Tag: learning

Edinburgh Schools HETV Inspire Sessions Launch

Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), Film Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh Council, Culture Service), ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund, and Arts & Creative Learning (City of Edinburgh Council, Children, Education and Justice Services) are proud to launch the Edinburgh Schools HETV Inspire Sessions.

These workshops are designed to inspire Edinburgh’s young workforce to consider careers in High-End TV Drama Production. The sessions will take place from October 2023 – February 2024 in City of Edinburgh Council High Schools across Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s screen industries have grown considerably in recent years, with an annual value of £23.8 million. However, with the UK screen industries requiring an estimated 10,000 new entrants each year to sustain the current workforce, the shortage of young talent entering the field presents a significant challenge to the sector.

The HETV Inspire Sessions aim to address this shortage. Created with S4-6 pupils taking a wide range of subjects in mind, these workshops provide an opportunity to find out about the wide range of jobs available in the television industry. The workshops will connect with an estimated 500 pupils in at least 17 schools around Edinburgh. 

Workshops are led by industry professionals working in a diverse range of jobs within High-End TV Drama Production, who can offer a unique perspective on the industry. Pupils will gain hands-on practical experience, learning about the day-to-day responsibilities of different jobs. They will leave the sessions signposted to active opportunities in the field, such as SEE courses, e-learning from ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund, career maps and more.

Emphasis has been placed on ensuring representation of roles with a shortage of entrants, empowering pupils to consider roles they may not have considered suited to their skillset. This programme aims to inspire pupils and guide them towards a rewarding career in this dynamic, growing field.

Laura Findlay, Creative Engagement Officer at SEE said, “There are a wealth of jobs in the industry that young people may not even know about or have considered before.

“We understand how important it is to support and develop pupils in a number of ways in and out of school – whether it’s courses and programmes we run, giving them hands on experience in film, or signposting them to internships, training programmes, or online courses, such as those run by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Fund.

“Working in partnership allows us to pull together our resources, giving young people the tools and opportunities they need to get a start in the industry.” 

City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said, “It is fantastic news that the new HETV Inspire Sessions are going to be coming to our schools and giving pupils an insight into the sort of career pathways available to them.

“Here in Edinburgh and across Scotland we have an enviable film and television industry and it’s our responsibility to make sure that we nurture and enhance this. I’m looking forward to seeing our pupils get involved in this scheme and I’m sure it’ll be a great success.”

Vicki Ball, HETV First Break and Careers Outreach Manager at ScreenSkills said: “HETV production is growing in Edinburgh, and it’s important that we invest in the local talent that will help the industry continue to thrive.

“That’s why we’re working with local people and partners to help inspire the next generation of talent and help them find their pathway into one of the many roles available”.

The first HETV Inspire Session was held at Firrhill High School, led by industry professional Jackie McCraith-Smith. Running an interactive workshop, she provided pupils with valuable insights into her role as a Locations Manager.

From spill kits to blue shoes and more, they had the opportunity to see up-close some of the kit Location Managers use in their work, highlighting a potential pathway for pupils to enter the industry.

Calum McAlpine, teacher at Firrhill High School said, “The event did more than just provide information; it ignited a genuine interest and passion for the industry. Every school should have them visit!”

Graduation day as 10 Edinburgh youngsters complete ‘mini PhD’ in abacus

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar presents trophies and certificates at education ceremony

Twenty-three of the brightest minds in the UK – ten of them from Edinburgh – were honoured in a ceremony in Glasgow last month (16th September) to celebrate their completion of a leading abacus training programme.

The War Memorial Hall in Bishopbriggs, packed with family and friends of the winners, rung with heartfelt applause when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar MSP presented each of the children with their awards.

The celebration was organised by computer scientist and educator, Dr Rashmi Mantri, head of The British Youth International College (BYITC), who set up the organisation in 2015 after teaching her own son, Druhv, maths using a counting tool that has been used for millennia – the abacus.

Now BYITC and its Supermaths programme is the leading abacus training provider in the UK and has also developed the world’s first games-based abacus maths application.

“Clearing all levels of Abacus is no walk in the park as it requires a lot of hard work and typically takes students 3 – 4 years of practice to complete this. It really is like a mini PhD for these incredible young people,” said Dr Mantri.

