Category Archives: CLD

Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society – CLD Contribution

Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society: Report Published

A Community Learning and Development Contribution

http://www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk/News_Events/News/Advancing_Scotland_as_a_Learning_Society_Report_Published

The Standards Council is pleased to announce the publication of ‘Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society: A Community Learning and Development Contribution’.

This report is a concise record of the Conversations project which took place across Scotland earlier this year. We spoke with over 200 activists and practitioners who practice in a wide range of contexts; the report is their collective voice. We hope you will recognise yourself here and encourage colleagues and partners to read and do likewise.

Getting it Right for every child in Lanarkshire

Getting it Right for Every Child is a national policy and programme. The following link to the GIRFEC in Lanarkshire website developed jointly by North and South Lanarkshire provides information on their programme and includes training materials and their Parenting Support Strategy.

Supporting Learners information leaflet

A new downloadable leaflet relating to the entitlement to (personal) support is now available to download from the Supporting Learners area of the Education Scotland website.
This downloadable leaflet provides an overview of the entitlement
It has three main sections looking at:
• who is entitled to support?
• what does this mean for my practice?
• where can I find the key facts?

Investment in young people

A dedicated Minister for Youth Employment will be established and an extra £30 million will be invested in helping Scotland’s young people into training, work or education to secure a stronger workforce for the future.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/12/01105458

The Creativity Portal Update: “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.”

The Creativity Portal is now a little over a year old and users are visiting the Creativity Portal for its offer of creative partnerships, resources and inspiration, as well as engaging with the Creativity Portal Glow Group behind the scenes in new and exciting ways.

Creativity News Feeds

Nearly 700 partnership opportunities and examples of creativity in the curriculum have already been shared through the Creativity Blog – many of which are free for teachers and community learning groups.

That’s more than four pieces of inspiration and creative opportunities each school day.

You can receive the Creativity Blog in the way that suits you best:

You can also subscribe to specialist Creativity Feeds such as Creativity and LiteracyCreativity and SciencesCreativity and HeritageCreativity and DramaCreativity and DanceCreativity and MusicCreativity and Art & DesignCreativity and ASL, Creativity and Early YearsCreativity and CLD and Creativity and Social Studies.

Creativity Portal website

Nearly 15000 unique users have visited the Creativity Portal already making use of:

  • 74 quality assured creative partners responding to and investing in Curriculum for Excellence
  • 29 quality assured case studies of creative partnerships in action across all ages and areas of the curriculum
  • easy access to 106 creative resources, learning and teaching tools and sources of inspiration
  • listings of 32 national Glow Groups with creativity at their heart to inform your teaching

Creativity Portal Glow Group

Various associated Glow Groups and tools have been developed alongside the public facing Creativity Portal to engage educationalists, teachers and youth workers in sharing, discussion and celebration of creativity’s role in teaching and learning.

Creativity Forum – a national forum for all Glow users to contribute to the debate and seek answers

Creativity Archive – a national repository of creative projects and lessons that any Glow user can add to, ensuring that all our creative learning is shared and no learning is ever lost

Creativity online newspaper – a simple newspaper style newsfeed giving you at-a-glance news from across Scotland in creative learning

Glow TV’s Creativity Channel – featuring an increasing number of creative Glow Meets with authors, theatre directors, artists and creative partners

This is an exciting phase for the Creativity Portal and with changes happening all the time your feedback is as powerful as ever. You can access the Creativity Portal Evaluation tool here – http://glo.li/mrNuJE, leave a comment on the Creativity Forum – http://glo.li/ieF6fA, or email me direct on stephen.bullock@educationscotland.gov.uk

If you have any questions or suggestions then please do not hesitate to ask. You can also find resources to help you promote and share the Creativity Portal’s resources with colleagues in the Creativity Portal Glow Group.

Creativity in the Classroom – a call out to share what works

Consider yourself creative?

The Creativity Portal is looking for examples of simple, short creative exercises that teachers and youth workers like yourself have used in the classroom and youth group settings.

It could be:

  • A creative chemistry experiment
  • The school’s fastest paper aeroplane contest
  • The imaginative alphabet
  • A 30 second dramatic warm-up

We would love to hear what’s worked for you. Get a mention on the national Creativity Portal and an invitation to future creative CPD. A wee bit of text is all it takes.

Add to the Creativity Archive here within Glow.

