Edinburgh College is top class!

Top accolade for Edinburgh College following inspection

EdCollEdinburgh 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.

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Holyrood votes to end Right to Buy

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The Scottish Parliament has voted to end the right to buy social housing. The Housing (Scotland) Bill passed at Holyrood yesterday will prevent the sale of up to 15,500 social houses over the next ten years and support improvements to the private rented sector. Housing charities have welcomed the decision.

The Bill will end the Right to Buy social housing in Scotland over the next two years, giving tenants time to consider their options and find financial advice if they want to exercise their right to buy their home

The legislation will establish a private rented sector tribunal which gives tenants and landlords access to specialist justice and allow them to resolve disputes more effectively.

Changes to mobile home site licensing will also improve the rights of over 3,000 households, many of whom are elderly, living permanently in mobile or park homes across Scotland.

Other measures in the Bill include introducing a regulatory framework for letting agents and giving local authorities new discretionary powers to tackle poor housing conditions in the private sector.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “This is a historic day for housing as it marks the end of Right to Buy social housing in Scotland.

“Stakeholders from across the sector have given this legislation widespread support as they recognise that we have put together a package of measures which will help improve housing in the social, private rented and owner-occupied sectors.

“Today I put forward a number of amendments to the letting agent provisions in the Bill to provide a robust regulatory framework that will ensure consistent and high standards of service for tenants and landlords across Scotland.

“I am very grateful to all those who have contributed their views on the Bill over the last nine months and more. But legislation is only one of many actions that this Government is taking to improve housing in Scotland.

“This government continues to invest in affordable housing. Earlier this week the First Minister confirmed we have invested £1 billion in affordable housing since April 2011, putting us well on track to delivering an additional 30,000 homes across Scotland by March 2016. This investment is supporting 8,000 jobs in each year of the five-year parliamentary term.

“This Bill is a landmark step forward for housing. With the full powers of independence we will have greater control to tailor our grants and housing supply investment, and to integrate housing and welfare policies to meet the needs of our communities and the homebuilding industry in Scotland.”

Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government introduced the right to buy policy in 1980 and it has proved to be very popular in Scotland – around 534,000 tenants have taken advantage of the scheme to purchase their homes at a discounted rate from their local council or social landlord.

But while Right-to-Buy was a hit with buyers, the loss – and non-replacement – of prime social housing has meant even longer waiting lists for tenants, and housing charities and social housing organisations have welcomed the decision to scrap the scheme.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations’ Andy Young said the Right-to-Buy policy had ‘no place in 21st century Scotland’.

“Right-to-buy has been beneficial to a relatively small number of individuals, but clearly a loss to the greater public good”, he said. “Around 500,000 social rented homes have been lost in the 35 years of this policy in Scotland, very often the better stock in the more popular areas.”

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Lararowicz: new homes must be energy efficient

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Mark Lazarowicz MP has criticised the Westminster government’s failure to make the energy efficiency of new homes a central plank of its Help to Buy scheme in order to boost jobs, cut energy bills and carbon emissions.

THE North & Leith MP was speaking at Treasury Questions in the House of Commons, and said afterwards: “Increasing the energy efficiency of our homes can help cut fuel bills, create new skilled jobs and meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions.

“For instance, surely the Government could have seen that a scheme aimed at first-time buyers should have prioritised energy efficiency so helping young couples with mortgages save money on fuel bills.

“Building all new homes to a high level of energy efficiency helps avoid the need for retrofits later on and Help to Buy could have been used to provide a strong lead by setting a benchmark for the industry.

“It’s an example of where regulation can create new skilled jobs and apprenticeships and boost small businesses but once again the Government has just sat on its hands and failed to act.”

Hi Ho! Work starts on Craigroyston site

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Work on one of Scotland’s largest ever housing-led regeneration projects started in North Edinburgh this week and children from Craigroyston Primary School joined city council Housing leader Councillor Cammy Day and community representatives to lend a hand on the old Craigroyston High School site earlier today.

A total of 719 high quality private and affordable homes will be built as part of the Muirhouse and Pennywell area master plan.

