John Swinney to give schools update and is under pressure to decide whether Scots pupils will return full-time or not

Scottish Government’s dramatic exam results U-turn.Erin Bleakley tearfully told of her joy after Education Secretary John Swinney announced all downgraded results would be reverted back to those predicted by teachers.The 17-year-old organised a rally in George Square last week after the SQA exam board used a system to 'normalise' the results which left thousands of young people with grades lower than those predicted by their teachers.Erin, from Shettleston in Glasgow, had held a banner in George

The Hartmanns are set to appear on a new ITV show and become Scotland’s first showbiz family.Taking a leaf out of the Kardashians’ book, the clan – led by fashion powerhouse Tessa - are reportedly going to be front and centre of new ITVBe series The Real Housewives of Jersey.And it’s going to be the biggest show set on the Channel Islands since 80s cop series Bergerac which starred John Nettles.Tessa, 50, will be joined by her German film-maker husband Sascha, 40, and their daughters Tallia

John Swinney will tell pupils how their controversial school grades will be reviewed today after a climbdown by the First Minister.Swinney, who is also deputy first minister, is facing calls to resign over his handling of controversial assessments to replace exams wiped out by coronavirus.Teachers’ estimates were more likely to be downgraded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority among pupils from less well-off areas of Scotland.It led to protests by pupils in the centre of Glasgow and, after

pupils across Scotland caught up in an exams fiasco which penalised pupils in poorer communities.The First Minister made the significant apology days after pupils protested and calls were made for Education Secretary John Swinney to resign.At her regular briefing, Sturgeon said: "I do acknowledge that we did not get this right and I am sorry for that."The U-turn comes after defending a system brought in to grade pupils who were unable to sit normal exams because of the Covid-19 health

John Swinney has signaled a U-turn on the SQA exams scandal. Swinney, who faces a no-confidence vote in the Scottish Parliament, is set to make a statement on Tuesday after pupils and teachers raised concerns about the crisis.Pupils who are unhappy with their exam results will be able to appeal them for free.

John Swinney will announce a move to address the "anger" of Scots pupils over the exam results scandal next week. The Education Secretary is to lay out a series of "steps" he will take on Tuesday over the grade moderation that has seen the marks of pupils in the poorest areas driven down compared to the most affluent.

Get the latest politics news sent straight to your inbox every FridayLabour are demanding Education Secretary John Swinney quits for his role in an exam results "shambles".The party said the senior SNP Government minister has "lost control" as anger grows at the way results were downgraded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.Results this week showed pupils from poorer communities were more likely to have grades "moderated" down from teachers' estimates, sparking protests from young people

furious backlash by pupils and her own SNP colleagues. The First Minister admitted teenagers gathered in the middle of Glasgow were "entitled to be angry" but said they should rely on an appeals process.

asked First Minister Nicola ­Sturgeon why her hard work was being “wiped out” because she lives in the wrong postcode.Erin Bleakley called on the Scottish Government to reverse the downgrading of results of thousands of children, mostly from poorer areas.And the 17-year-old hopes today’s rally in Glasgow’s George Square will force Sturgeon and Education Secretary John Swinney to clear up the mess.The coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of exams in all schools, with teachers asked to

John Swinney after receiving her exam results claiming she has been penalised for the school she goes to. Eva Peteranna, 17, says her dreams of being a medic could be at risk after she was given a disappointing set of results.

school grades system.The Education Secretary argued that the controversial system, which saw the results of pupils downgraded, had seen the attainment gap close.However, his comments were derided by critics on social media.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current focus on how our governments are handling the coronavirus pandemic.To sign up, simply enter your email

Northern Ireland peace process and hailed as “Ireland’s peacemaker”, has died aged 83. The current SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described him as Ireland’s “most significant and consequential political leader” of the 20th century as tributes poured in.

soldier murdered in an IRA honeytrap has revealed how he plans to get justice for his family - nearly 50 years after the atrocity.Fusilier Dougald McCaughey, was executed with fellow squaddies - brothers John and Joseph McCaig - after being lured from a Belfast pub.Now his cousin David McCaughey has raised £10,000 to help fund a legal bid for a new inquest into the triple shooting.The victims are thought to have been convinced to leave the bar by two women.

Church of Scientology, which counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its celebrity followers, is offering free “personality tests” on flyers pushed through Edinburgh doors.

has confirmed after weeks of planning.When will schools reopen?As previously announced, primary and high schools will reopen from August 11, following scientific evidence and advice that it is safe to do so.Schools will be allowed to reopen on a phased basis during the first week, but all pupils will be back full-time as of August 18.Will pupils need to socially distance when at school?Pupils of primary school will age will not have to socially distance.The scientific advice also makes clear

schooling.Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, she said the decision is unlikely to go in the "opposite direction".However, she refused to reveal the cabinet decision before making the formal announcement to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.Speaking after discussions with ministers, Sturgeon said: "I'm duty-bound to announce these decisions to Parliament and I’m going to do that at the risk of getting into trouble from the Presiding Officer."She added: "I

reopen schools on a full-time basis in August. Nicola Sturgeon's Cabinet will hear the latest evidence on virus infection rates across the country and take expert advice before signing-off on a way forward.

Swinney is confident pupils will be in class full-time when schools start to reopen from August 11. The SNP education secretary gave his latest progress update one day before the Scottish Government take a decision.

Do you have a coronavirus related story? Email [email protected] enhanced testing regime for Covid-19 in schools might not be ready for the full-time return to class on August 11, John Swinney admitted.The Education Secretary said public health officials are working to that timetable “at speed” but he could not give a guarantee to MSPs probing progress today.Swinney was providing with just three weeks until schools can resume in Scotland.Swinney said there will be sample testing to

Covid-19 in schools might not be ready for the full-time return to class on August 11, John Swinney admitted. The Education Secretary said public health officials are working to that timetable "at speed" but he could not give a guarantee to MSPs probing progress today.