Or email Stephen.bullock@educationscotland.gov.uk

New Qualifications – November Update

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47993.html

 More detail about how each new National 5 Course will be assessed is now available. Draft Course Assessment Specifications for National 5 have been published on the SQA website and define the mandatory assessment requirements for Courses at National 5.

The purpose of the Course Assessment Specification is to ensure consistent and transparent assessment year on year. It describes the structure of the Course assessment and the mandatory skills, knowledge and understanding that will be assessed.

 Find out more about the qualifications development stages.

 Draft Unit Specifications have also been published for new Higher Courses. 

Feedback on these documents can be given via Have Your Say until 31 January 2012. The final versions of all SQA draft documents will be published in April 2012.

16+ Learning Choices Coordinators’ Meeting

67 delegates (16+ LC Coordinators, Education Scotland colleagues from Communities Team, colleagues from LA CLD, HMI, Scottish Government, local authority colleagues) attended the network event in Perth on 23rd November. The purpose of the event was to embrace the positive input that CLD can make to 16+ Learning Choices.

There was an input from Rosie Whelan, Scottish Government and a presentation from Kenny Lindsay, CLD Manager, Children and Young People, Dundee City Council, round table discussions and speed networking workshops from representatives from 8 LA CLD representatives.Kenny Lindsay CLD Presentation 16 plus LC event Perth 23 11 11

Attached is Kenny Lindsay’s presentation from the network event.

The Historic Scotland Free Ticket Giveaway

This weekend (Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of November) sees Historic Scotland allow visitors to access over 40 of Scotland’s top heritage attractions for free.

To obtain tickets, you need to register in advance at Historic Scotland’s website to download their free weekend pass. This pass gives free access for up to two adults and three children to all ticketed Historic Scotland properties on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November.

Sites which the pass include cover Historic Scotland’s winter ticketed attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, the newly refurbished renaissance palace at Stirling Castle, and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness.

For further information and full details, see Historic Scotland’s special website:  www.ticketgiveaway.co.uk

Action on Youth Unemployment

 

The Scottish Government will work with some of Scotland’s largest employers to deliver an action plan to improve employment prospects for young people.

Finance Secretary John Swinney joined Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) Chairman Lord Smith at the company’s headquarters for the joint publication of The Smith Group report into youth employability.

Mr Swinney outlined Scottish Government action to address youth unemployment with a record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship places this year and in each year of this parliament, and the ‘Opportunities for All’ programme which guarantee a training or learning place for all 16-19 year olds.

The Smith Group has been active since 2005, advising and guiding Ministers in successive administrations on education policy, enterprise in education and youth employment issues. Their latest report can be found here.

[ website ]

Very interesting research about parental involvement in the early years

“Children whose parents frequently read with them in their first year of school are still showing the benefit when they are 15, says an international OECD study.”

(BBC News 8 November 2011)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15639642

Scottish Ballet launches Glow Group

Today we are excited to be launching our Scottish Ballet Glow Group. The Education Team here at Scottish Ballet have been busily preparing and creating new schools resources and we can’t wait for our Sleeping Beauty ones to be uploaded onto Glow for you all to use in the coming months.

Here are just a few of the ways we’ll be using Glow to get you thinking about ballet soon.

• Brand New Sleeping Beauty Primary School Resources
• A specially devised Sleeping Beauty Workshop for teachers to use in the classroom
• 2 short films – one CPD film for teachers about teaching dance in the classroom and another for pupils about what to expect when you go to the theatre
• Live Sleeping Beauty Webcast from backstage at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Thursday 12th January 2012 time??

Why not send us a message using the forum to tell us what you think of our page and what you’d like to see on it. Or you could ask us that ballet question you’ve been dying to know the answer to. Don’t forget to follow the links to our Connect page for lots more exciting games and resources…look out for our Dancer of the Month Interviews coming soon.

https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Creative%20Learning%20Scotland/Arts%20Organisations/Scottish%20Ballet/default.aspx

Asset based approaches for health improvement: redressing the balance

Asset based approaches for health improvement: redressing the balance
Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) have produced a useful briefing on asset-based approaches to health improvement – an approach which emphasises and builds on the strengths of communities rather than focusing on the negative aspects.   It concludes that asset based approaches offer “exciting potential and could help professionals think differently about how they approach the goal of improving the health of individuals, communities and populations.”

