Tag: schools

Online support for new teachers

Hundreds of teachers who are new in post, or working in pastoral or child protection roles, are to be offered support to manage the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland have partnered with social enterprise organisation KnowYouMore who will provide coaches for the new online one-to-one sessions. Sessions are already being offered to headteachers as part of a support package funded by the Scottish Government last September.

The new programme now includes support for more than 500 teachers in their first four years of post-probation to discuss any personal or professional pressures they are facing as a result of delivering remote learning.

Education Secretary John Swinney, said: “COVID-19 has placed unprecedented strain on school staff and none more so than those who have pastoral care and child protection responsibilities ensuring the emotional welfare of our children and young people as we recover from the pandemic.

“The teacher support package I announced last year will complement the existing professional training and support already taking place for staff in schools across Scotland. Teachers need to be part of a supportive online community and have the space to stop and think about issues that are causing concern.”

Gayle Gorman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Education Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Education Scotland is fully committed to ensuring the education workforce feel supported and I’m delighted this next phase of our coaching and mentoring offer is available more widely.

“We have found that it really benefits teachers to know there is someone with a listening ear who are there for them. Our 1:1 coaching and mentoring sessions for Headteachers have proved a really popular way of supporting their wellbeing and now the offer is also open to post probation teachers, teachers new to role and those with pastoral responsibilities. I would encourage more practitioners to sign up.”  

Ken Muir, Chief Executive, of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, said: “GTC Scotland is pleased to be working with our partners in education to deliver this important coaching to support hard-pressed teachers who are doing all they can to maintain quality learning in challenging circumstances.

“In addition to this coaching, GTC Scotland itself has invested heavily in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education professionals and will continue to do so throughout the pandemic.”

UK Schools spread misinformation about Hinduism, says new report

A new report [1] published by INSIGHT UK reveals that pupils leave school with an incorrect and sparse understanding of Hinduism. INSIGHT UK is an organisation that aims to address the concerns of the British Hindu and British Indian communities.

The document titled “A report on the state of Hinduism in Religious Education in UK Schools”, includes claims of bullying and inferiority complex issues experienced by British Hindus because of the inaccurate teaching of Hinduism in RE.

It states some disturbing findings, including parents highlighting misinformation spread by UK schools, for example linking gender disparity in education in India to Hinduism and linking social issues from South Asia to Hinduism. A teaching book even suggested that Hindus were turning to terrorism.

The report also provides evidence that the subject is not available for most students taking GCSE exams, despite Hindus being the third-largest religious group in the UK. The project by INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by major Hindu organisations in the UK. Asmita Bhudia, a Hinduism Tutor and School Teacher, says, “The choice is taken away from pupils and parents to accurately study Hinduism in many UK schools”.

INSIGHT UK carried out consultations and research with SACRE members, academics, teachers, and parents followed by a national survey, which is being described as one of the most successful Hindu surveys in the UK in terms of responses and coverage.

Data captured showed that the majority of British Hindus were dissatisfied with the teaching of Hinduism in UK schools and unhappy with teachers’ knowledge of the subject. The report mentions that as a result, students in the UK schools are being deprived of the correct knowledge of Hinduism and hence of a true world view.

Recent research has claimed many schools were breaking the law when it comes to RE [2]. This comes at a time when Hindus have faced attacks for practising their faith [3].

This project of INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by the following major Hindu organisations in the country:

£45m support package for schools

A new package of £45 million will help local authorities to provide support to schools and families as they deal with the challenges of remote learning during lockdown, Education Secretary John Swinney confirmed yesterday.

Councils may use the funding – sufficient to fund 2,000 additional teachers – for purposes including recruitment of additional staff, additional digital devices or to provide additional family support.

This is on top of £160 million already committed for education recovery since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total additional support provided to more than £200 million since the start of the pandemic. Private and third sector day care of children settings will also receive almost £4 million in temporary financial support.

Mr Swinney has also asked HM Inspectors of Education to commence with a national review of the quality and effectiveness of remote learning across the country with the first report published next Friday, 22 January.

