Jo critical as SNP axe St Ninian's High scheme

7.05.00pm GMT Wed 5th Mar 2008

Jo recently met pupils and staff at St Ninian's High

Jo Swinson has criticised the SNP's plan to scrap the Schools of Ambition project. Under the project, St Ninian's High School in Kirkintilloch became one of the country's first Schools of Ambition.

Commenting, Jo said:

"Under the SNP Government, spending on education and skills has fallen as a proportion of the Scottish Budget.

"My concern is that by scrapping the 'Schools of Ambition' project, the SNP Government is preparing for a programme of funding cuts to the education sector.

"St Ninian's earned the praise of HM Inspectorate of Education in a recent report. During a visit to the school just last month, I saw first hand the fantastic work of staff at the school and the benefits that pupils have gained as a result of Schools of Ambition. The hard work of staff and pupils will be undermined by SNP cuts to education services."

An HM Inspectorate of Education report into St Ninian's High school praised the impact that Schools of Ambition project made on pupil and staff motivation.