Tag: schools

Theatre tackling knife crime returns to Edinburgh schools as Strange Town joins Knife Angel project

“Pupils voluntarily handed weapons in” – Council funds performances for local high schools

Leith-based charity Strange Town is taking its powerful knife-crime play BALISONG back into Edinburgh schools this autumn, as part of the Knife Angel project, with performances planned for pupils across 13 high schools.

The production, written by award-winning Scottish playwright Jennifer Adam and directed by Strange Town Artistic Director Steve Small, explores the consequences of carrying a knife through the story of a 15-year-old boy who brings a butterfly knife home after a school trip.

The tour comes at a time of growing concern about knife crime and youth violence in Edinburgh. Police Scotland figures show that crimes committed in a public place involving a knife rose by 29% between 2022/23 and 2024/25, from 178 offences to 250. 

Strange Town has seen first-hand the impact theatre can have in opening up difficult conversations with young people. When BALISONG previously toured schools, pupils voluntarily handed in weapons after seeing the production.

The play was originally commissioned by No Knives Better Lives and, between 2017 and 2019, toured schools in every local authority in Scotland. It has since been brought back to Edinburgh as part of Strange Town’s wider programme of high-quality theatre for young audiences.

The charity’s Touring Company has now delivered 62 free performances to more than 7,000 pupils across 25 Edinburgh schools, tackling issues including knife crime, consent, online bullying and climate anxiety.

Each performance is followed by teacher-led discussion, giving pupils the opportunity to reflect and talk openly about the issues raised.

Steve Small, Artistic Director and Joint Executive Director of Strange Town, said: “We know BALISONG works because we have seen what happens when young people encounter it. On our previous tour, pupils voluntarily handed in weapons. Teachers told us that the play opened up conversations they simply could not have started in the same way themselves.

“That is why we are so pleased to be taking BALISONG back into Edinburgh schools as part of the Knife Angel project. Theatre doesn’t lecture young people or tell them what to think. It allows them to see themselves, their friends and the consequences of choices in a different way, and then gives them the space to talk.

“We will be working with 13 high schools during this tour. At a time when concerns about knife crime and youth violence are so high, it is vital that we give young people opportunities to have these conversations before a crisis happens.

“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council for supporting this project and helping us bring this work to young people. We also want people to understand that organisations like Strange Town cannot deliver this work without ongoing support.

“If you believe young people deserve access to ambitious, high-quality theatre that can genuinely make a difference, please come and see BALISONG at the Traverse and consider supporting the future of Strange Town.”

That impact has also been recognised by teachers working directly with pupils. Head of Drama at Drummond Community High School said: “As a drama teacher, I see firsthand the transformative power of live professional theatre in shaping young minds.

“It allows for meaningful discussion and reflection on themes that are current to the society they live in.”

Martin Hutchison – The City of Edinburgh Council said: “Tackling knife crime and youth violence requires a partnership approach, with prevention and early intervention at its heart. We are pleased to support the return of BALISONG to Edinburgh schools as part of the wider Knife Angel project.

“Creative approaches can provide young people with a safe and engaging way to explore difficult issues, challenge perceptions and have conversations that might otherwise be difficult to start.

“Reaching pupils across 13 high schools gives this project an important opportunity to engage young people directly and encourage positive choices.

“We are grateful to Strange Town for the important work they continue to do with young people across Edinburgh and look forward to seeing the impact of this project.”

The Edinburgh tour forms part of the wider Knife Angel project, which aims to bring communities together to raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime and encourage prevention and positive action.

Strange Town believes that high-quality theatre has a unique role to play in this work. By putting young people at the centre of a compelling story, BALISONG creates space for empathy, debate and reflection rather than simply presenting statistics or warnings.

The charity is also inviting members of the public to support the project by attending a special performance of BALISONG at the Traverse Theatre at 7pm on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September.

Tickets for the Traverse performance are available here: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/balisong 

The public can also help Strange Town continue its work with young people by making a donation to support future productions, school tours and accessible creative opportunities.

To support Strange Town: https://strangetown.org.uk 

Strange Town is a Leith-based charity that has spent more than 18 years creating accessible, high-quality theatre and creative opportunities for young people.

Its Touring Company works with professional emerging artists to create original productions specifically for young audiences, bringing theatre directly into schools and creating opportunities for pupils to engage with challenging issues in a safe and accessible environment.

