Scotland’s Education Secretary was taught a lesson on the badminton court when he visited school pupils in Moray.
The deputy first minister travelled north after announcing a £3million teacher training fund in Aberdeen yesterday morning, to get a firsthand look at teaching in the north-east.
Mr Swinney last week launched a campaign aimed at attracting teachers into scientific subjects, and Elgin Academy S6 pupils offered an insight into what that would involve.
Erin Jappy is studying advanced higher chemistry, and talked Mr Swinney through an experiment she was performing to test the levels of acid in vinegar.
Stewart Bright, 17, explained the processes he was using to determine the calcium levels in vegetables, after a tray of broccoli and carrots caught the SNP minister’s eye.
S2 music pupils later performed a version of Passenger’s hit single, Let Her Go, for the politician.
Drummers Emma Tait and Libby Hunt, both 13, then offered Mr Swinney and Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead, some percussion tips.
When visiting the school’s sports hall, Mr Swinney took part in an impromptu badminton match against Elgin 15-year-old, Sean McCann.
There followed a competitive exchange, during which the politician looked to have Sean on the back foot at several points.
But it was roundly agreed that the S3 youngster ultimately got the better of the 52-year-old.
Afterwards, Sean said: “I think I beat him, so that’s a claim to fame.”
Elgin Academy headteacher, David Barnett, later praised the pupils who had shown Mr Swinney around.
Mr Barnett said: “I was delighted for him to see the great work that’s going on here.”
After the visit, Mr Swinney sat down with 20 Moray teachers to discuss the struggles they are facing.
The region began this school term with 44 teaching vacancies, and staff have complained about being overworked.
Mr Swinney said: “One of the reasons I am here is to learn more about these issues firsthand.
“I want to use every opportunity to meet teachers face to face, and have an open and honest conversation about issues like workload.”
He added: “One of the great privileges of my job is finding out what life is really like within our schools, and it was great to see the different elements of Elgin Academy.”
