Informed Scotland – Issue 9 March 2013 is the first issue of this digest to be circulated within Falkirk Council Education Services. We have taken a subscription for a year and will review towards the end of year 1. The digest is designed for professionals who need to keep abreast of what is happening in the world of learning and skills.
Carol Paton, Curriculum Support Officer Secondary, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team will review this from responses.
Yvonne Manning, Principal Librarian, Curriculum Support Team, Falkirk Council Education Services organised a project with looked after and accommodated young people who worked with storytellers and an animator to create a film. The project was funded by Awards for All and is an example of very effective partnership work between Education, Social Work, Lisa Kapur Forde (Arts Development Officer, Falkirk Community Trust), storytellers – Ruth Kirkpatrick and Claire McNicol, musicians and Wrighteye film makers. The launch of the film took place in Falkirk Town Hall on 22/3/13. It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements of the young people. The storytellers and the young people told the story that they had created and then the film was shown. The film shows the group in Meadowbank Library working together on the story, making the characters, shooting the scenes and then viewing the animation of the story. The song that accompanies the story was written and sung by one of the young people. The film can be viewed by clicking this link – Tear Drops on the Wings
Feedback after the launch was exceptional, here is just a snapshot of what people said:
‘What a fantastic and moving film. The music was wonderful and fitted perfectly with the story and the animation. I was blown away by the whole event and by the talent and ability of the young people. Thank you.’ Chief Governance Officer, Falkirk Council.
‘This has by far the best thing that’s happened for me for ages, thanks for sharing your work, talent and experiences. I would be delighted if you would be prepared to show the film and tell the story at the Falkirk Parents and Families Workshop on 9th October 2013. I think you could inspire so many more people there!, Thank you!!’ Co-ordinator, Children’s Services, Falkirk Council.
‘Incredible! I was unbelievably impressed with the quality of the film. Thank you so much for giving us the chance to see it. You are all brilliant. Well done!!’ Clinical Psychologist.
‘Well done all involved. A brilliant team effort. Hope to see your film again soon. Thank you so much!’ Child Health Commissioner, N.H.S. Forth Valley.
‘Excellent show, the young people have shown how much talent they have. Through this film they have hopefully addressed some issues they have, they worked very well together, social skills proven, feelings revealed etc. Well done to everyone who encouraged and taught, helped make this film. What next for these young people, they need to get to the next stop. BRAVO!!’ A Grandmother
‘… Wow! Wonderful achievement to everyone who participated in the movie. It was a lovely story well written. The film makers were great and the music was showstopping! Simply stunning! Wonderful music. To all of you, I wish you every success in the future. Keep working hard; Keep positive: Keep doing good work and Thank You I loved it.’ Councillor, Falkirk Council.
And what next?
To nominate the film for an Award.
The young people will tell their story and show the film at a Parent and Families Workshop event in Falkirk Council in October 2013.
CELCIS (Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland) are very interested in showcasing the film at their annual conference in October 2013.
Education Scotland are very interested in sharing the project as an example of good practice.
A connection has been established between the Homes and Meadowbank Library. The young people all received a library membership card and borrowed books from the library. The plans to reinforce this connection include a trip to the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August; library staff will visit the Homes in advance of the trip to read ‘tasters’ from the books by the author(s) with whom the young people will meet.
At least two of the young people have been offered opportunities to further explore their musical interest and talent from the musicians and producer involved in the project.
The young people who were involved in this project wanted it to continue and other young people are now very keen to be involved in a similiar project. With this in mind, Yvonne Manning, Lisa Kapur Forde and Jenny Kane (Leaving Care Service) are looking at other potential funding sources and build on the success.
Sharon Wallace, Effective Teaching and Learning Teacher, Curriculum Support Team has been busy sharing the active literacy message with initial teacher education students at Stirling University. Third year students were provided with a brief overview of the Active Literacy strategies and methodologies before embarking on a practical workshop of activities. The third year students participated in a traditional spelling test followed by an active learning spelling test. They commented on the difference between the two and how much more effective the learning was using the Active approach. They also attempted to split words into Elkonin boxes learned about single phonemes, joined phonemes and split phonemes. They examined a range of ‘texts’ including recipes, stories, picture books and film looking at how the six key comprehension reading strategies can be applied at early level. Students were enthused by this creative approach to active literacy and ‘on a mission’ to try out some of the methodologies on their next teaching placement. It was a really enjoyable morning and Dr. Lynsey Burke commented on how important it is to have had a valuable input and insight into current active literacy approaches within Falkirk Council.
