The exclusionary comprehensive school system: the experience of Showground families in Scotland

Since the introduction of a national free school system in Scotland in 1872, there has been a continuing increase in the academic achievement of the student population. Contributing factors have been the availability of free education for all (in the 1940s) and the full comprehensivization of the state schools (in the 1970s). Yet, despite these moves, there are still significant differences in the achievement of some groups within Scottish society; one such group is the travelling Showground community. Their situation offers a paradigm for many other groups of interrupted learners. The specific actions developed and targeted to redress their under-achievement call into question the ability of the present comprehensive school system to include and meet the educational needs of a significant number of pupils.