Category Archives: Health and wellbeing

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Supporting Learners, Young people, children & families

Getting the right help in school – two new guides from Enquire explain young people’s rights

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Getting the most out of education can be difficult if you are looked after or struggling to be in school. That’s why Enquire have produced two new guides to help young people understand their rights to support in school.

“What happens when you can’t go to school?” will help young people understand their rights to get support so they can carry on with their learning even when they are not at school. The guide considers a number of reasons young people might be away from school including being ill, caring for a family member, being excluded, home schooled from a travelling community or a refugee.

“Extra help at school when you are looked after” will help looked after pupils understand their rights to extra support and what that support might be. It explains how they can be involved in making decisions about their learning and the planning that should be in place for them as they prepare to leave school.

Created with help from children and young people, the guides are an essential tool for all those working with young people who aren’t in school or who are looked after. Short and easy to read, like all Enquire’s resources, it has been accredited by the Plain Language Commission.

The guides can be used as a teaching resource for a whole class or with individual pupils.

Both guides can be downloaded from the website

Additional Support for Learning, Adult Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Outdoor Learning, Responsibility of All, Social studies, Universal Support, Young people, children & families

Outdoor Learning with the National Parks Inspiring Landscapes – Inspiring Learning

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Senior Leaders Professional Learning Event – Dounans Centre, Aberfoyle: Friday 20th September 2013

A one day event for head teachers and deputy head teachers, focusing on whole school approaches, inspection and self-evaluation for school managers. Delegates will hear from senior managers, education officers and others with experience of outdoor learning in the context of school improvement.

Staff Professional Learning Weekend – Dounans Centre, Aberfoyle: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd September 2013

This opportunity is aimed at staff from all schools and settings within the partner authorities, and will provide inputs from project and centre staff, from the National Park ranger service, and from Education Scotland staff to support you in embedding Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning in your school or nursery. As well as a variety of ‘sharing good practice’ sessions run by teachers across all sectors.

The weekend will provide staff with practical tools, ideas and inspiration for developing progressive and frequent outdoor learning opportunities for pupils which will support and enrich all aspects of their learning.

Spaces are still available on these programmes for further information contact

Joan.Reilly@educationscotland.gov.uk

Workshops Staff Professional Learning Weekend

Staff CLPL residential weekend 2013 – info for schools

Final Programme Staff PL Weekend

Final Programme School Leaders

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Food and Gardening

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Creating a Prairie Garden

24th September 2013, Aileymill Primary, Greenock

8th October 2013, Blackfriars Primary, Glasgow

Develop a Prairie flower bed in your school garden, richly planted with drifts of perennials and self-seeding annuals, punctuated with grasses. An everlasting, low maintenance style of naturalistic planting, a haven for bees, butterflies and all others that fly!

THE EDIBLE SCHOOL GARDEN

1st October 2013, Perth Academy

To give teachers of all age groups the skills to confidently grow and manage a simple productive garden throughout the year. Also, to ensure that produce is used in tasting, cooking and enterprise activities. Every school should be a food growing school.

Glow TV, Health and wellbeing

Flushed with Success!

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Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People has launched a new campaign Flushed with Success: Setting the Standard for Scotland’s School, which seeks to address the fact that standards of school toilets for pupils need to improve and the quality of the facilities must be monitored and guaranteed in the same way as in workplaces for adults. A recent survey of over 2000 Scottish pupils (Ipsos MORI) found that 56 percent of secondary school pupils never used school toilets or only used them if they ‘really had to’.

As well as working with influential organisations and leaders to explore how this problem can be properly addressed, Tam would like all schools in Scotland to sign up to supporting pupils to take part in the ‘Flushed with Success?’ Active Enquiry and Self Assessment Project. This special Glow TV session on Wednesday 11th September at 4pm will allow you to learn about how your school can now take part in this highly participative 8 step project which will help 1) identify where best practice and success already exists and 2) the actions school pupils, teachers and managers – working in partnership – will take to improve standards where the need for change is identified.

Sign up and join us on Wednesday 11th September at 4pm – Flushed with Success.

Glow TV, Health and wellbeing

Flu Immunisation Briefing Event

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The annual flu immunisation programme is being extended over the next three years to include all children and young people aged 2 -17.

From October 2013, 2 and 3 year old children will be offered the vaccine at their GP practice and some primary school aged children will be offered the vaccine at selected schools. As this is a new programme for primary schools, a limited number are taking part in this first year to assist with planning for the national rollout next year. NHS Scotland would like teachers to have as much information as possible about the programme, should they receive enquiries from pupils and parents.

Join us for a Glow TV event on Wednesday 4th September at 4pm to find out more when we will feature a panel of experts who will be available to take questions about the childhood flu immunisation programme. Sign up and join us in Glow TV – Flu Immunisation

You may also be interested in downloading the Briefing Notes for Education.

Health and wellbeing, Sciences

e-Bug: free microbiology, hygiene and health educational resource

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e-Bug is an exciting, fun and free microbiology, hygiene and health educational resource for junior (P2 – P7) and senior (S1 – S3) school students across Europe. Designed by health professionals, with input from schools and young people, the e-Bug resource comprises of a teacher website containing detailed lesson plans and a student interactive website.

e-Bug for teachers

The teacher pages on the e-Bug website, www.e-bug.eu, contain detailed interactive lesson plans covering each of the topics below. You can also find school competitions, films of each of the activities, MS Powerpoint presentations, animations to help teach some of the more difficult topics as well as some alternative activities to those found in the pack.

Micro-organisms

An Introduction

Useful Microbe

Harmful Microbes

 Prevention of Infection

Natural Immunity

Vaccinations
Spread of Infection

Hand Hygiene

Respiratory Hygiene

Food Hygiene

Farm Hygiene

Sexual Transmission

 Treatment of Infection

Antibiotic Use

e-Bug for students

The colourful and fun student website encourages children of all age ages to venture further into the world of microbes playing interactive games and accessing lots more educational materials. The student website has a lot of fun features which include

Microbe of the week: Facts and images of a new microbe every week, some useful, some harmful, but all interesting.

Fact of the week: Some quirky, fun, disgusting and some outright weird microbe facts.

Revision Guides: For students who want to learn a little bit more, or to be used in the classroom.

Disease fact files: Fact files on important infectious diseases such as measles, influenza, holiday infections, and much more.

Quizzes: Students can test themselves with fun quizzes.

Hall of Fame: Here students can visit a lab or hang out in an art gallery hall of fame to learn about those ‘boring old’ scientists who have made important contributions to microbiology and medicine.

Home science: A series of experiments to do in the home.

Interactive games:Fun games designed to highlight key learning points. How long can you survive the sneeze?

Downloads: Images of microbes and pack characters are available to download for use in any school project.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Gone – An interactive, cross curricular alcohol education resource

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Join Forth Valley health Professionals for a one day train the trainers’ course.

Gone is an interactive, cross curricular alcohol education resource which has been developed by NHS Forth Valley in conjunction with its partner education authorities.

The resource examines four characters journeys as the move from primary school to secondary school and follows them through the broad general education. A range of vehicles are used to capture pupils. Each lesson involves pupils viewing some short video sequence, completing tasks designed in a computer gaming format and participating in debate and discussion lead by the teacher. The pupils are asked, through a series of votes to predict which character will be ‘gone’ as a result of a decision involving alcohol by the end of S3. The resource is supported by a series of powerpoints and a detailed teacher guide.

This session aims to introduce practitioners to an innovative resource which explores a range health and wellbeing issues.

Registration Form

CfE, Early Years, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Literacy and Gàidhlig, Social studies

Glow TV is Back!

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Welcome back to the new session! Everyone here at Glow TV hopes that you had a relaxing break and are ready for the challenges of the new term ahead. As ever Glow TV continues to offer a wide range of events both for use in the classroom with your pupils and also for Continued Professional Learning. We are kicking off next week with a series of events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Why not sign up and join us live at an event or if you are unable to join live then remember that all events are recorded and can be found in the Glow TV Watch Again section.

