I came across this interesting video from a 1947 classroom which gives teacher tips on managing pupil behaviour. Have a wee look:
Some questions to reflect on:
We told you last week about our Digital Storytelling exercise. Well, already there has been a major plot development!
Award-winning childrens’ author, Theresa Breslin, has kindly agreed to provide the story starter for Digital Storytelling 3.
Among the schools who will be taking part are Kilbarchan, Lochfield, Invergowrie, Pumpherston and Uphall Station primary schools.
The great news is that as of the time of writing this blog post, there are still slots available. So if you want to take part, get along to the storytelling learning space
<Please note, there are also still slots available for Storytelling 2 (for older writers) see Digital Storytelling 1 and 2 update for another surprise!>
About Theresa Breslin
You can keep up to date with Theresa’s work online:
Working with Scotland’s communities is a national study to find out more about the diverse range of paid workers and volunteers that provide community learning and development across Scotland. The online survey aimed at the organisations that employ these workers and volunteers is now open until Friday 10 April.
We know that community learning and development approaches are used by workers and volunteers with a variety of job titles in a range of different organisations in the community, voluntary and public sectors.
We want to hear from as many of these organisations as possible to build a current national picture of how many workers and volunteers there are, what they do, and what their training and development issues are. Please be aware that we’re only looking for one response on behalf of each organisation or service.
The findings from the survey will be used to inform national community learning and development policy and planning.
Working with Scotland’s communities is being carried out by Education Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, with help and support from the following national partners – Youthlink Scotland; The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC); The Workers Educational Association (WEA); The CLD Standards Council for Scotland; and CLD Managers Scotland.
For more information and to access the survey, please go to the Working with Scotland’s communities page on the Education Scotland website.
Today the Primary 4 learners of Lockerbie Primary School issue a challenge to all learners across Scotland. Tell us what you want from Glow!
Just reply to their post on the Glow Learners Newsfeed (http://bit.ly/meandglow) or use the tag #meandglow in your own Glow discussions.
These P4 learners will gather up all the comments and pass them onto their teacher, Mr Anderson.
“So what?”, says you. Well, Mr Anderson is a member of the National Digital Learning Forum. The Scottish Government set the forum up to help us all learn better using technology, so your suggestions will be heard!
Oh, by the way, no teachers to post please but do pass on the message to your learners! That shortlink again? http://bit.ly/meandglow
The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards celebrate their tenth year celebrating the inspirational achievements of young people aged 11-26. The deadline for this year’s nominations are the 27th February. Nominations here: http://youngscotawards.com/nominate-now/
The awards categories for nomination are:
Here is a look back of all the amazing winners from the past 10 years!
The Scottish Learning Festival (SLF) 2015 will address the theme of raising attainment and achievement for all, with a focus on maximising educational outcomes through:
* local partnerships and collaboration – to share approaches that lead to better outcomes
* self-evaluation – to ensure creative and innovative approaches to sustained improvement
* work-related learning – to improve transitions into sustainable, productive employment.
Is your establishment delivering Learning for Sustainability (LfS) that you would like to showcase? Are you able to share your approaches to promoting local partnerships and collaboration? Would you be willing to help others make the connections between the different aspects of LfS; including global citizenship, sustainable development education, outdoor learning, international education, children’s rights and play?
If the answer to any (or all) of these questions is “Yes”, we would love to hear from you. Please consider submitting your seminar proposal by Friday 27th February 2015.
We’ve recently published some new informative case studies on our Early Years 
sharing practice webpage.
The case studies feature examples of good practice across a variety of settings, covering a range of themes to inspire approaches to 0 – 5 education for early learning and childcare practitioners.
If you have any questions about the case studies featured above or would like to share examples of good practice from your early years setting, please get in touch with Education Scotland’s Children and Families Team.
The case study’s featured include:
Confidential Books at St kenneth’s Primary Nursery Class
Staff at St Kenneth’s RC Primary School Nursery Class developed a confidential booklet to allow staff quick access to key information relating to children.
Children’s voices at Victoria Quay
Staff at Victoria Quay Nursery are actively listening and responding to children’s voices through involving them in the recruitment process.
Children’s learning journeys at Monkton Primary School Nursery Class
Staff at Monkton Primary School Nursery Class introduced responsive planning and children’s learning journeys.
An open plan learning environment at Wellgreen Nursery
Staff at Wellgreen Nursery reflected on the creation of an open plan learning space for children aged 2-5 years.
The use of floor books at Queen Street Nursery
This example shows how staff at Queen Street Nursery School incorporated planning for children’s learning into floor books.
The Seedling Room at Hailesland Early Years Centre
Staff at Hailesland Early Years Centre used knowledge gained from training on the Froebel approach to transform their provision for the youngest children.
The Scottish Youth Parliament today launched their new campaign “Poverty – See It / Change It” from the innovative Fuse Youth Cafe in Shettleston in Glasgow.
Louise Cameron, the Chair of SYP, spoke eloquently and passionately about the overwhelming support from MSYP (Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament) constituents to back and support a campaign seeking to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, where 1 in 5 children are growing up in poverty. Read the facts about child poverty in Scotland from Save the Children. Louise said that:
“Scotland could be the best place in the world to grow up” and that child povery was an “issue that transcends party politics” and that “together let’s do more!”