Download the briefing by clicking here

PGDip in Community Learning and Development at Aberdeen

PGDip in Community Learning and Development at Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen is currently recruiting for its Postgradaute Diploma in Community Learning and Development, which will start in January 2012.  The programme available through blended learning attracts students from all over Scotland.  It is a part time workplace based route to the professional qualifiaction and is approved by the CLD Standards Council.  It has a reputation for its strong practice focus and is offered in partnership with local CLD managers.  Participants will be working or volunteering and will have a relevant degree or equivalent.  For further information contat Aileen Ackland, Programme Director on 0122 274875 or at a.ackland@abdn.ac.uk.  For application forms 01224 274629 pgcld@abdn.ac.uk

Health, Work and Wellbeing Management Support Project – Evaluation

 
CHEX in partnership with the Craighead Institute (lead agency) and the Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund provided mentoring support to 21 small to medium size community and voluntary organisations, several of which were community-led health organisations. The Project was funded by the Department of Work and Pensions Challenge Fund for Health, Work and Wellbeing. Mentoring sessions offered high quality support to managers over a period of 9 months. The Project also provided two action learning sessions to bring the participating mangers together to share experiences and lessons. Analysis and impact of the Project can found in the final evaluation

Flexible Learning: supporting transitions for young people with additional support needs

 

Every year the project supports 50 young people from S4 and S5 and in mainstream schools by identifying their needs and providing each with an individual package of support. More HERE

Coalyard transition project: providing stepping stones to employment for young people with learning disabilities

 

The project offers support and skills development to young people who are making the transition into employment, training or further education. More HERE

Skills Scotland Young People’s events

  • Edinburgh Tuesday 8th November 2011, Corn Exchange
  • Glasgow Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November 2011, SECC
  • Aberdeen on Tuesday 22nd November 2011, AECC

Skills Scotland is hosting events to help young people with career decisions. Students will be able to learn about future career and job choices through expert information and advice. The events are open to anyone aged 14-19, whatever their ambitions or abilities. More HERE

Youth Scotland’s Girls on the Move project will be featured today (Monday 31st October) in a special news report on BBC Reporting Scotland.

The BBC news report will focus on the Jogging Buddies’ Mums on the Run project in Paisley, a project that was established with the help of Girls on the Move funding in 2006. 

This project was set up to allow new young mums to take up jogging in a safe and supportive environment. Crucially, it was also an opportunity for young mums to socialise with others in similar situations, without having to pay for childcare.

The Mums on the Run project was so successful that it is now being rolled out as a national programme by jogScotland, along with a comprehensive resource pack for volunteer leaders.

 The BBC Reporting Scotland news report, which was filmed in Barshaw Park, Paisley will feature some of the young women from the original group, many of whom have continued to participate in jogging and have even taken on leadership roles in their community.

 Susan McDonald, group leader of the Mums on the Run project said:

 “The Mums on the Run project was set up to provide a much-needed activity for young mums in our area. It was amazing to see the young women’s confidence and physical activity levels soar as the project went on. Now it’s on the news, hopefully more and more women from across Scotland will get involved!”

 Youth Scotland Chief Executive Carol Downie said:

 “We are delighted that BBC Reporting Scotland has chosen to focus on this particular project, which received Girls on the Move funding. The Mums on the Run project was established in Ferguslie Park in Paisley, considered to be an area of Scotland particularly in need of support. It is a perfect example of our aim to encourage more young women from harder to reach groups to engage with physical activity. The project’s success demonstrates just how far a small amount of targeted funding can go.”

Children in Scotland – Parents as partners: a good practice seminar

In light of the development of a National Parenting Strategy in
Scotland, this one-day seminar will allow policy makers,
practitioners and experts from across the workforce to come
together, share ideas and knowledge and discuss new
strategies for tackling the issues encountered when supporting
all parents, carers and families in Scotland.

http://www.childreninscotland.org.uk/html/tra_tshow.php?ref=1584

Presentation to practitioners and SMT from West Lothian Council

DO MCMC 16+ LC did a presentation to practitioners and SMT from West Lothian Council on Friday 28th October at Inveralmond Community School. DO participated in round table discussions re need for flexibility in the Senior Phase if we are to get 16+ Learning Choices right. It was heart-warming to see so many vocational programmes operating in many of the schools (mainstream and SEN) to develop skills for learning, life and work in our young people. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and I look forward to a follow up on December 9th at Deans Community School. Great to see such fantastic and innovative work being done – well done West Lothian!!

International Youth Work Seminar

International Youth Work with young people has an image problem. Some people see it as being easy and fun or a ‘bit of a jolly’ while others view it as ‘too challenging and difficult to develop’. Despite this, a massive range of international opportunities are taken up each year by young people within the Glasgow City area, each project and programme different from another with varying outcomes, partners and themes.

This FREE event offers the opportunity to learn about current International Education Programmes, how to get started and the support available to you. Inputs on the day by the Glasgow Lord Provost and International Office, Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and Young Scot as well as an information village and lunch. Spaces are limited.

To book a place or to participate in the information village please get in touch.

Further information and flyer available within the e-filing cabinet here.

Contact: Gary Maguire at Glasgow Life, phone: 0141 276 8770 [ e-mail | website ]

Sustainable Communities Mentorship Programme

The BTCV Sustainable Communities Mentorship Programme aims to develop a network of Sustainable Community Mentors throughout Scotland through a series of regional training and support programmes. This highly regarded programme has already trained 100 mentors throughout Scotland to inspire their own communities to take action on Sustainability and Climate Change.

The programme starts with a two day training workshop which will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to raise awareness about Sustainability and communicate Climate Change in their own communities. They will also work on developing their own unique skills, producing Action Plans for their communities and learning tools to take forward practical Community Projects to improve local environment and take action for a more sustainable planet. After the workshop, participants will receive on-going support from local BTCV Scotland staff, resources and access to national and local skills sharing and networking events.

There is no fee for participants; costs are covered by BTCV Scotland and the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity.

Contact: BTCV Scotland, phone: 01786 476170 [ e-mail | website ]

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival

Now a regular on the arts scene, the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival has grown to become one of the world’s most valued cultural events. The Festival takes place in theatres, cinemas, libraries and community halls throughout October each year to help challenge attitudes towards mental health through the arts. Most learning events are free.

Contact: Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, phone: 0141 572 1661 [ website ]

No Knives, Better Lives

 Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill MSP unveiled the latest educational initiative aimed at helping tackle knife carrying among Scotland’s young people on the 7 October 2011. Attending the On a Knife Edge education roadshow at Clydebank High School, Mr MacAskill praised the ongoing efforts to eradicate knife crime in Scotland and welcomed the new programme as another important step to achieving early intervention and prevention.

The ‘On a Knife Edge’ resource pack is designed to provide teacher support and a range of activities that will help young people consider the issues surrounding violence in Scotland and help them to make better, more informed choices.

Get more information and have a look at the On a Knife Edge pack here

Contact: Marc Forrester at YouthLink Scotland, phone: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | website ]

Money for Life – financial capability and personal money skills programme

Money for Life is a financial capability and personal money skills programme that aims to embed vital money management skills in Further Education (FE) sector institutions or community groups.

The programme facilitates the sharing of best practice and provides training and resources to empower practitioners to equip a generation of learners with the skills they need to better manage their money in order to realise their lifetime goals.

Money for Life is proudly supported by Lloyds Banking Group through its Lloyds TSB, Bank of Scotland and Halifax brands.

Money for Life is a unique partnership over the next two years between Lloyds Banking Group and FE sector partners in the four nations of the UK. The partners will work together to promote and support financial capability.

If you’re interested in improving your financial capability….
Click here for more information about resources and qualifications that will improve your own money management skills and help you to help others do the same.

For more information about the programme emailinfo@moneyforlifeprogramme.org.uk

Tackling under-age drinking

Drinks company Diageo and Edinburgh Unight (the self-regulatory body of Edinburgh’s late night licensed premises) are working together to tackle harmful drinking in the city. At a local high school Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill joined a group of sixth year pupils as they observed a presentation led by Unight on the subject of under-age entry to pubs and clubs, just days before new legislation came into force on 1 October making it mandatory for licensed premises to have a policy of checking the age of anyone attempting to buy alcohol who looks under 25 years old.
Following a successful trial, Kenny MacAskill is confident that the ‘Challenge 25’ provisions will help keep retailers within the law by making it tougher for young people to buy alcohol.
Furthermore, the ‘Is it worth it?’ initiative will give every pupil over the age of 16 in Edinburgh the opportunity to see a short film which graphically shows the potential consequences of trying to get into nightclubs under age.
For more information see the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/27115815

Move On Peer Education will start recruiting in Glasgow on 20th October

Move On Peer Education will start recruiting in Glasgow on 20th October, and they are looking for 16 – 28 year olds who have either experienced homelessness or been looked after and accommodated/have disengaged from school or looking to move into employment, training or education. For more information please contact Shug McRoberts on shug@moveon.org.uk or telephone 0141 221 2272. The Move On team also operate a Mentoring service for young people age 14 to 17 and which is also currently open for referrals, so please ask for further information.

