consultation – Page 16 – The NEN

Views sought on reform on exam qualifications and assessment

A consultation has been launched on how qualifications and assessment should be reformed to ensure learners’ achievements are fairly recognised.

Young people, parents, carers, teachers, education staff and all learners are among those being encouraged to give their views.

The consultation invites opinions on:

the balance between exams and other forms of assessment
how a wider range of learners’ achievements can be recognised
potential uses of technology in assessment and qualifications
how to ensure that qualifications enable all learners, regardless of their circumstances, to demonstrate their strengths and achievements

The consultation, which will close on 16 December, is part of an independent review of qualifications and assessment announced by Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville in October 2021.

The review is being led by Louise Hayward, Emerita Professor of Educational Assessment and Innovation at Glasgow University, who will provide independent advice for Ministers to consider in March next year.

Professor Hayward said: “This Review of Qualifications and Assessment offers Scotland an opportunity to look to the future.

“We want to ensure that the ways in which we gather evidence about all learners’ achievements, awards and qualifications help every learner to transition positively into the next phase of life, be that in college, employment, university or voluntary work.

“By supporting every learner to become a confident, committed life-long learner, we will help Scotland to grow socially, culturally and economically.”

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The aim of reforming qualifications and assessment is to ensure that all senior phase learners have the best possible opportunity to demonstrate the breadth, depth and relevance of their learning.

“This consultation and the other work being done by Professor Hayward to gather a wide range of opinions is crucially important and I would encourage anyone who has an interest, particularly young people, parents, carers and education staff, to give their views.

“The review, and our other planned education reforms, have the clear purpose of doing all we can to improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in Scotland’s education system.”

The consultation on qualifications and assessment will run until 16 December.

Opportunity for feedback to help Scotland improve land reform journey

Land Commission launches research in a bid to continuously improve engagement

People in Scotland are being encouraged to participate in a nationwide survey to help inform a major public body on how engagement in decisions about land in Scotland can be improved.

The Scottish Land Commission’s easy-to-use online surveys have officially launched giving people in Scotland an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to land reform.

The Commission is conducting two surveys – one for landowners and one for communities – to find out more about how private and public sector landowners engage with their local communities.

The land reform body is hoping to collect information on the progress that has been made so far while the results will go on to help shape future guidance and regulation changes to encourage more effective engagement with communities when it comes to land.

Hamish Trench, Chief Executive at the Scottish Land Commission, said: “Land is our most valuable asset. It is important to a variety of Scotland’s ambitions such as net zero, nature restoration and community empowerment.

“By listening to the views of landowners and communities, it will paint a better picture of how community engagement has progressed and how it can continue to improve in the coming years.

“Land can and should work to everyone’s benefit and by engaging closely with those across the country, regulations and recommendations can be shaped to ensure everybody is included in that benefit.”

The survey was first run in 2019 to establish a baseline of knowledge for the Scottish Land Commission; the latest survey has launched to look at how the situation has changed.

The survey is now open and will run until the 30 November. The research will then be analysed by the Scottish Land Commission and results may be shared with the Scottish Government and other relevant organisations to inform future work programmes and priorities.

It is the latest initiative from the Scottish Land Commission which recently launched its ‘Land @ Lunch’ bitesize webinars to inform those across the country with practical information about land use and ownership.

The Scottish Land Commission works with landowners, land managers and communities to help them to create a Scotland where everybody benefits from the ownership, management and use of the nation’s land.

The survey for landowners and managers can be found here:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SLC-CtyEngage-LOM22/

The survey for community organisations and individuals can be found here:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SLC-CtyEngage-ComOrgs22/

To find out more about the Scottish Land Commission, visit:

landcommission.gov.scot.

Thriving? Council seeks your views on Edinburgh’s Green Spaces

We want to hear your views on Edinburgh’s Thriving Greenspaces 2050: A Vision and Strategy.

This consultation will be the benchmark for how we move forward with greenspaces over the next 30 years

Find out more and take part here until November 15th:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/thriving…/

Consultation launches for homes-led redevelopment of former Deutsche Bank offices at Crewe Toll

A public consultation for the homes-led redevelopment of one of Edinburgh city centre’s largest potential development sites is to be launched later this month.