Supporting the event were many MSPs and MPs, including the MSP for Shettleston, John Mason (SNP) and the MP for Shettleston, Margaret Curran (Labour). John Mason said that, “challenging stigma to poverty and raising awareness to poverty” were key parts of the campaign. Margaret Curran stated that young people should be able to “fulfill their potential and make their own decisions of the life they want to live.” And that “life shouldn’t be determined by the postcode in which you were born.”
MSYP Nairn McDonald set out the aims for the campaign:
The campaign is already in full swing and thoughout the day MYSPs have been meeting with various charitable groups to learn more about what they do to alleviate child poverty and how the MYSPs can support their efforts. To find out more and chart the progress of the campaign follow the hashtag #seeitchangeit on Twitter.
To find out more about the Scottish Youth Parliament and how the MSYP are elected look here: http://www.syp.org.uk/about-syp-W21page-94-
If teachers wish to explore some of the issues around child poverty there are some thought provoking archive films from Scotland On Screen that can be used as great lesson starters.
Tam Trauchle’s Troubles (1934) is a fundraising film for the Glasgow Necessitous Children’s Holiday Camp Fund, which raised money to help send poor children on a holiday during the summer break.
Man Without A Wife (1970) is about a man whose wife left him to bring up six boys on his own and the difficulties he experienced.
Children of the City (1944) is a dramatised study of child delinquency in Dundee during World War II.
The Health of a City (1965) describes the foundation of day nurseries in Glasgow for children with missing parents.
Glasgow Today and Tomorrow (1949) outlines the Glasgow Corporation’s plans for the redevelopment of Glasgow, including the removal of slum housing and overcrowded tenemants.
Education Scotland and CLD Managers Scotland are hosting a CLD conversation event on passing power to people and communities.
Education Scotland has been hosting a series of conversation days over recent months looking at current areas of community learning and development (CLD) policy and practice. This conversation will discuss the increasing emphasis being placed on community empowerment by the Scottish Government and focus on the contributions that CLD can make to empowering communities. The day will be co-hosted with North Lanarkshire Council.
The aims of the conversation will be to:
• Share examples of CLD practice that contribute to community empowerment;
• Provide an opportunity for CLD providers to consider their own contributions to community
empowerment;
• Help to identify national priorities for workforce development and inform future policy
development on building stronger communities through CLD, and;
• Influence the agenda for future conversation sessions.
The day will consist of several short inputs from practitioners and plenty of time for discussions. This event is open to practitioners and managers from the voluntary and public sector who work in community learning and development. It is free of charge and a light lunch will be available.
There will be a limit on numbers so please reserve your place by registering online no later than Monday January 19th 2015.
We’re delighted to announce that SLF 2015 will take place on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September in the SECC, Glasgow. SLF is the largest education event in Scotland and will focus on raising achievement and attainment. Those interested in presenting a seminar at the festival can submit a proposal in January, when further information will be available on the SLF website.
Registration for the SLF will open in May, look out for more information over the coming months and save the dates in your diary now.
We are also working with a range of partners to host a series of SLF Extra events in 2015. On 17 February, Aberdeen City Council in partnership with Education Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council will host the Aberdeen Learning Festival in the AECC. The festival will include keynotes, workshop and an exhibition. More information about the event and how to register will be available in January.
On 27 February Children in Scotland, in partnership with Education Scotland, are hosting the first in a series of six free events for all those involved in education. The morning session will focus on pupil engagement and participation and the afternoon session will look at parental engagement. This first event takes place in Melrose and more information is available on the Children in Scotland website.
More SLF Extra events will be taking place in 2015, visit the SLF website for details.
Nominations for the Scottish Education Awards 2015 awards are now open. Celebrating the hard work and success in Scottish education, the awards recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people.
There are 17 awards available across a range of categories covering all areas of education. New awards for this year include learning for sustainability, making languages come alive and transforming lives through partnerships.
If you know of a school or teacher that deserves to be recognised for their hard work visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information and to submit a nomination.
Nominations must be submitted by Monday 16 February 2015, good luck.
South Lanarkshire Council, Psychological Service, have kindly given permission for their “a-z of attachment and resilience” publication to be shared on the early years section of the Education Scotland website. Elizabeth King, Principal Psychologist, is featured in the latest edition of Early Years Matters and this resource compliments the attachment theory and practice that she talks about in her article. The “a-z of attachment and resilience” is in PDF form and can be found by clicking the link below.
Youth workers and volunteers are being encouraged to nominate entries for YouthLink Scotland’s National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2015. The awards will showcase the remarkable work that is being done across Scotland.
Nominations for each of the ten award categories are open now until Thursday 18 December. The winners will be announced and celebrated at the awards dinner in March 2015.
To find out more information about the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2015 and to download a nomination form, visit the YouthLink Scotland website
Glasgow City Council would like to invite you to our first Restorative Approaches National Conference. This conference is for everyone working with children, young people and/or families. It will be of interest to those who are involved in relationship-based interventions, working with young people and adults to help resolve conflict, repair emotional harm and utilise reflective practice within schools and communities.
