Michael Russell, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, announced on 14 October 2010 that HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) would be brought together into a new executive agency. Mr Russell has decided that the agency will be known as Education Scotland.

This exciting development will ensure that the best possible national-level systems are in place to support practitioners, pre-school centres, schools, colleges, local authorities and others as we move forward with Curriculum for Excellence.

As a key national body, it will support quality and improvement in Scottish education by:

• leading and supporting the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence
• increasing the capacity for self-evaluation and self-improvement amongst education providers and practitioners
• promoting high quality professional learning and leadership
• identifying and stimulating innovation, sharing successful approaches widely with others
• providing independent external evaluations of the quality of educational provision at individual provider, local authority and partners, and national levels
• supporting the development and implementation of policy at national level.

In February 2011, the Cabinet Secretary agreed the remit and purpose statement for the new agency which will help to shape the more detailed work to be carried out between now and 1 July 2011, when Education Scotland will be operational.

On 19 April Dr Bill Maxwell, Senior Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland, was appointed the transitional Chief Executive Officer of Education Scotland.

Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) is building on its strong partnership with Creative Scotland to support the development of Creative Learning Networks (CLNs) in local authority areas across Scotland.

Local authorities have been invited to apply to LTS for funding of £5,000 – £10,000 to help establish, or further develop a CLN in their area. A total fund of £192,000 is available to support local authority areas to build on the legacy of the national Cultural Coordinators in Scottish Schools Programme. The deadline for applications is Friday 10 June and awards will be made in July.

This initiative, together with the creation of a National Creative Learning Network, aims to champion the arts, culture and creativity in schools and communities within the overarching context of Curriculum for Excellence, bringing long-term benefits to children and young people. The development of CLNs is a key strategic initiative in the Scottish Government’s ‘Education and the Arts, Culture & Creativity: An Action Plan’ which is directed at developing the role and impact of creativity within and across the curriculum. (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE/expactionplan)

“Our vision is that all children and young people will be empowered as well-rounded individuals to develop their imagination, demonstrate capacity for original thought and understanding of meaningful innovations, contributing effectively to the world at large.”

Education and the Arts, Culture & Creativity: An Action Plan (Sept 2010)

It is hoped that every local authority in Scotland will take part in this initiative –  as a higher order skill for learning, life and work, creativity is an essential element that runs across all curriculum areas and themes and is central to the achievement of the four capacities.

Local authority CLNs will be supported to develop a presence on Glow and the Creativity Portal through which members can communicate, share learning and resources.

For information on how the fund was used in 2010/11 see Children in Scotland’s Evaluation Report which can be accessed in the Research section of Articles and Links.

If you have any questions about the initiative, or if there are any opportunities you’d like promoted to the CLNs please contact Julia Fenby, Development Officer Creative Learning, Learning and Teaching Scotland, email j.fenby@ltscotland.org.uk

Creative Learning Networks are funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund

Kids can explore the past this summer http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/corpres/news/showNews.asp?p=4608

East Ayrshire Council announces that the Council’s Creative Minds team is running a series of hands-on activity days for primary school children in Kilmarnock, Cumnock and Dalmelllington – and all activities and materials are provided free. Activities take place in July and August in The Dick, Dean Castle and Burns Monument in Kilmarnock; in The Baird, Cumnock; and in Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington.