posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

Please click on the link below to view the funding alerts for January 2017

funding-alert-12th-january-2017

posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

We’ve teamed up with IBM to launch Longitude Explorer, a £10k competition for secondary school pupils aged 11-16, which aims to develop science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills. We’re calling on young people to come up with practical solutions to healthcare challenges using the Internet of Things. Find out more.

Latest blogs

Truth and the media: a modest proposal
How the power of the internet could be harnessed to promote truth across the medial
Geoff Mulgan, 6 January 2017

Who’s responsible for building trust with personal data?
Why individuals, businesses and government must all play their part in building trust.
Eric Copeland, 6 January 2017

Project Updates

Rocket Fund: the first 10 projects

Three weeks ago we launched a pilot crowdfunding platform just for schools, on a mission to reduce educational inequality and empower teachers to innovate in the classroom. Check out our first 10 pioneering schools and a few lessons we’ve learned so far. Read more.

Model of the Month: Fast Idea                        Design in the public sector, an
Generator                                                              interactive map

Explore the third of ten modules in DIY            Our new interactive map shows organisations
Learn, our online learning programme             using design-led innovation in the public sector
in innovation, created with the Open                created with La 27e Region Find out more.
University.  Find out more.

Jobs at Nest
We’re looking for an Executive Director of Research, Analysis and Policy; a Programme Manager for Y Lab, a collaboration between Nesta and Cardiff University; an Operations Co-ordinator (part-time) for our Impact Investments team; a Digital Transformation Project Manager; and a Social Media Officer. Browse all jobs.

The Long + Short

Participatory budgeting, explained

2017 looks set to be a big year for partcipatory budgeting, as governments attempt to get more savvy in meeting the needs and desires of citizens.  So, what is it?  Find out more in our digital magazine, The Long + Short.

Work with us

We’re inviting proposals from candidates for a one-year research project for the Give More Get More Fund, and expressions of interest for delivery partners for the Open Up Challenge Prize. Browse all current opportunities.

Latest blogs

Sharing personal data for public service reform – ethically, legally responsibly
Public service reform requires timely decisions about privacy and infromation sharing.  Here are some tips to build confidence.
Hilary Simpson, 15 December 2015

WorkerTech; fighting for better work through technology
How is technology supporting workers? We’ve grouped innovative solutions from around the world into four categories.
Toby Baker, 22 December 2016

Events

How can public and social innovation build a more inclusive economy?
27 January 2017 – Join us for an event exploring how social innovation policy can better address inequality and marginalisation, in partnership with University of Oxford.  Register your interest.

European Social Innovation Competition 2017 launch
28 February 2017 – Join us in Athens for the launch of the 2017 European Social Innovation Competition, where we’ll be introducing our brand new theme. Sign up here.

posted by Lesley Duguid, Support Officer, Schools and Learning

Applications are attached and should be submitted by 31^st January to  esw-apply@dundee.ac.uk.

esw-pdp-application-form-pgde

We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from the Scottish Government to continue to run our part-time programme for PGDE. This programme is open to LA employees who wish to pursue a career in teaching. The programme will begin in March 2017 and the students will complete in June 2018, ready for induction in August 2018.

We have already run the programme with Perth and Kinross and Angus Council and although the students have not yet completed it is proving to be very successful. We are now in a position to offer the programme to all four of our partner LAs, Dundee, Angus, P&K and Fife. We are looking to recruit a minimum of 40 candidates across the four LAs.

The programme consists of part time blended learning, with the majority of sessions being face to face one evening per week and approximately one Saturday a month, although there will be some addition Saturdays. In additional the students will attend a summer school at the beginning of July 2017. There are also additional sessions through online units. Students will also complete three professional practice placements in a school within your own LA, and we will negotiate this with each LA. This means that there needs to be the opportunity for the students to be given time out of their normal working time during the programme. This would have to be negotiated within the LA to enable students this time.