We are delighted to bring Marg Thorsborne, a leading expert from Australia in the area of Restorative Approaches, to Glasgow. Marg will deliver keynote speeches over the course of three days. These will incorporate an overview and implementation of Restorative Approaches. She will also facilitate, through a series of workshops, how this practice can help promote and maintain positive relationships in our daily interactions with adults, children and young people.
We are delighted that Marg is spending most of her time in Scotland at this conference, in addition to her further training events with Education Scotland and other local authorities.
Scottish Government are offering funded training opportunities for professionals working with disabled children and their families to learn about and then become ambassadors for GIRFEC.
The purpose of the workshops is to enable a broad range of practitioners from the third sector to deliver information workshops for children and young people or parents and carers to inform them about GIRFEC and what it means for them; to bring GIRFEC to life, to make it real for them. The workshop will cover everything from organising an information session to the contents and materials (which are provided for you) to the continued support and guidance after the ‘training for trainers’ workshop concludes. We hope we can work together to deliver the information sessions.
The Children and Families team have two conversations that they would love you to come along to. The conversations take place in Conversation Area B and are as follows: Wednesday 24th September
| 15.30 – 16.00 | Early learning and childcare | Sian Neil, Senior Education Officer and Shona Taylor, HMI |
Thursday 25th September
| 15.00 – 15.30 | Family engagement in learning | Sian Neil, Senior Education Officer and Susan Doherty, Development Officer |
Please come along!
Community Resilience Education – Free Conversation Day and Networking Event
09:30 (for 10:00 start) – 15:00, Tuesday 7th October 2014
Venue: Thistle Hotel, Millburn Road, Inverness, IV2 3TR
Education Scotland is excited to be hosting a second community resilience conversation and networking event with a view to developing a shared, partnership approach to provide 3-18 resilience education opportunities.
The day aims to bring together members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider the potential of community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning. Key contexts for focus include flooding, severe weather and pandemic flu and the impact they can have on communities and how we can take steps to mitigate against their impact through educating learners.
We would also like to extend this event invite to school representatives (members of management teams, or teachers who have been, or are interested in engaging in community resilience education) to explore how we can take forward resilience education. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network and engage in professional dialogue in relation to developing more resilient individuals, families and communities. Selected examples of good practice will be shared through engaging presentations delivered by Education Scotland, Scottish Government, local councils and schools.
All interested delegates should register online at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N2F3TWC to confirm attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
If you have any further questions or your school is/has been involved in community resilience projects or initiatives and you would be interested in presenting at the event to share your practice with others, please contact Jennifer Moore at: Jennifer.Moore@educationscotland.gov.uk
It is now one year to go until each local authority publishes a three year plan for community learning and development in its area, setting out how the local authority and its partners will:
• improve life chances for people of all ages through learning, personal development and active citizenship;
• develop stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities.
As a hub of the community, schools have a key part to play in the lives of both young people and their families. You may already be involved in work locally with your community learning and development partners around The Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013, which came into force last September. If not, we’d like to make you aware what is happening and encourage you to contact your local CLD partners for more information.
The CLD Regulations consist of two parts:
• a process to audit CLD needs, strengths and opportunities with communities and partners;
• a three year plan setting out what local authorities and their partners will do to meet needs, how they will co-ordinate their provision, and any CLD needs which will not be met during this period.
The first of these plans must be published by 1st September 2015. If you would like more information on the CLD Regulations, please go to the CLD pages of Education Scotland’s website or talk to your local CLD partners.
Community Resilience Education – Free Conversation Day and Networking Event
09:30 (for 10:00 start) – 15:00, Tuesday 7th October 2014
Venue: Thistle Hotel, Millburn Road, Inverness, IV2 3TR
Education Scotland is excited to be hosting a second community resilience conversation and networking event with a view to developing a shared, partnership approach to provide 3-18 resilience education opportunities.
The day aims to bring together members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider the potential of community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning. Key contexts for focus include flooding, severe weather and pandemic flu and the impact they can have on communities and how we can take steps to mitigate against their impact through educating learners.
We would also like to extend this event invite to school representatives (members of management teams, or teachers who have been, or are interested in engaging in community resilience education) to explore how we can take forward resilience education. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network and engage in professional dialogue in relation to developing more resilient individuals, families and communities. Selected examples of good practice will be shared through engaging presentations delivered by Education Scotland, Scottish Government, local councils and schools.
All interested delegates should register online by Friday 29th August 2014 at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N2F3TWC to confirm attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
If you have any further questions or your school is/has been involved in community resilience projects or initiatives and you would be interested in presenting at the event to share your practice with others, please contact Jennifer Moore at: Jennifer.Moore@educationscotland.gov.uk
Blake Stevenson and consultant Dr Suzanne Zeedyk recently undertook a year- long evaluation of the Bookbug for the Home training, which aims to expand the reach of the Bookbug programme (this encourages families to read with their children from a young age) to vulnerable families and those living in deprived areas. Professionals who work in families’ homes, such as social workers, are provided with the knowledge and resources to introduce the principles of Bookbug Sessions – talking, singing, cuddling and book sharing. 1,145 professionals have been trained over the last two years and 800 more from 8 local authorities in Scotland are signed up to take part this year.There was a noted impact on professionals who undertook the training, with 99% saying it was relevant to their role and a good use of their time and 71% stating that it had positively impacted on their professional practice.
