Category Archives: Secondary schools

Scottish Education Awards

The Scottish Education Awards were launched on Monday 3 December by Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  The awards celebrate the hard work and success in Scottish education.  They recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcase the valuable work and innovation in learning environments across Scotland.

Nominations for the 2013 awards can be submitted from now until 22 February 2013. 

For more information visit the Scottish Education Awards website.

New National Qualifications – November 2012 Update

SQA has published the November issue of New National Qualifications Update. Includes information on: ·        

Unit Assessment Support      

Draft Unit Specifications for Advanced Highers       

CfE Subject Implementation events      

Suite of guides       

Scottish Studies Award        

Education Scotland Professional Focus Papers.

Youth Music Theatre Auditions

We are coming to a city near you next January and February 2013 searching for around 250 talented young actors, singers, dancers and musicians to perform in one of our exciting new musicals or, for the first time, a feature film for TV. Our musicals are fully-residential so this is your chance to travel to London or somewhere else in the country and meet friends from all corners of the UK.

Also this year all our work will be examined by Trinity Guildhall, so you can also gain a Grade 8 Certificate in Musical Theatre by taking part. Grade 8 is the highest grade – equivalent to A* at A-level, diploma or first year university BA level of working.

Do something different for two weeks next summer 2013 and audition for our exciting summer series, detailed below, including: Great Expectations, The Salsa Sisters, The Dark Tower, Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music or even a feature film for TV.  
 
Book your audition online here

Visit our website for more details

Education Scotland – Professional Focus Papers.

 These materials have been designed to assist teachers and others with the delivery of programmes of learning within the new National 4 and National 5 courses.The papers highlight important features of learning which are enhanced or different from previous arrangements. 

They provide advice on approaches to learning and teaching which build directly on those used in the 3-15 Broad General Education in order to promote continuity in learners’ acquisition of knowledge, understanding and skills. 

The papers are also intended to stimulate professional reflection and dialogue about learning.

The focus papers come as part of the development of exemplar course materials across the full range of National 4 and National 5 qualifications, being developed by Education Scotland in partnership with ADES. 

The Professional Focus Papers are available for you to download here at the National Qualifications area of the Education Scotland website.

Think Innovation

ACES (Access to Creative Education in Scotland) is a national initiative funded by the Scottish Funding Council.  It is delivered by four major Art & Design institutions in Scotland in the form of outreach work with schools in their local area. 

ACES provides practical support and encouragement to S4-S6 pupils who are considering studying art and design -based degrees at University.

The University of Dundee’s ACES project – which is delivered by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the Architecture department – has recently started working with eligible Fife schools, with the support of Fife Council’s Think Innovation programme. 

Pupils at these schools can, amongst other activities, benefit from:
– Practical insights into various art and design degree disciplines;
– Projects to build work for the entrance portfolio;
– Individualised guidance on applying for Art & Design and Architecture courses, including UCAS Personal Statement feedback, portfolio surgeries and mock interviews.
To access this provision, pupils at eligible schools can self-register by visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/aces , or schools can request a visit from the ACES Project Officer, Julie Murray, by emailing aces@dundee.ac.uk .

ON at Fife – Hansel and Gretel, behind the scenes!

ON at Fife with Robert Wiseman Dairies have created a fantastic video ‘behind the scenes’ of their Christmas show, Hansel and Gretel which kicks off on 30th November! There is also an activity pack to accompany the video.

Schools can enquire about a free educational workshop, when they book their tickets.

Hansel and Gretel at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall- get your tickets here.

 Download the Full activity pack

National Park to offer new Travel Grant Scheme for schools and groups

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has launched a new pilot scheme to help schools and outreach groups experience the great outdoors in the Park by offering an Educational Travel Grant. With forests to explore, landscapes to walk and climb, lochs and rivers to sail on and rich wildlife and history to discover, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park provides the perfect outdoor classroom for schools and groups. 

Funds will be provided for up to 75% of total transport costs. This includes transport to and from schools or a group’s meeting place to the National Park and the costs of accessing Inchcailloch island for outdoor learning activities.

For more information on the funding criteria visit the website or contact Alison Cush on 01389 722125 email education@lochlomond-trossachs.org.  Further information about the National Parks Learning resources can also be found on the website and specific information about overcoming Barriers to engaging in National Parks and National Nature Reserves

Learner Research Project and Teacher Research Project

The SCQF Partnership has commissioned Ashbrook Research and Consultancy to conduct research amongst learners to ask what they think about the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), whether they have used it in the past and if they might use it in the future. This research also involves evaluating understanding and awareness amongst management and teaching staff in schools and there is a survey for them too.   All answers will be completely anonymous and confidential. Each survey should only take 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

SCQF Research – Learner Survey

SCQF Research – Teacher Survey