Category: Bo’ness Academy

School College Opportunities To Succeed

Lynne Lauder, Enterprise Co-ordinator, Falkirk Council Curriculum Support Team attended the first Joint Team planning meeting for the implementation of the new  SCOTS (School College Opportunities to Succeed) programme which will be piloted as part of the Schools College Consortia in Falkirk during the 2013-14 session.

The event, planned and facilitated by Steve Dougan, Senior Phase/Opportunities for All Co-ordinator, Falkirk Council, Fiona Brown, Curriculum Manager Quality Assurance, Forth Valley College and Hazel Mackie, Principal Officer, Falkirk Council Employment and Training Unit brought together key staff from both Forth Valley College and the Schools.

Having shared an overview of the proposed pilot which detailed the importance of joint delivery and targets, staff from the varous college faculties presented their suggestions of what the college input would be.   Joint teams then worked to generate ideas of how work undertaken in the schools would complement the overall delivery.

Some time was spent on the practicalities of delivery i.e. the recruitment and interview processes and on identifying next steps.

There was a real buzz in the room as the group synergy brought forth some really exciting possibilities.  This is an exciting new addition to the curriculum in Falkirk which will bring rich benefits to the young people of the area.

The group meet again in early May so watch this space for updates.

CPD TV

Stuart Lennie, ICT Curriculum Development Officer in Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support team, has just launched the official Falkirk Council Education Services YouTube Channel.

The channel, available HERE, will be used to provide CPD opportunities, support, and guidance for education establishments across Falkirk Council. Within the page are links to the other official YouTube channels for Falkirk schools.

The channel also works on the YouTube app for Smartphones and Tablets, giving you access to content whenever you need it.

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Make sure you subscribe to the channel to get all of our latest updates!

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Administration of Instrumental Scheme

Fiona Dyson and Elaine Hunter, Clerical Assistants, Falkirk Council Education Services, Curriculum Support Team have been administering the Falkirk Council Education Services Instrumental Scheme.  This provides opportunities for pupils to learn a musical instrument.  By providing the administration at the centre this in turn saves the tutor valuable time and allows them to concentrate more on teaching.

Staff booking onto CPD

Jamielee Dickson, Clerical Assistant within the Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team deals with staff booking onto courses. Jamielee is the person at the end of the phone or sending e-mails for staff booking onto professional development.

LGBT Young Person Group FKInclude

Marian Boyle Curriculum Support Officer Health and Well Being in Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team supported the implementation of LGBT Young Person Group FKInclude. This is the new Falkirk group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and their friends and allies aged 13-26.This group runs every Thursday.  It  is an inspiring, fun and great place to be! There is a programme of weekly activities, which include workshops on young people rights, sexual health, ‘coming out’, mental health, the National Youth Council, LGBT History Month and Film nights, to name but a few. Workers and volunteers are also on hand for check-ins, support, advocacy and information.If you would like to be kept up to date with information about the group and other opportunities, please go to  www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/Falkirk

New Standard for Full Registration

Caroline Craig, Secondary Probationer Supporter of Falkirk Council’s Curriculum Support Team is supporting our Secondary Schools in developing a standardised approach to probationary year observations for next session, in light of the new Standard for Full Registration.  This will ensure that there is a consistent approach during observations of our probationers ensuring that pupils within Falkirk Council are being taught to the highest standard.

Shiny new database – making the work experience process easier

Lorraine Hamilton, Work Experience Administrator and Health & Safety Assessor, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team has been working with partners and schools to move to a new database which should make the process easier for all. 

The new database (WorkIT) will be up and running for the new session and Work Experience Co-ordinators and Administrators will received training in May/June.  Comments made by one school are:

‘appears more user friendly’

‘modern look to it which may appeal to and encourage pupils to input more info.’

‘extended placement info seen clearly’.