We are looking for suitable applicants who have a Degree, Higher English (or equivalent) and Standard Grade Maths at credit level (or equivalent).

The closing dates for applications is 30th January, and we do appreciate that this time is quite tight. However, we have only recently received confirmation that we can begin the programme in March 2017. Applicants will go through an interview process in the same way as all full time applicants.

As P&K and Angus Council have already worked in partnership with the university in the first programme they have experience of the procedures from an LA perspective and may be able to answer any questions regarding this.

This have proven to be an excellent opportunity for staff who are unable to give up a post to study full time and from an LA perspective this gives the opportunity for you to recruit potential teaching staff ready to start induction in 2018, as they will complete their induction within their own LA.

Please do not hesitate to contact Lesley Duguid at duguidl@angus.gov.uk   if you require any further details.

posted by Carol Littlewood, Project Co-ordinator RHET ACI

The Angus Potato Project is OPEN TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS in ANGUS and DUNDEE and although aimed mainly at Primary 4 other year groups can also take part if they wish.  RHET ACI will supply free of charge all you need to take part, including planting containers, compost and seed potatoes.  We also have lots of learning materials available to download free to supplement your pupils learning experience. RHET ACI are very grateful to have secured continued support us take the project forward from McCain Potatoes and RGS Forfar Ltd.

So, sign up and follow the life of the potato, with help from one of our RHET ACI volunteer farmers who will come to your school and help you plant your SUPERSPUDS. They will also talk to your pupils about the life of the potato and how potatoes are grown on farms around Angus and Dundee.

There are also two trophies to compete for, one for the school that grows the heaviest crop of potatoes from the seed potatoes provided, harvesting them just before the summer holidays and also a prize for the best project submitted to us, showing what you have done to use your potato growing in different aspects of Curriculum for Excellence.

The potatoes classes will be growing are an early variety called Shepody, which McCain growers send off to be made into fries for McDonalds.

Also back by popular demand, we will be having a short teacher briefing after school on Tuesday 28th February 2017 in the training rooms at Angus House in Forfar.  This briefing event gives you the chance to meet some of the volunteer farmers involved in the project and is also when teachers pick up all the materials for the project.  This is when you will also be briefed on how to get the most out of this fantastic learning experience, have the potato chitting process explained and be given helpful hints on how to care for the potatoes.

Many of our volunteer farmers will be happy to come back to the school to help the pupils harvest their potatoes in June and some will be involved in the judging of the projects that are submitted.

If you are interested in taking part in the project just drop an e-mail with your school name, class numbers and your contact details to your local Project Co-ordinator, Carol Littlewood 0791 999 2064 or angus@rhet.org Project places are allocated on a first come first served basis and fill up quite quickly.

posted by Beth Reader, Performance Information Team Manager, Children and Learning

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and the City of London Police have issued the following warning regarding Phishing Scam, Phishing and Ransomware Alert.

Please click on the link below to view in full.

department-of-education-phishing-alert

posted by Elaine Hughes, Service Manager, Performance, Children and Learning

The new Saunalahti school is a multipurpose school building integrating full day daycare center, school, public library, youth center and many activities after schooldays. The school building is  based on safety and flexibility and the architects have considered pedagogical needs.

The number of pupils and staff will be growing each year until 2018. Then it will have grades 0 to 9, approx. 800 pupils and 100 adults.

The emphasis is on drama, art, music, literature, handicrafts, dance and P.E. It has 6 basic principles

1. Child centered teaching
   2. Integrity and fairness
   3. Diversity and equality
   4. Sustainability
   5. Sense of community
   6. Holistic wellness

As we continue to develop our school investment strategy, it would be good to hear your thoughts on this approach to learning, and what if any we should be aspiring to in Angus.

More details about Saunalahtii school can be found on the link below.

https://brightside.me/article/the-school-of-the-future-has-opened-in-finland-13755/