June 2014 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Job opportunities at Pilton Community Health Project

Pilton Community Health Project is recruiting:

PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT

Development Worker – Food

Job Title: Development Worker – Food

Working hours: 14 hrs per week

Rate of pay: £23,232 pro rata plus 6% contribution to pension scheme on completion of probationary period

This post is funded for 1 year and PCHP hope to secure ongoing funding. This post is funded by City of Edinburgh Council.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 7th of July
Interviews: Thursday 17th July

Job Description:
The main scope of this role is to develop and deliver an imaginative programme of new food activities to local people on low-incomes in the area of Greater Pilton in North Edinburgh. The programme will complement, add value and contribute to a culture of community food activity already offered by PCHP. The programme will offer relevant and appropriate opportunities to learn, understand, plan, cook and eat good food and increase nutritional skills through a range of activities and services.

This role will also use and be informed by locally developed and appropriate social marketing and motivational branding to raise community awareness and ownership of health improvement through positive food messages.

For more information and a job pack

Call us on 0131 551 1671
Email admin@pchp.org.uk
Website http://www.pchp.org.uk/job-opportunities/

Development Worker – Living in Harmony (Maternity Cover)

Job Title: Development Worker – Living in Harmony

Working hours: 17.5hrs per week

Rate of pay: £23,232 pro rata plus 6% contribution to pension scheme on completion of probationary period

This post is funded until end March 2015. We hope to continue funding beyond this date. The post is funded by the Scottish Government.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 7th of July
Interviews: Tuesday 15th July
Start Date: Week commencing 25th August

Job Description/Purpose of job:

PCHP has received funding for a part time worker to encourage, support and deliver activities that would increase opportunities for integration between different ethnic communities living in the Greater Pilton area.

PCHP is looking for a community development worker with a proven track record working with a range of partners. Previous experience of working with a range of ethnic community and understanding of the issues facing equalities groups would be an advantage.

For more information and a job pack

Call us on 0131 551 1671
Email admin@pchp.org.uk
Website http://www.pchp.org.uk/job-opportunities/

Schools out – summer fun without breaking the bank

‘Mum, I’m bored!’ With the school holidays now underway, parents are planning how to keep their children entertained the next six weeks. Well, help is at hand – the city council has created a ‘best of’ list to help families stay occupied on a budget.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The summer break is a chance for families to get together and try something different but it is also a challenge to keep the kids entertained without breaking budgets. Whatever the weather, there will be a host of activities and events taking place across Edinburgh this summer, many of which are free.

“With the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland, there is the added excitement of trying new sports and learning about our fellow Commonwealth countries, and highlights to look out for this summer are the Active City sporting exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh and the many one off sport classes at Edinburgh Leisure venues.”

WHAT’S ON AT MUSEUMS

First on the list of things to do is a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile. Housed in the beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate, it is the city’s principal museum of local history and from 5 July, will be home to a brand new exhibition looking at sport throughout the ages in Edinburgh.

With special activities for children, and a focus on the Commonwealth Games, the Active City – Celebrating Edinburgh’s Sporting Heritage exhibition is ideal for kids who are excited for Glasgow 2014, and to coincide with the exhibition there will be a special come and try sports challenge in the museum courtyard for children on 10 July.

Also on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood hosts a treasure trove of toys the whole family will love. Children can learn what it was like to grow up in other eras and gaze at a range of toys and games, while adults can enjoy a trip down memory lane.

The latest exhibition to open at the Museum is a display of posters created by children for the annual Fringe Festival Children’s Posters Competition. This competition has been an annual event for the Fringe Festival since 1980 and this year’s competition received 3,453 entries from 144 schools across Scotland. The winning designs and runners up can be viewed at the Museum until 31 August 2014.

EDINBURGH’S LIBRARIES

As always, it will a busy summer across Edinburgh’s 28 libraries, with lots of free events.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday. The theme for the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge taking place in all libraries across the city will be Mythical Maze created by top illustrator Sarah McIntyre.Children can read whatever they like – fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books – just as long as they are borrowed from the library.

Every time children finish a book they get stickers and rewards and there’s a certificate for everyone who finishes. Mythical Maze challenges children aged four to eleven to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.

Central Library has a brand new dedicated Children’s space with lots of new books, cubby holes to read them in, an under 5’s room and an arts and crafts area. Budding musicians can practice in the new music Library’s acoustic pod or on the digital piano.

