Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has met with staff and learners ahead of this year’s exams.
Returning to the Royal High School in Barnton where she previously taught, Ms Gilruth heard about the preparations underway for this year’s exams, which start on Monday and run for five weeks.
Earlier this week the Education Secretary set out plans to rebuild and reshape how education is delivered as part of the Scottish Government’s policy prospectus Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start.
Ms Gilruth said: “”I want to thank the pupils and my friends in the teaching staff for welcoming me back to the Royal High School to hear about their preparations for this year’s exams, which start next week.
“During this time we will see around 130,000 learners sitting National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams in a variety of subjects across the whole of Scotland. I would like to thank all learners for their dedication and resilience during what has been another challenging year and importantly I would like to wish them every success and good luck in their exams this year.
“As set out in our policy prospectus this week, I am focused on ensuring that Scotland’s education system strives for excellence and equity for all, with a continued focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.”
The Scottish Parliament has launched a new digital education offering to help schools in Scotland who are teaching Modern Studies.
Free, online classroom sessions are available for teachers to book, which includes a live interactive lesson with a Scottish Parliament education officer.
These informative sessions last around 45 minutes and cover important elements from the Modern Studies curriculum.
The digital sessions are being offered as a complementary option alongside in-person school visits to Holyrood, as well as outreach visits by Parliament staff to Scottish schools.
“Over the last few years, our team has focused on delivering a high-quality and informative online experience,” said Education Manager, Caroline Schofield.
“We know it can be difficult for some schools to get to Edinburgh, and so with these digital sessions, all you need is a screen and a webcam, and pupils can still enjoy a ‘virtual’ trip to learn about their Parliament.”
Lynda Swanson, who has been teaching Modern Studies for over 25 years, and is currently at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, said that after organising an in-person trip became “a little tricky with costs and staffing”, she took up the offer of a digital session for her class of National 5 learners.
“The session covered a lot of things we’ve covered already in class, and offered a different insight into them. It’s also helpful for revision purposes, and the presenter, Angela was very good at engaging the learners, asking them questions.”
She praised the session for being time-saving and cost-saving and recommended other teachers to consider the option.
These digital sessions are available throughout the year and can be booked for free from www.parliament.scot/education.
Foundation Scotland is supporting individuals to unlock their potential
Growing numbers of Scottish communities are setting up dedicated Education and Training grants programmes across Scotland, thanks to community benefit funds provided by the renewable energy sector and onshore wind farms.
Foundation Scotland has been able to support the distribution of more than 900 of these grants, worth over £1 million, since the first Education and Training fund was established in 2015.
These funds have been specifically set up to support individuals with costs that are a barrier to accessing college or university or to cover expenses for training programmes and skills improvement that help them enhance their employment opportunities.
Foundation Scotland has to date distributed over £150 million of funding to more than 12,000 organisations making a difference the length and breadth of the country. From local food banks and counselling services, to youth groups and training funds, they have awarded over 44,000 grants to charities, social enterprises and community groups across Scotland since they were established in 1996.
However, support for individuals seeking to take that ‘next step’ to fulfil their employment potential is less well-known.
Despite most university places being free in Scotland, the cost of attending can be prohibitive for many young people. Erin Morrison from Eastfield in North Lanarkshire recently received funds to help with rising costs relating to studies. Erin is now studying for a BEng in Civil Engineering and is the first person from her family to go to university.
She successfully applied to the Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg Education & Training Fund for a total grant of £3,300, which will be split into three payments during her university course, helping to subsidise many of the costs relating to studying.
Erin says: “I attended a school in a deprived area and was greatly affected by the SQA grade awarding system from 2020.
“Due to the lack of school funding, there are also very limited opportunities for students like myself. But I am now studying Civil Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and I am the first person in my family to go to university.
“However, there are so many additional costs. The fund has been a big help to me, it definitely takes the pressure off. You really don’t understand how expensive textbooks are for university, there’s quite a lot that you need. Many people don’t take that into consideration, so it has really helped me out.”
Rachel Searle from Foundation Scotland said: “When individuals are supported to unlock their potential through training programmes and education, not only do they benefit, but the local economy does too.
“The majority of those who have been awarded funds would otherwise not have been able to access support to further their career goals. This untapped talent lives in every community, and this type of fund is helping individuals and communities to flourish and grow.
