Tag: High School pupils

EIS to launch education resource to challenge misogyny in the classroom

The EIS is developing a new education resource, in partnership with Civic Digits, which aims to provide educators with tools to engage learners in a better understanding of, and how to challenge, misogyny.

The new resource, ‘Many Good Men: Changing the Story about Online Misogyny’, will be the focus of an event at the Scottish Parliament on 20th January 2026.

The resource is based on a participatory theatre project, led by Civic Digits. Between 2023 and 2024, the project culminated in two groups of young participants, co-creating two different plays that explored misogyny, mental health and masculinity. The fictional characters within these stories are explored further within the education resource, which is aimed at  upper Secondary and FE students.

Civic Digits also want to create more theatre projects with groups of young people across Scotland – empowering them to author their own solutions and make performances for their own communities.

Commenting on the new education resource, EIS General Secretary, Andrea Bradley said, “Every young person deserves to be safe, to be themselves and to flourish. Unfortunately, their ability to do so can be negatively impacted by misogyny.

“The influence of online spaces and algorithms is enabling the rapid spread of content that aims to perpetuate rigid gender stereotypes and justify harmful attitudes.”

EIS President Adam Sutcliffe said, “With rising violence and aggressive behaviours towards women workers, and with more and more women and girls feeling unsafe due to sexism, and boys and men under significant pressure to uphold misogynistic attitudes, a shift is urgently needed.

“These topics can be difficult to talk about, and learners can feel vulnerable, embarrassed or even withdrawn if asked to share their own experiences or opinions. Educational approaches that use fictional characters can open up the space for discussion and for exploring difficult topics and ideas, empowering learners to imagine how they might change the story.”

The resource is comprised of an educator pack with guidance, and a learning pack with activities for the classroom. The resource is just one part of the EIS’s wider work to address misogyny and gender-based violence in educational establishments and in society.

The EIS believes it is important that all educators are supported with designated time for professional learning and equipped with the confidence, skills and tools necessary to navigate these topics within their settings.

High School pupils honoured at inaugural Ken Muir Awards

Young achievers from the capital are recognised for personal development beyond academic success

Ten pupils from across Edinburgh have been recognised for their exceptional personal growth, resilience, and workplace readiness as recipients of the first-ever Ken Muir Award for Exceptional Achievement—an award which celebrates the skills and attributes that go beyond exam results.

Meshaym Nadeem, Matthew Caballero, Saif Mohammad, Milo Potter, Michael Godley, Leoni Morrison, Elena Munoz, Anna Thomson, Amber Denholm and Hazel Szeto, all S5 and S6 pupils from Balerno High School, Craigroyston Community High School, Drummond Community High School, Liberton High School, Portobello High School and St Augustines RC High School in the city, were among 86 recipients from across Scotland of the inaugural Ken Muir Award. 

All recipients of the coveted Ken Muir Award had successfully completed the Powering Futures Challenge Programme – a nationally-delivered course equivalent to a Higher, which supports senior-level pupils in becoming workplace ready.

While over 1,000 pupils nationally earned a formal SCQF Level-6 qualification through the process, the Edinburgh award winners impressed their teachers with their personal development throughout the programme – with winners recognised for growing in confidence, strengthening their teamwork and communication skills, and taking meaningful steps towards their future careers. 

Clare Thomson, a teacher at Portobello High School, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our pupils for receiving the Ken Muir Award.

“What’s been most rewarding isn’t just seeing them earn a qualification, but witnessing the confidence, maturity and resilience they’ve developed along the way.

“They’ve learned to communicate more effectively, work collaboratively under pressure, and reflect meaningfully on their own growth.

“These are life skills that will stay with them far beyond school and into the world of work. This recognition is truly well deserved.”

Professor Ken Muir – after whom the awards are named – has played a key role in advising the Scottish Government on the future of Scottish education.

As a key contributor to the 2023 report It’s Our Future – Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment, Professor Muir has called for reforms to Scotland’s system of education to better prepare learners for the world of work. 