The Balisong Theatre production is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and  Forth Ports, and is part of a wider programme of events whilst the Knife Angel Sculpture is in Edinburgh –  supported by Places for People Scotland and Police Scotland.

Schools offered help to pipe and drum their way to better outcomes

A new drive is being launched to help schools achieve better results for their pupils through traditional music.

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust already teach over 2000 youngsters each week in school programmes across Scotland.

The new drive is to target musical help for youngsters at schools facing some of the toughest economic challenges in the country.

Charity Chief Executive Lindsay Mackenzie said their work so far shows how school pipe bands help players do better in the classroom and head on to positive destinations after school: She said: “Over the past ten years we have seen great evidence of how pipe bands in schools really make a difference.

“Being part of a band teaches young people so much in terms of commitment, discipline, teamwork and there is the cultural side of it too.”

The SSPDT is now targeting schools facing challenges of remoteness or deprivation to help give pupils a boost.

The charity has over 500 sets of pipes out on free loan as well, realising that many of the pupils they are trying to help would struggle to afford instruments costing up to £900.

Lindsay Mackenzie said they are open to approaches from schools or parent groups wanting to start a band and are able to offer funding and more importantly expertise to get the project up and running effectively.

Screenshot

“We have had some great successes working with school groups the length of Scotland and many have gone on to form competiting school bands with more on the same pathway coming along behind.

“Our flagship project at Preston Lodge High School in East Lothian held on to their title as the best state school pipe band in the world at the World Championships in Glasgow last month.

“Entries will be opening soon for the competition we run, the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, and many of the over 100 bands performing there come from projects started working with the SSPDT.”

SSPDT Strategic Plan – For Publishing (2)Download

From Glasgow to Gujarat: Scottish teachers head to India to forge international links ahead of 2030 Commonwealth Games

A group of teachers from Glasgow will travel to Gujarat, India next week as part of a British Council initiative exploring education, culture and the role sport can play in learning, well-being and inclusion.

The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and strengthen international connections across the Commonwealth. The programme was inspired by this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and looks ahead to the Games taking place in Gujarat in 2030.

The teachers from Glasgow include:Ruth Cockburn from Highpark Primary School; Shaun Donnelly from Haghill Park Primary School; Nadine Fitchie from Cranhill Primary School; Carol Fawkes form Carmyle Primary School; Lewis Pollock from Pollokshields Primary School; James Prentice from St Patrick’s Primary School; alongside Samir Shah from Education Services Glasgow at Glasgow City Council.

They will take part in school visits, professional exchanges and meetings with senior government, education and sport stakeholders to explore topics such as sports education, inclusive education practices and the use of digital learning resources.

At the heart of the Programme is a commitment to reciprocal learning. Teachers and education leaders from both Glasgow and Gujarat will exchange ideas, experiences and approaches, including how the Commonwealth Games can be used as a catalyst for learning. This will ensure both communities benefit from new perspectives and innovative approaches to education, sport and global citizenship.

The trip forms part of a wider Glasgow 2026 legacy designed to help ‘pass the baton’ from Glasgow to Gujarat and ensure that the benefits of the Games extend far beyond sport.

This follows the British Council’s recent Commonwealth Games Classroom Resource Pack aimed at helping young people feel connected to the Games and its values, their communities and the wider Commonwealth through activities exploring connection, fairness and inclusion.

The enduring impact of this year’s Commonwealth Games will equip the Scottish teachers with a deeper understanding of education and culture in India, enabling them to build lasting professional relationships with their Indian counterparts. This will support future partnerships and collaboration opportunities within their own schools and across Scotland’s wider education sector.

Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said of the programme: “The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is a unique opportunity for teachers from Glasgow to share learnings and ideas from the 2026 Commonwealth Games with teachers and educators across the state of Gujarat.

“Sport has the power to do much more than bring people together on the playing field. It can support learning, inclusion, wellbeing and leadership, helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly inter-connected world.

“At the heart of this programme is a commitment to mutual learning, and we hope the teachers in both Glasgow and Gujarat will gain fresh perspectives and share innovative approaches to benefit their own schools and communities.

“By bringing together schools, teachers and educators from across the Commonwealth, we can help create lasting connections that extend well beyond the classroom and contribute to the wider legacy of the Games.”