Fast Forward YSTEP (Young People, Smoking, Tobacco, Education and Prevention) project

YSTEP staff have compiled a CD Rom containing ready made smoking prevention education resources for those working with young people.

These include quizzes, activity/lesson plans, powerpoints, links to websites and tobacco cost calculators; relating to a range of topics from ‘What’s in a Cigarette and Cigarette Smoke?’ to ‘Global Issues’ ‘Tobacco and the Media’ and ‘The History of Tobacco’. All lessons are linked to Curriculum for Excellence outcomes.

The CD ROMs are now available and Fast Forward hope to have these resources available to download from the Fast Forward website: www.fastforward.org.uk/
Email: admin@fastforward.org.uk tel: 0131 554 4300.

Fife Youth Work Week

1 to 7 November 2011

News posted: 18-Oct-2011

The Fife Youth Work Partnership was established in 2008 with the purpose of developing, monitoring and celebrating the youth work opportunities that are offered in communities across Fife. The partnership is a multi-agency group bringing together service providers from the statutory and voluntary sectors, all of whom are active in supporting Fife’s young people to make a difference, to achieve, to succeed and to do so with the right level and types of support.

The Fife Youth Work Partnership has established the Fife Youth Work Week in order to raise awareness amongst young people, communities and decision makers of the range and breadth of the opportunities that are available in Fife for young people. There is a programme of events and activities that are a blend of direct youth work activity aimed at young people, awareness raising events aimed at funders and decision makers and events that will see the introduction of new youth work opportunities to Fife.

The Fife Youth Work Partnership are confident that the programme put in place will challenge the long held views of many in our communities as to what youth work is, what it achieves and what it can be. Fife Youth Work Week is about giving a voice to the sector and to recognise and celebrate the good youth work that goes on every day in communities across Fife.

The online programme is available to view here.

Schools Global Footprint – refreshed resource now live

Education Scotland’s new-look Schools Global Footprint Calculator is now live and can be viewed at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/schoolsglobalfootprint

This key online resource has had a significant make-over and now features:

  • a user-friendly interactive calculator
  • streamlined navigation
  • a comprehensive teacher handbook
  • tutorial videos for practitioners
  • inspiring examples of how schools have used the resource to reduce their footprint.

The school estate is responsible for an estimated 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from local authorities. The online calculator allows learners to measure the ecological footprint of their school in relation to six topic areas: food, water, energy, buildings, transport and waste. Learners are also encouraged to develop innovative approaches to reducing their impact on the environment and promoting sustainable lifestyles in the wider community – from tackling the school run to growing and eating their own produce to reduce food miles.

In addition to providing an exciting real life context for delivering the experiences and outcomes, the resource greatly supports Eco-Schools activities and provides learners with skills for learning, life and work as Scotland move towards a low-carbon future.

View the Schools Global Footprint resource or find out more about Education Scotland’s sustainable development education resources.

A Guide to Faith Communities in Scotland

To advance public knowledge and understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Scotland, SIFC has produced the above booklet. It has recently been reprinted in May 2011. It can be downloaded  here:

A Guide to Faith Communities in Scotland

Do you know about the work of Doctor Suzanne Zeedyk?

Suzanne Zeedyk is currently Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Dundee University. Suzanne’s work focuses on parent-infant relationships. She is frequently invited to speak to groups of parents and professionals on the importance of such relationships, and how babies’ early experiences influence the development of their brain, bodies and psyche.

Click the links below to find out more:

www.theconnectedbaby.org

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/earlyyears/prebirthtothree/nationalguidance/conversations/suzannezeedyk.asp

Scottish Youth Work Week Conference & YouthLink Scotland AGM

The Scottish Youth Work Week Conference will take place on Wednesday 2 November 2011 in Edinburgh. The AGM will take place during the lunch break, all members are invited to attend (lunch will be provided).