Professor Muir said: “We need a culture shift in Scotland’s education system. Of course, grades are important – but so is working hard, reflecting on progress, and growing as a person.

“These Awards are symbolic of this shift. They celebrate personal development, resilience, communication, and teamwork. These are all critical attributes that help young people thrive in life and in work.”

The Powering Futures Schools Programme, now in its fourth year, sees pupils tackle real-life business and industry challenges in teams, developing vital meta-skills while building links with employers. 

Jennifer Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures, said: “These Awards highlight the often-overlooked achievements that sit beyond academic results, but which can inspire confidence and purpose in young people as they go into the world of work.

“We are proud to play our part in helping young people see their potential, and congratulate every recipient, including those from Edinburgh, for their well-earned achievement.”

Vaccinations for young people with certain conditions

Children and young people aged 12-17 from key groups to be offered COVID-19 vaccine

Children and young people with certain conditions are to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, in line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), before the majority of schools return on the 16th of August.

The vaccine will be offered to around 4,000 children and young people affected by severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, and those who have a diagnosis of Learning/Intellectual disability.

In addition, the JCVI recommended vaccinating young people aged 16 to 17 years of age who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. While the vast majority of this group  were previously invited in an earlier part of the vaccination programme we will be inviting those that are now 16 who were not vaccinated as part of that earlier offer.

Also to be invited are children and young people aged 12-17 who are household contacts of adults or children who are immunosuppressed. This is to provide indirect protection for that member of their household. A household contact is defined as someone living in the same house, or anyone the  adult or child comes in to contact with face-to-face on most days of the week – such as a carer.

NHS Scotland is aiming to vaccinate these children and young people during August alongside those younger household contacts of people with immunosuppression.

Those children and young people with specific conditions and their parents or carers will be contacted directly by their local Health Boards via letter, phone call or by their regular healthcare professional. The household contacts of the wider group of people with immunosuppression will be contacted by a letter from the National Vaccination Programme.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “In line with the latest JCVI advice we will now be offering COVID-19 vaccinations to children and young people aged between 12 and 17 from key groups.

“The programme has always offered vaccine to groups where the benefits far outweigh the risks. The research and evidence shows that is the case for young people in these groups and they should now be called forward for a COVID-19 vaccine.

“These children and young people will be able to get the vaccine in the most appropriate setting for their situation. This may be in their own home or a care setting, or at a clinic, depending on their care or health needs.

“I would urge any parent or carer who has a child or young person eligible for a vaccine to visit NHS Inform where they can find the most up-to-date information; and read the leaflet that they will receive with their letter or from their Health Board. Parents, carers or young people can also speak to their local health professional to discuss this further if they need to.”

Secondary pupils urged to download Protect Scotland app as they return to the classroom

As secondary school pupils start to return to the classroom, those aged 12-15 who have smartphones are being encouraged to download the Protect Scotland app.

The app, extended to include the younger age group in December 2020, will help pupils protect themselves and those in their household from COVID-19, as the part-time return to school gets underway.

The Scottish Government today reminded people of the importance of not only downloading the app, but also ensuring that the code provided is entered if a person tests positive, to anonymously alert those who have been in close contact.

App users who are then alerted are able to isolate quicker, and get tested, to stop the spread.

To date, 1.8 million people in Scotland have downloaded the app, and it has, so far notified almost 40,000 people to self-isolate.

The aim is to increase the app’s reach further, particularly as people start to come together in school settings over the coming weeks, to offer an additional layer of protection and reduce the risk of people spreading the virus unknowingly.

https://youtu.be/rzGzh0msKNA

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, said: “The Protect Scotland app has been and remains a vital tool in the reducing the spread of COVID-19, particularly with the new, more transmissible strains in circulation.

“Whilst lateral flow testing is in place for senior secondary pupils and will be extended to S1-S3 pupils after the easter holidays, the app runs in the background and adds an additional protection meaning pupils will be notified far quicker if they come into contact with someone who has the virus.

“As pupils start to come back together, the more people that use it, the more effective it will be in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

Download the free app today at protect.scot and protect yourself, your family, and Scotland against coronavirus.