South West Edinburgh Libraries are celebrating the Commonwealth Games with their Summer of Sport Programme which will host sport themed activities for local children including the chance to have Good Luck cards delivered to the athletes in the Commonwealth Village.

Need holiday reading but want to keep your suitcase light? Edinburgh Libraries provides free to use ebooks, audiobooks and downloadable magazines for children and adults.

ART IN THE CITY

This summer, families can also get stuck into crafts through the Edinburgh Art Festival. Launching on 31 July, a host of children’s workshops will be held in the City Art Centre.

The Centre also has a busy programme of Street Magic Master Classes up until 4 July as part of Edinburgh’s International Magic Festival. Classes range in price and places can be booked through the festival websites.

STAYING ACTIVE

To help keep kids active, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a host of activities to enjoy throughout the holidays, including fantastic free Multi-Sport sessions. Youngsters aged 5-16 are invited to try football, gymnastics, tennis, boccia, athletics and much more at the Meadows every Wednesday and Friday afternoon from 2 July – 8 August. Kids will benefit from support by qualified coaches and local sports clubs. There’s no need to book, visitors can just drop into The Pavillion Cafe, Jawbone Walk in Edinburgh’s Meadows.

Edinburgh Leisure is also offering free swimming all day to all primary school children at Dalry, Gracemount and Ainslie Park Leisure Centres until 12 August. There will also be free swimming available between 12:00pm-3:00pm at Wester Hailes Education Centre. Following a successful Easter initiative, this year marks the first time the free summer sessions will be open to any public swim session at participating pools.

In good weather, the beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, hold over 300 trees and are worth a wander – especially on 29 July when children are invited to visit and learn how to identify each one. Entry is £5 per person. Guided tours of the Castle take place every day at 2:00pm except Friday and the Castle has a huge programme of family activities throughout the summer which can be booked through the Usher Hall.

After taking in the city, where better to enjoy the breathtaking views of Edinburgh than by climbing to the top of the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens? Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.

And don’t forget there are loads of fun activities right on your doorstep through the local Summer Programme. See below for details:

Flexible working rights extended to all

‘Unfortunately the right to request is only the right to ask nicely’

From today (30 June 2014) every employee will have the right to request flexible working, giving a boost to workers and to business. Up until now, the right has only been available for carers or people who look after children but this has now been extended to all employees. However trades union leaders say it’s still too easy for employers to say ‘no’.

Today’s extension of the right to request the chance to work flexibly means more than 20 million employees can now benefit.

Flexible working helps people balance their work with responsibilities, keeping more people in long term employment and enabling companies to keep hold of top talent.

It is expected the new right will be of particular interest to older workers who want to work differently as they approach retirement and to young people entering the labour market who may want take up additional training or learning while they work.

As part of the right, employees can expect their request to be considered in a reasonable manner by employers – this will be much simpler than the previous process businesses had to undergo before making a decision.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Modern businesses know that flexible working boosts productivity and staff morale, and helps them keep their top talent so that they can grow. It’s about time we brought working practices bang up to date with the needs, and choices, of our modern families.

“Today is a crucial milestone in how we can help people balance their family life with work and caring responsibilities. And from next year, Shared Parental Leave will allow mums and dads to be able to choose how they care for their new-born in those first precious months.”

Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Extending the right to request flexible working will help to create a cultural shift towards more modern, 21st century workplaces where working flexibly is the norm.”

Firms that embrace flexible working are more likely to attract and retain the best talent and reap the benefits of a more motivated workforce. Employees will benefit from being able to balance work with other commitments in their lives. It also helps drive a cultural shift where flexible working becomes the norm.”

Businesses have reported benefits to their firms in allowing staff to adopt more flexible working practices. This includes more than half reporting an improvement in their relationship with their employees and staff motivation, 40% reporting a boost in productivity and 38% seeing a drop in staff absence.

Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has published a short code of practice to help employers understand the extension to the right and how to process requests.

Acas Chair Brendan Barber said: “Our experience from working with thousands of employers is that flexible working is both good for business and employees.

“The new Code will help employers handle flexible working requests in a reasonable manner and fit their specific circumstances and procedures. We have also produced a good practice guide with practical examples to help employers and businesses consider some of the key issues that may pop up.”