Monday 19th August at 12.30pm – Tom Palmer’s Football Reading Game
This event is suitable for Primary 4-7. Find out more about this event and sign up!

Tuesday 20th August at 10.30am – Superhero Siblings with Gwyneth Rees
This event is suitable for Primary 3-5. Find out more about this event and sign up!

Tuesday 20th August at 12pm – The Physics of Superheroes with James Kakalios
This event is suitable for S2- S6. Find out more about this event and sign up!

Wednesday 21st August at 10am – Titanic: Death on the Water with Tony Bradman This event is suitable for P4-7. Find out more about this event and sign up!

Wednesday 21st August at 12.30pm – Ciaran Murtagh: Jokes, Genies and Japes
This event is suitable for P3-6. Find out more about this event and sign up!

Friday 23rd August at 10am – Lunar Adventures with Simon Bartram
This event is suitable for P1-3. Find out more about this event and sign up!

CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Food and Science ‘Teach Meet’ Free Professional Learning @ Dundee Science Centre

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When? 4th September 2013, 16:30 – 18:30

Where? Dundee Science Centre

Recommended for: Practitioners with responsibilities for Food and Health, sciences, and Health and Wellbeing, and planning for learning for early years to senior phase.

Sign up by contacting Michael Smith on michael.smith@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or 01382 868609

Food and drink offers an engaging context for learning within Curriculum for Excellence, providing opportunities for

interdisciplinary learning, and for rich and meaningful partnerships between schools, the food and drink industry and other organisations.

4.30-5.15: Registration, light refreshments, networking and tours of the Cooking Bus

http://www.focusonfood.org/cookingbuses.html

5.15 – 6.00: Micro presentations from:

Education Scotland – Food for Thought – Food Education: an overview

Scottish Food and Drink Federation – How to link real life industrial applications to food education in schools

University of Abertay – What help can higher education provide and what are the next stages of study

Food Industry, Agrico– Why we get involved and how we can help support schools

Food and Drink Ambassadors – What we can offer schools

Eco-Schools Scotland – Food and the Environment’ topic; resources and case studies for interdisciplinary learning and teaching

Dundee Science Centre – Bringing food and science to life in Curriculum for Excellence

Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) – sharing exciting activities on food chemistry

6.00 – 6.30: Food and Science marketplace, meet experts who can help with practical ideas and ways of using food as a context across learning.  Discover the resources available from a range of        organisations to support your planning for learning and teaching in the context of food and drink.  Hear a selection of micro-presentations, explore exhibitor stands, take away free resources, network with  colleagues and take the chance to visit the Cooking Bus

Delivered by Education Scotland, Scottish Food and Drink Federation, Dundee Science Centre and partners.

Additional Support for Learning, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Responsibility of All, Supporting Learners, Universal Support, Young people, children & families

Children’s Services Scotland Conference

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Children’s Services Scotland (Capita Conference)
Wednesday 11th September 2013 – Edinburgh 

As the Children and Young People Bill progresses through the Scottish Parliament, this event features the breadth of elements under review and addresses the associated key issues linked to the implementation of the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) components. 

This conference will focus on implementing the multiple forthcoming policy changes within children’s services. Attend to hear from key stakeholders about the future of children’s services and how to deliver effective interventions in your area. This event is your opportunity to share best practice and take away guidance to help shape and strengthen services to improve outcomes for Scotland’s children.   

Website:
http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/public-sector-conferences/childrens-services/full-conference/article/childrens-services-scotland-conference.html?code=MKRGS 

Brochure:
http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/pdfgen.html?filename=ChildrensServicesScotlandSept13.pdf&code=MKRGS

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Technologies

A Design Competition for a New Maggie’s Centre

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The Maggie’s Centres design competition for Standard Grade and Higher pupils challenges students to design a new Maggie’s Cancer Centre. This competition provides an opportunity to develop research and presentation skills, to introduce architecture in the classroom and to inspire pupils who have an interest in design.

To help carryout the competition in your classroom there is a design competition brief, a resource pack and some additional literature from Maggie’s Centres to give background on the uniqueness of the buildings and charity. All of which is available on the Maggie’s Website. You may also be interested in viewing a recent Glow TV event outlining this in more detail – Maggie’s Design Competition

All competition entries are due 1 March 2014 and Kirsty Wark and architect Richard Murphy will judge the competition entries. The winner will be awarded a week long work experience at Richard Murphy’s architecture practice.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Lamont at Kathryn.Lamont@maggiescentres.org or 075572 65462.

Health and wellbeing

‘Always Hear’ – a new health and wellbeing resource for secondary schools.

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Always Hear is Waverley Care’s new Scotland-wide HIV awareness and anti-stigma campaign funded by the Scottish Government. The campaign gives a voice to people living with HIV in Scotland using four films to capture the experiences of four people who are HIV positive. 

 From the start of June, ‘Always Hear’ resource packs are being distributed to every secondary school in Scotland.  Produced in association with Education Scotland, the resources are suitable for use with S3-S6 groups. The materials focus on health and wellbeing within the curriculum looking at relationships, emotional wellbeing, stigma and HIV transmission.  Cross-curriculum links are also highlighted.  Included in the pack are a DVD of the four films, HIV information sheets covering HIV Basics, HIV Statistics, HIV Stigma and HIV Myths, written case studies and the Curriculum for Excellence resources. 

 Visit www.HIVAlwaysHear.org to view the films and download the resources. For more information, email alison.irving@waverleycare.org or call 0131 556 9710.

Health and wellbeing, Technologies

Cheese comes from plants and fish fingers are made of chicken

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Research conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) among over 27,500 children across the UK(Scotland: Primary – 1,794; Secondary – 3,763), shows that nearly a third (29 per cent) of primary school children think that cheese comes from plants, one in ten secondary school children believe that tomatoes grow under the ground, and nearly one in five (18 per cent) primary school children say that fish fingers come from chicken.

Roy Ballam, Education Programme Manager at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “Schools throughout the UK require a national framework and guidance for food and nutrition education to support the learning needs of children and young people, especially at a time when levels of childhood obesity are soaring. Through Healthy Eating Week, we hope to start the process of re-engaging children with the origins of food, nutrition and cooking, so that they grow up with a fuller understanding of how food reaches them and what a healthy diet and lifestyle consists of. The fact that so many schools in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have registered to participate in the Week demonstrates their understanding of how important healthy eating is and their commitment to giving children a solid grounding from which to create healthy lives for themselves.”

Further findings of the BNF study reveal that an encouraging number of the youngest primary school children recognise the eatwell plate* – 64 per cent of 5-8 year olds identified it correctly from four different images. However, when presented with four pie charts and asked which best represented the eatwell plate, less than half (45 per cent) of 8-11 year olds answered correctly.

Over three quarters (77 per cent) of primary school children and nearly nine out of every ten (88 per cent) secondary school pupils know that people should consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables each day. However, 67 per cent of primary school children and 81 per cent of secondary school pupils reported eating four or less portions of fruit and vegetables daily, while two in every five children at secondary school don’t think that frozen fruit and vegetables count towards their five a day.

The research also shows that an alarming number of children do not eat breakfast each morning, which increases with the age of the children. On the day of the survey, eight per cent of primary school children said they hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning; this increased to nearly a quarter (24 per cent) in 11-14 year olds, and then to over a third (32 per cent) of 14-16 year olds. When quizzed on the more general point as to whether they have breakfast each morning, six per cent of primary school children, 19 per cent of 11-14 year olds and a quarter of 14-16 year olds reported not eating breakfast every day.

To read the full article click here.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Sciences

Schools to give sleep lessons as late nights exhaust pupils

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PARENTS regularly face a battle to make their children switch off their games consoles and computers and go to bed at night.

Teachers are then faced with exhausted pupils in the classroom each morning because they have not had enough sleep.

Now the Scottish Government is to spend £200,000 on sleep lessons for secondary school pupils who will be taught how to achieve at least nine hours’ sleep a night in a bid to boost academic performance.

Contextual targeting label:
Education

The cash – £100,000 a year for two years – will be handed to a charity who will give parents, teachers and sixth-formers sleep lessons in a move welcomed by teaching unions.