The Scottish Government will ensure all appropriate mitigations are in place to support a safe return including enhancing our testing programme in schools. We expect that pilots of two different testing models – one using in-school testing with Lateral Flow Devices (LFD), and another involving at-home testing using PCR tests – will begin in a small number of schools from next week.

Mr Swinney said: “I appreciate only too well the additional burden home learning is placing on many of our children and their families. After the last period of school building closures we commissioned an Equity Audit, published today, to better understand the impact on children’s learning and health and wellbeing, particularly disadvantaged pupils.

“Since the start of the pandemic our funding has led to an additional 1,400 teachers and over 200 support staff being appointed. The new funding can be used to recruit further staff – which might include teachers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, home/school link workers or other support workers – as well as the resources that families and schools need to support home learning, including additional digital devices where there is any remaining unmet need, and other home learning resources.

“The quality and effectiveness of remote learning across the country will be reviewed by HM Inspectors of Education. A programme of ‘national overviews’, will commence immediately and last for the duration of remote learning. These will seek to identify what is working well and where further improvement is required. These overviews will be published weekly to ensure they are available for everyone to learn and build from, starting week ending 22 January.

“I am aware that remaining open for very small numbers of children creates pressure for some childcare providers, and I can therefore confirm we will make temporary financial support of up to £3.8 million available for each four week period of restrictions to day care of children providers and childminding settings caring for 12 or more children who remain open for vulnerable and keyworker children during these restrictions. We will confirm details as soon as possible.

“If the evidence tells us we can get some pupils back safely, we will do that, and we will ensure the package of mitigations in schools remains robust and tailored to the circumstances we face. As part of that work, we expect that pilots of two different testing models – one using in-school testing with Lateral Flow Devices, and another involving at-home testing using PCR tests – will begin in a small number of schools from next week, helping to inform options for wider rollout.

“I am grateful to our hardworking, dedicated teaching professionals for their intense work to plan, organise and deliver learning. The virus will be beaten, and schools will return fully to intensify our efforts to achieve excellence and equity for all of Scotland’s children.”

Advice and support for parents and carers is available at the Parent Club.

Free cyber security courses for schools in Scotland

Young people aged 11-14 years in Scotland are being invited to participate in a series of free, virtual CyberFirst courses to help students explore their passion for technology and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity talent.

Created by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ, and delivered in partnership with QA and the educational charity The Smallpeice Trust, the CyberFirst courses are designed to show students interested in computing and cyber security what a diverse range of career paths are available in the field and to help them develop the skills they need to excel.

The content is structured in a way that aims to harness every student’s individual potential whilst delving into the ins and outs of everyday technology using realistic scenarios.

The interactive, instructor-led courses, that will take place in virtual classrooms throughout February 2021, include:

  • CyberFirst Trailblazers – open to any student starting Year 8, S2 in Scotland in the 2020/21 academic year. Students will become ‘digital detectives’, employing digital forensics to identify the source and spread of malicious software and learning how open source intelligence can help with the collection of further information. They will also learn the basics of website customisation.
  • CyberFirst Adventurers – open to any student starting Year 9, S3 in Scotland in the 2020/21 academic year. Students will use ‘big data’, work against the clock in a cryptography exercise, and have the chance to create their own models using 3D design software.

The courses will also instil a strong sense of responsibility in students, emphasising the importance of acting safely, legally and ethically in the cyber security profession.

Chris Ensor, the NCSC’s Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said: “I’m delighted we are offering our CyberFirst Trailblazers and Adventurers courses online next year, giving more students from across Scotland an exciting opportunity to develop their digital skills.

“I would really encourage students to sign up to learn more about what cyber security careers actually look like and to connect with other like-minded people with a shared passion for technology. The cyber security experts of the future will play a vital role in keeping the UK safe online, and the NCSC is committed to nurturing the young talent this country has to ensure we have a well-equipped and diverse workforce.”

Dr Kevin P. Stenson, chief executive of The Smallpeice Trust, said:“With many students continuing to shield or facing the possibility of self-isolation, the online CyberFirst courses will provide a brilliant – and most importantly, safe – opportunity for young people in Scotland to boost their digital skills and enrich their problem-solving abilities from their own homes.”