Susannah Clements, Deputy Chief Executive at CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel andDevelopment), said: “The extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees is recognition of its growing importance to both employers and individuals. Employers increasingly recognise the strong business case for flexible working, including enhanced employee engagement and the attraction and retention of a more diverse workforce.

“Flexible working can also help meet the demand from an increasingly multi-generational workforce. Many younger workers are seeking greater work-life balance, while those looking after ageing parents or relatives are also requiring more flexibility to manage their caring responsibilities. At the same time, older workers are demanding more flexible routes into retirement, looking to work fewer hours rather than seeing retirement as a “full stop” to their working lives.

“The new accompanying code of practice, which encourages employers to deal with flexible working requests in a ‘reasonable manner’, will help assuage the concerns some employers have about managing flexible workers.”

The Government has forecast 182,000 requests per year, with the new right accounting for 81,000 of the new requests. Of these, it expects 144,000 to be granted – 64,000 of which would be employees taking advantage of the extension of the right.

Employers can still turn down a request for flexible working, however. Valid reasons for turning down a request are:

burden of additional costs
detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
inability to reorganise work among existing staff
inability to recruit additional staff
detrimental impact on quality
detrimental impact on performance
insufficiency of work during the periods the employee proposes to work
planned structural changes

So while welcoming the new right for helping make it easier for all employees to better balance their work and home lives, the TUC is concerned that it is still too easy for employers to say no to any requests they receive.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s not just parents and carers who can benefit from flexible working. This sensible and modern approach to work is something that can improve the lives of everyone.

“Now, thanks to this long overdue change in the law, employees of all ages will be able to ask their boss to alter the way they work, regardless of whether they have dependents or caring responsibilities.

“If they have an employer who gets why flexible working makes sense, workers who want to take time out to train, volunteer in a local community project, or simply avoid travelling at rush hour will now be able to transform their lives.

“But those with old-fashioned bosses who expect all staff to stick to the same rigid hours day in day out and always be in the office won’t be so lucky. Employers will still find it all too easy to block any requests for greater flexibility.

“Unfortunately the right to request is only the right to ask nicely. There is nothing to stop employers saying no. Of course not everyone in every company or organisation is able to work flexibly – some requests will always need to be turned down. But without the right to challenge employers, many workers will continue to lose out.”

Acas has published new advice and guidance for employers to help them consider requests. The advice can be found on their website www.acas.org.uk/flexible

A time for community: Prime Minister issues Ramadan message

Prime Minister David Cameron has issued a message to Muslims at the start of the holy month of Ramadan:

I want to send my very best wishes to everyone observing the holy month of Ramadan.

This is an incredibly special time of year for Muslims at home and abroad: a time for charity, for contemplation and community.

Charity is one of the things that Islam is all about. Here in Britain, Muslims are our biggest donors – they give more to charity than any other faith group. We see this spirit of giving all year round, from the mosques running sports clubs for local children to the Muslim groups selling poppies for Remembrance Day, to those people from around the country who put their wellies on, rolled their sleeves up, and went to help the families hit hardest by this winter’s storms.

Ramadan is a time when that spirit comes to the fore and I am so proud when I hear, every year, about the millions of pounds raised for good causes for those less fortunate than us here in Britain, and those who are suffering in wars and in famines overseas.

Ramadan is a time for contemplation to fast, and to pray, and to think deeply about others.

This Ramadan, I hope that we can reflect upon a key aspect of our shared history: the bravery of those who fought and died for our freedoms nearly 100 years ago.

Just days after Eid, we will be marking 100 years since the First World War.

More than a million men and boys from India fought with our troops during that conflict and many thousands of them were Muslims.

They travelled across the world to fight to defend our freedom, guided and sustained by their bravery, comradeship and, above all, by their faith.

Their selflessness and their courage helped to secure the liberties we all enjoy today, so this Ramadan – and this centenary – we will remember them and reflect upon their sacrifice.

Ramadan is a time for community. And there is nothing that exemplifies this more than those nightly iftars when the fast is broken, the dates are opened, and all that great food is served.

Last year I was delighted to see how many community iftars were taking place across the country in mosques and in community centres, in parks and even in tents.

Again this year government is supporting the Big Iftar programme with hundreds more communities, from Leeds to Luton, Woking to Manchester, throwing open their doors so that people of all faiths and none can break bread and get to know their neighbours.

