Scottish Greens pledge to raise school start age in their manifesto

The Scottish Greens have pledged to raise the school starting age in their election manifesto.

The party would raise the school starting age to seven and introduce a play-based kindergarten stage for three to six-year-olds.

In their manifesto, they are set to commit to a kindergarten model based on the Finnish education system.

Under this approach, learning would be undertaken through “creative play” rather than “formal learning”.

Party co-leader Gillian Mackay said that being behind a desk is “the worst place for young children to be”.

She said: “Learning doesn’t just happen behind a desk. In fact, that’s the worst place for young children to be. Play-based learning is far better for them and for their education.

That is why the Scottish Greens would establish a kindergarten stage for three to six-year-olds and raise the primary school starting age to seven.

“Scotland is an international outlier in how early we make our children start school, with some beginning as young as four-and-a-half. The evidence is absolutely overwhelming that play-based learning in a kindergarten is far better at that age.

“The best performing education systems in Europe take a different approach to Scotland. They allow young children to explore the world around them with a focus on social skills, learning outdoors, play, and emotional development. The result is happier, healthier children who have a far more positive attitude to learning throughout the rest of their time at school.

“We can learn from successful countries like Finland, who recognise that it’s not natural for young children to be sitting at desks or learning in formal settings. Teachers across Scotland know this already and have been trying to adapt early primary school to meet this reality, but only a full system change will do.

“Play-based learning in a kindergarten is great for the health and wellbeing of children. It sets them up well for making the transition to a more formal school setting when they are a bit older. That’s why the Scottish Greens will deliver a kindergarten stage modelled on our most successful European neighbours.”

Children in Scotland currently start school between the age of four and five.

The Scottish Greens have multiple education reforms they are proposing, including ending homework in primary schools and replacing Scotland’s exam system.