“Foundation Scotland will continue to support and promote these localised education and training opportunities as a key way to ensure community benefit funds reach into the heart of communities.“
Team GB and Persimmon Homes have launched Get Set to Build a Community, a cross-curricular challenge to support the development of employability, teamwork and decision making skills in students aged 11–14 in the run up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Originally created as the official education programme for London 2012, Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s youth engagement programme Get Set now offers a broad programme of free, cross-curricular resources and activities for schools and community groups.
Get Set to Build a Community tasks students with planning, designing, building and marketing a community-focussed housing development with Team GB athletes at its heart. They will use knowledge of previous Olympic parks, and plans for future parks, as the basis for a development that upholds the Olympic Values of excellence, respect and friendship.
Selected schools participating in the challenge will receive a visit from a Team GB athlete in the build up to Paris 2024. Participating schools can also request a visit from a Persimmon Homes Ambassador to support the delivery of the programme and talk about the benefits of a career in the home building industry.
With a network of Ambassadors across the country, Persimmon is trying to encourage the next generation of construction workers by giving students the opportunity to learn about the range of career pathways available to them.
Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director at Team GB, said: “The support we receive from our partners is essential in enabling us to take the nation’s best athletes to an Olympic Games, and in turn inspiring households and communities across the UK with their stories.
“The Get Set program in particular supports young people to fulfil their potential, and this new challenge developed in partnership with Persimmon will give the next generation even more opportunities to engage with Team GB in the build up to Paris 2024.”
John Roocroft, Persimmon’s Regional Chairman in Scotland, said:“I am delighted to be launching the Get Set to Build a Community challenge with Team GB.
“At Persimmon we are always looking to see how we can encourage local youngsters to consider a rewarding career in construction, so using our relationship with Team GB in this way is a great initiative.
“I encourage all local schools to take up the challenge.”
Children’s TV legend Johnny Ball is joining the NSPCC’s call to schools and nurseries across Edinburgh to take part in a maths-inspired fundraiser this February.
Number Day is an annual event aimed at children in nurseries, primary and secondary schools, with teachers and pupils raising vital funds for the NSPCC while having fun with maths.
This year’s event takes place on Friday, February 3, and will see free curriculum-based activities available for schools across the country to download to help liven up their lessons while raising funds for the children’s charity.
Johnny Ball, veteran children’s TV presenter and maths enthusiast, will also be supporting Number Day by providing a series of videos for the NSPCC that will feature activity ideas of his own. Johnny’s videos will be available on YouTube and social media.He said: “The NSPCC’s Number Day is a great way for all children and schools to celebrate the joy of learning mathematics while supporting such a great cause.
“Maths is an essential part of a child’s education as the ability to count, play with numbers and tackle puzzles, builds confidence and problem-solving thinking – all of which are essential lifelong skills. And most important of all, learning maths is fun.”
Since Number Day was first launched in 2000, it has raised nearly £3 million for the NSPCC. Last year, 5,000 schools got involved with Number Day and raised £400,000.
Funds raised from Number Day could help support vital NSPCC services such as Childline and the charity’s Speak out Stay safe programme, which sees the NSPCC visit primary schools and teach children how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect, and who to talk to if they are worried.
Within the last year, 5667 children from schools in Edinburgh took part in the NSPCC’s online Speak Out Stay Safe programme.
Registration for Number Day is free through the NSPCC website. Once a school is registered, the NSPCC will provide resources that can be used in the classroom, including new games and activities, such as Dress up for Digits where children and staff can wear an item of clothing with a number on it and make a donation to the NSPCC.
Georgia Hall-Newell, NSPCC Schools Coordinator for Edinburgh, said: “Whether you’re from a school or a nursery, by taking part in this year’s Number Day, not only will you be inspiring children by making maths education fun but you’ll be helping to support the NSPCC as well.
“This year’s Number Day promises to be our best mega maths fundraiser yet, with NSPCC Rock which is an online times tables competition for schools, and more resources than ever before being made available to schools, thanks to Oxford University Press, Maths on Toast, GoHenry, SchoolOnline and Maths Circle.”
Number Day is also supported by partners including Man Group, OUP and IRIS ParentMail.
Schools and nurseries can sign up to Number Day for free by visiting the NSPCC’s website at www.nspcc.org.uk/numberday.
The City of Edinburgh Music School is a national centre of excellence for musicians of any school age (4 – 18).
It is funded by the Scottish Government and does not charge any fees. The Music School is housed within two neighbouring state comprehensive schools – Flora Stevenson Primary and Broughton High School in the Comely Bank area of Edinburgh.