Recent research at a Scottish high school found one in six pupils falls asleep at their desk every day.

The public money will be given to Sleep Scotland, which has successfully piloted sleep lessons at West Calder High, West Lothian.

Schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Grampian and the Highlands will now receive sleep lessons, delivered by teachers and sixth-form mentors.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Ensuring children and young people sleep properly and get the correct amount of sleep each night is important to their development.

“We expect Sleep Scotland to use a proportion of their funding to work in schools to promote children’s Health and Wellbeing, an integral part of Curriculum for Excellence.”

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/schools-to-give-sleep-lessons-as-late-nights-exhaust-pupils.21215983

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Supporting Learners, Universal Support, Young people, children & families

We Can and Must do Better – revised training materials from CELCIS

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We Can and Must Do Better – new website launched

CELCIS has launched a new website for the revised We Can and Must Do Better training materials.
The We Can and Must Do Better training materials were originally produced on a DVD-ROM in 2008. CELCIS has now reviewed and updated these materials to reflect current research and Scottish policy and practice around:
• Getting It Right for Every Child
• Curriculum for Excellence
• Additional Support for Learning
• The Looked After Children Regulations 2009
• Early Years
• Parenting
The materials are relevant to anyone working with looked after children, care leavers and their families; in particular residential workers, foster carers, kinship carers, teachers, social workers and health professionals. They may also be relevant to professionals from across the wider child care workforce who are working with any vulnerable children and families.
These materials can be used for self study or/and as a resource for trainers to develop tutored training courses.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing

S*xting | The Corner Dundee | Health & Info for Young People

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“Pose, S*xt – What Happens Next?”

The campaign aims to raise awareness amongst young people around the possible consequences of making, sending and uploading s*xy images or texts on their phones or via social networking sites, known as ‘S*xting’. Additionally The Corner will gather information on local experiences of S*xting which will help inform young peoples services within Dundee.
Have a look at our magazine by clicking here to find out more.
CEOP have created a 10 minute clip around s*xting click here to view it.
Pose, S*xt – What Happens Next? materials can be seen in the city centre drop in and will also be travelling around Dundee schools and outreach work around the city.
office.corner@nhs.net01382 20 60 60

Drop in: 13 Shore Terrace, Dundee
Office: 18 Dock Street, Dundee

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Responsibility of All

Free CPD with the Royal Horticultural Society

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The RHS Campaign for School Gardening aims to encourage and support schools to develop and actively use a school garden. As part of the Campaign they provide teachers with resources through this website and an extensive programme of CPD days.  Fabulous edible garden and playground ideas, like the recycled pallet pictured here.

Why get involved?

Join the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and reap the benefits for your school:

  • Free start-up kit following registration on this website.
  • Rewards and certificates for your progress on the new benchmarking scheme.
  • Access to useful information and advice that will help you use your school’s garden to greater effect.
  • Regular news and items of interest sent to you by e-mail.
  • Access to a national programme of RHS CPD days.  Places still available for June 6th!

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/default.aspa

Contact your Scottish Regional Advisor for course information.

Angela Smith

Development Officer for Scotland

Education, Funding and Communities

angelasmith@rhs.org.uk

07714560008

Community Capacity Building, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Young people, children & families

Scotland’s Nature Festival

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Scotland’s Nature Festival (formerly Biodiversity Week) is organised by Scottish Natural Heritage and other strong partners in environment and forestry, outdoor learning and play to highlight and celebrate Scotland’s natural landscape, areas of wild beauty and city greenspaces. This year’s theme is ‘Love Life, Love Nature’ and aims to inspire fun, adventurous and positive engagement with nature as a way to promote biodiversity, sustainability, enjoyment and well-being.

The .pdf below lists a collection of resources, with weblinks for celebration activities and nature based experiences suitable for all ages.

2020 Scotland’s Nature Festival

Also included below is a presentation on the top ten reasons why Scottish teachers say they love leading learning in the outdoors – why not choose one to explore in a nature-based action learning project? Love life, love nature and enjoy celebrating!

Dalkeith Top Ten Reasons to Love OL

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All, Supporting Learners, Universal Support

Rights, Support and Wellbeing Team

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The Team will support local authorities and learning establishments to ensure the rights, support and wellbeing of all Scotland’s children and young people are recognised and realised.

RIGHTS
– What every child and young person is entitled to
– What we do to ensure children and young people’s rights are recognised and realised

SUPPORT
– What we do, as professionals, to facilitate full participation, addressing disadvantage and inequality
– What we do to support professionals in realising their role within ‘responsibility of all’

WELLBEING
– What we do to secure and maintain the wellbeing of children and young people particularly the most vulnerable

Continue reading Rights, Support and Wellbeing Team →

Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Glasgow 2014 unveils ticketing ambitions for accessible and family-friendly Games

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Two-thirds of tickets to experience the action and thrills of the Commonwealth Games will be priced at £25 or less, it was revealed today.

Announcing a family-friendly ticketing strategy focused on delivering packed stadia and a ‘Games for Everyone’, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee unveiled that access to sporting events at one of the world’s greatest multi-sports Games will start from just £15 for adults.

Half-price concessions will also be available for children – a Commonwealth Games first – and the over-60s.

The price of a ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event.

At a launch briefing in the city today attended by Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, Glasgow 2014 promised a simple and accessible ticketing process and pledged that at least 70% of all tickets to all sporting events would be available to the public.

The Games Competition Schedule was revealed for the first time and it gets off to a flying start with 12 sports on Day One, including Swimming and Track Cycling. The first weekend will be very busy with both Rugby Sevens and Weightlifting expected to attract peak audiences.

It was also announced that the ticketing process will launch on August 19, 2013 and ticket applications can be made online with debit or credit cards. A postal application service will also be available.

Commonwealth and Olympic Scots athletes David Carry and Rhona Simpson backed the Ticketing Programme and joined Olympic, Commonwealth and World champion triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards at the launch this morning.

Announcing the Ticketing Programme, Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said:

“This is a big day for Glasgow 2014 and one that has taken a substantial amount of planning. This isn’t just about selling a million tickets. It’s about making the Games accessible to all. We have spent many months designing a Ticketing Programme that reflects the vision and values of Glasgow 2014. Today’s the day we set out our stall.

“We have listened and learnt from previous Commonwealth Games as well as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ve also conducted our own research. We’ve thought long and hard about the pricing, the process by which you’ll buy tickets, but also the way we communicate.

“This is a Games for everyone. And by that I mean success not just for the Organising Committee and our partners, but also for the people of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.”

Glasgow 2014 Deputy Chief Executive, Ty Speer, said:

“Our focus in developing a Ticketing Programme for Glasgow 2014 has been to make these the most family-friendly, accessible and inclusive Games we possibly can. That means having a simple, straightforward application process, a pricing structure which is accessible and methods of payment which do not exclude anyone.

“Glasgow 2014 presents the opportunity to enjoy a festival of world-class sport. We want to have our venues packed with people who can experience the excitement and action of elite sporting performances at first hand and be part of the action.

“We want to be a good host and give the warm and passionate welcome that we owe to our athletes and which they deserve. Our Ticketing Programme is designed to make sure that happens.”

Three-time Olympian and double Commonwealth champion swimmer, David Carry, said:

“Having experienced the spine-tingling and unforgettable atmosphere of London 2012 and the passion of crowds at previous Commonwealth Games, I have no doubt that the athletes hoping to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will have something incredibly special to look forward to.

“Having packed stadia and enthusiastic crowds is what absolutely makes for an electric atmosphere at competition time – and that can really impact positively on performance. I know Scotland’s swimmers will enjoy the home advantage of a Scottish crowd shouting, screaming and supporting.

“I also know that Scottish supporters will make the Games a warm, welcoming and once-in-a-lifetime experience for all the athletes. It will be a really special time for them and for Glasgow. It is great that the ticketing policy at Glasgow 2014 is making it as accessible as possible for people to be part of making Glasgow 2014 the wonderful celebration of sport that I know it will be.”

Everyone will have the opportunity to apply for the tickets they want over a four week period when the ticketing process opens later this summer.

An allocation of tickets has also been earmarked for special distribution to identified groups and communities. More details will be announced this summer.

Note to Editors

1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of
athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

2. Glasgow 2014 family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr, NVT Group, RGS, Trespass, Riedel and Ticketmaster.

3. The first phase of ticket sales will be open from 19 August to 16 September. It makes no difference whether you apply on the first or last day of this four-week window. For high demand sports and sessions that are oversold – such as the 100m final – an independent and computerised draw will select the successful applications.

4. You apply for the tickets you want. It’s not a lucky dip – there is absolutely no chance of requesting tickets for, say, Netball and being given tickets for Table Tennis. Similarly, if you ask for four tickets, you will either be successful or unsuccessful in your application for four tickets. You will not be offered one, two or three tickets.

5. A minimum of 70% of tickets for every sport session will go to the general public. This is different to most sporting events that use a general average – so some events might be as low as 30% public tickets, where others are 95%. For Glasgow 2014, whether it’s a preliminary session on the first day or the 100m final, a minimum of 70% of sport tickets will be available for general sale.

6. A pricing example is the 100m final: Tickets for this start at £20, and go up to £30, £40, £60, £70 and top price of £90. A half-price concession ticket of £15 applies to the £30 ticket. Take an earlier round of the Athletics competition, and the prices look like this: prices start at £15 (remember, this is the entry price for EVERY SPORT), and then £20, £30 and £40. Half price concessions apply across all these prices. (Concessions are available at all sporting events, but are limited for the medal sessions).

7. For Athletics, there are six price categories, but for most events we’ve just gone for two or three price bands to keep it simple.

8. For example Rugby Sevens and Rhythmic Gymnastics prelims have the same prices: £15 (£7.50 concession), £20 (£10 concession) and £25 (£12.50 concession); Weightlifting final would cost you £20 (£10 for kids) or £25.

9. Only 8% of tickets are set aside for sponsors. Our sponsors pay for tickets like everybody else.

10. Prices for the Opening Ceremony start at £40 and the Closing Ceremony at £30.

11. Ticket applications will be accepted online or with a Ticket Application Form (available within the Ticketing Guide which is published on 23 July).

Health and wellbeing

Totally Tatties

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Royal Northern Countryside Initiative have been running a ‘Totally Tattie’ project. There are 29 classes taking part which amounts to 629 pupils throughout Morary and Aberdeenshire, learning where their food comes from.

Each class has a link volunteer farmer who is helping the class with their project. The pupils have a chance to see the different stages of growth development of their tatties.

Many of the schools have contacted us to say that both teachers and pupils thoroughly enjoy having the farmer come to school and some strong bonds have formed. Here are some quotes from teachers:

“We had a very successful visit from Jim our farmer yesterday to plant our tatties”
“We had a very successful visit from our farmer Ian. He helped and advised both our P3 classes with the planting of our tatties. The children are all very enthusiastic so even if we don’t get a bumper crop it will have been a very worthwhile project!!!”
“We had great fun and the potatoes are planted now and ready to grow and the children learnt so much.”
Aileen Christie, RNCI Project Manager, Tel: 07716424147 Email info@rnci.co.uk

CfE, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Choices for Life Online 2013

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Choices for Life Online is pleased to announce its first event for the 2013 – 2014 school year!

The live broadcast is aimed at all P7 pupils and their teachers in Scotland with a focus around the risks and dangers of alcohol, negative peer pressure and substance misuse.
Choices for Life provides credible information to our young people on a range of important issues facing them in 21st Century Scotland in an inclusive, engaging and thought-provoking manner, to help them make positive lifestyle decisions and maximise their future potential.

Join us to see drama, video clips, music and have the opportunity to join a Glow Chat where pupils can comment on what they have seen in relation to key themes (drugs, alcohol and tobacco).

Watch ‘Liam’s Story’ which explores the issues around negative peer pressure and smoking. After this specially commissioned film there will be a chance for you to ask questions to a panel of studio guests examining the range of issues,including family,negative peer pressure, substance misuse, aspirations and regret.
There are also teaching resources available on the website to help you have a classroom discussion about Liam’s Story or do some further activities around the drama – Teaching Resources

The event will be live and presented by Mark Martin and Laura Marks from our very own Choices for Life TV studio and will also include some other fantastic video clips and messages from other inspirational role models and sporting stars.

Choices for Life Online is pleased to announce its first event for the 2013 – 2014 school year!

The live broadcast is aimed at all P7 pupils and their teachers in Scotland with a focus around the risks and dangers of alcohol, negative peer pressure and substance misuse.
Choices for Life provides credible information to our young people on a range of important issues facing them in 21st Century Scotland in an inclusive, engaging and thought-provoking manner, to help them make positive lifestyle decisions and maximise their future potential.

Join us to see drama, video clips, music and have the opportunity to join a Glow Chat where pupils can comment on what they have seen in relation to key themes (drugs, alcohol and tobacco).

Watch ‘Liam’s Story’ which explores the issues around negative peer pressure and smoking. After this specially commissioned film there will be a chance for you to ask questions to a panel of studio guests examining the range of issues,including family,negative peer pressure, substance misuse, aspirations and regret.
There are also teaching resources available on the website to help you have a classroom discussion about Liam’s Story or do some further activities around the drama – Teaching Resources

The event will be live and presented by Mark Martin and Laura Marks from our very own Choices for Life TV studio and will also include some other fantastic video clips and messages from other inspirational role models and sporting stars.

We look forward to hearing from you on the day !

The event will be delivered twice on the same day, to maximise and facilitate as many pupils as possible to view. Sign up for Wednesday 20th November – Morning Event at 10.30am OR Wednesday 20th November – Afternoon Event at 1.30pm.

We look forward to hearing from you on the day!

Expressive Arts, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Religious and Moral Education

Simple Acts for Schools is Back!

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Simple Acts is back for Refugee Week Scotland 2013 – Get Your School Involved!

The Simple Acts campaign is about inspiring people to use small, everyday actions to change our perceptions of refugees.

For 2013, we have chosen four simple acts, which we think are great ways for the students in your school to get involved. They fit in perfectly with Curriculum for Excellence objectives, the theme of heritage for Refugee Week Scotland 2013, and are great fun too!

These acts will be delivered live through in Glow TV throughout May by Scottish Refugee Council’s Arts & Cultural Development Volunteer Rhea Lewis. Read more on Rhea’s Blog

Glow TV events include:
Share a Story – Wednesday 1 May, 11am
This Simple Act is most suited for P1-P5. A story from another country will be told to students during the Glow Meet, followed by discussion.

Find an object that tells a story of your heritage – Wednesday 8 May, 11am
This Glow Meet is suitable for P6 upwards.During this session the students will explore the meaning of heritage and will be shown objects that reflect as aspect of our heritage chosen by refugees.

Cook a Dish from another country – Wednesday 29 May, 11am
In this Glow Meet students will be able to cook along with the Rhea.The dish will be a simple recipe from another country.

You may also be interested in the Simple Acts 2013 Teacher Pack.

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Young people, children & families

Afasic Scotland

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Afasic Scotland is a charity that supports children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties. Afasic is a registered Professional Learning provider for teacher training, partly funded by The Scottish Government to support delivery of training, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that the course opportunities and supplementary information reaches all of the schools.

They are offering a Spring Training Day entitled ‘Improving Social Communication Development’ on Thursday 9th May 2013 in Dundee. The course is designed to appeal to teachers who wish to develop skills in supporting children with social communication difficulties. The morning session will be built around awareness and skills-building to overcome difficulties and challenging situations in school. The afternoon will focus on practical solutions with some opportunities to share expertise through workshops. The training is suitable for nursery and primary school teachers, classroom assistants, Learning Support teachers and parents.

For more details please download the attached flyer –AFASIC SCOTLAND Training Flyer.
and the AFASIC TRAINING BOOKING FORM MAY2013.