So wherever you are this holy month, I wish you Ramadan Mubarak.

Communities urged: make this a fire-free summer

With the school holidays upon us the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are appealing for parents, carers and young people to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire.

Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, said: “During the summer break there is often a rise in deliberate fires. These can include refuse and wheelie bin fires, fires in stairwells, closes and derelict buildings as well as grass and countryside fires.

“With early weather predictions suggesting we could be set for a hot, dry summer, communities could be particularly affected this year. We are appealing for the community to help us reduce these incidents.”

Mr Ramsay added: “Many young people will have engaged with SFRS personnel via school visits, youth programmes and public events. We want young people to remember our message that starting fires is never harmless fun.

“Deliberate fires can overstretch local fire and rescue service resources, taking firefighters away from other incidents and putting lives at risk. Parents and carers can help too by discussing summer fire safety with young people.

“Every hour, every day, there is a house fire in Scotland. We need firefighters to be free to tackle real emergencies. Together we can work towards a fire free summer.”

The service is also urging anyone in the community who may have information about a deliberate fire, or who may be responsible for setting it, to report it straight away.

Mr Ramsay said: “Every deliberate fire has victims, costs and consequences. The core public safety and call to action message is that fire setting is an offence. Don’t Accept It, Report It.

“If you know anything about fires that have been started in your area contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You won’t have to give your name or go to court.”

SFRS is often called to attend fires which have been started deliberately in stairwells, closes or wheelie bins and ACO Ramsay is keen to highlight the danger these pose.

He said: “Refuse left lying in the street or in a common stairwell or close present a potential target for fire setters. Make sure you don’t leave refuse or wheelie bins against any property or building.Deliberately set fires are dangerous and put people’s lives and property in danger.

“By keeping wheelie bins out of sight, stored away from the building and, if possible, behind locked gates these risks can be reduced. We would ask residents and businesses to follow these precautions to eliminate the threat of deliberate wheelie bin fires.

“SFRS wants communities to enjoy the summer and work in partnership with the fire service to help make this a fire free summer.”

There is further information about deliberate fires at the SFRS website www.firescotland.gov.uk

Last year, firefighters in Scotland attended around 14,196 fires in bins, skips, fly tipped waste, derelict buildings, dry grass and heath land. With an estimated average cost of £2,000 for attendance at such incidents, the cost to the Service and our communities is a staggering £28.4 million. Approximately 81% (12,238) of these fires were deliberate.

DO report any build-up of rubbish to your local council or community fire station. This will help ensure it can be removed and prevent fires

DO report any fly-tipping direct to your local council or to the National Dumb Dumpers Stop line on 0845 230 40 90

Appeal for witnesses following Leith assault

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was assaulted in Leith earlier this month. They are particularly keen to speak to anyone who came to the aid of the man during the vicious attack – which took place in board daylight.

The 29-year-old victim was subjected to an unprovoked attack while walking south on the bridge crossing the Water of Leith at the north end of Great Junction Street.

He was punched and kicked by three teenagers during the incident, which took place at around 3pm on Tuesday 17 June.

It’s understood that members of the public intervened to stop the assault and Police Scotland are very keen to trace those people.

Police Constable Iona McWilliam said: “This was a terrifying and unprovoked attack on a man and enquiries are underway to identify the three men responsible.

“It took place in the middle of the afternoon and we would urge anyone who witnessed the event or who may know something that would help our investigation to come forward immediately.”

The first suspect is described as white, aged between 16 and18, of slim build, and wearing a grey hooded top and grey jogging bottoms.

The second man is also described as white, aged between 16 and 18, of slim build, wearing a grey hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms, and he was carrying a black drawstring sports bag at the time.

The third suspect is described as white, aged between 16 and 18, and of slim build, and he was wearing a black top with a white Adidas logo on side.

Anyone with information on this incident can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Supporters step out for Muirhouse centre

Supporters gather at the start of Muirhouse Millennium Centre’s sponsored walk yesterday. All funds raised will support the community centre’s summer programme.

Thanks to Michael Lindsay for the photograph

All CHANGE for community transport

Funding boost is early birthday present for PEP

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) is one of five community transport initiatives set to receive a funding boost from the Change Fund. It’s great news for one of North Edinburgh’s longest established community organisations – PEP celebrates it’s 25th anniversary next month.

The Change Fund for Older People is national funding allocated to health and social care partnerships made up of local authority, NHS, voluntary and independent sectors.

