Observations as We Approach the Easter Holidays

This week, I had the pleasure of visiting the greater Glasgow area and speaking to 650 young people and teachers. As with every school I have visited, the young people were incredible, very engaged, and gave me their full attention. I am deeply grateful to them all. This week, one particular young girl spoke to me as I was leaving. She showed immense empathy for the subject and wanted to share her thoughts with me. The teachers and I were very moved by her words. So, thank you so much to you, G.

As we approach the Easter holidays, many of our young people will be heading off for holidays, spending time with their loved ones, and enjoying the time off. Sadly, this is not the case for every child. I have visited schools where 70% of the young people have additional support needs, and the areas have some of the highest rates of deprivation. These young people face numerous challenges and barriers, school can be a good place for them to find a semblance of safety and stability. I remember loving school for those very reasons, as home is not always a place of safety or care. In these circumstances, school can certainly be a good place.

I am very much looking forward to the next and final leg of the tour, which ends when I return from the west coast at the end of May. At that time, I will head back to my full-time role in student support services. I am also excited to share various insights with the team, as we will ultimately meet many of the young people I have met over the past seven months when they attend college.

What I have learned so far that will stay with me forever and I just want to share a wee insight:

• Young people will always have my utmost respect. They have all treated me with so much dignity, given me their attention, and shown kindness that will always stay with me.

• You can never judge the statistics to accurately represent the children in front of you.

• Yes, there are issues, many of them, but the teachers and staff are doing their best to create a stable, safe, and nurturing environment as best they can.

• There is a bigger issue with absenteeism than before COVID-19, due to many factors. However, some schools are starting to see an increase in attendance, which is great.

• Many parents are working very hard with the schools to help collaborate in the wider communities too.

  
  

We all need someone to believe in us. We all have so much capability and capacity innately within us, but young people may not realise this yet due to age and life experiences. However, given the right environments, they can thrive and succeed in whatever way that looks.

Happy Easter Holidays!