Philosophy, execution and efficacy of the guidance system as seen through Edinburgh schools

In this paper I wish to discuss the Scottish Guidance System: its birth and early development, its theory and its practice as seen through a sample of Edinburgh Secondary Schools and comment on its possible future.The scope of this kind of analysis is quite enormous and I only scratch the surface. A more detailed survey will need to be done if effective assessment of the current situation is to be made for the whole of Scotland.While developing this paper over the past three years I have found that my own attitudes have changed with regard to the objectives and relative merits of this system called Guidance, This I feel is healthy and I am sure the System can stand all the twists and contortions placed upon it. It is a dynamic area dealing with people in their own unique situations requiring unique assessments and solutions. As it develops as an ongoing enterprise it gains in confidence, makes mistakes, assesses and re- assesses, growing in promise each year. Can it fulfil all that it promises? I hope that this survey in some way shows how Edinburgh Schools are responding