Researchers found that parents who took part in Bookbug for the Home had developed closer bonds with their children, and felt more equipped to play, interact and read with them, with the number of people reading daily with their children increasing from 41% to 78%, and the number of people singing or rhyming daily with their children increasing from 53% to 78%. This in turn has had a beneficial effect on children’s confidence, social skills, speech and language development and positively impacted on parent and child attachment, with 98% of the professionals who undertook the training noticing a positive impact on the families involved in the programme. To read more about this positive evaluation and to learn more about the Bookbug for the Home programme please see link below.
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning/early-years-professionals/assertive-outreach-evaluation
Bookbug is run by Scottish Book Trust and funded by the Scottish Government.
Playday is the national day for play in the UK, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August.
Playday 2014 is on 6 August.
On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK.
Playday is a celebration of children’s right to play, and a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.
Click here to find out more about Playday.
Play ‘boosts children’s development and happiness’
A report out today, for the Children’s Play Policy Forum, found play improved children’s physical and mental health, as well as their emotional well-being. It also helps boost children’s language development, problem solving, risk management and independent learning skills.
Professor Iram Siraj has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to chair a review on the Early Learning and Childcare Workforce and Out of school Care Workforce from March 2014 to April 2015.
The second call for evidence in relation to the review has now been launched by Professor Iram Siraj.
This call for evidence consists of the completion of separate questions by practitioners and individuals working within early learning and childcare and out of school care sectors. Individuals working within both sectors will have the opportunity to complete both sets of questions.
The original deadline for the first call for evidence, which was specifically aimed at organisations has also been extended. This is in recognition that there may be organisations who have not yet had time to respond. The date for both responses is now the 30th September 2014.
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals and organisations to contribute to the review of Scotland’s Workforce.
Passionate about good care?
The Care Inspectorate is looking for people to help them carry out their work. They would like people with first-hand experience of care to help make sure care in Scotland continues to improve, by becoming an inspection volunteer. Inspection volunteers are members of the public who use a care service, have used a care service in the past or care for someone like a family member or friend who has used a care service.
Volunteers help the Care Inspectorate get the views of people using care services. They work closely with the Care Inspectorate’s teams of specialist inspectors and together they help spot where things need to improve, help keep people safe and ensure that the rights of people receiving care are respected and their needs met.
Interested?
To find out more please click the link below
http://www.scswis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7731&Itemid=757
A Review of Inclusive Play in Scotland was identified as a high priority within the National Play Strategy Action Plan (2013), recognising that all children in Scotland have the right to play. The Plan particularly mentions the play rights of disabled children and young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Please take part in this important review by completing our SURVEY and encourage others – adults, children and young people – to do so.
We hope to find out about:
The adults survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/reviewofinclusiveplayinscotland
The survey for children and young people can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/childrenandyoungpeoplessurvey
Closing date for SURVEY Wednesday 27th August 2014
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/10/9424/0
In this review we will gather information in four ways: using existing information, an online survey, interviews and conversations, and three consultation events.
We hope that you can become involved and share your experiences, information and views.
You can contact us at
Theresa Casey theresa.playreview@gmail.com
Anne-Marie Mackin amm.playreview@gmail.com
As part of their Stay Safe Online programme Police Scotland have developed a website for youngsters based around the character of Digi Dan, an internet explorer.
On the site you can see Digi Dan’s top tips, download his ibook, find other people who can help you stay safe online and take Digi Dan’s quiz to win some great prizes.
Find out more on the Digi Dan website.
Police Scotland’s ‘Stay Safe Online’ campaign is now targeting teens with vital advice on how to be web savvy and avoid the dangers of cyber-bullying and sexting.
‘Selfies’ are big news at the moment with many famous people taking them and posting them online including at big events. But do you know just how far to go and what the consequences can be if your photograph was posted maliciously online?
That’s just one of the aspects of the campaign which also features a hard-hitting Police Scotland commissioned video produced by the Leith Agency starring pupils aged 13-16 from Clyde Valley High School, Wishaw and Ross High School, Tranent, East Lothian who recount their personal online experiences.
The nationwide Stay Safe Online campaign aims to help children, parents, teachers and carers improve their knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe while they are online.
To see how teenagers react to their private posts being made public look at this YouTube video.
LfS Scotland, in partnership with the Moray House School of Education, is now taking bookings for our new Leadership for Sustainability professional development course – a one-day course for Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers and Principal Teachers in primary or secondary schools, and local authority officers with a key role in supporting Learning for Sustainability.
This highly interactive programme will highlight simple steps that school leaders can take to develop an effective whole school approach to Learning for Sustainability. It will enable you to effectively plan for and implement Learning for Sustainability requirements in your school in ways that will significantly enhance the educational experience of your pupils. A free follow-up twilight course is available to provide the opportunity for continuing collaboration with colleagues and for sharing insights from critical self-evaluation, reflection and enquiry.