The Pennywell development will be delivered by the Council’s 21st Century Homes programme and will lead to 356 homes becoming available for social and mid-market rent over the next six years.

Urban Union will sell the remaining 363 homes privately. Delivered in four phases, the first phase will see 193 homes, of which 108 will be for the Council, being built by the end of 2016.

The project will also deliver a number of community benefits, including jobs and training through apprenticeships and work placements.

An Arts Strategy for the regeneration is being developed and Urban Union recently appointed North Edinburgh Arts to take this forward. Other plans for the area include a play area, park, a community garden and landscaping.

Cllr Day said: “I’m delighted that the work on this development, in partnership with Urban Union, is under way at last and it’s great to see the children from Craigroyston here. They will be here to see the benefits of the area’s regeneration, and may even move into new homes themselves.”

Janice Russell, Director of Urban Union, said: “We are now looking forward to moving on site and progressing with one of Scotland’s largest and most significant homes-led regeneration projects.

“As well as homes, the Pennywell project is also set to deliver a huge range of benefits – including apprenticeships and construction jobs as well as an innovative artworks strategy which will all deliver wider opportunities for the local community.

“Most importantly, we now want to build on the high level of community engagement which has already taken place in the development of the masterplan for the area. There will be opportunities for the community to be involved in finalising the plans for public spaces as well creating a range of community enterprises and partnership working.

“Our track record in Scotland shows we are 100% committed to community engagement and we look forward to developing strong local partnerships which will form the cornerstone of our development street.”

Roy Douglas, chairperson of the Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council, said: “The local community will be really happy to see that the work on this major project is starting. The development is a vital step forward in the regeneration of this area and will bring vital jobs and low-cost housing.”

Last week, the city council announced that a record amount of affordable homes are being built in Edinburgh, delivering more than 1,200 quality, low-cost places to live in 2013/14.

The Council, working with housing associations and house builders, invested £142m of public and private funding in house building over the past year generating £107m for the local economy, and support for more than 1,900 jobs.

As of March 2014, 1,000 homes were under construction – and building more affordable homes remains a key priority. Councillor Day said: “The fact that this has been another record year for the provision of affordable homes in Edinburgh despite the economic climate is excellent news. Residents have the right to access quality, sustainable housing in their local communities and we are working hard to make this happen.

“However, it’s important that we keep up the momentum and continue to work with partner agencies to provide new housing each year. Demand for housing that people can afford to rent or buy will continue and we are committed to meeting this need, as well as supporting the local economy.”

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Royston ready for referendum debate with a difference

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North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group (WIG) are holding a Referendum Debate with a difference in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Thursday evening  – the party politicians won’t be doing the talking!

The WIG group hopes that by inviting ‘ordinary’ people to put the respective cases for independence and the Union the level of debate and discussion will be improved – more ‘light’ than ‘hot air’, if you like!

Pat Smith will advance the argument for a ‘YES’ vote, Heather Levy will put the case for Better Together and Craigroyston High School S4 pupil Nicky Saunders will provide a young person’s perspective on the referendum. James Foley and Bill Scott will be on hand to provide guidance and technical advice during the Question Time session and the event will be chaired by Harry Woodward. And participants will also have an opportunity to vote!

The Referendum Debate takes place at Royston Warduieburn Community Centre in Pilton Drive North tomorrow (Thursday 26 June) from 6.30 – 8.30pm.

Free creche and refreshments.

All welcome – and that includes politicians!

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Botanics tree-huggers await world record confirmation

treehugAn attempt to break the world tree-hugging record in Inverleith is now in the hands of international adjudicators. 1387 people took part in the world record attempt during the successful Midsummer event at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday evening – but a rival attempt in faraway Nepal is keeping the Scots huggers in suspense!

RBGE’s website blog Botanics Stories explains: ‘At 8pm an air horn sounded the start of a one minute tree hug on the evening of midsummer 2014 at the Botanics. The weather was overcast, but pleasantly warm. For the duration of the tree hug the Garden went quiet. Then the horn sounded for a second time, and as quickly as it had died away the gentle sound of conversation and laughter returned.