One of the participating teachers, Shaun Donnelly, said of the opportunity: “I’m a Principal Teacher, leading on literacy, phonics, and writing across my school and I was absolutely delighted to be chosen by the British Council for this experience.

“I work in a wonderfully diverse community in a historic part of Glasgow and my previous teaching experiences overseas have shaped how I think about curriculum and community. This is a brilliant opportunity to learn from practitioners in Gujarat ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and to bring that learning back to my pupils in Glasgow.”

Another teacher, Nadine Fitchie, was thrilled to learn of her selection: “I was absolutely delighted and incredibly honoured to be selected for the Commonwealth Games Teacher Mobility Programme.

“Working in a community experiencing high levels of poverty has strengthened my commitment to equity and ensuring every child has access to opportunities that broaden their aspirations.

“It is a unique opportunity to learn from colleagues in India, develop international partnerships and bring innovative ideas back to my school.”

The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is part of the British Council’s wider work building connections, understanding and trust between the UK and countries worldwide through arts and culture, education and the English language.

Portobello High School marked a milestone anniversary

Celebratory lunch and launch of digital archive


Colin Hattersley Photography

Hundreds of former pupils, staff, partners and friends gathered at Portobello High School for a special anniversary lunch celebrating 150 years of the school at the heart of its community last week.

The event was just one of several ran throughout the year to mark the milestone and brought together generations of the Portobello community to reflect on the school’s rich history and celebrate the important role it continues to play in the area.

Guests enjoyed tours of the school and an extensive exhibition featuring photographs, documents and memorabilia from across the decades.

The celebration also included the launch of the school’s new digital archive, which will help preserve its history and make it accessible to former pupils and the wider community.

Former pupils and members of staff shared memories of their time at Portobello, while a special reflection remembered those who are sadly no longer with us.

Headteacher Greg McDowall said: “It was a wonderful occasion and a real privilege to welcome so many people back to Portobello.

“There was an incredible warmth throughout the day, with former pupils and staff reconnecting, sharing stories and celebrating everything the school has meant to the community over the past 150 years.

“Although we are enormously proud of our history, this celebration was also about looking ahead and ensuring that the legacy of Portobello High School continues for future generations.”

The school is encouraging former pupils, staff and members of the community to explore the Porty 150 digital archive on its website, where further photographs, memories and historical materials will continue to be added.

The archive was created by Ian Small, former pupil and former school dux and was awarded the MacIntyre prize by the school at the lunch for his hard work. 

A number of events will also be held in the coming months, providing further opportunities for people to visit the school, spend time exploring the archive and share their own memories of Portobello High School. you can find out more at the Porty 150 section of the school website. 

‘Excellence for every child’

Cutting costs and supporting teachers while delivering on reforms

Every young person will have the same opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or where they live in Scotland, Education Secretary Màiri McAllan has pledged, as she set out her priorities for education.

In a statement to Parliament, Ms McAllan confirmed councils would receive up to £2.8 million to help address school meal debt, to ease the cost of living for families that need it most, while work continues to expand Free School Meals.

A new £1 million pilot fund will support teachers taking up posts in rural and island communities with relocation and housing costs, to help attract teachers to hard-to-fill posts and encourage them to remain long-term. This is alongside wider ongoing national work to deliver a teacher job guarantee for a minimum of three years for newly-qualified teachers, and reduce class contact time.

Further plans will be brought forward shortly to help newly-qualified primary teachers gain additional registration, helping them transition into new roles, and to strengthen career opportunities for pupil support assistants.

Ms McAllan also set out plans to improve attainment, attendance, behaviour and curriculum, including streamlining guidance so that councils and schools can deliver more consistently on national policies.

Curriculum reforms, developed following the OECD’s Review of Scotland’s Curriculum, will be delivered in partnership with teachers, to ensure learners fully benefit from ongoing work to improve the curriculum.

Public Service Reform will be central to tackling inconsistencies in how national education policy is applied across the country, with work underway alongside councils to streamline data use, cut unnecessary bureaucracy and free up schools to focus on what matters most to pupils.

Ms McAllan added: “There is already so much to celebrate in our education system – record levels of literacy and numeracy in our schools, increases in exam passes across the board this year and more Scots gaining places at university.