NB Bookings have now been extended until Thursday 2nd May.

CfE, CLD, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Young people, children & families

Festival of Dangerous Ideas 13th – 21st June 2013

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The brilliant folks from the College Development Network have put together another wonderful programme for this year’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The festival was created to ‘re-establish the importance of dangerous ideas as agents of change in education – to shift the axis of what is possible!’ There is a real focus on adventurous approaches to learning, especially in the outdoors, which fits completely with our work in professional learning and Adventures in Improvised Living. More information about the week and the overall programme of events which are suitable for a range of educators can be found on the CDN website: http://bit.ly/Vw0nzT

There are two outstandingly innovative events which feature outdoor learning prominently. The first is a repeat of the most excellent Edible Edinburgh Breakfast at the Botanics Event which takes place in the Royal Botanic Gardens on 19th June. Check out the details: http://bit.ly/109G01s If you enjoy a stimulating, delicious and nature connected start to your working day, this event is a ‘must’ for you!

The second is a fabulous whole day event at West Highland College UHI in Fort William: Celebrating Failure and Success http://bit.ly/YZLfy1 In the first part of the day, the West Highland Way Walkers who will just have completed their 5 day walk, led by young people from West Highland College will exhibit the dangerous ideas that grew during their journey in the wild. In the second half of the day, Outward Bound will lead a session that will explore how they have used the research on Mindsets to develop their work with young people. Mindset is a model developed by Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University. At its heart is the distinction between students’ perceptions of their abilities. The belief that you have innate, unchanging capabilities is called a Fixed Mindset. The belief that you can develop your capabilities through hard work and practice is called a Growth Mindset. The implications of these two are significant, and will frame this workshop.

CfE, CLD, Community Capacity Building, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Sciences, Social studies, Young people, children & families

Mission:Explore celebrates John Muir with launch of a new ebook

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A partnership between the John Muir Trust and Mission:Explore – a group of teachers, artists, activists and adventurers – has launched a free ebook to introduce the great explorer, naturalist, writer, mountaineer and conservationist to a new audience.

Supported by Scottish Natural Heritage, Mission:Explore – John Muir, features a range of activities that reflect the adventures and ethos of the Victorian Scot, whose 175th birthday will be celebrated this month in his adopted homeland the USA as well as in the land of his birth.

It encourages people of all ages – including groups and families – to follow in the footsteps of Muir by taking part in an imaginative set of ‘missions’, which involve looking, touching, walking, exploring, thinking, and even dancing in wild nature wherever they find it.

Suggested activities range from observing how frogs swim to getting windswept, creating a mini-National Park, and staring at the stars.

The book launch ties in perfectly with Year of Natural Scotland 2013 and its theme of celebrating John Muir. There is already interest across the UK and in America.

Your ebook is free to download from Mission:Explore and John Muir Award web pages, and can be used on smart phones, laptops and tablets, or printed off and read in the old-fashioned way.

Link to John Muir Award launch page – http://www.jmt.org/jmaward-mission-explore-john-muir.asp
Link to Mission:Explore launch page – http://www.missionexplore.net/shop

Daniel Raven-Ellison, Guerilla Geographer at Mission:Explore, said: “Mission:Explore and the John Muir Award have much in common. We’re both all about discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing, so making this book together made perfect sense.

“We had a great time making it and we’re sure that our readers will have an even better time doing each of the quirky adventures inside. Good luck!”

“These missions are great, you can really see the spark they’ve generated with teachers.” Carol Walker, South Lanarkshire Outdoor Learning Development Officer

Featuring 20 activities that reflect the adventures and ethos of the Victorian Scot, you can access the free Mission:Explore John Muir eBook or PDF in a number of ways:

• eBook – on-line with Graphicly http://graphicly.com/mission-explore/mission-explore-john-muir/john-muir
• eBook for iPhone or iPad – via ‘Mission Explore John Muir’ in iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/mission-explore-john-muir/id627660952?mt=11
• eBook from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=The%20Geography%20Collective&search-alias=books-uk&sort=relevancerank
• Printable PDF version (5.3MB) from http://www.jmt.org/jmaward-mission-explore-john-muir.asp

Find hundreds of other missions on the Mission:Explore website http://www.missionexplore.net

About Mission:Explore

• Mission:Explore is a collection of books created by the Geography Collective, a unique team of over 25 geographers, teachers, educators and artists who work together to help young people explore and see the world in new ways. It makes books full of illustrated challenges that aim to make children a little more confident, happy, empathetic and knowledgeable.They think that learning in the real world, in real places and about real issues are vital to any childhood.

• Mission:Explore has won awards including National Trust & Hay Festival Outdoor Book of the Year 2011, and a Pink Stinks approved stamp for being gender neutral.

About Year of Natural Scotland 2013

• The Year of Natural Scotland 2013 is the latest in a series of themed years for the Scottish Government. It aims to highlight Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity, and promote opportunities for visitors and residents to enjoy our beautiful landscapes, wildlife and heritage responsibly. http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/year-of-natural-scotland-2013

About The John Muir Trust

The John Muir Trust is the leading wild land conservation charity in the United Kingdom, with a membership of around 10,000.

We seek to ensure that wild land is protected and enhanced, and that wild places are valued by and for everyone.

The Trust does this by:
• Owning and managing wild land for conservation
• Assisting others in wild land management
• Campaigning for the long-term legal protection of wild land
• Encouraging people to connect with and care for wild places through the John Muir Award and volunteer conservation programmes.

We take our name and inspiration from John Muir (1838-1914), the pioneering, influential Scots-born American conservationist who dedicated his life to protecting wild places and campaigned successfully for the establishment of National Parks to safeguard vast tracts of wild land, including Yosemite Valley in California.

CfE, Expressive Arts, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Social studies

Daily What Newsround Football Special

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Join us on Friday 26th April at 11am for another fun mix of news, quizzes and missing words presented by Andrea and Melissa of the Daily What team.

We are delighted that our guest will be Richard McBrearty, curator of the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Stadium

Please get in touch with any questions about the history of football in Scotland, or questions about Hampden, and any other football matters you can think of!

Please send any questions to use via our contact form – Contact Form

Sign up and join us in Glow TV – Daily What Newsround 26 April 2013

CfE, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

Virtual Glow Roadshow

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Glow is packed full of educational resources and national communities where teaching staff can collaborate with colleagues across Scotland. To showcase some of these great resources RM is hosting a week of Glow Meets featuring a few of these. These 30 minute sessions are being run twice so sign up for the time slot that suits you best!

Twig on Glow – Over 1500 high quality films covering Maths, Science, Geography and Health – complete with support resources matched to the curriculum of excellence levels 2,3 and 4.

Join us either on Monday 22nd April at 8.15am or Thursday 25th April at 3.45pm

Just2easy is an online blogging tool. Children can create, sharing and learn in an esafe environment.
Join us either on Monday 22nd April at 3.45pm or Wednesday 24th April at 8.15am

Scran is a charity & online learning resource base with over 360,000 images & media from museums, galleries, archives and the media. These resources can be downloaded and used copyright free.

Join us either on Tuesday 23rd April at 8.15am or Wednesday 24th April at 3.45pm

The Daily What News is an online news service provided for Scottish Schools supporting the development of literacy and language across the curriculum. The site also provides a wealth of support materials.

Join us either on Tuesday 23rd April at 3.45pm or Thursday 25th April at 8.15am

CLD, Community Capacity Building, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Young people, children & families

The National Play Strategy – Consultation with Children & Young People

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The Scottish Government want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. Making sure that children and young people are able to take up their right to play is an important part of this. The Scottish Government is writing the strategy to make sure that people know about children and young people’s right to play and understand why it is important.
The views of children and young people are important and the Scottish Government would like to know what they think.

If you are a child or young person you can help by filling in an online survey, either as an individual or as a group. The group could be a group of friends, a class at school, a football or hockey team, your Scout or Girls Brigade Group – it is up to you.
If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person who is not able to complete the survey by themselves, you can help by recording their responses for them.
If you work with groups of children or young people, in whatever setting, please help by gathering their views with one of our group surveys.