Regeneration specialists Artisan Real Estate has formed a joint venture company with fund manager REInvest Asset Management to redevelop the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, near the Crewe Toll roundabout.

The office and data-processing centre was formerly the Scottish base for State Street Bank until the building was vacated by the bank in 2018.

Over recent years the building has housed a number of charities including EVOC, SHE Scotland and People Know How.

Consultation for the site, to be known as 525 Park View, will begin with a drop-in public meeting on Saturday 28 October, at Fetlor Youth Club on Crewe Road South, between 12 noon and 4 pm.

The open session will allow members of the local community to meet the design team behind the proposed project, which includes Edinburgh-based 7N Architects.

Follow-up design workshops are also planned before the end of the year, with a full presentation of the final scheme, ahead of any planning submission, anticipated for early 2023.

A project website www.525parkview.co.uk has been set up to provide more details of the project proposals and the ongoing consultation process. All presentation boards will be published on the website within 48 hours of each event, with an opportunity to comment and feedback.

Welcoming the consultation launch, Artisan’s Regional Director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create a long-term sustainable future for what is a predominantly redundant building and bringing a new community to an accessible city centre site.

“Our initial ideas will be guided by sustainability and low-carbon design and encompass a mix of development, led mainly by residential as well as much-needed affordable housing and ancillary commercial uses.”

Artisan Real Estate has a strong track record in delivering complex residential and mixed-use regeneration projects in sensitive city centre environments across the UK. This includes the award-winning “New Waverley” in Edinburgh’s Old Town and the current Rowanbank Gardens homes development to the west of the city, described as a ‘spectacular blueprint for low carbon living’.

REInvest Asset Management was founded in Luxembourg as a specialist for future-facing investment ideas and currently manages and develops properties across Europe with a value in excess of EUR 2.3 billion. 525 Park View is held in a progressive property fund within a pan-European portfolio managed on behalf of a German insurance group.

Thomas Merkes, Head of Asset Management at REInvest Asset Management added: “Our joint venture partnership with Artisan represents a major step forward in providing an innovative and collaborative mixed-use development solution to unlock the potential for this significant city centre site, which is set to create a genuinely transformational development in an accessible city centre location.

“We are looking forward to the launch of the consultation which will provide the perfect platform to show how we can make a positive contribution to the local area, bringing investment, life and excitement back to this important part of the Capital.”

For more information on Artisan Real Estate visit: www.artisanrealestate.co.uk.

For more information on REInvest Asset Management, visit: www.reinvest-am.lu/en

Short term lets: council consults on proposed new planning guidance

The City of Edinburgh Council is consulting on new planning guidance to be used as the Capital became the first short term let control area in Scotland last month.

This followed new Scottish Government legislation in 2021. In a control area, these new laws mean if you offer a flat or a house for a short term let that is not the home you live in, you will need planning permission for it.

Now that Edinburgh is a control area, the Council has updated its proposed guidance and is looking to get views on it from anyone with an interest including residents, those operating short term lets and those involved in the tourism industry, by Thursday, 22 December.

Planning Convener James Dalgleish said: “The control area was put in place in Edinburgh last month. This is a huge step forward in tackling issues caused by short term lets across the city.

“It’s so important that those operating short term let accommodation can only do so if they have planning permission where this is needed. Going forward the control area and guidance will greatly simplify the process and make it clearer how decisions will be made for all involved.

“So, for anyone with an interest in short term lets in Edinburgh please give us your views and help us shape the final version. We aim to have the new guidance in place by 2023.

“Following extensive consultation, we’ve also just agreed the licensing scheme for short term lets in Edinburgh which addresses concerns around the management of secondary letting. When applying for a licence applicants will also have to make sure they have the right planning permission in place.”

Fringe Society launch mass listening project in 75th anniversary year

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is undertaking its biggest feedback drive in years following the conclusion of the 2022 festival. With the return of artists and audiences on a scale not seen since before the pandemic, there was heightened interest across a range of areas last August.

As the festival joins other global cultural events on the road to recovery, the Society team are seeking input from a wide range of Fringe constituents as it looks to address the key challenges and opportunities ahead.

