Download College Development Network’s framework for enterprise education here:
All posts by J. Fenby
D&G Creativity Framework
Dumfries and Galloway’s Curriculum Support team have produced a framework document which shows how creativity is a cross-cutting theme of Curriculum for Excellence.
The document helpfully identifies the characteristics of learning environments that encourage creativity.
Download the document here: Creativity in my learning community and learning environments that encourage creativity
Shape the Future competition – improving the lives of women and girls worldwide
School should be aware of the upcoming second Shape the Future competition which will be launched on the 28 April 2014 across the UK. The competition will be open to all UK schools and will ask young people (aged 11-16) to outline and present on their priorities for improving the lives of women and girls worldwide. Following a judging panel, the winning pupils will be invited to attend and present their ideas at a global summit hosted by the Prime Minister in July.
The themes of this short group project fit into subjects across the curriculum, including Modern Studies, RME, Geography, History, English and PSE as well as lending itself to a context for inter-disciplinary learning. A dedicated ‘Shape the Future’ website will provide teachers with a range of resources to guide pupils through the competition.
Education Scotland has provided a Learning Journey considering aspects of gender equality which will be a helpful resource to schools. Last year Promoting Diversity and Equality: Developing Responsible Citizens in 20th century brought to the fore exemplars of good practice and resources to assist in taking forward approaches to diversity and equality.
On 7 May Game On Scotland and Education Scotland have organised a conference for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: Promoting Equality and Diversity it will reflect on the three core values of the Commonwealth Games Federation, humanity, equality and destiny. The conference will provide delegates with a speakers and workshops focused on values education in a global context as well as the inclusion of all.
Imaginate Commissions for 2015 – Deadline 25 April
Imaginate is seeking proposals for two new productions to be presented in schools in 2015. This opportunity is open to individual artists/producers; arts organisations (including venues) and partnerships. The closing date for submissions is Friday 25 April 2014.
The commissioned pieces should be created specifically for school children in one of the following age ranges;
P1 to P4
P5 to P7
The initial tour will cover two weeks in schools prior to the Imaginate Festival 2015, followed by a week of performances at Festival. The dates for the Imaginate Festival next year are 11 to 18 May 2015.
Download full information here: http://www.imaginate.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/EXPO-2015-Commissions-information.pdf
Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool and GTCS’s Professional Standards
By Ken Muir, Chief Executive, GTC Scotland
‘At their meeting on 30 January, the GTCS’s Education Committee received an excellent input on the Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool (SPBT) from Project Manager, Eileen Gill, and Professional Advisor, Colin Sutherland.
Read the full GTCS article here:http://www.teachingscotland.org.uk/education-in-scotland/the-standards/news-senior-phase-benchmarking-tool-and-gtcs-professional-standards.aspx
OK, so the SPBT isn’t the catchiest of titles or acronyms, but it masks one of the most important developments taking place just now in Scottish education – one element of several (CfE; GIRFEC; Professional Update; new NQs; GTCS’s revised Standards to name but a few) that align closely with each other and which, taken together, are inter-related elements designed to improve and “future proof” the Scottish education system for all current and future learners.
The SPBT also helpfully focuses on wider aspects of learner achievement and not solely narrow attainment, as used currently by the Standard Tables and Charts (STACS) which it replaces, and much-beloved of press and media in constructing the much-dreaded school “league tables”.’
Read the full GTCS article here:
Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool and GTCS’s Professional Standards
Glow TV – Divided City by Theresa Breslin: New Musical Version for Primary Schools
28 April 2014, 11:00
Register: http://bit.ly/1jYpnfR (Glow log-in required)
Join Theresa Breslin and Elly Goodman of the Citizens Theatre as they offer a unique insight into the history of bringing this iconic book to the stage. Pupils and teachers will get the chance to ask Theresa and Elly questions about the play and the book and to find out more about this ground-breaking project. The Citizens Theatre has now staged three large scale musical theatre productions of Theresa Breslin’s Divided City, adapted for the stage by Martin Travers with an original score and songs by Claire McKenzie. More information about this Glow TV event is on the Education Scotland Learning Blog.
For full details of this and other events, please log in to Glow and view the current schedule: (Glow log-in and password required).
Glow TV – Structural engineer Roma Agrawal talks about her work – 25 April
The Leaders Award for STEM
25 April 2014, 9.30
Register: http://bit.ly/1lPMcoB (Glow log-in required)
Roma Agrawal, an Associate Structural Engineer at WSP, will be talking to students about her career and her role in designing bridges, skyscrapers and sculptures with signature architects over her eight year career. She will then take questions from the students in the studio and logged in on Glow TV. Roma Agrawal is being interviewed to encourage students to engage with The Leaders Award for STEM. More information on this Glow TV event is on the Education Scotland Learning Blog.
GIRFEC self-evaluation guide now online
This guide has been developed for leaders and staff teams in pre-5 establishments and schools to support self-evaluation. It looks specifically at developing the ‘Getting it right for every child’ (GIRFEC) approach within an education setting, but fits within the overall self-evaluation framework familiar to education professionals.
An interactive resource, based on the GIRFEC Wellbeing Wheel, the self-evaluation guide can help practitioners reflect on, and plan for, how they can make a positive difference for children and young people.
The guide can be used with a wide range of audiences:
- all staff or groups of staff
- whole establishment or teams
- cluster/learning community level.
The materials and process can be adapted to use with:
- children and young people
- parents/carers
- partner agencies.
Click here for further information and to download the guide:
A guide to evaluating wellbeing in schools and nurseries
See also other GIRFEC resources.
School Improvement Partnership Programme
The School Improvement Partnership Programme (SIPP) is a solution-focused approach to Scotland’s attainment issues with a focus on innovating to tackle educational inequality. It draws on the wealth of international educational research and practice demonstrating that the most effective school improvements are locally owned and led by teachers and school leaders working in partnership and collaboration with like-minded professionals.
There are currently nine different kinds of partnerships developing within and across education authorities. The programme aims to encourage staff to learn from each other, experiment with their practice and monitor and evaluate change. A key feature of the SIPP is the evaluation support being provided by researchers from The Robert Owen Centre for Educational Change. For more information click on the following link: The School Improvement Partnership Programme
or contact enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk
Consultation on Children’s Rights as Performers
Scottish Government is currently consulting on children’s rights as performers and associated licensing arrangements. Performing arts organisations and individuals working with children are invited to submit responses by 6th June.
Find out more and download response forms here:
