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Curriculum jitters as
In brief
Retail boost
Ministers have announced
funding for an extra 2000
modern apprenticeships in
the Scottish retail sector, and
final countdown begins
600 modern apprenticeships
in management. Announcing
the new places, Fiona Hyslop,
education secretary, said: “Our
whole economy has faced
massive challenges over recent
months. However, in order
by Sam Phipps
“Curriculum for Excellence is a mocking a document that was ment sold “the big picture, not the Rhona Brankin, Labour educa- to ensure that our economy
programme that is in real trouble. distributed to every teacher in the detail”. tion spokeswoman, said it was a continues to be competitive in a
Teachers support the principles but country. Liz Smith, Conservative edu- scandal that a fifth of pupils left global market, we need to invest
Scottish schools enter their last feel unsure of the way forward. Ask It described literacy as “the set cation spokeswoman, said: “Keir school without being able to read now in people who can develop
full year before the introduction a dozen teachers, or a dozen direc- of skills which allows an individ- Bloomer is only echoing what properly. high-level management and
of Curriculum for Excellence with tors of education for that matter, to ual to engage fully in society and every parent and teacher in Scotland “This government has under leadership skills.”
a war of words raging around the define the new curriculum in two in learning, through the different already knows. Namely, that Alex funded the curriculum changes
imminent changes. clear sentences and you will get a forms of language, and the range Salmond’s SNP has failed to deliver and a lack of leadership from the
Keir Bloomer, one of the archi- dozen different answers,” he wrote of texts, which society values and when it comes to improving basic education minister is denting con-
student debt
tects of the three to 18 system that in The Scotsman. finds useful”. standards in our schools. fidence in the reforms,” she said. Students in Scotland are racking
was due to start this term but has been Mr Bloomer, a former teacher “No, it’s not,” he said. “It’s about “Improving standards in reading, But a government spokesman up a debt of £2,194 a year
postponed until September 2010, and director of education, sin- how to read and write.” writing and arithmetic and the new said: “Education will be suited to – although the figure is around
upped the ante last month when he gled out the government’s litera- He said the overall programme Curriculum for Excellence must not the needs of individual pupils in a £3,000 less than the UK average.
described it as “not good enough”. cy goals for particular criticism, would only work if the govern- be seen as mutually exclusive.” modern world.” Push.co.uk, which carried out
the research, says Scotland’s
Questions persist over
more generous funding system is
good news for students starting
university in the country this
month, as the average yearly
debt in England stands at £5,271.
school building projects
Johnny Rich, of Push.co.uk,
said: “With the economy in
recession, students are even more
concerned about debt than they
As Scottish schools start another Critics of the private finance But the SFT – which was origi- have been in recent years.”
academic year, uncertainty persists initiative (PFI) that was favoured nally meant to attract new not-for-
over how the SNP government and by the SNP’s Labour and Lib Dem profit funding and is now in effect
local authorities will fund the huge predecessors are yet to be reas- a quango – has yet to be tried and
Dance moves
improvements in buildings and sured by how the fledgling Scottish tested. SNP ministers have privately A series of videos designed
infrastructure that all political par- Futures Trust (SFT) will work. admitted it could end up tapping pri- to support learning in Higher
ties agree are vital. One Edinburgh banker said: vate funds, which critics say would dance practice have been made
In May, education minister Fiona “Funders were comfortable with make it little different from PFI. available on the Learning and
Hyslop announced a £1.25 billion the risk of PFI, but they’re not “The SFT is proceeding in its Teaching Scotland website.
investment programme for 55 new comfortable with the risk of SFT. development and we will be making Each clip aims to help learners
primaries and secondaries, to the Until we know more, that’s unlikely more announcements soon,” a gov- to improve knowledge, skill
benefit of some 35,000 pupils. to change.” ernment spokesman told SecEd. and understanding of accurate
Even allowing for their eventual The old system tied local Meanwhile, local authorities, hit technique for classical,
completion, the figures only rep- authorities into sometimes punitive by budget squeezes and recession- contemporary and jazz dance.
resent a fraction of the necessary and costly deals that even restricted ary pressures, have yet to announce Visit: www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/
work. An official survey earlier this access to premises out of hours which schools will be rebuilt. resources/higherdancepractice
year by Audit Scotland found that – all in return for questionable Audit Scotland says it could be
134 school buildings were in a bad build quality. First minister, Alex another 20 years before the infra-
condition, grade D, and 698 more Salmond, is adamant there will be structure renewal is complete.