“As well as enabling people to do mental arithmetic in super fast time, the abacus is a highly effective brain development tool for concentration. The touch and feel nature of it makes it very popular for children with dyslexia also for example.

“With Maths Week Scotland fast approaching at the end of the month, we want parents and teachers to know that the abacus is a tried and tested tool to improve mental maths. Our annual maths competition called an Olympiad, is launching on 25th September – it is very popular as it is open to anyone to enter and is free of charge.”

Of the 23 winners at the graduation ceremony, 10 were from Edinburgh (listed below), 7 from Glasgow, 1 from Falkirk and the remainder from across England and Wales.

·       Mishika Pandey, 10, who attends East Craigs Primary School

·       Shariva Lasure, 12, who attends Craigmount High School

·       Aaliyah Deepak Krishnaveni, 11, who attends Tynecastle High School

·       Gauri Shrikande, 12, who attends Craigmount High School

·       Aarush Gosain, 12, who attends Rosehill High School, Wallyford

·       Taran Vighnesh, 9, who attends Kirkliston Primary School

·       Shreya Navratna, 15, who attends Tynecastle High School

·       Rishon Ashley, 14, who attends Tynecastle High School

·       Santiago Prieto, 12, who attends St Augustine’s RC High School

·       Tanush Venkat, 11, Cramond Primary School

The parents of Rishon, 14, from Edinburgh, said: “As parents of the millennials, we stand before a crowd of highly intelligent and capable future leaders – today’s kids.

“Abacus classes run by BYITC are really effective and have made it worth these the kids’ time in preparing, attending and undertaking homework assignments provided by able teachers and coordinators.

“We are humbled by the extent and quality of their input and happy to be part of this fitting recognitions.”

Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Member of the Scottish Parliament, Anas Sarwar, said: “It is a great privilege to meet, and present completion certificates, to all of these high-achieving young people.

“Highlighting the outstanding achievements of young people across the United Kingdom is vital for their own development and the future of our nation, and I congratulate each and every one of them on their awards.

“I would like to congratulate the work of Dr Rashmi Mantri and the BYITC team in continuing to develop and teach the next generation of STEM superstars.”

To find out more about the awards and how to sign up for the free maths competition, visit the BYITC website.

Art UK launches free visual literacy programme for every primary school

NATIONAL charity, Art UK, has launched a free programme, The Superpower of Looking®, to equip young people with the visual literacy skills that have become essential to successfully navigate the modern, image-saturated world.   

In the UK, it is estimated that young adults have a combined total of approximately 10 million photographs on their smartphones. Additionally, recent analysis found that by 2030 there will be 382 billion images on Google Images.

Against this expansive backdrop of our increasingly visual world and the rapid developments of AI, it is vital that young people are empowered to fully embrace the opportunities of digital advancements of the evolving world around them and the future advancement still to come.  

An evidence-based programme, The Superpower of Looking accelerates curriculum development by providing free resources that empower students to critically observe, analyse, question and interpret images and communicate with confidence.

This includes bespoke films, full lesson resources, teacher training videos, a lesson toolkit and access to Art UK’s digital database of artworks, which includes more than 300,000 pieces of work by more than 500,000 artists across more than 3,400 British institutions.  

This launch follows the completion of two successful pilots in partnership with 70 schools in England and Scotland which found that The Superpower of Looking:   

  • Increases pupils’ confidence  
  • Improves visual literacy skills across all assessed areas, including understanding new concepts, substantiating points with evidence during peer discussions, critical thinking and more  
  • Achieves high pupil engagement with lesson materials  
  • Increases pupils’ interest in cultural education spaces.  

Additionally, 95 per cent of teachers that participated in the pilots reported feeling confident incorporating the resources into their classes and 92 per cent said they would recommend the programme to their peers.  

Adele Darlington, EYFS Teacher and Art Lead at Leighfield Primary School, said: “The Superpower of Looking brings art to life in the classroom, for both students and their teachers. I’ve seen how the programme inspired my pupils to stop and look at the world around them through a more critical lens and with deeper focus, and have seen them carry this into other areas of their learning.  

“Watching my pupils’ enthusiasm in the classroom grow after The Superpower of Looking lessons has been inspiring. For children who may never have engaged with arts and culture or been to visit a gallery before, it’s been a genuinely transformative experience.”  