The format of the conference will include round table discussions in the morning and interactive sessions in the afternoon.

The round table discussions in the morning will take a closer look at using volunteers to deliver youth work programmes, mentoring using a youth work approach and evaluation to demonstrate social return on investment.

The afternoon interactive sessions will focus on a generic range of youth work policy and practice topics.

Interactive Sessions

A list of the interactive sessions on offer at the conferece is now available to view here.

Please note that the top ten sessions chosen by delegates will run on the day.

Booking

Booking online is now available here

The cost for members is £50.00 plus VAT and £75.00 plus VAT for non-members.

Contact: Susan Symington at YouthLink Scotland, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | Online Booking ]

Reintegration and Transitions – Guidance for Local Authorities, Community Planning Partnerships and Service Providers

  This guidance aims to provide an overview of best practice within reintegration and transitions for young people under 18 who offend. As this age group can cross over child and adult services it is important that we recognise this to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible and that the service the young person receives meets their age and stage of development.

Website

Getting it right for every child Community of Practice

An online forum for practitioners and managers

If you are a Getting it right practitioner or lead professional, you can find out lots of help and information on Community of Practice. To join you will need to sign up at Community of Practice, and then apply for membership, because this is a private community, designed for practitioners and strategic managers across Scotland who are involved in implementing and embedding the Getting it right approach. Debate is fostered through a forum and a blog. You can also post news, events, shared documents and other resources.

Contact: Getting it right for every child team, phone: 0131 244 7389 Website

Are You Using BLT: The Big Book of Literacies Training?

 The Youth Literacies Network with the support of YouthLink Scotland and Education Scotland produced BLT – a non-prescriptive resource bank to assist youth workers and others embrace literacies work with young people in a variety of contexts and settings earlier this year.

The purpose of the resource is to assist you to better meet the literacies needs of the young people you work with. We are keen to know who is using BLT and in what way. Please get in touch with a brief description of how you are using them and if you have added to them or adapted the original materials.

The Big Book of Literacies Training is available to down load from here.

Contact: Heather McVey at YouthLink Scotland, phone: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

Scottish Government news release – early years investment

Over 20 charities are set to receive a share of a £6.8 million funding boost for vulnerable young children and families.

The Early Years Action Fund delivered by Inspiring Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government will invest in a total of 28 projects delivered by 24 charities across Scotland.

Please visit the link below for more information:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/22150602

‘New Looks’ Arts and Music Workshops for Young People at the New Look National Museum of Scotland

Young people aged 14-18 years have the opportunity to have fun learning new skills from professional artists with the National Museums of Scotland taster sessions (no experience necessary).

  • Stop Frame Animation with professional photographer David Grinly on Sunday 2 October (Price: £5.00 per person);
  • Sound Design course in digital musical instrument making with artist and composer Victoria Gama from Friday 21 October to Sunday 23 October. (Price: £24.00 for three days).

Go to their website here

Same Difference

The revised Same Difference equalities resource is now live on the Education Scotland website. The resource provides information, advice and case studies on equality and diversity issues from a CLD perspective.

LGBT Youth Scotland – Glasgow Council Lead Partnership Initiative

Glasgow Council has been working to reduce homophobic bullying in secondary schools as part of the Challenging Homophobia Together Project. 10 schools have currently agreed to ensure there is content in the school curriculum and where possible CPD for school staff. This work is led by a local Advisory Group with representation from a wide range of partners including Educational Psychology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Community & Safety Services, Strathclyde Police and Castlemilk Youth Project to name just a few.  For more information contact Loretta Scott QIO Pastoral Care lorretta.scott@education.glasgow.gov.uk or Scott Lafferty Schools Development Officer scott.lafferty@lgbtyouth.org.uk

LGBT Youth Scotland Early Intervention: Work in Primary Schools

LGBT Youth Scotland has received an increasing number of requests from Primary Schools that are seeking resources and lessons that look at Equality and Celebrate Difference. In Dumfries and Galloway their staff delivered an assembly with all pupils in a local primary school that focused on different families and gender stereotypes. LGBT Youth Scotland feels that challenging homophobia and discussing equality and difference at an early age is essential to ensure that young people grow up to be responsible citizens. For more information regarding resources for Primary Schools e-mail info@lgbtyouth.org.uk