Doran steps down
were poor, grade C. no return. The head of education for
Scotland’s largest local authority
Red Cross
Still time to nominate your PA
has stepped down. Margaret
Doran, director of children
and families for Glasgow City
Council, will officially leave
Time is running out to nominate In his nomination, Mr Hunter Our judging panel always looks her position at the end of this
seeks Scottish
your PA for the 2009 SecEd described Sharon as “warm, gra- for evidence of a PA’s dedication week. Ms Doran told The Herald
Headteacher’s PA of the Year cious and friendly”, and he too and loyalty to their role, as well as that she wanted to “explore
Awards. is urging heads to put their PAs evidence of the impact that they new opportunities and new
The fourth annual awards cer- forward. have on the school’s systems and challenges” following three
emony will take place at the pres- Ms Dow continued: “Andrew operations. We look for the impact “successful and fulfilling years”.
‘superheroes’
tigious Landmark Hotel in London has been writing to headteachers PAs have with the teaching and
later this year, where around 20 at schools across the UK, so he support staff in the school, as well
finalists and their headteachers will obviously feels it is something that as with the students.
Biology day
be treated to a gala dinner, before everyone should get involved in.” We want to hear about PAs who The Scottish Agricultural
Young Scottish “superheroes” that people, fundraising or campaign- the 2009 winner is announced and Although Ms Dow took home take on duties above and beyond College and the Royal Highland
have made a contribution to soci- ing for a worthy cause.” all other finalists recognised with the silver award, Scotland has yet to their job specification, but also Education Trust are inviting
ety are being sought by the British Nominations close on Friday, certificates. scoop the top prize, making it all the about those who have revolution- budding biologists in S6 to
Red Cross as part of its 2009 September 25, and all finalists Last year’s silver award winner more important that headteachers ised the traditional PA role within attend a day of debates and
Humanitarian Citizen Awards. will be invited to attend an exclu- was Sharon Dow, PA to Andrew get their nominations in. a school. demonstrations by biological
The competition, which is open sive awards ceremony in London, Hunter at Merchiston School in The deadline for nominations is researchers and practitioners. It
to individuals or groups under the hosted by television presenter Edinburgh.
How to enter
Thursday, October 15, although we will take place on Wednesday
age of 25, looks to reward young- Konnie Huq. She told SecEd: “I absolutely The awards are open to every advise you to get them in as soon as (September 2), at the Moredun
sters who have had a positive The Awards are judged by urge heads to nominate their PAs UK secondary school, state or you can. For more guidance or to Institute Pentlands Science Park
impact within their communities. a panel of young people, which for the award – the final itself really independent. submit nominations, email pete.h@ in Midlothian, and marks the
Last year’s Group award includes winners from previous was a thoroughly enjoyable day, All you need to do is write a markallengroup.com launch of a new biology resource
was won by 14 Glasgow teen- years. and just finding out that I’d been testimonial of between 500 and 700 You can also send your nomi- for Higher students. Numbers
agers, calling themselves the Ms Huq said: “The Red Cross nominated was wonderful. words explaining to us why your nations to SecEd PA of the Year, are limited to three students per
Global Glasgow Youth Project. Humanitarian Citizen Awards are “I was very surprised to make PA is vital to your school and its St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, school to allow as many schools
The youngsters raised £25,000 a chance to reward these young the final, and even more amazed community – it really is as simple Herne Hill, London, SE24 0PB. as possible to attend.
to deliver aid and a peer educa- people and give them the recogni- when I won the silver award.” as that. Good luck! Contact: recruitment@sac.ac.uk
tion project to young people at tion they deserve, so if you know
the Khayelitsha township in Cape any young heroes then nominate
Town, South Africa. them today – it only takes a cou-
Road safety
The group also established a ple of minutes.” Scottish police are targeting
scholarship fund to send young Ms Johns added: “Every year parents who break speeding and
people from the town to univer- we hear amazing stories from seatbelt rules during the school
sity. young people across the country run, as part of a campaign to
Emma Johns, Red Cross and this year is proving to be no encourage safer driving. Chief
Humanitarian Citizen Awards different. superintendent Brian Anderson,
co-ordinator, told us: “Sometimes “We’ve had some really of Dumfries and Galloway
ordinary young people do extraor- amazing entries already, but we Constabulary, said: “We all
dinary things. They may not wear know there are still young peo- have a responsibility to ensure
masks or capes, but every day ple out there who deserve to they complete their journeys
young heroes across the UK make be recognised and have their Moment to treasure: safely, from parents who ensure
a big effort to improve the lives of stories told”. Sharon Dow (right) their children wear a seatbelt
others. They help in many differ- For more information, and to celebrates after receiving or cycle helmet, to motorists
ent ways – for example, by giving nominate, visit www.redcross. Silver Award at last year’s taking real care when passing
first aid, befriending vulnerable org.uk/theaward PA of the Year Awards schools.”
SecEd • August 27 2009 
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