Education Scotland has recently published Professional Learning Resources on assessing progress and achievement designed to support quality assurance and moderation activities.
Resources are available for:
Expressive Arts
Modern Languages
Languages: Literacy and English
Languages: Gaelic (learners)
Social Studies
Education Scotland and the Centre for excellence for looked after children in Scotland (CELCIS) have published a report and research briefing on the Recognition of Prior Learning and looked-after young people. The work was commissioned by Education Scotland, and included a pilot project and a research evaluation which CELCIS carried out between January and June 2012.
Download the report here: http://glo.li/ZZjdVf
This new briefing provides advice for practitioners and can also be used to inform partners, learners and their parents in taking forward Curriculum for Excellence. This latest addition to the series explores the importance of learning in the senior phase. It builds on the information in CfE Briefing 1: Broad General Education in the secondary school and CfE Briefing 6: Progression from the Broad General Education to the Senior Phase: Part 1.
Inspectors find excellent example of Curriculum for Excellence implementation at Calderglen High School
Calderglen High School in East Kilbride has become the first secondary school in Scotland to have its curriculum evaluated as ‘excellent’ by inspectors since the issue of updated guidelines by Education Scotland which reflect the increased expectations now applying as a result of the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence up to S3. The school was inspected in November 2012.
The inspection of Calderglen found the following key strengths:
Tony McDaid, Headteacher, said ‘As a school community, we are delighted with such a highly positive report. We believe it reflects the commitment, drive and creative approaches which are pursued to achieve the very best for all of our pupils.’
For further information click on the following link:
The Lyceum Theatre is advertising the post of Creative Learning Coordinator. Closing date: Friday 25th January. For details please download the following document:
GTCS has published an article on creativity by Educationalist David Cameron, Director, The Real David Cameron Ltd. It is an expanded version of his TEDx presentation from Buenos Aires and acknowledges some of our achievements in Scotland from 2012.
Click on this link to read the article: http://bit.ly/shaping_the_inheritance
View David’s TEDx talk on the Creativity Portal:
Congratulations to Edinburgh CLN whose Creative Conversations programme was the winner in the Creative Approaches category of City of Edinburgh Children and Families Achievement Awards on 2 December.
Edinburgh’s latest Creative Conversation explored the metaphorical side of innovation in schools and was reviewed in TESS: ‘Tsunami of change’ is coming
With so many quality shows for children and young people at this time of year, don’t miss out on Imaginate’s Go & See Fund for artists. As part of their Talent Hub programme, it is your chance to Go and See the shows you think can help influence and inspire your next project. To apply, send an email with costs** and the reason why you would like to see the show to Fiona Ferguson, Development Director, at fiona@imaginate.org.uk
**Imaginate can cover ticket costs; associated travel costs and where appropriate contribute towards overnight stay
The Creative Industries Conference for Young People brought together 90 senior students from South Ayrshire Council’s Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy, Girvan Academy, Kyle Academy, Prestwick and Queen Margaret Academy. Each student was specially selected to attend the conference as they are particularly interested in pursuing a career in the arts.
South Ayrshire Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder said: “The conference was a great success and very beneficial to the students.
“It is important that we ensure that students who are artistic and are determined to have a career in the arts know the reality of how the industry works. I was particularly impressed with the way in which the students from the University of the West of Scotland passed on their knowledge and experience to our school students.
“We have a great reputation in this country for delivering high quality arts productions and I am positive that some of these students will achieve great things in the industry in the future.”
Students from the University of the West of Scotland delivered seminars and hands on workshops for delegates providing peer to peer mentoring through the day in a range of industry related themes, including film sound effects, radio and screen writing and theatre production.
A number of market place style displays enabled the school students to learn more about the arts and theatre companies, digital media and heritage organisations that exist locally and nationally. These organisations offer direct support and opportunities for young people in creative industries.
A number of the students commented about their experience of attending the Creative Industries Conference:
Kyle Academy
Cameron Fong
‘Was a great opportunity to see the working environment of a University which gave us a great personal insight’
Jo-Anne Blacklock
‘I really enjoyed a first hand experience of the workings and procedures of the creative courses the University has to offer’
Queen Margaret Academy
Jaymee Galloway
‘Very interesting and exciting day. Friendly and very nice building’
Prestwick Academy
Alicia Marshall
‘The conference today has opened my eyes to many courses and opportunities which I would not have learned about in school.’
Louise Wheeldon
‘Today was a great opportunity at trying new experiences I would never have had without the University of the West of Scotland. It really showed me that there was more available to me than I know.’
Belmont Academy
Ruth Johnstone
‘I have enjoyed learning about the thought processes used by TV show creators. I also was interested in the technology used by the UWS radio station and was impressed by how Radio Broadcasting students are required to do an hours show every week.’
Kathryn Hanna
Today has given me an insight into Uni life at UWS and informed me of courses that can be studied here which I haven’t seen offered at other Universities. UWS seems to offer more diverse and practical courses which are geared a lot to preparing Scotland for jobs in their chosen industry.’
Girvan Academy
Mighel Espinosa
‘I found the visit really inspiring and intriguing. It has really opened my eyes by offering opportunities close to home rather than traveling to universities in Edinburgh and Stirling.’
Caitlin Harvey
‘I found today really interesting and very informative. It has shown me what is on offer on my doorstep instead of traveling far distances. I now know what qualifications I need to get into my preferred course.’
The conference was funded by Education Scotland and Creative Scotland and is part the Creative Learning Network in South Ayrshire Council.
New National Qualifications – December 2012 update
SQA has published its latest update on new National Qualifications.
Includes information on:
· Draft Course Assessment Specifications for Advanced Higher
· SQA CfE Web Pages
· CfE Subject Implementation Events
· Unit Assessment Support
· Recognising Positive Achievement.