More information is available here and to book a place, please contact Morag Watson
SATURDAY 7th JUNE – 10.30-4.00
Godfrey Thomson Hall Thomson’s land Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh, Old Moray House, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ
A GATHERING OF PEOPLE
A gathering of people with a commitment to develop rights-based values, attitudes, skills and practices in working with children and young people. This will be of particular interest to teachers, community
leaders and workers and all those who are committed to the development, formation and support of young people in their own and in a global context.
IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Twende Pamoja seeks to promote the development of a global vision, in the context of relationship. It supports partnerships between communities, schools and places of learning in Tanzania and Scotland. In the past 3 years Twende Pamoja has conducted workshops enabling young people in both countries to articulate their vision for the future.
ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE AND WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Seven Tanzanian young people who have been working as young leaders are presently in Scotland and along with seven young Scottish counterparts will take part in the day.
IN A DAY THAT AIMS TO
• raise awareness and develop knowledge/understanding of the UNCRC
• reflect with young adults in an international context about these issues
• enable individuals and establishments to self evaluate their practice in the light of the UNCRC
• support improvement planning within communities and institutions
• encourage reflective dialogue in the midst of busyness
AND FOR WHICH THERE IS NO CHARGE
If you would like to register for the day e-‐mail the following information to
Tea/coffee will be provided. Participants should bring their own lunch. Having taken part in this event you may be interested in coming to the Conversation on 21 June.
The Young STAND Award Scheme (Scots Tackling Alcohol and Drugs) recognises and rewards innovative work across Scotland to prevent alcohol and substance misuse in young people.
STAND aims:
Eight project finalists from across Scotland will step into the limelight at the Lyceum Theatre on the 10th June for the chance to become the stars of STAND 2014! Finalists have been asked to present their work creatively using any format – e.g. video, performance, artwork – with young people playing a key role. Project award winners will be selected from each of the following categories:
• Schools
• Communities
Schedule:
13:00 – 13.15
Welcome, including opening by Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People
13:15 – 15:00
Finalist presentations: Schools
15:00 – 15:15
Break
15:15 – 17:00
Finalist presentations: Communities
17:00 – 17:15
Break
17:15 – 17:30
Awards and closing
To book please visit our Eventbrite page: http://stand2014.eventbrite.co.uk
A range of top-class sporting venues across Glasgow and Scotland will be used for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and we’ve produced films for each, to help you see where the action will take place. Access them on the Game On Scotland site.
From the Athletes’ Village through to Tollcross International Swimming Centre, there’s a wide range of spectacular venues to explore, all captured on film to make for an interesting viewing experience. We are currently finalising the Hampden Park film and this will shortly be added to the site.
On a related note, for those teachers who may be thinking of organising trips to the venues, control will shortly be handed over to the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee to enable them to be made ready for the Games. When this happens, they will no longer be open to the public and it will not be possible to accommodate visits or tours. At that point, the priority is to make the final modifications necessary to deliver 11 days of world class sport. Please do not contact Game On Scotland about organising visits as we are unable to assist.
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, visited Glenfield Pre-five Centre in Renfrewshire on the 24th April 2014 to congratulate them on their recent positive inspection from Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
Children, parents and staff welcomed the minister as they celebrate the ‘excellent’ work they are doing to meet children’s learning needs. Glenfield Pre-five Centre is an integrated service that caters for children aged 2-5 years and Education Scotland inspectors have said that they do this exceptionally well.
The very caring, supportive and stimulating environment that the children benefit from has been highly commended and the work of staff in creating a loving and nurturing experience for the children was acknowledged. The centre is committed to supporting families. Parents shared with inspectors how much they value the approaches staff have embedded as part of everyday practice.
The children that attend Glenfield Pre-five Centre are provided with opportunities that support and challenge their learning and the minister observed these as she toured the nursery. The staff have embraced a range of professional development opportunities and are committed to ensuring that their knowledge enhances the experience for the children. During the inspection, collaboration with a variety of professionals was highlighted as best practice. The communication staff have as a team has created an environment where children receive the support they need. This is reflected through delivery of all aspects of the SHANARRI indicators and the education authorities approach to GIRFEC. The minister was very keen to congratulate the centre on their achievements.
This year, the Octavia Hill Awards are looking for heroes who have helped children and young adults connect with the outdoors and wildlife – passing on their own experience, enthusiasm and love of nature. As many studies have shown, such connections with nature (even, or especially, in towns and cities) are essential for our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Nominate your wild hero
Examples could include:
Further information can be accessed here:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355831141395/ or
http://www.countryfile.com/octaviahill
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are permanent lifelong developmental disabilities caused by maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy. Worldwide incidence is estimated at 9/1000 live births.
As part of a programme of events over the last 3 years, to coincide with the Scottish Government funded FAS Surveillance Study, this year an event for nursery, primary school and educational psychologists has been arranged.