Pupils Stand-Up to Homophobia in the Scottish Borders

In Galashiels Academy staff at LGBT Youth Scotland delivered assemblies for S5 and S6 pupils. As a result a group was set up for pupils to look at how they might challenge homophobia in their school. This group has had a real impact on their school including same sex-couples being encouraged to attend their S6 Christmas Dance and a Peer Education programme is due to begin in the next school term. To highlight their achievements two pupils delivered a presentation at the Developing Global Citizens Show Case Event in Stirling, organised by Education Scotland formerly Learning and Teaching Scotland.  For more information, please contact karen.wilson@lgbtyouth.org.uk

Community Learning and Development in Scottish Local Authorities

Community Learning & Development Managers Scotland (CLDMS) has produced a report that looks at how local authorities’ provision of CLD services may be changing in 2011/12 in the light of pressures both for spending reductions and to contribute to achieving national priorities. It looks at changes in budgets and staffing, where services are located and what priorities have been set for them.

New Book – Kurt Hahn – Inspirational, Visionary, Outdoor and Experiential Educator

For many outdoor educators, Kurt Hahn is considered to be one of the greatest influences on the development of outdoor learning as we know it today.

This book will be of interest to those wishing to understand more about Hahn’s influence on the development of outdoor education, Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and its equivalents across the world.

Price: £25.00.

Published by: Sense Publishers, 2011. All profits will go to Maggie’s Edinburgh and the National Hospital Development Foundation.

A lot of books at bedtime

“Alice Ozma’s father read her a story every night from the age of nine to 18. But why?” Read this inspiring article by Emine Saner at The Guardian here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/10/alice-ozma-dad-read-every-night

16+ Learning Choices Coordinators’ meeting

Presentations from the 16+ LC event. 71 delegates from Shetland to the Borders attended the event and participated in workshops re provision and support for young people with additional support needs.

Fiona McKean – SDS Presentation

Alison Mitchell – Presentation

Ron Crichton – Assessment – SDS

Rosie Whelan – Scottish Government – Presentation

Sandra Cheyne – SDS – Provision – Presentation

Sandra McIntyre – Presentation – Youthlink

16+ Learning Choices Newsletter August 2011

The new look 16+ learning Choices Newsletter August 2011 has been published. In addition to good news articles from across the country, there are updates on developments and links to resources. The newsletter can be downloaded from the 16+ Learning Choices blog

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/SeniorPhase/2011/09/02/august-2011-newsletter-available-now/

Supporting Learners recently published support for staff materials

The following case studies have been published online

Flexible Learning: supporting transitions for young people with additional support needs

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/f/flexiblelearning/outline.asp?strReferringChannel=supportinglearners&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-665558-64

The Flexible Learning Initiative in North Lanarkshire has been set up to support young people who have become disengaged with education to the extent that many of them struggle to attend their mainstream schools.

Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) help support transitions for young people

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/e/expandedlearningopportunities/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=supportinglearners&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-665558-64

ELO is a transition programme based in three North Lanarkshire special schools which builds and develops unique programmes for individual pupils with additional support needs arising particularly from social and emotional factors.

Coalyard transition project – providing stepping stones to employment for young people with learning disabilities http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/c/coalyard/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=supportinglearners&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-520567-64

The Coalyard is a project in Larkhall offering support and skills development to young people with additional support needs who are making the transition into employment, training or further education.

Have You Heard About the Wee Blether?

Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tam Baillie would like children between the ages of 2 and 5 to have their very own creative conversation using their own forms of expression.

This creative conversation, which runs from 12th September – 31st October 2011, is called a RIGHT wee blether.

It is a chance for young children to inform the Commissioner’s work, to celebrate the variety and diversity of the ways in which children might choose to participate and to encourage their active engagement and involvement.

This conversation builds on the Commissioner’s 2010 national consultation with Scotland’s school aged children called a RIGHT blether. Over 74,000 children and young people took part in a RIGHT blether through creative projects, educational workshops, Tam’s Tour and a national vote. The outcomes influenced the Commissioner’s work plan directly in four key areas: Where I Live, Where I Learn, My Community and, The Country I live in – Scotland.

Join us for this Glow Meet to find out how you and your nursery/Primary 1 class can join in with this exciting National initiative.

Sign up with Glow TV and come and have a RIGHT wee blether with Tam on Tuesday 30th August at 3.45pm and find out more in Glow TV.