The City of Edinburgh Council and partners in the health, voluntary and independent sectors have invested £225,000 Change Fund monies into providing more minibus services in the capital, ensuring the city’s older people are set to enjoy improved social lives thanks to improved community transport

Accessible transport provides an essential role in helping frail older people access activities, helping to tackle the social isolation that they may experience as well as improved health.

Transport supports older people to live well in their local communities and maintain their independence in line with Council strategies such as the Live Well in Later Life Joint Commissioning Plan for Older People.

The Edinburgh Change Fund Partnership allocated the £225,000 across five community transport providers in the city:

•The Dove Centre,
•Pilton Equalities Project,
•South Edinburgh Amenities Group,
•Lothian Communities Transport Services,
•Handicabs.

The Change Fund met up to 90% of the costs to each organisation.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “Many older vulnerable people feel isolated and providing them with transport so that that they can access activities will help to tackle this. Supporting older residents and their health and wellbeing is a Council priority, which is why we are spending £1.2m this year on reducing social isolation in communities.”

City rivals kick off STV Appeal’s Street Soccer initiative

Street Soccer FC has launched in four of Scotland’s most socially deprived areas with a grant of over £238,000 from the STV Appeal.

Former Hearts hero Allan Preston and Hibs legend Paul Kane met up in Edinburgh to officially launch the initiative which will provide free community football programmes to children and young people from areas of high deprivation.

Street Soccer FC is a unique programme newly developed through the partnership between Street Soccer Scotland and the STV Appeal. It aims to deliver the initiative in four of the most socially deprived areas in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Street Soccer FC will be delivered and supported by participants from Street Soccer Scotland and graduates from its ‘Football Works’ Personal Development Courses.

Street Soccer Scotland is a non-profit social enterprise which delivers a range of football related services to socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland, and the organisation will now benefit from over £238,000 funding from the STV Appeal which raises money for children in Scotland affected by poverty.

One in five children in Scotland lives in poverty – a shocking 220,000 children across the country. So far the STV Appeal has raised over £5.6 million with 198 big and small grants distributed to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 29,000 children.

Now in its fourth year, the STV Appeal is determined to make an even bigger difference in the lives of children and young people living in poverty in Scotland. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes; create opportunities for training and employability; and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.

The STV Appeal was launched in 2011 by The Hunter Foundation and STV. In 2013, the Wood Family Trust pledged its support to The STV Appeal for projects in the North East.

Just magic: he's still got it! — Just magic: he’s still got it!

Elizabeth Partyka of the STV Appeal, said: “The long term aim of the STV Appeal is to tackle both the causes and effects of poverty and disadvantage and create long-term, sustainable change in the lives of Scotland’s most at-risk children and young people. Street Soccer FC is a fantastic project to be involved with as it engages with kids in Scotland’s most deprived areas. The ethos behind the initiative really resonates with the aims of the Appeal as this grant will help to stimulate learning and positive change.”

David Duke, founder and chief executive of Street Soccer Scotland, said: “Street Soccer FC is a new, simple ‘football for all’ programme that will see free football sessions and activities being provided to children and young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and areas of high deprivation in our four biggest cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Our long term aim is for Street Soccer FC to become self-sustaining by being embraced and supported by the whole community with ownership of the project eventually passing over to the community themselves.

“We know that the young people will benefit from the breaking down of social barriers and there will be a positive impact on their health and wellbeing but there are real benefits to the community too. Street Soccer FC will help in the battle with some of the direct impacts of child poverty and help tackle instances of anti-social behaviour by providing a safe and friendly environment for children and young people to meet, and make new, friends.

“With the backing and partnership of The STV Appeal we can quickly roll out Street Soccer FC and, as we look well into the future, we are hopeful that by reaching young people now we’ll see fewer of them attending other Street Soccer Scotland projects in their later lives. Without The STV Appeal’s investment and support Street Soccer FC would have taken longer to become a reality.”

Garreth Wood, Trustee of the Wood Family Trust: “2014 is a big year for sport in Scotland as Glasgow play host to the Commonwealth Games; an event likely to attract an incredible amount of attention and positive energy from across the country. The Wood Family Trust are proud to be able to support the STV Appeal and it is heartening to engage with initiatives such as Street Soccer Scotland that are proving to be invaluable in empowering young people affected by social exclusion to make positive changes in their lives. Fitness and exercise are great ways to inspire young people towards developing life-skills, encourage team work, and meet new people in a healthy, safe environment. We are confident that this programme will make a huge difference to the lives of young people across Scotland who are enthusiastic about creating a positive, bright future for themselves.”