The participants signed a sheet to act as evidence in this world record attempt and we now know that the total number of people involved was 1,387. The youngest was just seven months.

Whether this will turn out to be a world record is unclear as an unofficial world record was set in Nepal recently that involved 2,000 people. This record will only be accepted if the supporting evidence can be provided. If it cannot then the Botanics tree hug would represent the current world record. We will be following this up and keeping our fingers crossed.

A big thank you to all those who took part.’

As all you professional treehuggers out there will know, the current world record for the largest tree hug was set in the USA by Treecology Inc and Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon, on 20 July 2013 – 936 people took part that day.

We know that record’s now been broken, but was that Nepalese attempt valid? It’s now an anxious wait – Inverleith’s Botanics, or Kathmandu? As the world holds it’s breath, Guinness world record adjudicators – it’s over to you!

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Join Sainsbury’s Big Jump!

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I’m writing to let you know about a fantastic sporting event taking place at Sainsbury’s Blackhall on Thursday 3 July to promote the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix, which takes place at Hampden Park on 12 and 13 June.

The event will see some of the world’s greatest athletes take part in the two-day competition, including double Olympic champion Mo Farah, Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford and one of the fastest men of all time, Yohan Blake. The Grand Prix is part of Sainsbury’s Summer Series, which is made up of five fantastic athlete and para-athlete events taking place across the country.

In the run-up to the Glasgow Grand Prix, we’re holding a sporting competition called ‘The Big Jump’, in four Sainsbury’s stores across Glasgow and Edinburgh. The events will see a full-size long jump track set up in our Sainsburys Blackhall car park on 3 July between 10am and 4pm. Throughout the day, we’ll be encouraging customers to take part. 

Every participant will be entered into a free prize draw to win a family ticket to the Grand Prix and have the chance of taking part in a special ‘Sainsbury’s Long Jump’ event at Hampden Park on 11th July.

The event is free and it’s the first time we’ve ever held a sporting activity like this across our Scottish stores. It’s a great opportunity for children and their families to come along and be part of ‘The Big Jump’.

If you require any more details about the event, please call me on 0131 332 0704 or e-mail prl.blackhall@sainsburys.co.uk. We will also be advertising this event in-store.

Many thanks for getting involved in ‘The Big Jump’!

Gail Wilson

Sainsbury’s Blackhall

What a state – rivals clash over start-up costs

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An independent Scotland would face immediate start-up costs of between £150 – £200m, according to a new report produced for the Sunday Post by an independent academic think tank. The Scottish government says the report – Transitioning to a New Scottish State – ‘blows  Treasury figures (of £270m) out of the water’, but UK Treasury sources insist the Scottish government  ‘can’t be trusted’ on the cost of independence.

Report author Professor Dunleavy, from the London School of Economics, said an independent Scotland could have to spend between £150m to £200m on new administrative structures to replace existing UK bodies. He explained that although an independent Scotland could share UK bodies during the transition to independence, it would have to build its own systems by 2021 – costing of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Prof Dunleavy also warned that a hostile approach from the UK government in post-Yes negotiations could “greatly add” to the cost.

The key points from the paper include:

  • Immediate set up costs of up to £200m to create new versions of existing UK bodies
  • The total would increase if UK ministers take a “hostile stance” in post-Yes negotiations
  • The costs could be offset due to Scotland having a “smaller government machine”, spending less on areas such as defence
  • The initial expenditure should be seen as an investment which will save on future running costs
  • The long-run viability of an independent Scotland is “generally high”

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Welcoming the report (see link below), Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I welcome Prof Dunleavy’s report as it totally vindicates the Scottish Government’s position on how we can complete the governmental transition to a fully independent Scotland. It makes clear how the initial start-up costs would be much less than the UK Government have sought to claim.

“The report points out that much of the UK structure of government quangos and agencies is highly elaborate and long-lived and that the Scottish Government would not need all these bodies, while there is also good evidence that government IT systems in small states around the size of Scotland are generally cheaper and more effective than with the scale of the UK state.