The events keynote speaker is Jo Egerton, Schools Research Consultant & Educational Writer, who has a teaching background and a wealth of practical experience to share on:
– The impact of FASD on learning
– Helpful teaching and learning strategies
– Supporting social skills
– Promoting mental health and wellbeing
– Encouraging positive behavior
– Working with families
We will also have parents talking about both positive and negative experiences.
If you would like to book a space on this event, please contact RCPCH.admin@rcpe.ac.uk
This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Sports Day, and there will be a whole host of fun story, song and rhyme activities taking place in local libraries and community venues.
Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years programme, which encourages and supports parents to share books, talk, sing and cuddle their children from birth, and helps every child in Scotland to develop a love of reading.
Sharing books with children has many wonderful benefits and Bookbug Week is the perfect chance to get involved, meet other parents and get ideas to make sharing books, songs and rhymes with children a fun part of each day.
For details of Bookbug Week events in your area, visit www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug or ask at your local library.
There are still places available at Education Scotland’s Community Resilience Conversation and Networking Event on Monday 17th March.
The day is aimed at members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network with one another and engage in professional dialogue in relation to preparing for emergencies and developing resilient communities. Selected examples of good practice will also be shared through engaging presentations delivered by government, local council and school representatives.
We would like to invite you to take part in the event at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on the 17th March 2014 to explore how we might take forward resilience education in schools and consider important developments in teaching and learning.
We would be grateful if you could register online at http://svy.mk/Mb8ZM7 by end of day Thursday 13th March 2014 to confirm your attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
Education Scotland in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council set up a project to explore the issues around, and identify current practice in, family learning within a local authority. Family learning is seen as a powerful method of learning which can challenge educational disadvantage, promote socio-economic resilience and foster positive attitudes towards lifelong learning. The project team wanted to identify family learning in different contexts (both rural and urban), and see if there was a consistent, needs-led approach being taken towards engagement and learning.
A report has now been published on the Education Scotland website outlining the findings of this project along with case studies reflecting current practice within this area. For more information and to download this report follow the link below.
Family Learning in Perth and Kinross: A Local Authority Case Study
The Scottish Peer Education Network is an initiative hosted in Edinburgh by Fast Forward. Peer Education is a term wide used to describe a range of initiatives where people from a similar age group, background, culture and/or social status educate each other about a certain issue. SPEN supports and promotes peer education and the work of peer educators, practitioners, and policy makers involved in this sector across Scotland.
What does SPEN do?
SPEN works in partnership with organisations, young people, professionals, the NHS and schools to encourage and enable youth participation in peer education. It works by connecting, promoting and supporting a diverse range of projects that cover a variety of topics and skills across Scotland. SPEN advisory group meetings are held every few months to allow members to discuss their projects, exchange ideas and learn more about how peer education is being run across the country.
Why should I join?
Join SPEN for free and you will be joining around 200 other peer education projects throughout Scotland, with access to the following services:
• Training
• Events
• Information
• Consultancy
• Resources
• Networking Opportunities
Visit our website at www.spen.org.uk to become a free member, to find other Peer Education projects near you, or to simply sign up for the monthly newsletter featuring Peer Education news, funding, training and resources.
Twitter: @SPEN_Scotland
Facebook: Scottish Peer Education Network
Blog: http://fastforwardorg.wordpress.com
Contact: simon@fastforward.org.uk / 0131 554 4300
The Small Steps-Big Changes? Seminar on 27 February 2014, organised jointly by Education Scotland and Learning for Sustainability Scotland attracted over 60 participants from across Scotland interested in how those working in Community Learning and Development and those with sustainable development experience and expertise could work more closely together.
The seminar heard about learning for sustainability through Scottish Government policies, Education Scotland initiatives and local projects.
Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Children and Young People set out the policy context for this work. Ms Campbell highlighted the opportunities offered by the Children and Young People’s Bill, the National Youthwork Strategy, the CLD (Scotland) Regulations, the Community Empowerment Bill and the recent Adult Learning Statement of Ambition. She said that ‘Learning for Sustainability is a Scottish Government and international priority for every type of learning’.
Professor Pete Higgins, Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education at the University of Edinburgh and Director of Learning for Sustainability Scotland said, ‘Through learning together we’ll ensure that people and communities in Scotland have opportunities to understand more about the sustainable development issues that concern them, and to use their learning to help them shape their future as members of a nation that takes these responsibilities and opportunities seriously’.
Learning for sustainability is not just about One Planet schools but also involves the wider community. The links with Curriculum for Excellence and communities were ably illustrated as were empowerment approaches in partnership with Malawi and through community development in Scotland.
The showcase sessions provided eight examples of learning for sustainability in action and stimulated lots of discussion. The presentations and filmed clips of the seminar will be made available through i-develop.
Time: 09:30 (for 10:00 start) – 15:00
Venue: Glasgow Hilton Hotel, William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT
Education Scotland is excited to be hosting its first community resilience conversation and networking event with a view to developing a shared, partnership approach to provide 3-18 resilience education opportunities.
The day aims to bring together members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning focusing on a range of contexts such as flooding and other forms of extreme weather and their impact on our lives.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network with one another and engage in professional dialogue in relation to preparing for emergencies and developing resilient communities. Selected examples of good practice will also be shared through engaging presentations delivered by government, local council and school representatives.