Katie Leonard, Head of Learning at Art UK, said: “At a time when digital mediums and imagery play an increasingly important and influential role, it is vital that we are empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence and skills to successfully navigate the world around them.  

“By launching The Superpower of Looking today, we are making more than 300,000 works of art from more than 3,400 British institutions available to young people across the country.

“It is our hope that by doing so, this programme will help embed visual literacy in the primary curriculum and make art an integral and accessible part of every primary school classroom in the UK.”  

The Superpower of Looking is supported by Freelands Foundation. For more information about The Superpower of Looking and to sign up to the programme, please visit: artuk.org/learn/the-superpower-of-looking.  

New Schools Fund to expand film and screen education across Scotland

Work to embed film and screen education within the Scottish schools’ curriculum took a step forward today with the launch of new funding from Screen Scotland. 

Available to early years, primary and secondary schools, the new Schools Screen Education Fund has been created to support programmes of work with the potential to develop increased understanding of the potential of screen education and support the provision of screen education and the new curriculum in a school setting.   

Schools can apply for grants up to £5000 to test an element of the draft Film and Screen curriculum with classes from Early Years to S3, or to design and deliver screen education projects for schools. 

Also going live today, is Screen Scotland’s refreshed Screen Education Fund which offers grants of between £500 – £20,000 to projects that support the provision of screen education in a variety of formal, informal and non-formal settings – schools, colleges, universities, cinemas, film festivals, libraries, media access centres and Local Authorities – aimed at developing increased understanding of the potential of screen education. 

Fi Milligan-Rennie, Head of Education – Screen at Screen Scotland said: “Developing Film and Screen as an expressive art focuses on enabling pupils to make a film, rather than solely study the history or theory of film.

“This is core to Screen Scotland’s work to widen participation in film and screen production, cultivate a skilled screen workforce and develop the screen professionals needed to carry forward Scotland’s film culture.

“At the same time, the values and benefits of film and screen education reach far beyond careers.  Engagement in film and screen activity strengthens fusion skills, supports attainment in other subjects and improves health and wellbeing.  Film and Screen is the dominant language of our culture and Screen Scotland is committed to ensuring the democracy of opportunity to learn that language.” 

The launch took place in tandem with Screen Scotland’s Screen Educators in Residence Programme. Over the past months, Screen Educators have been deep at work in primary and secondary schools in Argyll and Bute, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness and Shetland, testing the draft curriculum; trialling new learning and hands-on opportunities to develop students understanding, appreciation and practical knowledge of film and screen production.  

Welcomed by Scotland’s Educators, independent production companies and Scottish screen stars like Outlander’s Sam Heughan, the ultimate aim of the two-year pilot programme is to introduce film and screen within the Scottish curriculum from Early Years through to Senior Phase.

Full details about the Funds and how to apply are available on the Screen Scotland website: https://www.screen.scot/funding-and-support/funding/screen-education-fund 

A world of learning just a click away with u3a’s Interest Groups Online

From Ancient Rome to Astronomy, and Fashion to Crime Fiction, there is something to tantalise the taste buds of anyone wishing to learn something new with Interest Groups Online.     

The u3a movement is for those no longer in full-time work who have time to spare, a desire to learn and would like to make new social connections.    

Interest Groups Online is the online learning service of the organisation and from 2nd to 6th of October, there will be a series of free sessions open to non-members to try out the wealth of fascinating groups available.     

Stephen, from Edinburgh, is in several groups, including Slow French. He says: “Interest Groups Online is excellent for languages, whether you’re learning, improving, or keeping your existing skills alive. 

“C’est parfait pour mour, (it’s perfect for me) and my late in life ambition to be bilingual.” 

Stephen is one of five members who talk about their positive experience of Interest Groups Online in this short film.

Members can join as a complementary service to their local in-person u3a membership or as a standalone membership. From October, Interest Groups Online membership is just £6 for 6 months and members will have access to over 75 different groups across a wide range of topics.  

Visit the Interest Groups Online page to browse all groups. For more information, visit www.u3a.org.uk 

Cast a spell with Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this Halloween

Garden centre unveils magical holiday club store for children in its Edinburgh store

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is embracing the spirit of Halloween with its Little Seedlings Holiday Club workshop in its Edinburgh store, with a look at mystical plants and their extraordinary powers.

Tailored for Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club members aged 4-10, this interactive workshop is filled with fun activities to help children appreciate their natural environment. 