“And while the report judges the realism of the Scottish Government’s planning for independence to be generally high, it suggests that some of the demands for cost data made upon us at this stage would require “the prophetic powers of the Delphi oracle”.

“The report also makes clear that the main cause of uncertainty around Scotland’s transition to independence lies with a lack of UK Government planning so I urge UK Ministers, in line with the Edinburgh Agreement, to engage with us in sensible pre-referendum discussions. As we move closer to this exciting referendum on our country’s future, the people of Scotland deserve nothing less.”

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Westminster, however, insists that the Scottish government can’t be trusted to give Scots the facts on the costs of setting up a new Scottish state. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander wrote:

“This week it was revealed that Alex Salmond has asked his officials to cobble together a report on the costs of setting up a new Scottish state.

“It comes after almost three weeks of confusion and misinformation from the Scottish government. At one point the First Minister seemed to pull out a number out of thin air, claiming that the cost of setting up a new state was around £200 million.

“Another time we had to listen to Salmond’s finance minister John Swinney fail to answer a direct question on set up costs 13 times during a live radio interview.

“That is when they really descended into farce, making up a hotchpotch of excuses: saying that their analysis on this issue was “ongoing”, that they were not doing any more work on it, or that the costs would not be known until after the referendum.

“It is totally implausible that the Scottish government have done no work on the cost of setting up a new state – particularly after John Swinney told his cabinet colleagues, in his secret memo two years ago, that the work was “currently underway in Finance and OCEA to build a comprehensive overview of the institutions, costs and staff numbers which I will draw together”.

“I suspect any rushed last-minute exercise is mainly an attempt to distract journalistic attention from seeking the paperwork the Scottish government are desperate to keep secret until after polling day.

“Alex Salmond has belatedly recognised his responsibility to provide some real facts in this important debate. This is just what we in the UK government have been doing for the past 18 months, to help inform voters in Scotland ahead of the referendum.

“While they are finally doing the work they promised would be done two years ago, it is disappointing that they’re only doing it because they’ve been found out to be completely clueless on the matter. I believe there are two reasons why we should take any of their work on this issue with a big pinch of salt.

“First, because we all know that previous Scottish government analysis has often been short in real facts, and rather muddied the waters rather than helped make the situation clearer, we will need to scrutinise any new findings. In particular:

  • will it reflect the cost of setting up a new tax administration system? Independent experts at ICAS have pointed out that less complex changes than this are costing £750 million in New Zealand
  • will it include the cost of setting up a new welfare and benefits delivery department? According to research from the Department of Work and Pensions a new welfare and pensions IT system alone would cost between £300 million and £400 million
  • will it put a cost on a new diplomatic network? The European and External Relations Committee last week called for the Scottish government to give the set up costs of this
  • will it include the cost of producing a new currency?
  • what about the cost of setting up a new defence capability?
  • what about the 180 public bodies that the Scottish government themselves say (in page 363 of their white paper) will need to transfer their functions to new or existing bodies in Scotland?

“These are some of the questions that will need answering. It seems to me that if reorganising Scottish local government in the mid-1990s cost £281 million, and building the new Queensferry Crossing cost £1.4 billion, then setting up a whole new state for less than that doesn’t really sound credible.

“The second test we need to apply is about the Scottish government’s general approach to key questions regarding the referendum. If it took all this pressure to get them to admit that they were looking at set-up costs then, what else are they hiding?

“Time and time again they keep rushing their analysis through, producing flimsy research with little independent backing. When it suits them they assume the most unrealistic and optimistic assumptions. As Professor Piachaud of the London School of Economics explained in an open letter last month: “I am however certain that the evidence put forward to support the claim that Scotland, as a smaller but independent nation, could expect to grow faster simply does not stand up to scrutiny.”

“This is why I am still left with a feeling that you cannot really trust them – they will say anything to try and stack up their numbers. Compare that to our approach – project fact – providing thorough and detailed analysis of the relationship between the UK and Scotland.”

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