The teachers were selected from across the authority with every cluster being represented. As well as being expected to take a lead in outdoor learning in their own schools, the Lead Teachers will be instrumental in establishing OL networks within their clusters.
Each session had a curricular focus and included sharing ideas for how literacy, numeracy and science could be delivered in the outdoors. The main purpose of the course however was to stimulate discussion and thinking about how we could move close to achieving the aim of outdoor learning being embedded within the curriculum.
Some comments from participants include:
“Before undertaking the course I had virtually no understanding of how to use the outdoors as a stimulus for learning. I hate being cold and wet and dirty, but I have loved every minute of the course so far. For me building fires and dens was a small part. The big part was how the outdoors could be used to teach almost anything and how learning outdoors fits into everyday literacy and numeracy tasks quite naturally.”
“Throughout the course I was continually reflecting on how the activities would have made the learning accessible to pupils who I had taught in the past who to whom literacy and numeracy was daunting. It would allow them, at the very least, to start learning at the same level as their peers.”
“I am taking outdoor learning forward in the school next year and cannot wait to develop all that I have learned on the lead teacher programme.”
Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Curriculum Support Team, has supported St Bernadette’s Nursery Class in establishing ‘Forest Friday’. This began with a parents session on 4th October followed by the children’s fist visit on 12th October. A group of 10 children visit Larbert Woods each week supported by 3 adults for the full nursery session. Parents drop off and collect from the site. This is part of the Outdoor Learning Project to encourage children to access their local woodland/greenspace and give them the opportunity to learn through play in a natural environment.
For more information – check out St Bernadette’s Blog
Daniel Barrie, Quality Improvement Officer and Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Curriculum Support Team are currently visiting all early years settings as a follow up to the Learning Journey training last year.
The purpose of these visits is to ascertain how each establishment are implementing Learning Journeys in their setting, for example:-
How individual children’s learning journeys are shown and tracked;
How the children’s interests are informing the planning process;
How the learning journeys are demonstrating breadth, depth and progression?
How do the learning journeys show InterdisciplinaryLearning?
During this visit they will also be looking at Outdoor Learning within the nursery as well as planning and evaluation. They will be collating information gathered during these visits to ascertain where Curriculum Support Team can support early years staff in preparation for CPL offered during session 2013/2014.
Gayle Martin has been newly appointed as the Arts & Culture Officer within the Curriculum Support Team based at Camelon Education Centre. Gayle’s remit is to manage the music service, support and develop Gaelic language and culture, develop and support Creative Learning 3-18 and the strategic and operational management of national priorities and developments relating to culture.
Within the first week Gayle programmed and managed Falkirk Schools Senior Concerts which were held on Monday 25th & Wednesday 27th March at Falkirk Town Hall. This was an excellent format to allow pupils from across schools to showcase their achievements in music. Pupils received support through music departments, the instrumental service and Youth Music Initiative. We had a range of performances from Falkirk Schools Orchestra, Falkirk Senior String Ensemble, New Found Sound, Falkirk Junior and Youth Trad Bands, St Mungo’s Wind Group plus many more. Pupils created a fantastic two nights of high quality music! Watch this space for more photos and some films taken from the concerts.
Daniel Barrie, Quality Improvement Officer, Falkirk Council Curriculum Support Team attended the SSLN Engagement Event with primary and secondary representatives from each cluster.
In October 2012, Education Scotland published in-depth analysis and support in the form of the SSLN professional learning resource (Numeracy).
As part of Education Scotland’s commitment to supporting teachers to improve learning, an on-going programme of professional learning activities was planned for February and March 2013. Practitioners from all education authorities, across all curriculum areas were invited to participate in professional engagement events focusing on advice and support for effective learning and teaching in numeracy
Presentations and activities from the event are below
SSLN Numeracy Professional Learning Powerpoint Final – Copy
Comely Park Nursery Class chose Callendar Park for their venue for the Outdoor Learning Project. Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team, assisted staff in preparing for these visits and, following a parents information session (presentation for parents ) supported all members of staff on the initial visits. Comley Park staff were supported by a parent helper and this is continuing every week where a group (maximum of 10 children) will spend their nursery session in Callendar Park Woods. The children come into nursery at the normal time and then walk to the Park – the staff felt this was very important to give children the opportunity to learn about safety issues as well as improving their fitness levels.
The children are encouraged to explore the woodland area and have the opportunity to risk assessment and challenge themselves through natural play.