Seeking input from artists, audiences, venues, producers, workers, community groups arts industry delegates, and those with access needs; over the next fortnight the Fringe Society will be inviting insight and detail on a range of topics.

From the recent Fringe experience to accommodation costs, barriers to participation, and the work of the Fringe Society, the detailed surveys will provide data to support the team on convening the right partners to address these issues.

The results of this consultation process will feed into work being undertaken following the launch of the new Fringe development goals last June. In consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, the six goals set out to develop a Fringe which has thriving artists, supports fair work, removes barriers, creates a sense of good citizenship, supports net zero ambitions and ensures a world-class digital experience.

In taking the opportunity to learn from everyone’s experience of the 2022 Fringe, the Fringe Society will use this data to bring together the right people and partnerships to work towards solutions, and advocate for greater support to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fringe.

Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “This year’s Festival was the first step on the road to recovery and we know the biggest challenge is the next 3 years.

“It’s important that we gather evidence and case studies from our Fringe participants so that we can ensure the Society is armed with the facts and best equipped to make the case for where improvements can be made in advance of Fringe 2023.

“We encourage everyone to take time to complete the survey specific to them and to provide as much information as they can.”

Dementia: A National Conversation

Voices of people with dementia, their families and carers to shape new strategy

People with dementia and their carers will be at the forefront of improving the help and support they receive as a ‘National Conversation’ is launched on the condition.

This will be the first step towards a new dementia strategy. People living with dementia, their families and carers will be given the opportunity to spell out what is important to them, what needs to change, and how to build on the first dementia strategy in 2010.

This National Conversation will include a series of online and in-person discussions to make it as easy as possible to contribute. The responses will feed into a new strategy – driven by the National Dementia Lived Experience Panel – which will provide tangible ways to improve the lives of those living with the condition.

This builds on existing work on dementia. Last year the Scottish Government provided an additional £3.5 million over two years to strengthen the support given people with dementia and their families after a diagnosis. This funding is on top of an estimated £2.2 billion spent on dementia by local delivery partners annually.

Minister for Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Scotland has a track record in supporting people living with dementia, as shown by our world leading commitment to provide immediate support in the first year after people receive a dementia diagnosis.

“If we are to improve that record further, we need to put people and carers at the vanguard of our policy work – helping us develop a new story together that improves the understanding of dementia and allows more people to live well with it.”

A national conversation to inform a new Dementia Strategy

Discussion paper

Responses will be open until Monday 5 December. The Scottish Government will work with the Lived Experience Panel to develop responses into a fully-formed, outcomes-focused Strategy. This will be published by April 2023.

Holyrood Committee launches call for evidence on female participation in sport and physical activity

An inquiry has been launched into female participation in sport and physical activity by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

The Committee is seeking views from individuals and organisations about female participation in sport at both a community and elite level and how female sport is supported, reported, and promoted.

The Committee is keen to understand what barriers limit female participation in sport and physical activity and what can be done to remove these. This will include investigating additional barriers to participation, such as ethnicity and disability.

Launching the inquiry, Gillian Martin MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “During our inquiry into the health and wellbeing of children and young people, we heard evidence of a significant decline in participation in sport and physical activity by adolescent girls.

“This has prompted the Committee to launch a dedicated inquiry into barriers to female participation in sport and physical activity and how these might be overcome.

“Statistics show that female participation in sport and physical activity in Scotland is lower than that of males from the age of 11 years old, with typically a 10% gender gap in participation.

“This has clear negative repercussions on the long-term health and wellbeing of women and girls.

“Today, we are launching a call for views to find out more about the barriers women and girls of all ages face in participating in sport and physical activity. We are particularly keen to hear the experiences of those with a disability, from ethnic minority or economically deprived backgrounds or who may face other barriers to participation in sport and physical activity.

“Our aim is to identify actions that should be taken to help increase the numbers of women and girls participating in sport and physical activity, and crucially to make recommendations to ensure they are able to remain active throughout their lives.”

Let the Committee know your views

The inquiry’s call for views closes on 9th December.

A National Discussion: Let’s Talk Scottish Education

Young people invited to take part in National Discussion

Every child and young person in Scotland is being encouraged to get involved in a National Discussion on education.

Let’s Talk Scottish Education invites those aged three to 18 to share their ideas, views and experiences.