“But I am clear we must raise standards and deliver excellence across Scotland by focusing on the ABCs in our schools – attainment, attendance, behaviour and curriculum. We must ensure every child regardless of where they live or whether they have an additional support need, are supported to learn and thrive at school.

“We must seize the opportunity of Public Service Reform to truly achieve this, by addressing the variability in education outcomes across the country, improving data collection, enhancing performance and accountability and empowering schools to invest and take the decisions they need to support pupils.

“As a Government we must also continue our work to cut the costs of the school day for families – that means more breakfast clubs, expanding free school meals and clearing school meal debt.

“The leadership I will offer as Education Secretary will always be guided by the pursuit of excellence and equity. I commit to working hand in hand with young people, their families, the workforce, trade unions and local government to ensure every child receives the highest standard of education.”

Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 – gov.scot

Thomas the Tank Engine becomes first-ever locomotive to choo-choose to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day

Mattel’s Thomas & Friends launches nationwide prize draw for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools that sign up to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day

This year, Mattel’s Thomas & Friends have come on-board to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be appointed as Save the Children’s Chief Delivery Officer for Christmas Jumper Day and will be the first-ever locomotive to choo-choose to support the annual festive fundraiser and help keep it on track.

Together, Thomas and Save the Children will help deliver festive joy to children in the UK and around the world who need it most.

Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day is taking place on Thursday 10th December 2026 and to help encourage more children than ever to sign up and take part, Mattel is launching a nationwide prize draw for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools.

Schools and nurseries that register by Tuesday 1st December 

at ChristmasJumperDay.org will be in with the chance of winning:

  • Nursery – A Day Out With Thomas adventure, where one nursery class of up to 30 children, plus up to 4 teachers/chaperones can enjoy a ride on a full-sized Thomas engine and child-friendly activities. Subject to availability. 
  • Primary – An unforgettable full-day visit for one winning primary school class to Drayton Manor Resort, home of Thomas Land, with access to over 50 rides and attractions throughout the park. Includes admission to Thomas Land, reasonable return group/coach travel, lunch for all attendees and parking where applicable. 
  • Secondary – One exclusive interactive STEM-focused workshop with a Mattel designer at your school, where students can discover the creative process behind some of their favourite toys and bring ideas to life. 

It’s simple: 

  1. Sign up for your free fundraising pack at ChristmasJumperDay.org 
  2. Get your jumper out. You don’t have to buy a new one, upcycle an old jumper with tinsel and baubles.  
  3. Donate to Save the Children. By having fun and raising money, you’re supporting children in the UK and around the world. 

When you sign up to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, you’ll receive a free fundraising pack with lesson plans, festive activities and all the information you need to plan the merriest day ever.  

Kristina Arora, Head of Christmas Jumper Day, from Save the Children said: “With Thomas the Tank Engine coming on-board for the 2026 campaign we hope that more children than ever will sign up and take part.

By launching an exclusive prize draw for anyone who signs up to Christmas Jumper Day this year, our incredible partner Mattel is helping us to bring communities together for the festive season. The more money we raise this Christmas, the more impact we can have on the lives of children who need it most.”

“For generations, Thomas & Friends has inspired children through stories of friendship, teamwork and helping others, so we’re incredibly proud to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day this year,” said Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Global Corporate Events and Philanthropy at Mattel.

“As Thomas takes on his new role as Chief Delivery Officer, we’re excited to help bring even more schools, nurseries and families together for a day of festive fun that can make a real difference to children who need it most, helping keep this year’s campaign on track.”

Sign up now at ChristmasJumperDay.org

Thomas the Tank Engine x Save the Children 

Mattel launches nationwide prize draw for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools that sign up to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day

  • Thomas the Tank Engine becomes first-ever locomotive to choo-choose to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day
  • Mattel’s Thomas & Friends launches nationwide prize draw for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools that sign up to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day

This year, Mattel’s Thomas & Friends have come on-board to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be appointed as Save the Children’s Chief Delivery Officer for Christmas Jumper Day and will be the first-ever locomotive to choo-choose to support the annual festive fundraiser and help keep it on track.

Together, Thomas and Save the Children will help deliver festive joy to children in the UK and around the world who need it most.

Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day is taking place on Thursday 10th December 2026 and to help encourage more children than ever to sign up and take part, Mattel is launching a nationwide prize draw for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools.

