Prof Sheila Riddell (Education) highlights harmful effects of grouping school pupils by ability

Description

Following the release of Pisa's figures which indicated that the setting in Scottish secondary schools was more likley to group pupils by ability compared with other OECD memeber nations, Professor Sheila Riddell was interviewed by Times Educational Supplement Scotland (16.12.2016) on her view.

Professor Riddell emphasised that while the setting was fine for upper attainers, it had a "very detrimental effect" on groups from poorer backgrounds.

In response, the Scottish Children's Services Coalisation has written a letter to the editor of TESS to express support for Riddell's view.