S6M-16170: Delivering School Environments Where it is Safe for Pupils to Learn and Teachers to Teach

The motion

That the Parliament notes the ongoing concern at reported cases of violence against pupils and staff, and disruption in schools, and the need for action to help restore positive learning environments in which all young people and teachers are safe to learn and teach in a respectful and supported setting; welcomes the publication of the joint national action plan with COSLA in August 2024, which set out a range of actions needed to be taken at both local and national levels to address violence in schools, alongside the Scottish Government's action plan on tackling violence and verbal abuse in schools; calls on ministers to bring forward an update to the Parliament on how these actions are being taken forward; further calls on ministers to review the reporting and publication of data on incidents relating to violence and harassment in schools; notes the disparity in the availability of early years provision across Scotland and the potential long-term impacts on children's development and educational outcomes; calls for a review to identify and mitigate negative influences on learning environments in primary schools, including factors affecting pupil behaviour and engagement; further calls on the Scottish Government to support children and young people impacted by violence and disruption in schools and to facilitate an environment in which all young people are safe to learn, develop and grow; notes the publication of the Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools, and calls on ministers to take forward a national policy on a ban on mobile phones in classrooms and the provision of single-sex toilets and accessible toilets in all schools; acknowledges the recent passing of a law banning children under 16 from using social media in Australia, and calls on ministers to undertake a review in Scotland of the negative impact of social media on young people and the growing body of evidence suggesting that "over-exposure" to mobile phones and social media can result in pupils experiencing limited concentration, isolation and poor mental health, as well as the potential for a similar ban in Scotland.

What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended

The Conservatives’ motion was rewritten by an SNP amendment (S6M-16170.3) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for the SNP’s wording.

That the Parliament notes the ongoing concern at reported cases of violence against pupils and staff, and disruption in schools, and the need for action to help restore positive learning environments in which all young people and teachers are safe to learn and teach in a respectful and supported setting; welcomes the publication of the joint national action plan with COSLA in August 2024, which set out a range of actions needed to be taken at both local and national levels to address violence in schools, alongside the Scottish Government's action plan on tackling violence and verbal abuse in schools;

240 words removed by S6M-16170.3

calls on ministers to bring forward an update to the Parliament on how these actions are being taken forward; further calls on ministers to review the reporting and publication of data on incidents relating to violence and harassment in schools; notes the disparity in the availability of early years provision across Scotland and the potential long-term impacts on children's development and educational outcomes; calls for a review to identify and mitigate negative influences on learning environments in primary schools, including factors affecting pupil behaviour and engagement; further calls on the Scottish Government to support children and young people impacted by violence and disruption in schools and to facilitate an environment in which all young people are safe to learn, develop and grow; notes the publication of the Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools, and calls on ministers to take forward a national policy on a ban on mobile phones in classrooms and the provision of single-sex toilets and accessible toilets in all schools; acknowledges the recent passing of a law banning children under 16 from using social media in Australia, and calls on ministers to undertake a review in Scotland of the negative impact of social media on young people and the growing body of evidence suggesting that "over-exposure" to mobile phones and social media can result in pupils experiencing limited concentration, isolation and poor mental health, as well as the potential for a similar ban in Scotland.

S6M-16170.3 SNP recognises the importance of the Scottish Government and local authorities working together to facilitate an environment in which all young people are safe to learn, develop and grow; notes the Scottish Government national guidance on mobile phones in schools, which empowers headteachers to take decisions on banning mobile phone use in schools; agrees with the importance of ensuring that children are protected from online harms; notes the importance of ensuring that children and young people are able to share their perspective on their education, and calls on all partners to continue working closely with the Scottish Government to improve behaviour and relationships in schools.

Final wording as read into the Official Report at Decision Time. The marked changes are worked out by this site from the amendment texts and match that wording.

Amendments

S6M-16170.3 SNP Natalie Don-Innes Agreed vote, 68–31
S6M-16170.1 Green Ross Greer Not put to a vote (worked out by this site: never called at Decision Time: not selected or not moved)
S6M-16170.2 Labour Pam Duncan-Glancy Fell per the Official Report

Vote

1 division

22 Jan 2025
Delivering School Environments Where it is Safe for Pupils to Learn and Teachers to Teach
S6M-16170as amended by SNP
Carried
69 for, 30 against, 26 abstained

Amendments

3

S6M-16170.1

Delivering School Environments Where it is Safe for Pupils to Learn and Teachers to Teach
Ross Greer Green Lodged 21 Jan 2025

No recorded vote
S6M-16170.2

Delivering School Environments Where it is Safe for Pupils to Learn and Teachers to Teach
Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab Lodged 21 Jan 2025

No recorded vote
S6M-16170.3

Delivering School Environments Where it is Safe for Pupils to Learn and Teachers to Teach
Natalie Don-Innes SNP Lodged 21 Jan 2025

Carried
68 for, 31 against

Supporters

No MSP has added their name to this motion.

In the Official Report

6 contributions mention S6M-16170

22 Jan 2025

Safety in Schools
Liam McArthur LD Meeting of the Parliament

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16170, in the name of Miles Briggs, on delivering school environments where it is safe for pupils to learn and teachers to teach. I invite members who wish to participate to press their r…
22 Jan 2025

Safety in Schools
Natalie Don-Innes SNP Meeting of the Parliament

The First Minister has also written to the UK Government to voice his support for joint working between our Governments to improve online safety. I sincerely hope that members from across the chamber support that endeavour. It will take al…
22 Jan 2025

Decision Time
Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

There are eight questions to be put as a result of today’s business. If the amendment in the name of Natalie Don-Innes is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy will fall. The first question is, that amendment S6M-16170.…
22 Jan 2025

Decision Time
Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

I remind members that if the amendment in the name of Natalie Don-Innes is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy will fall. We move to the vote on amendment S6M-16170.3, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, which seeks to …
22 Jan 2025

Decision Time
Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

Amendment S6M-16170.2, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, falls. The next question is, that motion S6M-16170, in the name of Miles Briggs, on delivering school environments where it is safe for pupils to learn and teachers to teach, as amen…
22 Jan 2025

Decision Time
Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

The result of the division on motion S6M-16170, in the name of Miles Briggs, on delivering school environments where it is safe for pupils to learn and teachers to teach, as amended, is: For 69, Against 30, Abstentions 26. Motion, as amend…