Just choose the link that is right for you:
For individual 3-5 year olds
For groups of 3-5 year olds
For individual children and young people of primary school age
For groups of children and young people of primary school age
For individuals aged 12 – 18 years
For groups of 12-18 year olds

If you want to print out a PDF of the survey to take along to your group you can download the group surveys here:
NPS Group Survey – 3 to 5
NPS Group Survey – Primary
NPS Group Survey – 12 to 18

Printed copies should be returned to National Play Strategy Consultation, Education Scotland, The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DU or emailed to enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk. Please note that the closing date has now been extended to the 23rd April.

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Supporting Learners, Universal Support

respectme Anti-Bullying Awards

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respectme has announced the launch of its first Anti-Bullying Awards.

The awards are designed to recognise the contribution made by children, young people and adults through anti-bullying projects, activities and initiatives across Scotland. There are two categories in this year’s Awards; one for a young person or group of young people, and the other for an adult or adults, who have made a difference for others through their anti-bullying work.

Nominations are now open, and are welcome from groups and individuals from across Scotland. The deadline for nominations is Friday 28 June 2013 and Award winners will be presented at an event during National Anti-Bullying Week in November.

Further information on the respectme Anti-Bullying Awards, together with an application form can be found here

Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Young people, children & families

Forced Marriage in Scotland

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Figures collated from Scottish agencies, who support victims of forced marriage, estimate that almost 20% of the 59 people who contacted them in 2011/12 in fear of being forced to marry were under 18 years of age. Those seeking help included both boys and girls and agencies believe that these figures may just be the tip of the iceberg, with many victims often too scared to speak out.

This shows that forced marriage is a very real issue affecting young people in Scotland and it is important that they know how they can get help. In November 2011, legislation came into force in Scotland to protect those affected by forced marriage. The Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011 provides civil remedies for those at risk of forced marriage and those who have already been forced into marriage.

Teachers and education professionals therefore play an important role in recognising potential victims of forced marriage and in signposting them appropriately to ensure that they receive the right kind of help they need.

With this in mind, a forced marriage information resource is being launched this month for those working with young people in Scotland. A Glow TV event has been scheduled for Monday 18th March at 4pm to give education professionals the chance to discuss the issues which surround forced marriage and how they can help those in their care who they are worried might be affected. The Glow TV event is appropriate for all education practitioners.

To help education practitioners understand the legislation and how their work might be impacted by forced marriage, a panel of experts, including a forced marriage survivor, will be present to answer questions on the issue such as:

• What is a forced marriage?
• Are many young people in Scotland being forced to marry?
• How does the law in Scotland to help those in a forced marriage or under threat of one?
• How can education professionals help any young person in their care that they are worried might be affected by forced marriage?

Why not sign up and find out more in Glow TV – Forced Marriage in Scotland Or if you miss it click the Watch Again link to view the recording.

CfE, Expressive Arts, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Choices for Life Online – Winning Awards

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The large Choices for Life venue music events run by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency were the highlight of many a Primary 7’s year but not everyone could get to a live event and learn more about making the right choices for their life.

That is until November 2011 when Choices for Life Online began. During the course of two days over 25,000 pupils from across Scotland tuned in to watch the new Online experience provided to them through Glow TV. The live webstreams featured thought provoking drama pieces from PACE and interviews with celebrities who all wanted to help youngsters think about making the right choices about their lives.

Since then the format of the broadcast has continued to be a massive success with young people having the opportunity to tune in either via a Glow TV live webstream or though Glow Meet with the session being repeated on the same day so noone misses out!

This huge success was marked yesterday when Choices for Life Online was awareded a presitgious award at the Scottish Police Awards for Making Communities Safer. The competition was fierce with 4 other excellent projects in the same category so the representatives from SCDEA and Glow were surprised to be honoured and receive the award from Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and be congratulated by Dougie Vipond, Scottish television personality.

You can keep up to date with Choices for Life Online both in our Choice for Life Online Glow Group and on the excellent Choices for Life Online website which was launched in September 2012.

Well done Choices for Life and make a date in your diary for the next event which will be held on May 22nd -more details nearer the time in Glow TV.

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, RME, Sciences, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Universal Support

Promoting Diversity and Equality

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Promoting Diversity and Equality: Developing Responsible Citizens for 21st Century Scotland

This publication aims to support schools and centres in promoting diversity and equality through all aspects of planned learning.

Diversity is about recognising and valuing difference, where everyone is respected for who they are. Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can take part and where everyone has the opportunity to be all they can be.

Curriculum for Excellence challenges schools and communities to develop children and young people as responsible citizens who:
• show respect for others
• understand different beliefs and cultures
• are developing informed, ethical views of complex issues.

All involved in successful learning need to understand themselves what it means to live in this diverse society, and to help children and young people understand what it means for them.

CfE, Glow TV, Health and wellbeing

Flushed with Success? Join the RIGHT Big Toilet Debate.

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Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tam Baillie will be hosting a Glow Meet for primary pupils on the subject of your school toilets.

He will be asking pupils to complete a survey on Glow to tell him what they think about their school toilets.

In addition three schools will be telling us about their toilets through presentations and photographs. Perhaps the pupils in your school would like to carry out their own survey or take some pictures to show Tam during the Glow meet?

Join us to talk toilets on Thursday 28th February at 10.45am live from Carrick Knowe Primary in Edinburgh! – Sign up in Glow TV.

CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Outdoor Learning

Regional events – children’s rights, global citizenship and outdoor learning

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Download flyer for regional events

Regional events – children’s rights, global citizenship and outdoor learning

Education Scotland is hosting a series of important regional events in March 2013 to enable schools to explore the implications of two major policy developments – the Children and Young People Bill  and the Learning for Sustainability report.

The Children and Young People Bill, which will be considered by the Scottish Parliament in 2013, sets out a range of proposals for children’s services and will seek to embed the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) across the public sector. This will support the Getting it Right for Every Child approach and also the exciting work taking place in Scottish schools to engage learners in rights-based education and pupil voice activities.

The Learning for Sustainability report, published in December 2012, sets out a strategic agenda for change for Scottish schools. The report recommends the adoption of a coherent whole school approach to ensure that sustainability, global citizenship and outdoor learning are experienced in a transformative way by every learner in every school across Scotland. The report also includes a number of recommendations relating to career-long professional learning, leadership development and the new GTC Scotland Professional Standards. The Scottish Government will respond to this report in March this year.

In addition, participants will also learn of the many exciting events taking place in 2013/14 to support these aspects of learning including:  the Year of Natural Scotland; Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games; the Scottish independence referendum; Homecoming Year; Ryder Cup; David Livingstone’s bicentenary; John Muir’s centenary and the centenary of the start of the First World War.

Through a mixture of workshops, exhibitions and spotlight sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to gain practical ideas and insight from early years, ASN, primary and secondary schools with interesting practice to share. Key national organisations will also be on hand to offer support, resources and advice.

Target audience: The main target audience are school leaders, local authority staff and those with a whole school responsibility for global citizenship, sustainability, children’s rights and outdoor learning.

Sectors: Early years (including partnership providers), ASN, primary and secondary schools.

 When:

  • 9:30am – 3:30pm, Wed 13th March – Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
  • 9:30am – 3:30pm, Mon 18th March – Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
  • 9:30am – 3:30pm, Wed 20th March ­– Hampden Stadium, Glasgow.

How to book: Delegate places have been allocated to each local authority to ensure all school sectors and geographical areas are well represented. School or local authority staff should contact their local authority coordinator in the first instance to book.

General bookings will be available from 26th Feb onwards. Please email Willie Bhari: Willie.Bhari@educationscotland.gov.uk  or Tel: 0141 282 5208 to add your name to this waiting list. Cost of attending event: Free.

Assessment, BtC5, CfE, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Literacy, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Moderation, Modern Languages, NAR, Outdoor Learning, Profiles, Profiling, Religious and Moral Education, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Taking a closer look at the National Assessment Resource: A professional learning resource

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Education Scotland have recently developed this professional learning resource.  It provides an opportunity to reflect on effective practice in learning, teaching and assessment, drawing on the work published on the National Assessment Resource (NAR).  It also provides a structured look at the NAR flow chart as a tool for planning effective learning, teaching, moderation and assessment.