Feedback from young people, as well as from parents, carers, teachers and others working in education and beyond, will play a vital part in shaping the future of education. This will include the reform programme that will see the creation of three new education bodies and a review of qualifications and assessment.

The National Discussion, which is being co-convened by COSLA, will run until 5 December. It is being independently facilitated by Professor Carol Campbell and Professor Alma Harris, who will report their findings to Ministers and COSLA in spring 2023.

Schools are being invited to take part in the Discussion in ways that best suit them and their learners. This may be through classroom discussions, homework tasks or by encouraging children and young people to have discussions at home or with friends. Discussion guides have been issued to schools to help encourage involvement.

Children and young people can also contribute by emailing the Scottish Government or through social media, using the hashtag #TalkScottishEducation.

More information will be available over the coming weeks on other ways that young people can get involved in online and regional events.

Ahead of launching the Discussion during a visit to Carnegie Primary School in Dunfermline, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It has been 20 years since Scotland last held a national debate on the future of education. Since then, the education landscape has changed beyond recognition, as has the world around us. It’s time for a new National Discussion.

“Our reform programme will build on all that is good in Scottish education and deliver real change and improvement. Our children and young people hold the biggest stake in the education system so it is right that their views should be at the centre of those plans.

“We are inviting every child and young person to get involved. We want to hear all voices, particularly those who feel they haven’t been heard in the past.

“Resources have been developed to help prompt discussions around the country; within organisations, around kitchen tables and in our schools and youth settings.

“The vision which is created following the National Discussion will set out what education in Scotland needs to look like not only in the near future but 20 years from now – so Let’s Talk Education.”

COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “I’m delighted that we are launching the National Discussion and pleased that COSLA will co-convene the discussion with the Scottish Government, reflecting the importance we place on learning in Scotland, and the joint responsibility we have when it comes to education.

“This is an exciting opportunity for children and young people, staff in our schools, families and wider communities to get involved and make their voices heard. I hope that everyone who has something to say on how we deliver education in Scotland takes the time to get involved in the months ahead.”

Patrick McGlinchey, Executive Director of national parents group Connect, said: “We welcome the launch of the National Discussion and look forward to supporting learners and their families to participate fully.

“Connect will work hard to ensure children, young people, and their families are heard loud and clear during the national discussion, and that the future of Scottish education is child-centred, with parents by their side.”

Action plan on water efficiency out for consultation

New labelling to protect water supplies and cut energy bills

Taps, showers, dishwashers and washing machines could all have new water efficiency labels, in a move which will help save 1,200 million litres of water a day – the equivalent of 480 Olympic swimming pools across the UK.

The plans, subject to a 12-week consultation, will encourage the purchase of more water-efficient products and help customers manage their water and energy bills.

The proposals aim to introduce a separate water label from the existing energy label for display on toilets, urinals, kitchen sink taps, bathroom basin taps, non-electric shower outlet devices and shower assembly solutions, dishwashers, washing machines and combination washer/dryers.

The consultation is being run jointly by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish Government and other devolved governments.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “Climate change is affecting Scotland’s water resources and we must take action to ensure we manage them efficiently. The prolonged dry weather in recent months demonstrated just how precious – and vulnerable – our natural water resources are to a changing climate.

“Simply by improving labelling, we can make it easier for people to check how water efficient their appliances are, and help them choose the efficient and climate-friendly option where they are able.”

Hot water use is the second largest use of energy in a home after space heating. Installing a water-efficient showerhead could save an average household (2.3 occupants) 3,762 litres of water, and £17.44 off their combined utility bills per year. A family of four could save 6,468 litres and about £30 off their utility bill each year.

In 2021 alone, energy efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards led to energy bill savings of £75 for the average dual-fuel household.

The Scottish Government has worked with Defra and other devolved governments to develop these proposals. Scotland has the highest per capita consumption of water in the UK and as the climate crisis takes hold needs to address this with urgency.

Household water bills in Scotland are currently set by reference to Council Tax Band. Whilst using less water is not reflected immediately in bills, by using less water Scottish Water’s costs associated with sourcing, treating and distributing drinking water will reduce. These savings will be taken into account when charge levels are set.

Joint consultation on Water Efficiency Labelling