Mandatory qualifications for head teachers will move a step closer tomorrow when Deputy First Minister John Swinney publishes draft regulations requiring new head teachers to hold a Standard of Headship award before being appointed. The move is part of the Scottish Government’s strategy to improve school education by ensuring head teachers have the leadership skills they need. Continue reading Government moves to strengthen school leadership
Minister for Childcare & Early Years Mark McDonald MSP visited North Edinburgh Childcare yesterday.
The Minister, who was joined by local MSP Ben Macpherson, was given a guided tour of the facility by General Manager Theresa Allison.
Mr McDonald met staff, parents and lots of children during his visit to the Ferry Road Anenue centre once described by former Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm as North Edinburgh’s ‘jewel in the crown’.
North Edinburgh Childcare will celebrate it’s twentieth birthday in the Spring.
Staffing in Scotland’s NHS has increased by over 1,000 in the last year, taking workforce levels to a new record high. Continue reading Local MSP welcomes record high NHS staff levels
Communities across Scotland have the opportunity to map out the future of their areas alongside design experts following the awarding of Charrette grants from the Scottish Government. Among the beneficiaries is Citizen Curator and Leith Creative, who will receive £19,400 to support an initiative to look at planning and social issues. Continue reading Better by design: Charrette cash for Leith project
A new law which makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying anyone under 18 comes into force tomorrow.
Disability Delivery Plan published
Consumers looking for a festive bargain are being urged to keep their details secure as figures reveal online crime cost consumers and business £10.9 million last Christmas across the UK. Figures from Get Safe Online and Action Fraud show the figure decreased by 33% in total compared to the same period in 2014-2015. Continue reading Don’t make it easy for cybercriminals
Groups helping some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged young people are to receive funding support of £17 million. Seventeen organisations have been awarded the money, seized from criminals operating in Scotland, in the latest round of CashBack funding. Continue reading Youth organisations to share £17 million CashBack funding
Citizens Advice Bureaux will expand their support to people needing advice on funeral planning, Social Security Secretary Angela Constance has announced. Continue reading Government action to tackle funeral poverty
Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald, has announced that Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the Scottish Borders will be the first three locations for Early Learning and Childcare expansion trials. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Craigentinny Nursery yesterday.
The trials, which form part of the Scottish Government’s drive to increase the flexibility, quality and quantity of provision, will commence in January 2017 and will test out a variety of models including:
Mr McDonald said: “High quality early learning and childcare plays a vital role in narrowing the attainment gap that is why this Government has gone further than any other in our commitment to expanding free entitlement.
“But, the Scottish Government is not simply determined to increase the amount of early learning and childcare. We are also determined to deliver the flexibility that families need to make best use of high quality childcare.
“Right now, councils work hard to be flexible but we must all acknowledge that too often the system does not offer places where and when families need them. We are going to change that.
“We have already launched a major consultation looking at different options, including blending together ideas like funding following the child and Children in Scotland’s Childcare Commission proposal that parents can opt to receive funding in a childcare account.
“Today, we are launching a series of trials to test various models of delivery for the expansion to 1,140 hours.
“By trialling different delivery models we will be better able to understand what parents and children need and want. The three successful local authorities announced today put forward a diverse range of proposals and I look forward to seeing how these work in practice.”
“As highlighted in research from Heriot-Watt University published yesterday, quality childcare is a key contributor to reducing poverty and tackling inequality. Today marks the latest milestone in Scotland’s journey towards a high-quality, flexible childcare system that helps children, parents and families the length and breadth of the country.”
Councillor Cammy Day, Education Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s important for children to experience a diverse education from an early age and the Forest Kindergarten trial project is a really innovative way of enriching their learning as research shows that education outdoors has a really beneficial impact on young people.
“Apart from the positive educational benefits the project will also give pupils from areas of social deprivation opportunities and experiences which may otherwise be limited to them.”