The resource can be used by individual practitioners keen to reflect and improve on their assessment practice as well as pairs, groups of practitioners, associated school groups (ASGs) or clusters working collegiately to reflect on and improve practice.

It is available to download from the Education Scotland website and welcome section on NAR.  There will be a Glow meet on Wednesday the 13th of February at 8:20am and Thursday the 14th at 4:15pm to explore the resource further.

Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Technologies

Wise Up Wednesday: Healthy Eating Week June 2013

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The British Nutrition Foundation is launching a Health Eating Week for nurseries and schools throughout the UK to further promote healthy diets, physical activity and an understanding of where food comes from and how to prepare it.  By registering at www.healthyeatingweek.org.uk you will receive a resource pack for your establishment. The website however contains a wealth of materials and information that could be used at any time.

As always we’d love to know what you are doing to support health and wellbeing in your establishment!

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English

Daily What – Birdwatch Special

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The first news round-up of 2013 will be on Friday 18th January at 11am with the usual fun mix of news, quizzes and missing words. Our guest will be Craig Leith, the Lifelong Learning Officer for SSPB, talking about the Big Schools Birdwatch (in association with BBC Birdwatch).

Craig is happy to take any wild bird-related questions, so get tweeting and send in those questions!
Sign up and join us in Glow TV.

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Supporting Learners, Young people, children & families

Additional and Complex Needs newsletter

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The first issue of the College Development Network’s Additional and Complex Needs Newsletter is now available on the website. This newsletter continues the work of the Profound and Complex Needs Newsletter.

The newsletter can be accessed here

CfE, CLD, Community Capacity Building, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Outdoor Learning, Research, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies, Young people, children & families

Learning for Sustainability – report published

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Learning for Sustainability – the report of the One Planet Schools Working Group, was published 17 December 2012. 

The report includes strategic recommendations to support the development of coherent whole school approaches to ensure that learning for sustainability, global citizenship and outdoor learning are experienced in a transformative way by every learner in every school across Scotland. The report includes a number of recommendations relating to career-long professional learning and initial teacher education and advocates genuine partnerships with local communities and action to improve the sustainability of the school estate. A key ambition of the report is to provide an agenda for strategic change that will create an enabling framework, remove barriers, and build on existing excellent practice.

Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages said:
“I welcome the publication of Learning for Sustainability and would like to thank the Working Group for their work and commitment to producing the report and recommendations. As we approach the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, the report reminds us of the importance of learning which connects young people to local and global issues, an integral part of Curriculum for Excellence.

“A wide range of actions have been taken as part of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and we welcome steps to encourage and support schools in their approach to sustainability and global citizenship, including through outdoor learning.

“We will take time to consider the report, to engage with partners on its recommendations and respond in full in March 2013.”

The report can be downloaded from:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE/OnePlanetSchools 

See the associated Engage in Education blog from Professor Pete Higgins, Chair of the One Planet Schools Working Group: http://engageforeducation.org/news/learning-for-sustainability/

Additional Support for Learning, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Supporting Learners, Universal Support

Scottish Guidance Association Workshop Day

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The Scottish Guidance Association is holding a Workshop Day at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline on March 2nd 2013.

For further details, please visit the Scottish Guidance Association website

Additional Support for Learning, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Responsibility of All, Supporting Learners, Young people, children & families

The Doran Review Report

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The Doran Review Report – The Right Help at the Right Time in the Right Place. Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs has been published by the Scottish Government.

The report and the Scottish Government response can be downloaded here:

The Doran Review Report
Scottish Government response

CfE, Health and wellbeing

Speakers for Schools comes to Scotland

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Glow TV and Education Scotland is proud to announce that it will once again to be working with the charity initiative Speakers for Schools . Last year through this initiative Glow TV brought you ‘Jonathan Edwards live in Glow ‘ which you can Watch Again.

Speakers for Schools is a programme originally launched in October 2011 in England by BBC Business Editor Robert Peston and The Education and Employers Taskforce. Each speaker commits to one talk per year, completely free, for a state school or college. Over 800 people have already agreed to participate with a range of speakers including CEOs of major companies, politicians, media and arts people, scientists, entrepreneurs and academics – ranging from the Astronomer Royal Lord Rees to the founder of LastMinute.com and digital entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox.

The 12th of November Speakers for Schools is officially launching in Scotland, with all state secondary schools eligible to apply for a talk on a range of topics.

This year Glow TV will be broadcasting live events from a range of speakers from various areas of commerce so that your school can be part of the experience as well (and if you are unable to attend the session live you can view the recording through Glow TVs Watch Again facility)

We will be starting our exciting series of events on Monday 12th November live from Perth College with inspirational speaker Alice Enders who is a former senior economist at the World Trade Organisation and was professor of economics at York University, Canada. Alice will be speaking about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sign up and join us in Glow TV for this exciting event.

In addition to this event Glow TV will also be broadcasting live an event with Stewart Regan
the CEO of the Scottish Football Association on Thursday 15th November live from Smithycroft High School in Glasgow. Sign up and join us for this event in Glow TV.

Speakers for Schools will be announcing more inspirational speakers appearing live over the coming weeks so keep checking the Glow TV schedule for more being added.

To register and more information Speakers for Schools, visit www.speakers4schools.org

CLD, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing

Impact Arts – Kamikaze

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Impact Arts are currently touring Kamikaze to High Schools followed by post show discussions with the young people.

The Tour dates are:

Thu 1st Nov – 09:30 Marr College Troon
Fri 2nd Nov – 09:30 Ayr Academy Ayr
Mon 5th Nov – 09:30 Loudon Academy Galston
Mon 5th Nov – 14:00 Doon Academy Dalmellington
Tue 6th Nov – 09:30 Kilmarnock Academy Kilmarnock
Tue 6th Nov – 14:00 Girvan Academy Girvan
Tue 6th Nov – 18:30 Westmuir High Glasgow (Carntyne)
Wed 7th Nov – 09:05 Cumnock Academy Cumnock
Wed 7th Nov – 13:25 Auchinleck Academy Auchinleck
Thu 8th Nov – 09:00 Stewarton Academy Stewarton
Thu 8th Nov – 13:45 Grange Academy Kilmarnock
Fri 9th Nov – 09:10 St Joseph’s Academy Kilmarnock
Fri 9th Nov – 13:30 James Hamilton Academy Kilmarnock

For more information see the website.
http://www.baldybanetheatre.co.uk/Productions/the-kamikaze

Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Social studies, Young people, children & families

Early Years Matters Magazine

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Following its launch at the Scottish Learning Festival, copies of Early Years Matters were sent out to centres across Scotland.

If you haven’t seen a paper copy, or would just like to have one of your own, you can always read the articles on line, or download the whole magazine to your computer, e-reader or phone.

Missed an edition? You can always catch up with our online archive here.

Remember our survey about Early Years Matters closes on 30 November 2012. Make sure you have your say and help us plan for the future!

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Choices for Life Online -Primary 7 Event

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Choices for Life provides credible information to our young people on a range of important issues facing them in 21st Century Scotland in an inclusive, engaging and thought-provoking manner, to help them make positive lifestyle decisions and maximise their future potential.

‘Choices for Life Online’ is pleased to announce its new 2012 live event on Wednesday 7th November.

Hopefully it will be possible for you to join us live so pupils are able to be involved in this unique live event which was first delivered in 2011 .

Join us to see drama, video clips, music and have the opportunity to join a Glow Chat where pupils can comment on what they have seen in relation to key themes (drugs, alcohol and tobacco).

You will watch a drama ‘Liam’s Story’ which explores the issues around negative peer pressure and smoking. After the drama there will be a chance for you to ask questions to a panel of studio guests examining the range of issues,including family,negative peer pressure, substance misuse, aspirations and regret.

