As many four and five year old’s in Scotland start their first day at school, CommonSpace columnist Hilary Long argues that we are rushing them into formal education too early based on antiquated legislation that is long overdue for reform

THIS week small children aged four and five will be entering the door of the “big school”. It’s a day of mixed emotions for children and their families as they transition from the play environment of the nursery into the more formal learning of the primary school.

Parents urged to opt-out of P1 standardised testing which experts warn could be detrimental to child wellbeing

PRESSURE ON the Scottish Government to reconsider its policy of standardised testing – initially introduced last August – has intensified after five children’s charities, a former Children’s Commissioner for Scotland and teachers’ union Education Institute of Scotland launched a campaign urging parents to withdraw P1 children from the tests.