Education Scotland will provide opportunities to run ESOL Workshops to cover training around the national ESOL Initial Assessment Guide and to raise awareness of the Adult ESOL Curriculum Framework. If you are an ESOL provider and are interested in running a workshop for practitioners, please contact Mandy Watts.
Category Archives: Supporting Learners
Promoting Youth Employability and Rights Conference
Tuesday 21st February 2012, 09:30—15:30
STUC Centre, Glasgow. Free of charge.
A partnership conference between BEMIS, the Scottish Refugee Council, the Scottish Trades Union Congress / One Workplace Equal Rights (STUC), the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland, and the Scottish Inter Faith Council with the following aims:
- Raise awareness of employability opportunities, equality and rights for youth and potential employers
- Provide a platform to address gaps in support of youth employment
- Empower and present new opportunities in education, skills and build links with different sectors and industry in employment and help youth to exercise their right in breaking barriers and discrimination in the job market
- Seek to develop a charter on supporting youth employment as well as engaging potential employers with regards to opportunities and responsibilities
Details of speakers and a full programme will be available in January 2012.
To register interest in attending, please send your details (name, organisation, email address and telephone number) to: conference@bemis.org.uk
or contact Tanveer Parnez, BEMIS, Centrum Building, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DX
0141 548 8047 / Fax: 0141 548 8284
Using Glow to support ICT across a Local Authority
Yesterday I visited West Lothian’s Learning and Teaching Development Team to investigate some of the ways they have been using Glow to help with communication across the Local Authority.
One of the ways they have been using Glow, is that they have set up an ICT to Support Learning and Teaching Glow Group. Within this Glow Group practitioners can find:
– the ICT tools available on West Lothian laptops and computers
– video tutorials on how to use the tools
– how the tools can used to support learning
– case studies
– ideas for using ICT to support Additional Support Needs
To find out more about this visit click here.
Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society – CLD Contribution
Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society: Report Published
A Community Learning and Development Contribution
The Standards Council is pleased to announce the publication of ‘Advancing Scotland as a Learning Society: A Community Learning and Development Contribution’.
This report is a concise record of the Conversations project which took place across Scotland earlier this year. We spoke with over 200 activists and practitioners who practice in a wide range of contexts; the report is their collective voice. We hope you will recognise yourself here and encourage colleagues and partners to read and do likewise.
Getting it Right for every child in Lanarkshire
Getting it Right for Every Child is a national policy and programme. The following link to the GIRFEC in Lanarkshire website developed jointly by North and South Lanarkshire provides information on their programme and includes training materials and their Parenting Support Strategy.
Supporting Learners information leaflet
A new downloadable leaflet relating to the entitlement to (personal) support is now available to download from the Supporting Learners area of the Education Scotland website.
This downloadable leaflet provides an overview of the entitlement
It has three main sections looking at:
• who is entitled to support?
• what does this mean for my practice?
• where can I find the key facts?
Investment in young people
A dedicated Minister for Youth Employment will be established and an extra £30 million will be invested in helping Scotland’s young people into training, work or education to secure a stronger workforce for the future.
Advice and guidance on new National Qualifications
Education Scotland is developing advice and guidance for practitioners on the delivery of courses within the new National Qualifications (NQ) framework. A new advice and guidance area within the NQ Support webpages is available, giving further information and linking to a new advice and guidance factfile and an online survey (http://newsletters-ltscotland.org.uk/LQE-MDNO-3GU5HR-8LLGF-1/c.aspx). As part of the ongoing development work associated with new National Qualifications, Education Scotland consulted key partners to determine the type and nature of supplementary guidance which should be developed to support the new NQs. The webpages explain the support that is currently in development and the form that this will take. This advice and guidance will be published in the spring.
New Qualifications – November Update
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47993.html
More detail about how each new National 5 Course will be assessed is now available. Draft Course Assessment Specifications for National 5 have been published on the SQA website and define the mandatory assessment requirements for Courses at National 5.
The purpose of the Course Assessment Specification is to ensure consistent and transparent assessment year on year. It describes the structure of the Course assessment and the mandatory skills, knowledge and understanding that will be assessed.
Find out more about the qualifications development stages.
Draft Unit Specifications have also been published for new Higher Courses.
Feedback on these documents can be given via Have Your Say until 31 January 2012. The final versions of all SQA draft documents will be published in April 2012.
16+ Learning Choices Coordinators’ Meeting
67 delegates (16+ LC Coordinators, Education Scotland colleagues from Communities Team, colleagues from LA CLD, HMI, Scottish Government, local authority colleagues) attended the network event in Perth on 23rd November. The purpose of the event was to embrace the positive input that CLD can make to 16+ Learning Choices.
There was an input from Rosie Whelan, Scottish Government and a presentation from Kenny Lindsay, CLD Manager, Children and Young People, Dundee City Council, round table discussions and speed networking workshops from representatives from 8 LA CLD representatives.Kenny Lindsay CLD Presentation 16 plus LC event Perth 23 11 11
Attached is Kenny Lindsay’s presentation from the network event.
Action on Youth Unemployment
The Scottish Government will work with some of Scotland’s largest employers to deliver an action plan to improve employment prospects for young people.
Finance Secretary John Swinney joined Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) Chairman Lord Smith at the company’s headquarters for the joint publication of The Smith Group report into youth employability.
Mr Swinney outlined Scottish Government action to address youth unemployment with a record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship places this year and in each year of this parliament, and the ‘Opportunities for All’ programme which guarantee a training or learning place for all 16-19 year olds.
The Smith Group has been active since 2005, advising and guiding Ministers in successive administrations on education policy, enterprise in education and youth employment issues. Their latest report can be found here.
[ website ]
Additional funding for dyslexia teaching
The Scottish Government has announced additional funding to further develop the Assessing Dyslexia Toolkit.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/11/17133343
Creativity and ASL Newsfeed
What’s it really like to work in financial services?
What’s it really like to work in financial services?
The re:think website provides school leavers and college and university graduates with information on the financial services sector in Scotland.
Find out what it’s really like to work in financial services. The site contains a number of case studies, from real people, who work for some of Scotland’s key employers. They provide more information on their jobs, their typical day and how they got into their current role.
Find out more at www.sds.co.uk/rethink
Flexible Learning: supporting transitions for young people with additional support needs
Every year the project supports 50 young people from S4 and S5 and in mainstream schools by identifying their needs and providing each with an individual package of support. More HERE
The Way to Work: Young People Speak Out on Transitions to Employment
Reports on the experiences of young people in their education and employment transitions in the UK. Presents case studies of 12 UK-based programmes of innovative approaches. Download the PDF HERE
Coalyard transition project: providing stepping stones to employment for young people with learning disabilities
The project offers support and skills development to young people who are making the transition into employment, training or further education. More HERE
Skills Scotland Young People’s events
- Edinburgh Tuesday 8th November 2011, Corn Exchange
- Glasgow Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November 2011, SECC
- Aberdeen on Tuesday 22nd November 2011, AECC
Skills Scotland is hosting events to help young people with career decisions. Students will be able to learn about future career and job choices through expert information and advice. The events are open to anyone aged 14-19, whatever their ambitions or abilities. More HERE
Presentation to practitioners and SMT from West Lothian Council
DO MCMC 16+ LC did a presentation to practitioners and SMT from West Lothian Council on Friday 28th October at Inveralmond Community School. DO participated in round table discussions re need for flexibility in the Senior Phase if we are to get 16+ Learning Choices right. It was heart-warming to see so many vocational programmes operating in many of the schools (mainstream and SEN) to develop skills for learning, life and work in our young people. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and I look forward to a follow up on December 9th at Deans Community School. Great to see such fantastic and innovative work being done – well done West Lothian!!
Scottish Career Fact Sheets
These fact sheets are a really useful resource for learners to find out more about the different sectors of employment and help them to make informed decisions about future destinations beyond school.
http://www.alliancescotland.org/Publications/IAGFactSheets/IAG2011.aspx
They were produced by the Alliance Scotland with the Skills Sector Councils input as well as through funding as part of joint activity with Skills Development Scotland.
Each Scottish Fact Sheet focuses on a range of SSCs, from banking to butchery, engineering to healthcare, and fish farming to mining, to name but a few.
Up for Hire on BBC!
BBC Three and BBC Radio 1 tackle one of Britain’s biggest issues – youth unemployment. Over four nights, Richard Bacon and Tina Daheley talk to industry experts about the best ways to find work.
An interesting TV series with a supporting website including video resources and some useful links for teachers and learners.
Move On Peer Education will start recruiting in Glasgow on 20th October
Move On Peer Education will start recruiting in Glasgow on 20th October, and they are looking for 16 – 28 year olds who have either experienced homelessness or been looked after and accommodated/have disengaged from school or looking to move into employment, training or education. For more information please contact Shug McRoberts on shug@moveon.org.uk or telephone 0141 221 2272. The Move On team also operate a Mentoring service for young people age 14 to 17 and which is also currently open for referrals, so please ask for further information.
Improving communication skills – Duncanrig radio
” Improving Communication Skills – Duncanrig radio” case study has been published on the Education Scotland website
Pupils from Duncanrig Secondary School and the associated Communication Support Base (CSB) which caters for pupils with autism spectrum disorders, have been taking the radio airwaves by storm with their very own radio project. The pupils have been performing their own radio shows on community radio. The project was set up to support inclusion in a realistic and fun setting as well as enhancing communication skills. Pupils showcased their work at SLF and also took the opportunity to interview Michael Russell on the day.
The Place2Be in Action
Once again Glowing Thursdays is delighted to welcome back The Place2Be. This time there will be an opportunity for pupils and school staff to listen to Edinburgh pupils’ views on how The Place2Be and other strategies (such as circle times, mentoring, and talking to friends) helps them cope with the worries in their lives so they can get the most out of their education.
Hosted by The Place2Be, (a school based counselling service providing support to over 58,000 children), in partnership with Enquire, the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning.
Find out more about Place2Be and Enquire on their websites.
We hope that you can sign up and join us in Glow TV to find out more about these important organisations and how they might be of benefit to staff and pupils in your school! Sign up in Glow TV.
Scottish Youth Work Week Conference & YouthLink Scotland AGM
The Scottish Youth Work Week Conference will take place on Wednesday 2 November 2011 in Edinburgh. The AGM will take place during the lunch break, all members are invited to attend (lunch will be provided).
The format of the conference will include round table discussions in the morning and interactive sessions in the afternoon.
The round table discussions in the morning will take a closer look at using volunteers to deliver youth work programmes, mentoring using a youth work approach and evaluation to demonstrate social return on investment.
The afternoon interactive sessions will focus on a generic range of youth work policy and practice topics.
Interactive Sessions
A list of the interactive sessions on offer at the conferece is now available to view here.
Please note that the top ten sessions chosen by delegates will run on the day.
Booking
Booking online is now available here
The cost for members is £50.00 plus VAT and £75.00 plus VAT for non-members.
Contact: Susan Symington at YouthLink Scotland, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | Online Booking ]
Teenagers want a say in sex education, says charity
Teenagers in Britain want to have more say in the content of sex education lessons at school, a survey finds.
Link to the story on BBC News here
Glow Meet – Global citizenship DROP IN
Every month the DGC team will be available on our new Glow TV channel to answer your questions about global citizenship and to signpost you to resources and ideas to help you embed global citizenship in the curriculum. This is an informal session open to any school leader or practitioner in Scotland – just drop into the Glow meet to pick our brains, find out what’s coming up or tell us what you’re up to.
The inaugural session will take place from 3.30-5.00pm on Wednesday 26th October. The theme for the first 45 minutes of this session will be A Games Legacy for Scotland and will showcase how the London Olympics 2012 and Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 can be used to create exciting learning opportunities for global citizenship activities and interdisciplinary learning. Find out how to get free tickets to the Olympics, hear about the Forest Pitch football strip design competition and how the organisers plan to Get Scotland Dancing.
A general Q & A/open floor session will follow from 4.15pm to 5pm. Put the day in your diary and join us for all, or part of, this event to discuss and share or get help with a particular issue. Visit Glow TV to register and take part on the day: http://bit.ly/DGCdropin
If you can’t make this one then the following drop in session will be on Tuesday 6th December 2011 from 3:30pm – 5pm. The theme will be: Developing a whole school approach to global citizenship.
Reintegration and Transitions – Guidance for Local Authorities, Community Planning Partnerships and Service Providers
This guidance aims to provide an overview of best practice within reintegration and transitions for young people under 18 who offend. As this age group can cross over child and adult services it is important that we recognise this to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible and that the service the young person receives meets their age and stage of development.
Getting it right for every child Community of Practice
An online forum for practitioners and managers
If you are a Getting it right practitioner or lead professional, you can find out lots of help and information on Community of Practice. To join you will need to sign up at Community of Practice, and then apply for membership, because this is a private community, designed for practitioners and strategic managers across Scotland who are involved in implementing and embedding the Getting it right approach. Debate is fostered through a forum and a blog. You can also post news, events, shared documents and other resources.
Contact: Getting it right for every child team, phone: 0131 244 7389 Website
Are You Using BLT: The Big Book of Literacies Training?
The Youth Literacies Network with the support of YouthLink Scotland and Education Scotland produced BLT – a non-prescriptive resource bank to assist youth workers and others embrace literacies work with young people in a variety of contexts and settings earlier this year.
The purpose of the resource is to assist you to better meet the literacies needs of the young people you work with. We are keen to know who is using BLT and in what way. Please get in touch with a brief description of how you are using them and if you have added to them or adapted the original materials.
The Big Book of Literacies Training is available to down load from here.
Contact: Heather McVey at YouthLink Scotland, phone: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]
Meeting needs through Curriculum for Excellence
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Curriculum for Excellence Action Plan – details announced at #SLF11
This Scottish Government Action Plan details the priorities for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence for 2011-2012. Details of the plan were announced in the keynote speech by Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, at the Scottish Learning Festival on 21 September, 2011.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/c/cfeactionplan2011.asp
Same Difference
The revised Same Difference equalities resource is now live on the Education Scotland website. The resource provides information, advice and case studies on equality and diversity issues from a CLD perspective.
LGBT Youth Scotland – Glasgow Council Lead Partnership Initiative
Glasgow Council has been working to reduce homophobic bullying in secondary schools as part of the Challenging Homophobia Together Project. 10 schools have currently agreed to ensure there is content in the school curriculum and where possible CPD for school staff. This work is led by a local Advisory Group with representation from a wide range of partners including Educational Psychology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Community & Safety Services, Strathclyde Police and Castlemilk Youth Project to name just a few. For more information contact Loretta Scott QIO Pastoral Care lorretta.scott@education.glasgow.gov.uk or Scott Lafferty Schools Development Officer scott.lafferty@lgbtyouth.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland Early Intervention: Work in Primary Schools
LGBT Youth Scotland has received an increasing number of requests from Primary Schools that are seeking resources and lessons that look at Equality and Celebrate Difference. In Dumfries and Galloway their staff delivered an assembly with all pupils in a local primary school that focused on different families and gender stereotypes. LGBT Youth Scotland feels that challenging homophobia and discussing equality and difference at an early age is essential to ensure that young people grow up to be responsible citizens. For more information regarding resources for Primary Schools e-mail info@lgbtyouth.org.uk
Pupils Stand-Up to Homophobia in the Scottish Borders
In Galashiels Academy staff at LGBT Youth Scotland delivered assemblies for S5 and S6 pupils. As a result a group was set up for pupils to look at how they might challenge homophobia in their school. This group has had a real impact on their school including same sex-couples being encouraged to attend their S6 Christmas Dance and a Peer Education programme is due to begin in the next school term. To highlight their achievements two pupils delivered a presentation at the Developing Global Citizens Show Case Event in Stirling, organised by Education Scotland formerly Learning and Teaching Scotland. For more information, please contact karen.wilson@lgbtyouth.org.uk
Additional Support for Learning: What do you need to know?
This Glowing Thursday will provide an opportunity to find out more about the additional support for learning framework and legislation, the advice and information Enquire can offer schools and the types of issues parents raise with the Enquire helpline. Enquire is the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning.
Enquire want to cover the issues you have questions about so please let them know in advance the topics you’re interested in advance the topics you’re interested in or just join us at 3.45pm on Thursday 15th September to find out more – Glowing Thursdays – Additional Support for Learning: What do you need to know?
Register for Glow TV today and then sign up for all the events that you want to view!! Register for Glow TV and then Sign Up for this event
16+ Learning Choices Coordinators’ meeting
Presentations from the 16+ LC event. 71 delegates from Shetland to the Borders attended the event and participated in workshops re provision and support for young people with additional support needs.
Fiona McKean – SDS Presentation
Alison Mitchell – Presentation
Ron Crichton – Assessment – SDS
Rosie Whelan – Scottish Government – Presentation
16+ Learning Choices Newsletter August 2011
The new look 16+ learning Choices Newsletter August 2011 has been published. In addition to good news articles from across the country, there are updates on developments and links to resources. The newsletter can be downloaded from the 16+ Learning Choices blog
Supporting Learners recently published support for staff materials
The following case studies have been published online
Flexible Learning: supporting transitions for young people with additional support needs
The Flexible Learning Initiative in North Lanarkshire has been set up to support young people who have become disengaged with education to the extent that many of them struggle to attend their mainstream schools.
Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) help support transitions for young people
ELO is a transition programme based in three North Lanarkshire special schools which builds and develops unique programmes for individual pupils with additional support needs arising particularly from social and emotional factors.
Coalyard transition project – providing stepping stones to employment for young people with learning disabilities http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/c/coalyard/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=supportinglearners&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-520567-64
The Coalyard is a project in Larkhall offering support and skills development to young people with additional support needs who are making the transition into employment, training or further education.
CLD video case studies now live on Education Scotland website
Ten new CLD filmed case studies are now live on the CLD section of the Education Scotland website. The presenter-led introductory film offers a definition of community learning and development (CLD) in Scotland and introduces a series of filmed case studies illustrating current practice in CLD from the Shetland Islands to the Scottish Borders. The films reflect CLD’s three national priorities: achievement through learning for adults, achievement through learning for young people and achievement through building community capacity.
Watch the videos online or download the videos in MP4 format if you wish a sharper video quality or to share the case studies with others.
Inter-Faith Matters
The eight addition of the magazine of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association.
RME: Belief in Dialogue
The Scottish Government (with support from the Scottish Inter-faith Council has recently published “Belief in Dialogue” – this resource aims to provide guidance on interfaith dialogue and best practice when dealing with faith groups.
