While essentially state schools, the law ensures that a Catholoic ethos and character can be maintained. The staffing of the schools is a case in point. Staff positions in Religious Education, Guidance or Senior Management are particularly important Applicants need to be approved by the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. The Church also appoints chaplain to each of the schools.
Scottish education has some unique features compared to the rest of the country. British education, expect for Scotland, is largely based on the English education system. Thus schools in Wales and Northern Ireland are very similar to English schools. There are similarities between Enflish and Scottish schools, but there are also some important differences. There are historical roots to these differences. Scotland was an early convert to the Reformation. And the Reformation went further in Scotland than it did in England where the Anglican Church of England retained many Catholic elements. Partly as a result of the Reformation, important educational developments occurred that did not occur in England for several centuries. The differences include both provision of education and curriculum focus. Scotland has a extensive history of universal public primary education. Traditionally, Scottish schools have emphasised breadth across a wide range of subjects. In this regard it is similar to the mopdern American system. English scjools and Welsh and Northern Irish schools following the English system have placed a greater emphasis on a greater depth of understanding in a more narrow range of subjects beginning at the secondary level. This same dichotimy is also notable in the university system. This difference primarily affected the educatioinal elite. Until after World War II, most British children did not advance beyond the primary level.
The school system in Scotland includes both state and private schools. Scottish State schools are entirely separate from the English state schools. They are operated by the local (municipal) authorities which act as Education Authorities. Attendance is compulsory at both the primary and secondary levels. State econdary schools are commonly referred to as high schools. The school program is built around the National Guidelines and National Priorities. Learning and Teaching Scotland assists the schools in delivering the teaching program. Three bodies are responsible for inspecting and auditing educational standards. The Care Commission inspects the custodial care and health standards in pre-schools. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education is resp[onsible for educational standards in pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, and further and community education. The Scottish office of the Quality Assurance Agency is responsible for higher (tertiary) education. There has traditionally been only a small private (independent) sector, in part because the state system has been highly regarded. The private or independent sector includes, preparatory schools, academies, and secondary-level public schools. These schools include both day and boarding schools. The private schools in Scotland have been affected by the same trends as the compsrable schools in England. The private system has expanded in recent years, largely because of parental concens with preceived declines in the quality of the state system.
