CONTRARY to some headlines, there’s a lot to love in Scottish school education. As the parent of a six-year-old, that’s been my experience so far. I’m well aware of the attainment gap and Scotland’s fall in the world rankings when it comes to reading, maths and science among older children, and yes, those things worry me. But they are not the whole story. In key respects, we’re moving in the right direction with Scottish schooling. What I see when I take my daughter to school is a nurturing and creative environment where children can grow – grow unimpeded, that is, not to be pruned into a predefined shape like in the old days. Her teachers see themselves as enablers, not educational topiarists. She is able to guide her own learning, in step with her development.