The CyberFirst Trailblazer and Adventurer courses will take place during February. Further information and booking for the CyberFirst courses can be found here: https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst

Government efforts to narrow digital divide will still leave disadvantaged children in the cold

Education expert welcomes new help but says inevitable rush by schools to access what’s on offer will slow delivery

The UK Government’s last-minute decision to close schools to the vast majority of children has again highlighted the so-called digital divide – the large number of homes where there are insufficient digital devices for pupils to work on – or no broadband connection at all. 

About 9% of children in the UK – between 1.1 million and 1.8 million – do not have access to a laptop, desktop or tablet at home, according to Ofcom. More than 880,000 of them live in a household with only a mobile internet connection. 

But pupils in England who have no access to laptops have now been designated ‘vulnerable’, the Department for Education has said, meaning that they can continue to attend school for face-to-face learning during lockdown. 

And Three UK, which has an 11% market share of mobile subscriptions in the UK, said on Tuesday that it would provide unlimited data upgrades to disadvantaged schoolchildren in England until the end of the school year in July, amid pressure on others to do the same. 

There is an existing DfE scheme for disadvantaged children who do not have access to a home broadband connection to temporarily increase their mobile data allowance. Schools, trusts and local authorities need to request the support on a pupil’s behalf.

As for the tablets themselves, the Department for Education says it had delivered more than 560,000 devices to schools and councils in England between the start of the pandemic and the end of last year, though there have been widespread complaints from schools that the numbers promised have not arrived. 

Ministers say they aim to have delivered a further 100,000 laptops and tablets to schools by the end of this week to help it reach its overall target of 1 million devices.

Former primary school teacher Oli Ryan of education resources experts PlanBee, which has produced learning packs to help parents having to home-school their children, says: The government scheme looks pretty good – at least in theory.

‘In addition to laptops and tablets which schools and local authorities can order, they can also get 4G routers, apply for extra data allowances on parents’ mobile phones, and get their entire school set up on either Google or Microsoft’s virtual classroom learning platforms,’ he says.

He continued: ‘There’s training available for staff on distributing, setting up and using all the tech, too. The site says that once a school has registered that they are closed due to outbreak, or supporting a vulnerable child learning from home, they can get the tech delivered within two days of placing an order.’

But he warns that although the government technology offer is now better established than during the first lockdown, there are likely to be significant delays getting the technology into the hands of those who need it most: disadvantaged children.

‘It’s bad enough that learning is being interrupted for all pupils, as teachers scramble to prepare remote learning materials, but even worse is the fact that, once again, it’s the children in poorer families who will suffer for longer while they wait for laptops, tablets and 4G routers to arrive.’

He says that had the decision to close schools been made sooner, and more notice given, schools could have placed orders in time for the start of the new term.

‘Now, many primary schools and local authorities will all be applying for laptops at the same time; there are bound to be issues with delivery as a consequence.’

PlanBee’s Learn at Home Packs each contains eight lessons with teacher-led teaching input videos, parent-friendly friendly lesson plans, slideshow presentations and printable worksheets.

‘We hope these packs will take some of the pressure off parents who are new to home schooling. They’re designed specifically for mums and dads, so there’s no educational jargon. Educating your children at home can seem a pretty daunting prospect, but with these packs, we think we’re helping with the heavy lifting.’

He added: ‘We have kept the need for technology to an absolute minimum, but all education providers have to rely on it to some extent, even if it’s only to download PDF worksheets.

‘The Government needs to get the digital divide sorted – and fast.’

PlanBee have put a lesson videos up online for FREE, so you can get a taste of what’s included in the packs. And there are lots of free teaching resources for parents here.

Education: Remote learning guidance published

Guidance for teachers and families to support remote learning in schools has been published by Education Scotland.

It has been created in partnership through the Education Recovery Group and sets out a shared understanding of the key principles of remote learning, the support and resources available for teachers and families and what children and young people are entitled to.