Under the guidance of Dobbies’ horticultural experts, young gardening witches and wizards-in-training will embark on a journey through time. They will uncover ways in which ancient cultures used plants for their mystical properties. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Rosemary could enhance memory retention and the ancient Egyptians thought Verbena could ward off evil spells.

Children in Edinburgh will explore the fascinating world of medicinal plants, such as the Evening Primrose and Dandelion, uncover the secrets of their potent healing qualities, and dare to venture into the realm of the most poisonous plants, like the Deadly Nightshade and White Snakeroot.

Games and activities will spark the imagination of the children, where they will get a chance to brew a magical potion, cast a spell of their own, and craft magical plant charms to proudly take home as cherished mementos.

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, said: “We are very excited to welcome children to this workshop in our Edinburgh store during the October break.

“Our Little Seedlings Holiday Club gives attendees a chance to make friends and learn something new, and we hope to nurture the next generation of gardening enthusiasts in a playful and informative setting. 

“We believe that learning should be fun, and that’s why we’ve incorporated engaging games and activities that will ignite children’s imagination. From potion-brewing to crafting magical plant charms, this workshop will encourage creativity and a hands-on connection with the natural world.”

For more information about how to take part, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres

Unique university-approved course kicks off in Edinburgh

 Novel holistic courses to enrich Capitals students 

A DISTINCTIVE course is set to start in Edinburgh to give students the unique opportunity of gaining rare qualifications in complementary therapy. 

The Complementary Therapy School is the first and sole private training provider authorised to offer University endorsed Clinical Reflexology and Swedish Massage Therapy qualifications.  

The courses undergo a rigorous and thorough process of quality assurance, which is overseen by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and underpinned by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) principles. 

The two unique part-time courses offer students the highest possible qualification levels in the UK through its credit rating partnership with the University of the West of Scotland, with students able to achieve qualifications at SCQF level 8. 

The course has been spearheaded by one of the best-known names in the complementary therapy industry. Melanie Bell founded The Complementary Therapy School in 2006 and has since opened seven branches across the UK, training up therapists from Inverness to London. 

Melanie said: “This a huge milestone for us and all of our trainers at The Complementary Therapy School. Teaching unique, valuable skills as part of the high-quality course across the UK is certainly a rewarding feeling. 

“We’re very passionate about what we do here, and we not only want to offer students the opportunity to learn this skill but also the opportunity to follow a new career pathway at the highest level.

“People from across the country are due to start the course in September and we see a mix of backgrounds on our courses – with students like full-time athletes, nurses and lawyers looking towards a career in complementary therapy. 

“The partnership with the University of the West of Scotland is extremely exciting and highlights the powerful nature of holistic treatments and how much they are growing across the UK.” 

The Complementary Therapy School has been delivering university credit rated courses for 11 years, and now has credit rated provision endorsed by the University of the West of Scotland.  

Complementary therapies take a holistic approach to care, and look at supporting patients as a whole person, incorporating physical, emotional and spiritual needs. 

With an extensive 28-year background as a qualified massage therapist and 26 years as a reflexology practitioner, Melanie is a multi-award winning teacher who brings a wealth of expertise to the classroom. 

University-educated in Biomedical Science, Melanie’s unique blend of skills and insights sets a new standard for holistic therapy education.  

Designed to cater to anyone with an interest in Clinical Reflexology or Swedish Massage, the courses encompass not only the core therapies but essential subjects like Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology. 

The courses span one academic year, and are designed to accommodate a range of schedules and preferences.  

The Complementary Therapy School has six trainers working across the UK, with venues as far north as Inverness and as far south as London. 

Founded in 2006, The Complementary Therapy School also provides courses in Indian Head Massage, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Sport and Remedial Massage and Diploma in Complementary Therapies.  

For enrolment details, course information, and more, please visit:

https://www.thects.co.uk/ 

Laughter Yoga is the best medicine for older adults at u3a

“Hold on to your seats because it gets really, really weird!”  

Those are the opening words of Judith, the u3a’s laughter yoga expert at one of her exhilarating online classes. Laughter Yoga is just one of the exciting subjects that u3a members can take part in when they join.   

u3a is for those who no longer work full time and have the desire to learn new things, have fun and make new friends. 