We would like to invite you to take part in the event at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on the 17th March 2014 to explore how we might take forward resilience education and consider important developments in teaching and learning. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is no cost to attend.
We would be grateful if you could register online at http://svy.mk/Mb8ZM7 by Monday 10th March 2014 to confirm your attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER TO THEM ABOUT KEEPING THEIR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE!
If you could ask Facebook, Twitter, Xbox or BT a question, what would it be?
Do you want to know what Xbox game ratings mean? Not sure how to report abusive comments on Twitter? Do you know how to set parental controls in your home provided by your ISP?
Through Safer Internet Day TV you can now ask these questions directly of the people, who make these decisions. We have a panel of experts from Facebook, Twitter, Xbox & BT who will be answering questions about keeping children and families safe on the internet on 30 January in Belfast! The film will become part of our SIDtv programme on Safer Internet Day, 11 February 2014.
We are calling parents, carers and grandparents to send in their questions to be answered by these experts, who are involved directly in shaping privacy, safety and content rating features on Facebook, Twitter, Xbox & BT in the UK.
To see your questioned answered, just tune in to SIDtv on 11 February from 3 pm or 7 pm at www.saferinternetdaytv.com
To send your question email sidtv@saferinternet.org.uk BY 23 JANUARY! Just state your first name and how old your children/ grandchildren are and we will try and respond to as many questions as we can.
SIDtv will have special programmes for young children and young people aged 11 -16 too on the day, so encourage them to tune in too to find out more about being safe on the internet! www.saferinternet.org.uk
Join the Safer Internet Day supporters list
Join the Thunderclap – register now to join the tweet campaign on #SID2014
Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
Starting Primary School is a new DVD for parents with learning disabilities who have pre-school age children. It gives them first hand practical advice to help them navigate their children’s transition to primary school. If you are a parent yourself, an advocate or a professional who supports parents, this DVD is for you.
If you would like hard copies of the DVD you can contact George Gordon (george.g@scld.co.uk) or Robert Knox (robert.k@scld.co.uk) or phone the SCLD offices on 0141 559 5720.
There is a short video Starting Primary School available to view on their website: www.scld.org.uk
It’s time to start planning for Climate Week – eight weeks from now on 3-9 March 2014. It is Britain’s largest climate change campaign, with half a million people attending over 3,000 events each year.
Climate Week is about how people can live and work more sustainably, and you can run any kind of event or activity you wish. Here are some ideas:
Enter the Climate Week Challenge, a competition for small teams in schools and workplaces. It needs no preparation, is free and helps develop innovation and teamwork. There are one-hour and one-day versions – register here.
Enter the Climate Week Awards for professional achievement that is helping to create a more sustainable society – click here to find out more. Deadline – February 14th 2014.
Run a Climate Week Swap event at which people can exchange clothes, books or children’s toys they don’t want any more – find out more here.
Please remember to register your events and activities with Climate Week – they will then be listed as an official part of Climate Week, encouraging others to take part and so growing the movement for environmental change.
Severe weather has caused disruption through utility failures and signifiant flooding in various areas throughout Scotland.
Winds of up to 90 mph hit parts of the country last night causing power cuts, rough seas and heavy swells. Those regions partcularly badly affected include Glasgow, Aberdeen, the Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and Dumfries and Galloway among others.
For further details go to: http://bbc.in/1klW9Yb
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has been issuing regular flood warnings urging the public to take immediate action against the predicted flooding.
The ‘Ready for Emergencies’ website contains free teaching resources to help young people and their local commuitites to prepare and cope in extreme weather situations like these. For severe weather learning journeys go to: http://bit.ly/1gmTEml
Make sure you are signed up for SEPA’s free flood alert service. Register at: http://bit.ly/1cCJ2uB
Scottish Water is reminding teachers and learners of the importance of playing safe this winter.
In recent years Scotland has witnessed some of the coldest winters for generations, so there’s no telling what the coming weeks may bring. Scottish Water is advising customers that they should remain vigilant and should not take any risks around freezing cold watercourses.
While it’s important that youngsters enjoy their school holidays and that people across Scotland take pleasure in the country’s beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it is also vital that they stay safe. Latest figures show 22 people died accidentally or from natural causes around water in Scotland last winter, but there are easy ways to prevent tragedies, and equipping yourself with the knowledge of what to do in an emergency can save a life.
For further details of Scottish Water’s recent release and advice on how to stay safe around water this winter, go to: http://bit.ly/1b4agsG
The number of people confirmed dead in the Philippines from Typhoon Haiyan now stands at in excess of 4000, and a further 4 million people have been forced to leave their homes since the storm hit.
At a recent conference at the Royal Society in central London, the Prince of Wales claimed that the typhoon is a ‘direct result’ of climate change and that ‘the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events has increased, and is set to increase even further’.
In the face of global warming and it’s possible impact closer to home, Scotland has set world-leading greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and has plans in place for how to reduce further by 42% by 2020.
Adaptation Scotland provides advice and support to help ensure that Scotland is prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of climate change. Find details of key messages, climate information and adaptation suggestions in light of climate change in Scotland.
