James McEnaney

Glasgow

Freelance Journalist at The Herald (Scotland)

Journalist, author & former teacher | Buy some books: https://t.co/1In5J8vez8 | He/him | Very much my views

Articles

Extra funding to ensure completion of new Glasgow primary school

3 days ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

The new money will support the refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School in Calton area of the city, which has lain derelict for more than a decade. Although originally planned for completion in December 2025, the school is now expected to be handed over to the council towards the end of 2026.
Research says 'vital' public libraries are 'endangered'

3 days ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

Children at Baillieston Library, Glasgow (Image: free) Scotland has lost almost one hundred public libraries since 2008 despite their increasing value to the public, according to new research by a leading national charity. A new report, published to coincide with Libraries Week, describes libraries as the “last haven” meeting the needs of communities and many vulnerable groups, but warns that they are now “endangered”.
East Dunbartonshire council questioned over use of AI in school policy

5 days ago | glasgowtimes.co.uk | James McEnaney

Critics have hit out at the design of surveys that formed part of the process, as well as the council’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyse responses, with the local authority now facing formal complaints about the matter. As part of work to develop a new policy around smartphones in schools, officials at East Dunbartonshire Council opened online surveys for teachers, parents, secondary school students and upper-primary school pupils.
Parents slam council over new phone policy for schools

6 days ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

The council is developing a new policy around the use of phones in schools. (Image: Jane Barlow/Derek McArthur) A Scottish Council is facing questions over its development of a new policy on smartphone use in schools after local parents raised concerns about the processes that had been followed.
SNP told to give a 'straight answer' on mothballing review

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

John Swinney recently told the Scottish Parliament that his government had begun a review of mothballing guidelines. (Image: Jane Barlow) The Scottish Government has failed to provide details about a review of school and nursery mothballing guidelines, despite the First Minister claiming that this work had already begun in April.
Here's how a council declares busy nurseries 'under capacity'

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

Mothballing is only supposed to be used as a last resort when school or nursery rolls fall to, or very close to, zero. It is intended as an alternative to a permanent closure, and a mechanism to at least try to keep settings open, but instead councils are using it as a policy tool to help them cut (or “rationalise”) the level of service they provide.
One in six UK pupils miss school because of lack of money

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

The new research finds that children across the UK are being 'priced out of school' (Image: Pixabay.) Around one in six secondary pupils in the UK have missed school due to a lack of money, according to a new report by the Child Poverty Action Group. Amongst pupils who qualify for free school meals, the numbers missing school for financial reasons increases to 26 percent, representing around one in every four pupils in this group.
Universities launch rural business bootcamp for women

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

Organisers say that the event is open to women “at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey – from budding start-ups to established enterprises.” (Image: SRUC) Two of Scotland’s leading education institutions are to collaborate on a new initiative to support entrepreneurial women in rural parts of the country.
How Scotland's top young musicians blew me away

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

A couple of decades ago, I used to visit to see my girlfriend (now wife) performing as part of her piano degree programme. At the time I was studying English and politics along the road at Strathclyde Uni, and walking into the RSAMD (as it was then known) always felt like entering an entirely different world - one where being absurdly exceptional was just the starting point. Twenty years on, that feeling is very much still there.
Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year announced

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | James McEnaney

First place in the 2025 Solo Performer of the Year was awarded to Dunfermline High School student Inver Shand, who took up the accordion at the age of six. He performed two pieces as part of his seven-minute submission: the first was Carnevale, a challenging, Latin-influenced contemporary arrangement by Italian jazz musician and composer Renzo Ruggieri; the second piece was his own take on Phil Cunningham’s much-loved and hugely atmospheric Loch Katrine’s Lady.

Journalists covering the same region

Moira Kerr

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Garrett Stell

Education Writer at Freelance

Education Correspondent at The Herald (Scotland)

Garrett Stell primarily covers news in the Inner Hebrides region of Scotland, United Kingdom, including areas around the islands and the west coast.

Gordon Neish

Writer at Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard

Gordon Neish primarily covers news in the Inner Hebrides region, Scotland, United Kingdom, including areas around the islands of Mull and Iona.

Graham Fleming

News Reporter at The Press and Journal

Graham Fleming primarily covers news in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom and surrounding areas.

Michael Russell

Journalist and Writer at West Highland Free Press

Michael Russell primarily covers news in the Scottish Highlands, including locations such as Inverness and the Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom.

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James McEnaney @MrMcEnaney

26 Mar 25

Unelected council officers tried to push through the mothballing of a rural nursery without the involvement of councillors - almost a year to the day since plans to mothball a high school were thrown out by elected reps.

The Herald @heraldscotland

Council pauses temporary nursery closure after pushback https://t.co/WQwpEuUccI Exclusive by @stell_garrett and @MrMcEnaney https://t.co/3eDYNXzdA4

James McEnaney @MrMcEnaney

15 Mar 25

That's what I get for trying to use @ScotRail I guess. It was a stupid idea really. https://t.co/sc4PXJnm3U

James McEnaney @MrMcEnaney

10 Mar 25

RT @heraldmagazine: Martyn Bennett still "key patron" of digital folk culture. says @MrMcEnaney https://t.co/Muu8vziVqq @heraldscotland

James McEnaney

Articles

Extra funding to ensure completion of new Glasgow primary school

Research says 'vital' public libraries are 'endangered'

East Dunbartonshire council questioned over use of AI in school policy

Parents slam council over new phone policy for schools

SNP told to give a 'straight answer' on mothballing review

Here's how a council declares busy nurseries 'under capacity'

One in six UK pupils miss school because of lack of money

Universities launch rural business bootcamp for women

How Scotland's top young musicians blew me away

Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year announced

Journalists covering the same region

Moira Kerr

Garrett Stell

Gordon Neish

Graham Fleming

Michael Russell

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)