From 16th to 24th of September groups across the UK will showcase the exciting activities during u3a Week with taster sessions and online talks from high-profile guests, including positive ageing influencer Carl Honore, to give potential new members a taste of the enjoyment that can be had from joining u3a.  

Judith lives in Edinburgh but runs an online laughter yoga group where members can take part from the comfort of their own homes. It’s open to anyone who joins u3a and would like to put a spring in their step and start the day with a burst of positivity.  

The group has been running for 11 years and is going from strength-to-strength. Judith says: “Laughter is the best medicine. It’s not about ridicule, it’s playful, uncomplicated, joyful laughter. 

“It is a safe space where we can laugh without inhibitions for as long as we like.  

“We laugh every day for about 10-15 minutes, and it encourages a positive outlook and helps you deal with the stress and challenges of life. 

“When we laugh the body sends messages to the brain which releases endorphins, and we feel wonderful without even trying. It sends out happy hormones which make you feel good all day.” 

Laughter yoga is just one of the many hundreds of interest groups whose members across the UK that are gearing up for all sorts of events to let communities know what their u3as have on offer during u3a Week.

There will be concerts, alfresco wine tasting, market stalls and picnic plus much more.  

By joining u3a you can try everything from Egyptology to creative writing and sea shanties for an average of less than £20 per year. You can watch a short film about Hayling u3a’s Island Shanty group. 

For information on what your local u3a, visit www.u3a.org.uk  

Tech experts asked to partner with schools to help shape education in Edinburgh

Digital technology experts are being sought to help inform teaching in secondary schools in Edinburgh as the country’s tech industry experiences remarkable growth.

The Digital Critical Friends initiative has been set up by Scotland’s tech trade body, ScotlandIS, to address the industry’s skills gap and tackle high Computer Science drop-off rates in a time when one in ten jobs in Scotland is in the tech sector.

As demand for their services increase, Scottish tech businesses are continuing to face challenges, with 23% citing a lack of basic data skills and 37% reporting a lack of advanced digital skills among their existing workforces.

The Digital Critical Friends initiative aims to link industry professionals with Computer Science educators to support the alignment of lessons with industry best practices and offer students a holistic view of sector opportunities.

Tech professionals – from IT technicians to software engineers – are being encouraged to volunteer to take part in the programme that will help to shape schools’ curriculums.

Fiona Anderson, Project Manager at software development and digital transformation company PDMS, partnered with St Margaret’s High School in North Lanarkshire as part of the programme. 

She said: “It’s important for schools to have direct links with the tech sector so pupils can ask questions and get inspired by the potential career paths that they perhaps weren’t aware of previously.

“Giving young people an idea of the skillsets required for the various jobs in our sector can really help to give them direction for the future.

“For example, discussing how good attention to detail and problem-solving skills are key for analysis and testing jobs, or that design roles might be well-suited to those who are keen on art and design or who have a creative flair, can help students understand which roles in our industry might be a good fit for them.”

Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS, said: “While our well-established tech sector is growing, companies today are finding it difficult to recruit with today’s shortage of skills. Our mission is to engage and inspire young minds while bridging the skills gap.

“Scotland’s tech sector is dynamic, exciting and offers a brilliant career path for young people today. But given the fast nature of the industry, the changes in how we use and develop technology can’t always be reflected in how the subject is taught in schools. There is no better way to protect the industry’s promising growth trajectory, and job opportunities of school leavers, than to build a direct line of contact between schools and professionals.

“We’re looking forward to working alongside new industry partners as we work to equip students with industry-relevant skills.”

Becoming a Digital Critical Friend involves an initial face-to-face meeting with a local school. The volunteers then maintain regular contact with teachers to help inform teaching, with at least one in-person meeting per term.

Additionally, mentors have the opportunity to invite teachers to their workplace, providing them with an immersive experience, observing their teams and gaining insights into ongoing project.

Karen added: “We understand that each professional and each school will be balancing different priorities, which is why we’ve ensured that the programme can be tailored to best suit the needs of each party.

“For example, we have a school on the Isle of Barra looking for a Digital Critical Friend, which they appreciate will most likely have to be conducted remotely!”

The Digital Critical Friends programme was first launched in 2021, and is now active in over six regions. After a successful start, ScotlandIS is now looking to expand the programme across all regions in Scotland.

To find out more about becoming a Digital Critical Friend, visit the ScotlandIS website.