Not to be missed! Heriot Watt University still have availability for schools interested in receiving a visit from the interactive flood model and flood experts.
For a flavour of what you can expect, see the flood model in action at: http://bit.ly/1dNfNIa
What is it?
An interactive, free workshop has been developed to explain the processes involved with urban flooding and flood prevention. It also introduces the concept of community resilience and the role that individuals can play in protecting themselves and their neighbours.
The main element of the workshop is an interactive physical model, representing a typical town with a river, houses, shops, industrial units, roads and parks. The model simulates rainfall, with water being fed to sprinklers and the river via a system of pumps. Workshop participants are able to change certain elements of the urban fabric to help reduce the severity of flooding.
Is it any good?
Since 2009, over 5000 people have participated in the workshop, most of whom were young people. Independent evaluation of the workshop “…yielded strong evidence for the learning that took place during audiences’ interaction with the project”.
Work with the Scottish Government and SEPA has supported on-going flood risk awareness raising, and again the feedback has been very positive.
Can it come to my school?
Sure. The Scottish Government have commissioned Heriot-Watt University to take the workshop to Scottish schools in 2013/14.
We can visit you to run our interactive workshop for your pupils for free; all you have to do is provide us with some space to run the workshop and some interested children. We will also leave you with a follow up lesson plan to reinforce some of the key workshop messages
Contact Grant Wright to arrange a visit (Tel: 0131 4518261, Email: g.b.wright@Hw.ac.uk)
For more information go to http://urbanfloodmodel.wordpress.com/
SUSTRANS works with communities across Scotland to help people improve their local areas through a number of exciting and innovative projectshttp://bit.ly/Hpu9Um
Possible projects include:
Sustrans Scotland also has 120 expert officers working across Scotland to encourage young people to get active through cycling. Further details of their work with schools can be found at: http://bit.ly/16JKw9U
Further online resources are also available:
Sign up for the Maternal and Early Years Newsletter and find out about up to date information and resources such as:
Early Years Image Bank CD NHS Health Scotland has developed a photo bank of images for use across early years publications. The images include representation of parents from across Scotland from all the equalities strands. A CD is available containing a selection of these images for use by the early years and children and families workforce. The images are vibrant, expressive and appealing and include images of babies, children and their families, as well as of the early years professionals who work with them.
Themes include:
If you would like a copy of the CD, email lynn.soutar@nhs.net and include your postal address.
Disney’s THE LION KING is working closely with The National Autistic Society to create a friendly and supportive environment to enjoy this award-winning musical which is currently playing at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
The specially adapted performances will be suitable for people with autism, with trained staff on hand in dedicated quiet and activity areas should anyone need to leave their seats.
For more details about these performances please visit the The Lion King -Autism Friendly website.
In recent years, a number of Scottish primary schools have developed innovative approaches to enabling child-led outdoor play in morning and lunchtime breaks.
This new training resource has been created with support from Education Scotland to share the learning from these schools. Its aim is to demonstrate how outdoor play in schools can support the curriculum and nurture happy, healthy children and to share practical, tested ideas and approaches to providing richer play experiences in primary schools.
This resource has 11 sections, each of which is based around a short film with accompanying discussion questions and links to useful online resources. It’s designed for anyone who is interested in pupil health and wellbeing but will be of particular relevance to playground support staff. In each film clip you’ll hear from support staff about why they have developed these new approaches and how they deal with the various practical issues that arise.
The films are on the Education Scotland website while further support is available at www.ltl.org.uk/playtimerevolution.
Inspiring Scotland are offering Scottish charities an opportunity to bid for support to develop innovative projects which are play based. This capacity building fund is offering up to 12 months of tailored capacity building support and up to £15,000 for Scottish charities to develop new work which will help children benefit from more play.
Go2Play capacity building fund is a small fund looking to support innovative and exciting people within the play sector. Through this fund they are offering tailored capacity building support to help turn great ideas from a concept into a reality, positively impacting upon the lives of children and supporting the development of play in Scotland.
The next deadline date is Friday 25 October 2013 at 5 pm.
The criteria document and application form are now live on the Inspiring Scotland website.
The 2013/2014 ‘Ready for Winter’ campaign will be launched by the Scottish Government on the 21st October. Key messages for this year include: ‘Thinking Ahead’ and ‘Taking an Hour’ to prepare for severe winter weather in the community, at home, on the move and in the workplace. With the clocks moving back one hour on the 27th of October, let’s use this extra time pro-actively! Education Scotland are therefore working in partnership with the Scottish Government to ensure that Scottish schools are as ready as possible for winter.
To promote the launch of ‘Ready for Winter’ and its rich links to resilience education, teachers are being asked to run health and wellbeing sessions (21st to 25th October) ranging from simple class lessons to larger projects. Web links and free downloadable activities will soon be made available for schools to access from Education Scotland’s ‘Ready for Emergencies’ website http://bit.ly/GJ8CWz
Further details and links to activities will follow shortly. In the meantime, general information about ‘Ready for Winter’ and resilience education can be found at http://bit.ly/1gmTEml and http://bit.ly/1aiEZnp