Entry is by audition and students have to be above average ability on an instrument/voice for their age, to be considered.
All instruments and differing styles of music are treated equally.
To find out more visit us at Broughton High School TOMORROW – on Saturday 05th November 2022.
Staff, students and some of their parents will be on hand to show you around, answer questions and demonstrate how this unique form of education works.
No need to book – just drop in any time between 11.00 am and 2pm.
More than 750 students gathered at the McEwan Hall for a day of celebration at Edinburgh College’s annual Graduation ceremony on Friday 30 September.
Students were joined by over 3,000 proud family members and friends who watched as their loved ones crossed the McEwan Hall stage to receive their certificates of achievement.
Graduates from across the College’s curriculum were honoured during three ceremonies throughout the day, graduating in subjects across each of the College’s faculties: Health, Wellbeing and Social Science; Tourism, Hospitality and Business; Engineering and Built Environment; and Creative Industries.
Across the three ceremonies, the College’s best-performing students were also commended by Principal Audrey Cumberford, receiving awards for academic excellence. Prizes were also awarded on behalf of the Edinburgh College Board of Management to students who have exceeded expectations throughout their College journey.
In addition, around 20 members of College teaching staff were also presented with professional development awards during the ceremonies – celebrating the wealth of CPD opportunities available to staff to support them in their role of educating more than 28,000 students each year.
Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “Graduation is the highlight of the year and a wonderful occasion which signifies the culmination of all of our students’ hard work and commitment throughout their time with us at the College.
“It’s been a challenging couple of years for our College community and so frustrating that we’ve not been able to host our in-person events during this time, which is why we were so delighted to be able to celebrate our graduates at an in-person ceremony in the stunning McEwan Hall once again this year.
“The class of 2022 have persevered through difficult times and have shown an enormous amount of determination throughout their studies which will stand them in good stead for whatever they choose to do next.
“On behalf of the College’s governing body, management team, tutors and support staff, I would like to congratulate all of them on their success and wish them the very best for the future as they progress in their further studies and chosen careers.
The City of Edinburgh Music School is a national centre of excellence for musicians of any school age (4 – 18).
It is funded by the Scottish Government and does not charge any fees. The Music School is housed within two neighbouring state comprehensive schools – Flora Stevenson Primary and Broughton High School in the Comely Bank area of Edinburgh.
Entry is by audition and students have to be above average ability on an instrument/voice for their age, to be considered.
All instruments and differing styles of music are treated equally.
To find out more visit us at Broughton High School on Saturday 5th November 2022.
Staff, students and some of their parents will be on hand to show you around, answer questions and demonstrate how this unique form of education works.
No need to book – just drop in any time between 11.00 am and 2pm.
Edinburgh College has been named as a regional Planet Saver award winner in the British Chambers of Commerce Business Awards and will now compete for a national prize.
The College was entered into the UK-wide awards scheme having collected the Net Zero Champion accolade at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in February this year.
The awards programme is a showpiece event in the UK business calendar, recognising and promoting the best of British business through a series of regional heats, culminating in a campaign to showcase winning businesses on an international stage.
The College’s success comes in recognition of its renewed commitment to Sustainability and increasing engagement with its student body through a Go Green project led by Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) and the introduction of an annual Sustainable Education Week.
ECSA’s work involved creating Go Green Hubs on each campus, which feature Clothes Swap Shops and Community Fridges, and are aimed at reducing food and textiles waste, alleviating poverty and keeping the issue of Sustainability visible and at the forefront of students’ minds.
Sustainable Education Week sees classes across the curriculum focus their teaching on Sustainability, with students embarking on new projects or one-off activities which embed one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals into contextualised learning.
Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford said: “We’re delighted to have been named as a regional winner by the British Chambers of Commerce.
“This award and progression into the next round of the programme is a wonderful recognition of the work of our College in engaging students to support, drive and lead our sustainability priorities, working towards achieving the goals set out in our Environmental Sustainability Strategy. I am extremely proud of what our staff and students involved have achieved and I believe they truly deserve this recognition.”
Al Wilson, ECSA Director, said: “Well done to the College and in particular our brilliant team members for this latest award recognition.
“Our Go Green project has delivered tangible outcomes in terms of reducing literally tonnes of food and textiles waste, as well as raising awareness of sustainability among the student body at Edinburgh College – something which is vital to help us tackle the climate emergency and make it real for our students as they become the workforce of tomorrow.”