The STV Appeal 2014 is now well underway with an exciting line-up of fundraising activities planned for the year ahead.

www.stv.tv/appeal

Edinburgh College is top class!

Top accolade for Edinburgh College following inspection

Edinburgh College has achieved the highest possible rating in its Education Scotland inspection report published today.

Education Scotland’s overarching judgement on the college is that “Edinburgh College has in place effective arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for students and other stakeholders.” This is the highest rating a college can achieve in the review process.

This means that “in relation to quality assurance and enhancement, the college is led well, has sufficiently robust arrangements to address any identified minor weaknesses, and is likely to continue to improve the quality of its services for students and other stakeholders.”

Principal Mandy Exley welcomed the report: “I am delighted that we achieved the top rating in our recent inspection. I know we have all worked extremely hard since merger to create a college that meets the needs of students and industry. This has been demonstrated by our students’ excellence and success, but it is also important to receive such a strong inspection report, highlighting success and innovation across the organisation.

“We will continue to work with our industry partners and our students’ association to build on this success and to deliver even more opportunities that are relevant to the economic needs of Edinburgh and Scotland.”

Her Majesty’s inspectors spent a full week at the college in late April and early May conducting in-depth research, observations and interviews with staff, students and stakeholders to test the quality of the learning experience.

Looking at strategic direction, the regional chair, board and principal are praised as “working well together to provide clear direction for the college’s development” with strategies and operational plans providing a clear and comprehensive basis for its future.

The report comments widely on many aspects of the college’s operations. The curriculum is described as meeting the needs of students and industry well, while the report notes that the college has extensive and highly successful strategic links with key partners within the region and further afield.

Dr Allan Colquhoun, university liaison and emerging technologies manager at Selex ES and chair of the newly launched Edinburgh College Development Trust, supports the college’s work with industry, commenting: “Edinburgh College should congratulate itself on a positive report. Although “effective” is the highest rating, this wording does not truly reflect the college’s achievements. Edinburgh College has delivered education in depth and breadth from schools to degree level that has resulted in most students moving on to employment or to other studies. The college successfully prepares students for work and supports business through apprenticeship and CPD programmes.”

He continued: “It is clear that some of the good work done by the college has influenced the Wood Commission and will result in its good practice being shared across Scotland. The pioneering work on the Academies project, creating smooth pathways from school through college and onto university, will hopefully become the norm in the post-Wood landscape alongside the blending of academic and work-based learning as exemplified by the Graphic Design mentoring programme highlighted in the report.”

The inspectors recognised the college’s commitment to fully involving students at every level of decision making, noting that “the college works very effectively in partnership at a strategic level with Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) and the student voice is influential at Board, College committee and campus level. The college has ensured that the student voice has been a major influence as it progressed through merger to become one institution and has pioneered an approach to student representation at a strategic level.”

Student achievement and success is strong, with 94% of students whose destinations are known progressing successfully to further study, apprenticeships or employment. The report goes on to state that successful completion rates on FE and HE full time programmes were above the national sector performance level, while within the subject areas of art and design, care, engineering, hospitality, land-based and sport and leisure, the levels of student success rank amongst the best in the sector.

As part of the report, the inspectors also highlight initiatives which are sector-leading. They singled out the college’s effective partnership working in setting up the South East Scotland Academies Partnership in conjunction with Queen Margaret University, employers and schools – a programme which benefits both students and employers.

Karen Prophet, education manager at the City of Edinburgh Council added: “The City of Edinburgh Council wish to acknowledge the positive partnership working through effective school college partnership provision which was recognised as innovative practice in today’s Education Scotland report on Edinburgh College. We look forward to developing our successful collaboration further to jointly deliver improved outcomes for young people. I’d like to congratulate Edinburgh College on this very positive inspection report.”

Links with industry are also key to another highlighted sector-leading initiative, the college’s innovative and imaginative industry mentoring programme for HND Visual Communication Graphic Design students. The design industry links integral to this programme have resulted in students winning prestigious national awards and high numbers going on to further study or directly to successful careers in the industry.