One of our live studio guests with be chart topping Scottish music artist Sandi Thom. She will be discussing her music career as well as her views on tobacco and alcohol. You can also watch Boogie and Dingo from Forth One Radio discussing experiences from their teenage years.

The event will be live and presented by Mark Martin and Laura Marks from our very own Choices for Life TV studio and will also include some other inspirational video clips from other inspirational role models such as The Wanted, District 3 and Emeli Sandi.

The event will be delivered twice on the same day, to maximise and facilitate as many pupils as possible to view. Sign up and join us in Glow TV the first showing is at 10.30am and the second is at 1.30pm.

Additional Support for Learning, CfE, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing

ASN – Support through Educationally Based Theatre

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UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OUTWITH OUR CONTROL THIS EVENT HAS HAD TO BE POSTPONED WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Meet Engross Theatre who are a registered charity that brings the principles of the Curriculum for Excellence to children with additional support needs, through educationally based theatre.

To do this effectively they meet with teachers of children with additional support needs to discuss the children’s learning requirements. Subsequently a play is written on the topic requested by the teachers. The play’s content, language level and presentation style is tailored to the abilities and needs of the target audience. Audience participation is an important ingredient in all their commissioned plays and to maintain high standards, they employ professional writers and actors.

All their educational outcomes adhere to the principles of the curriculum for excellence. Learning outcomes are measured by question and answer sessions immediately after performances, or through questions incorporated into the plays, and from feedback forms issued to staff after performances.

And as they seek funding there is no charge to the school!!

Why not join us on Thursday 1st November at 3.45pm and find out more about this exciting theatre company along with Teri (Theresa) McIntosh, Development Officer for Expressive Arts and hear from a teacher who has worked with Engross, Ellen Muir – Headteacher of Pilrig Park, School in Edinburgh.

Sign up and join us in Glow TV and if you can’t take part live make sure you watch the recording in Watch Again!

Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing

Inclusive practice in PE workshop 27th Oct 10-4pm

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Colleagues,

The University of Edinburgh, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center, is conducting a survey to be completed by teachers in primary and secondary schools. The survey seeks to obtain a picture of how teachers support learners on the autistic spectrum in Physical Education. The results will enable a workshop event developed by Andrew Horrell from the University of Edinburgh and Michelle Grenier from UNH to be focused on instructional strategies that support the learning needs of the pupils. It will also provide a comparative perspective on the use of technology that supports learning. 

If you wish to attend this free workshop on the 27th October 10-4pm. 

Then please sign up here. 

http://tinyurl.com/inclusive-PE-workshop 

The workshop will take place at The University of Edinburgh, St Leonard?s land. More information about the venue and a programme for the day will be sent out via email to those who sign up. Places are limited. 

This survey will only be successful with your help. We know that you are extremely busy, but please take a few minutes to complete this confidential online survey. Your responses will not be connected to you in any way and will be compiled by the UNH Survey Center and reported to Andrew and Michelle in aggregate only. Please complete the survey by October 25th, 2012 for your responses to be included in the report. Simply click the following link to find out more and begin the survey. 

http://www.unh.edu/survey-center/asd12.html 

Thank you very much once again for your participation. If you have questions about this survey please contact Tracy Keirns at Tracy.Keirns@unh.edu. If you have questions about the workshop then please contact Andrew Horrell andrew.horrell@ed.ac.uk

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Ready for Winter?

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With the first autumn storms sweeping across the country, widespread flooding and gale force winds already affecting communities up and down the country this is your chance to reflect on what you can do to prepare for the winter ahead.

We will mark this year’s ‘Ready for Winter?’ campaign (starting on 22 October) with a Glow Meet where top tips on how to prepare for severe weather will be explored by the Red Cross and others involved in preparing Scotland for emergencies.

Along with the opportunity to interact and ask questions, you can find out about the winning entries of the 2012/13 ‘Ready for the Year Ahead’ calendar competition. The event will also feature pupils and staff from Crookfur Primary School who will share their experiences and work on resilience education and emergency planning.

Sign up and join us on Thursday 25th October at 11am!

Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, Religious and Moral Education, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Social studies

BBC Class Clips

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A group of Development Officers from Education Scotland worked with the BBC yesterday exploring BBC Scotland’s Learning Scotland website and the BBC Class Clips resource. It’s possible to embed BBC Class Clips in blogs and share links through social media. One handy feature for practitioners who are subject specialists is the ability to search for the clips used in BBC Bitesize. To find the clips, include Bitesize as a keyword along with your subject specialism.

CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Responsibility of All

Did you miss Slowly Wins the Day?

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Are you working with an Early Years class and did you miss author Helen Hendry reading her new book ‘Slowly Wins the Day’? Well don’t worry you can still see it in Glow TV’s Watch Again section.

Slowly Wins the Day is a modern day version of the Tortoise and the Hare filled with passion and determination that also promotes exercise. This especially timely story tells of a little girl who loves to participate in sports but always comes last.

Even though she is saddled with the name “Slowly”, she still enjoys the thrill of competing and has never learnt to quit. A new fitness teacher joins the school and gives the children inspiration; encouraging them by telling them the story of Robert The Bruce. The teacher discovers Slowly has a special talent and a sport which she can excel.

The story shows that if you try hard enough you can succeed and that everyone has a talent and delivers a clear message about exercise and sport, that it should not be seen as a punishment but enjoyed by everyone.

It is a picture book and is approx. 1000 words, suitable for ages five to eight.

There is also a wealth of other recorded events that you might be interested in in Watch Again.

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Did You Miss The Choices for Life Online Website Launch?

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The brand new Choices for Life Online website was launched a few weeks ago at the Glasgow Science Centre with a personal appearance from Scottish singing sensation Amy MacDonald. If you missed joining in live you can still watch it in Glow TV’s Watch Again section – Choices for Life Online – The Live Launch!

The event itself was presented by Forth One’s Mark Martin and gave viewers the opportunity to hear how the website was built with messages from young people themselves. Choices for Life Online is a new exciting hub to get credible and reliable information on a variety of topics including alcohol, drugs and tobacco with extra information and links on internet safety.

Teaching materials ware also highlighted on the site and there is an opportunity practitioners an opportunity to share good practice. Visit the new Choices for Life Online website!

Also make sure that you sign up for the Choices for Life Online-Primary 7 Event being held on 7th November!

CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

Join Author Helen Hendry

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Slowly Wins the Day: A modern day version of the Tortoise and the Hare is a book filled with passion and determination that also promotes exercise. This especially timely story tells of a little girl who loves to participate in sports but always comes last.

Even though she is saddled with the name “Slowly”, she still enjoys the thrill of competing and has never learnt to quit. A new fitness teacher joins the school and gives the children inspiration; encouraging them by telling them the story of Robert The Bruce. The teacher discovers Slowly has a special talent and a sport which she can excel.

The story shows that if you try hard enough you can succeed and that everyone has a talent and delivers a clear message about exercise and sport, that it should not be seen as a punishment but enjoyed by everyone.

It is a picture book and is approx. 1000 words, suitable for ages five to eight.

Join Helen live from Corstorphine Primary School in Edinburgh on Thursday 27th September at 10.45am as she reads her book and then you will have the opportunity to ask her questions!

Sign up in Glow TV or if you miss the live reading remember to Watch Again!

Assessment, CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Research, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Senior Phase

The Sciences 3-18 Curriculum Area Impact Project Report Launches at SLF 2012

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 Yesterday saw the launch of the Sciences 3-18 Curriculum Area Impact Project report in a lively and challenging session at SLF 2012. We were delighted to welcome to the session practitioners, partners, young people and parents as we shared the key messages from the report, and our strategies for taking this forward. Delegates were enthusiastic in joining the debate around the key strengths and aspects for development, talking together and reflecting on these, and on their role in taking forward the sciences 3-18 in Scotland.

 If you haven’t yet seen the report, you can find it on the Education Scotland website and join the debate on our Sciences Curriculum Area Impact Project blog. We have posted the shared outcomes of the discussions at SLF2012, which we hope will inspire you to blog and comment too!