What’s really going on in our schools?

British champion Liam Byrne (pictured), from Aberdeenshire, died at the weekend during a jump in the Swiss Alps. We ask fellow jumper Tim Howell what motivates those in the sport – and what it’s like to jump from a cliff edge. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Edinburgh’s Fettes College, once attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly pondering job cuts after the UK Government moved to charge VAT on private school fees. Lisa Kerr (pictured), Principal of George Watson’s College, tells us why she thinks taxing schools like hers is also bad for state school pupils. And after ‘hoaching’ and ‘shoogly’ were added to the Oxford English Dictionary, Martin and Laura identify their favourite Scottish words. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

President Trump has accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire he helped broker. As oil prices see-saw, we ask economist Mairi Spowage and energy industry leader David Whitehouse why energy prices matter so much during times of conflict. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. This episode includes some strong language. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Former first minister Humza Yousaf is among the loudest critics of US attacks, approved by President Donald Trump, on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. The MSP and ex-SNP leader tells us why he thinks Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will retaliate – and how that could lead to 'all-out war'. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

New government guidance on dealing with violence and aggression in schools has been criticised at First Minister's Questions (FMQs).We ask The Herald's education correspondent James McEnaney whether a record number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) is a factor. And teacher Karen Watson tells us how the classroom, and her job, has changed.And Martin and Laura debate how many sweeties are too many sweeties. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

As the Labour government in Westminster cuts benefit spending by £5 billion as part of its Welfare Reform Bill, one expert group is urging politicians to back a guaranteed minimum income level for everyone. One of those experts, Chris Birt (pictured) from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, tells us how the Minimum Income Guarantee would work. And Martin reveals what he learned from a 900-gram ball of sweets in his stomach. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

The role of AI is growing in our day-to-day lives, but will it replace us in the jobs we do? We ask Professor Richard Susskind what the rise of artificial intelligence will mean for our work, the economy and the future of humankind. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Tommy Sheridan (pictured) made his name in politics protesting the poll tax and leading the Socialist party into the Scottish Parliament. He was later jailed for perjury, but should that conviction prevent him starting a new career as a social worker? He tells Martin about taking Glasgow City Council to court, his 'gender-critical views' and hopes of a political comeback. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Following the SNP’s by-election defeat to Scottish Labour last week, reports of a challenge to John Swinney have surfaced. We ask David Wallace Lockhart if that talk should be taken seriously - and what he makes of Rachel Reeves' spending plans. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised public money for the Acorn carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire in the UK Government's spending review. The funding has been broadly welcomed by politicians and the energy industry, so why do Friends of the Earth call Acorn a 'greenwashing scam'? We ask their climate campaigner Alex Lee (pictured) and the BBC’s Kevin Keane. And after the Flamingo Land Loch Lomond U-turn, Laura reveals what it’s like to read the news when a story breaks. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]