This is in addition to remote learning guidance already produced by local authorities for schools to plan and prepare.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Our national e-learning offer, launched in June 2020, is already strengthening the remote and e-learning option available to schools.

“All authorities and schools in Scotland are already able to access to live, recorded and supported learning resources, while more than 50,000 devices such as laptops have been distributed to children and young people to help with remote learning.

“I am grateful for the huge amount of work that has already been done to prepare for next week and more is being done in order to continuously improve the national remote learning offer. 

“This guidance sets out a range of entitlements for children and young people during the period of remote learning. It highlights the importance of achieving an appropriate balance of live learning and independent activity and an entitlement to ongoing dialogue, reflection and feedback with teachers.”

Link to guidance

EIS: Impact of Covid continues to hit children living in poverty

The EIS has warned that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a disproportionate impact on young people from less advantaged backgrounds.

Without sufficient intervention and support, the consequences of the pandemic could further entrench the disadvantage experienced by young people currently living in poverty.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a damaging impact on the education of young people right across Scotland, and it is young people already facing disadvantage who have felt this most acutely.

“Young people from less affluent backgrounds are far less likely to have access to the types of resources that are available to young people in other areas, which has clearly had an impact during the pandemic.

“Young people living in poverty were far more likely to disengage from education during the lockdown period for a wide range of reasons – including lack of access to IT equipment or suitable access to the internet. This has the potential to further entrench, or even widen, the poverty-related attainment gap that persists in many parts of Scotland.”

Mr Flanagan added, “With all schools set to move to a remote learning model, for at least a week, as schools return following the holiday period, it is essential that we ensure that no young person is disadvantaged as a result.

“The move to a temporary online learning model from next week for most pupils was a necessary and correct decision – but this must be properly supported for it to be delivered successfully across Scotland.

“Longer term, to ensure we have an education led recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the Scottish Parliament needs to commit investment into every area of education – pre-5; Primary and Secondary; Colleges; and Higher Education.”

Tougher Covid restrictions likely as First Minister recalls Holyrood

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon is likely to announce tougher coronavirus restrictions this afternoon as the virus continues to run riot across the country.

Ms Sturgeon has called an urgent Cabinet meeting this morning and will address the Holyrood Parliament this afternoon.

2464 new cases were reported in Scotland yesterday and, with the new strain of the virus a particular concern, it’s understood that the cabinet will consider further delays to the return to school as well as other measures to contain the spread.

Current plans for Edinburgh pupils returning to school:

On 26 December, Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions came into force for mainland Scotland. This means that there are changes to the start of next term for children and young people.

6 to 8 January 2020

  • School will be closed for most pupils.

Children of key workers and vulnerable children

  • There will be support for children of key workers at their own school/nursery IF both parents/carers meet the criteria – read Scottish Government guidance on key workers.
  • All parents will receive an email about this on 22 December. If you meet the criteria, please apply online for a place by 3 January. Your child’s school will confirm places on 5 January.
  • Schools will also contact families to offer places for vulnerable children.

11 to 15 January 2020

  • Remote / online learning for all other pupils, at home.
  • Children of key workers and vulnerable children can continue to attend their own school if they have a place.
  • If your child attends a Special School, the head teacher will contact you by 6 January with the arrangements for that school from 11 January.

18 January 2020

  • All pupils return to school, unless further changes are announced by the Scottish Government.

When pupils return to school

When children return to school, it is essential that everyone follows infection control measures, especially:

  • face coverings (where appropriate)
  • hand-washing
  • two-metre distancing where possible.

NB: These plans are subject to change by Scottish Government.

Don’t Stop the Music!

Music provision in schools faces ‘stark challenges’

The EIS has published a new briefing highlighting the stark challenges facing instrumental music provision in Scotland’s schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EIS recently surveyed its Instrumental Music Teachers (IMTs) across Scotland, and their responses have been incorporated into the new briefing paper (copy attached).

