Ayrshire school branded 'weak' by inspectors is praised for turning the corner

Sturgeon has said UK Government plans to exclude social care workers from a new visa system could have a “devastating” impact on the workforce.The First Minister said the decision risked sending a message that the country is not grateful for the work these staff have carried out.Foreign social care workers will be unable to apply for a special health and care visa under the UK’s new points-based immigration system.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up

transparent 'igloos' as part of its al fresco dining experience has just announced that they are now taking bookings for them. Following the announcement of further lockdown easing, The Chester Hotel, the AA four silver star hotel which is located in Aberdeen's west end, say the social distancing 'Dining Domes' are now available to book for up to one hour 45 minutes.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterNorth Ayrshire Council has started the phased re-opening of its public toilets as Covid-19 restrictions are eased nationwide.The facilities were closed in March as lockdown was introduced to combat the spread of Coronavirus.Now, as Scotland enters the latest stage of the route map out of lockdown, the council is starting to re-open the public toilets which are under its ownership.The toilets at

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterIrvine’s MSP today thanked North Ayrshire residents for playing their part in suppressing the spread of Covid-19.Ruth Maguire MSP also welcomed the announcement from the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that the Scottish  Government will begin to ease into Phase 3 of its exit from lockdown.The announcement came with additional dates for further relaxations to lockdown restrictions.Ruth Maguire MSP

The Scottish SPCA’s Ayrshire Animal Rescue Centre is back finding animals their forever home after lockdown saw rehoming completely suspended for almost two months.After trialling a limited rehoming service in May, the centre is now rehoming animals using a combination of an online-only application system, carefully controlled appointments and ‘virtual home checks’ where prospective owners and their homes are vetted via Zoom calls.Now the charity have this lovely girl (pictured above) in their

Ayrshire, according to figures released today. The National Records of Scotland's data shows that there are no new deaths linked to COVID-19 between Monday, June 29 and Sunday, July 5.This is the first time no coronavirus deaths have been declared since the pandemic began.

"We have been in discussions and expressed our disappointment at the lack of information and practical support, including finance, for our semi-professional level of the game.  "We have a Zoom meeting with Ian Maxwell on Thursday July, 9. We will keep you posted on the outcome of these discussions."In the meantime, all clubs must continue to observe Scottish Government guidelines which means no training or matches can take place until formally advised.The statement concluded: "To do otherwise

next month, according to a leading think tank.The Commission on School Reform says kids need to catch up on lessons missed during the coronavirus lockdown.The think tank is calling for an extra six hours of teaching during the school week, with pupils staying later into the afternoon for two years.A report by the group, made up of current and former headteachers, politicians and education professors and chaired by former director of education in Clackmannanshire Keir Bloomer, argues "there is an

coronavirus lockdown in March this year. But shoppers in Glasgow and Edinburgh will be able to visit John Lewis once again as the company earmarks July 13 for the reopening of both stores.

A theatre star who turned to metal detecting during lockdown believes he has uncovered one of Scotland’s most ancient finds.Chris Taylor, who admits he bought the amateur kit off the internet for a laugh, is now in possession of a Bronze-age axe head.Online experts believe the discovery dates back 4000 years – and want to claim the treasure for a museum.Dad-of-one Chris, 37, said: “It’s a ridiculous story and could only happen to me.“I was having a few drinks one night watching a documentary

The Troon Lifeboat crew performed a sea rescue on Sunday after reports of a person in the water.They were called out to an incident involving a person  in the water  outside Troon harbour.Sunday’s incident took place at 8.21pm  as  the crew was paged by Belfast Coastguard.Also tasked by Belfast Coastguard was the Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 199, along with Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams.Police Scotland were also informed of the incident and several officers attended the scene to

Join thousands of others who have signed up for the Daily Record newsletter.A trade union has insisted school staff in Renfrewshire have been "left in limbo" after the Scottish Government revealed plans to get children back full-time in August.Mark Ferguson, Unison's branch secretary for Renfrewshire, branded the announcement given by John Swinney as a "political move" which has no scientific basis.Mr Ferguson also accused the education secretary of giving parents a false sense of

Ayrshire and Arran has reported no new COVID-19 cases for TWO consecutive days.

Schools in South Ayrshire will return with a “soft start” on August 12, council chiefs have confirmed.Education chief, Douglas Hutchison, said attempts to fully reopen that day may prove beyond reach.It follows a move to scrap the planned policy of blended learning, which came just days before the start of the school summer holidays.“Schools will now work to make a number of changes before pupils return,” said Mr Hutchison.But he added that the “late announcement from the Scottish Government”

“We recognise the need to continue to make improvements at Riverside, and will use this report to help focus our efforts to further help our pupils to achieve their full potential.”Executive councillor for education David Dodds said: “We share the confidence of Education  Scotland inspectors that Riverside has the capacity to continue to improve.“I know the dedicated staff team at Riverside, supported by the Quality Improvement Team, will  build on the strengths of the school to ensure the

Ayrshire.

A total of 292 people in Ayrshire and Arran have died as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, latest figures have shown.Figures from the National Records of Scotland show that 112 people in South Ayrshire have tragically lost their lives since the start of the pandemic, while death toll for East Ayrshire is 75.In North Ayrshire, the tragic death toll is 105.The weekly report, out today, shows that four people died during the reporting period (Monday, June 15 and Sunday, June 21).That local

Ayrshire, new figures show.

Kilmarnock coronavirus deaths have taken place in some of the town’s most deprived areas, new figures show.One of Kilmarnock’s most poverty-stricken regions also has the worst COVID-19 death rate in East Ayrshire, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) report has revealed.Altonhill North and Onthank has a death rate of 307.2 per 100,000 after 14 people died in the area as a result of contracting the virus between March and May.According to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), this

There have been no reported deaths from coronavirus in Scotland in the last 24 hours.Latest figures show the national death toll remains at 2,472 - the same as yesterday.Across the country there have been 26 new confirmed cases of the disease.In Ayrshire, cases hit the 1250 mark - a rise of just one from yesterday's figures.There remains fewer than five people in Ayrshire hospitals with confirmed coronavirus.Fewer than five patients are in intensive care with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.A