Schools and nurseries that register by Tuesday 1st December at: ChristmasJumperDay.org will be in with the chance of winning:

  • Nursery – A Day Out With Thomas adventure, where one nursery class of up to 30 children, plus up to 4 teachers/chaperones can enjoy a ride on a full-sized Thomas engine and child-friendly activities. Subject to availability. 
  • Primary – An unforgettable full-day visit for one winning primary school class to Drayton Manor Resort, home of Thomas Land, with access to over 50 rides and attractions throughout the park. Includes admission to Thomas Land, reasonable return group/coach travel, lunch for all attendees and parking where applicable. 
  • Secondary – One exclusive interactive STEM-focused workshop with a Mattel designer at your school, where students can discover the creative process behind some of their favourite toys and bring ideas to life. 

It’s simple: 

  1. Sign up for your free fundraising pack at ChristmasJumperDay.org 
  2. Get your jumper out. You don’t have to buy a new one, upcycle an old jumper with tinsel and baubles.  
  3. Donate to Save the Children. By having fun and raising money, you’re supporting children in the UK and around the world. 

When you sign up to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, you’ll receive a free fundraising pack with lesson plans, festive activities and all the information you need to plan the merriest day ever.  

Kristina Arora, Head of Christmas Jumper Day, from Save the Children said: “With Thomas the Tank Engine coming on-board for the 2026 campaign we hope that more children than ever will sign up and take part.

“By launching an exclusive prize draw for anyone who signs up to Christmas Jumper Day this year, our incredible partner Mattel is helping us to bring communities together for the festive season. The more money we raise this Christmas, the more impact we can have on the lives of children who need it most.

“For generations, Thomas & Friends has inspired children through stories of friendship, teamwork and helping others, so we’re incredibly proud to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day this year,” said Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Global Corporate Events and Philanthropy at Mattel.

“As Thomas takes on his new role as Chief Delivery Officer, we’re excited to help bring even more schools, nurseries and families together for a day of festive fun that can make a real difference to children who need it most, helping keep this year’s campaign on track.”

Sign up now at  at ChristmasJumperDay.org 

Local MSP calls for urgent action to tackle youth knife crime in schools

ALMOST FIFTY KNIFE INCIDENTS IN EDINBURGH SCHOOLS IN FIVE YEARS

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has today urged the SNP government to step up efforts to tackle youth knife crime as she revealed that there have been almost 50 such crimes in Edinburgh schools since 2021.

New figures uncovered by the party show that since 2021 there have been:

  • 37 crimes of possession of an article with a blade or point in Edinburgh schools.  
  • 10 crimes of these articles being used in some other kind of criminal activity in Edinburgh schools.

Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the police have recorded almost 700 crimes of possessing an article with a blade or point in schools across Scotland over the last five years.

Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “Each one of these crimes will have been hugely distressing for the staff and pupils involved.

“These figures do not sit in isolation, and we need to understand the part played by events like the pandemic, which had a severe and longer-lasting impact on young people.

“That impact hasn’t been helped by the Scottish Government’s failure to recognise the importance of interventions like youth work.

“Youth work can stop this kind of violence from happening in the first place by offering young people valuable support and guidance, often from someone who is neither a parent nor a teacher.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight for a proper investment in youth work so that we can give young people the choices and the futures they deserve.”

Consultation: Primary School and Nursery on Granton Waterfront

THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 5.15pm – 8.30pm at GRANTON STATION

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ONLINE from WEDNESDAY 26th AUGUST

Come and talk to us about our proposals to build a new Primary School and Nursery at Granton Waterfront.

The new proposed building will be able to accommodate a Nursery for 128 pupils between the ages of two and five, and a new two stream (15 classes) primary school with the potential for an Enhanced Support Base (ESB) with four additional classes. The facility will have the ability to expand to up to a three stream (22 classes) primary school in future.

You’ll be able to view the proposals and take part in our public consultation online from Wednesday, 26 August 2026 until Thursday 15 October 2026 at 5.00pm. 

Funding available for Maths Week Scotland activities

Apply for Maths Week Scotland Grant Funding by 5pm on Sunday 30 August!

Schools, nurseries, early learning & childcare providers, community & family providers & other educational settings can apply for £250 or £500 towards their #MWS2026 activities!

https://ow.ly/MKBW50Zztf3