The key issues identified include:

  • Inconsistent approaches in the delivery of Instrumental Music Tuition across Scotland, with IMTs in some areas unable to return safely to school and having to adapt and develop new approaches for practical online teaching – often with insufficient resources and support.
  • The damaging impact of the pandemic on young people’s access to music tuition, particularly those currently studying for SQA qualifications and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Legitimate fears that any reduction in provision could lead to fewer students learning music, with serious implications for the future of instrumental music service and for IMT jobs.

There are also serious concerns that the growing practice of charging for Instrumental Music Tuition is having a direct impact on pupil participation and on equity of provision.

27 local authorities have now introduced some form of charging regime, through the introduction of tuition fees, instrument hire charges or a combination of both, leaving only 5 Councils across Scotland, where there are no costs associated with access to Instrumental Music Tuition.

Even more worrying is the dramatic increase in the level of charging which we have seen in recent years. In some areas of Scotland, annual charges are now in excess of £300 per pupil, with charges reaching £524 per annum in one authority.

The result is that while non-charging local authorities have seen an increase in pupil numbers of 31.4% since 2012/13, charging authorities have had an overall decline of 12.7% in pupil numbers over the same period.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Scotland is rapidly moving towards a scenario where only children from well-off families can learn to play an instrument.

“This is unjust and unacceptable. We must reverse the trend of charging to allow free access to music education for all, particularly those for whom the poverty-related attainment gap has widened as a result of COVID-19.”

The briefing can be read in full here.

click here to download an audio clip.

Competition launched to showcase young people’s art to world leaders at COP26

● Actor and broadcaster Cel Spellman launches a nationwide art competition, Creative Earth, in collaboration with COP26 and WWF 

● Competition launched at a surprise event in a school in Great Yarmouth 

● Young people from across the UK are competing for a chance to have their artwork  

displayed at the COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow 

● The work seeks to inspire world leaders, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to create a better planet for future generations  

An art competition has been launched for young people across the UK, with the winners having  their artwork displayed at the COP26 Climate Change conference next year in Glasgow.  

The Creative Earth competition is part of a UK Government initiative, Together for our Planet, and  launched in collaboration with the WWF to encourage young people to use the power of art to  capture their hopes and dreams for the planet in the future.  

To kickstart the competition, Cel Spellman, star of Netflix’s White Lines and BBC Radio 1, surprised a  group of year seven students at Ormiston Venture Academy in Great Yarmouth via a special Zoom  call.  

Cel invited the children to be the first to get creative. The students were then given the opportunity  to talk about their chosen artwork creations with Cel and explain why it is important to them. 

Cel, who is a WWF ambassador said: “The Creative Earth art competition is such a unique and  exciting opportunity for children from across the UK to have their voice heard and show world leaders  exactly the kind of world they want to live in, inherit and pass on to future generations.

“I’m asking as  many under-16s as possible to please get involved and be part of something special as we aim to  create a better, greener, sustainable future and call on world leaders to commit to making that a  reality and bring about the change we so desperately need to see, reminding them it’s young people  who will live with the consequences of our actions now.” 

Creative Earth artwork entries will be judged by a celebrity panel and COP26 President Alok Sharma  in Spring 2021.

Special prizes will be awarded for the best artwork in each age group. Judges will also  select the best pieces to be displayed at the COP26 summit in November next year.  

Alok Sharma, COP26 President said: “Across the world, young people are leading the call for climate  action and we want to make sure this is properly recognised at COP26 in Glasgow. That is why I hope  young people from across the country will seize this opportunity to showcase their vision for a  greener future.” 

Simon Gilbert-Barnham, Principal at Ormiston Venture Academy, said: “It’s not every day that pupils  get a chance to influence the UK Prime Minister and world leaders!

“This competition is an incredible  opportunity for young people to present their vision for a greener, healthier and happier planet.  Everyone at Ormiston Venture Academy is over the moon to be taking part in the Creative Earth art  competition and we can’t wait to see the entries that come in from young people around the country.”

The Together For Our Planet campaign aims to work with businesses, civil society groups, schools  and the public across the UK to help build awareness around the importance of tackling climate  change in the run up to the COP26. 

Find out more about the competition and enter now on the Together for our Planet website.