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Educationalists question Baccalaureate expansion

by Sam Phipps

The new Scottish Baccalaureate (SB) exam drew only 138 pupils in its first year, prompting suggestions that any expansion from its science and languages options should be delayed. Just 19 candidates took the lan-

guage baccalaureate, with the rest choosing science. The pass rate was 76.8 per cent,

similar to the 74.6 per cent for Highers and the Advanced Higher pass rate of 77.5 per cent. Scottish universities, though said to be broadly in favour of the

qualification, are unsure how to rate it alongside Highers. Not one has yet demanded a baccalaureate as an entry requirement. UCAS, the university admis-

sions organisation, has granted it the points equivalent of half an Advanced Higher. However, many candidates withdrew after learning it cut no ice with universities. By March, more than a quarter – 70 pupils (60 from science and ten from languages) – had quit out of the original 246 entries. The new qualifications, which

include a mixture of Highers and Advanced Highers and an in-depth project, were a flagship education

policy under former SNP education minister Fiona Hyslop. Announcing their launch in

2008, she said: “The awards aim to encourage more of our young people to study science and lan- guage courses in the later stages of secondary school, raise the status of S6 and assist our young people in making the transition from school to higher and further education and employment.” Social sciences were considered

to be the most likely subjects for possible expansion of the baccalau- reate but some educationalists say it would be premature to offer further choice with initial demand so low.

Game on in the classroom

School qualifications in compu- ter gaming will be launched next month as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) responds to demand from teachers and pupils. The courses in games design

and programming will boost Scotland’s reputation as home to the most advanced gaming curric- ulum in the world, the SQA said. There are already similar cours-

es in the form of Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, equiv- alent to a first year and second year degree respectively. Teachers said teenagers should have the opportunity to learn the relevant skills earlier. Bobby Elliott, qualifications

manager at the SQA, said the move could also attract more girls to the industry, which has thrived in Scotland in recent years with the likes of Rockstar North, the creator of worldwide hit Grand Theft Auto, based in Edinburgh. “It is hoped the new qualifica-

tions will introduce young people at school and college to games development and give them an insight into the industry with a view to progression into further study or employment,” Mr Elliott said. “Scotland is leading the way in

However, Professor Eric

Wilkinson, of Glasgow University’s education faculty, said: “It is early days, but it is certainly worth exploring because it offers a chal- lenge to our young people. We have to raise the bar generally and offer them something to strive for – the Scottish Baccalaureate could fulfil that.” Business leaders also wel-

comed the new qualification for its potential contribution to eco- nomic growth “in an increasingly globalised workplace”. The 2011 CBI Scotland mani-

festo, published in June, says employers are concerned about

a lack of science and technology graduates. The government should use “all available levers” to incen- tivise maths and science up to Higher education, it adds. Des McNulty, Labour educa-

tion spokesman, said: “I think that the current system of Scottish Baccalaureates for languages and science needs time to prove itself before any expansion to other sub- jects is considered.” A Scottish government spokes-

man said: “This has been the first year of Scottish Baccalaureates, and we are confident that num- bers will increase in coming years.”

Pupils to be taught Jimmy Reid legacy

A famous speech by the late trade union leader Jimmy Reid will be made available to every Scottish secondary pupil, education secre- tary Michael Russell has confirmed. The 1972 address to Glasgow

producing home-grown developing talent. We hope the new qualifica- tions will be popular in schools and colleges, allowing pupils to write and develop their own games, and attract learners, particularly girls, to computing.” Abertay University in Dundee

has built an international reputation in the subject after launching the

world’s first degree in gaming in 1997. The city itself is also a UK centre for the industry. The UK is the biggest market

for computer games in Europe and trails only the USA and Japan worldwide. The new units are to be offi-

cially announced at the Scottish Learning Festival in September.

University, described by the New York Times as “the greatest speech since President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address”, will feature on the Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) website, and other material on Reid will be promot- ed to history and modern studies teachers. Alex Salmond, first minis-

ter, made the pledge at the former shipyard union leader’s funeral in Glasgow last Thursday (August 19). Mr Russell said: “Jimmy used to

say that he had to discover Scottish history for himself as it was not taught to pupils of his generation. Fortunately, that is no longer true, but we always need to keep updat- ing what is studied and read, and I

St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB www.markallengroup.com

have no doubt that Jimmy’s vision, humanity and wisdom are a lesson to us all. They have great relevance to our past, present and future.” He singled out the “Rectorial

Address” to Glasgow University, in which Reid said: “Reject the insidi- ous pressures in society that would blunt your critical faculties to all that is happening around you, that would caution silence in the face of injustice lest you jeopardise your chances of self advancement.” Mr Russell added: “The

Rectorial Address, along with biographical and other material, including video and audio clips, will be brought together over the next few weeks to form not just a comprehensive tribute but also a comprehensive learning resource.” Mr Reid’s funeral was attended

by a host of famous faces, includ- ing comedian Billy Connolly and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Find old phones to support the NSPCC

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ISSN 1479-7704

Teachers and pupils in schools across Scotland are being encour- aged to dig out their unwanted old mobile phones and trade them in for the latest classroom voting system – and help the NSPCC’s ChildLine service at the same time. The campaign, Give Every

Child a Voice, is run by learning technology provider Promethean, which will reward every school that collects 250 old mobiles with a vot- ing system and a set of 33 handsets. The old phones will be con- verted into valuable funds for

2

the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice cam- paign, which is aiming to raise £50 million to expand and pro- mote the ChildLine service. For each exchange m a d e ,

Promethean will also donate £500 to the charity. Sam Bagg, the NSPCC’s cor- porate fundraising manager, said the

money raised would make a “vital difference to the lives of vulnerable children”. He said: “Every penny raised

through the recycling scheme will go towards the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal, helping us to expand and develop our national helplines includ- ing the ChildLine service

in

Scotland.” Ma r g a r e t

Allen, former teacher and

head of European market develop- ment at Promethean, added: “This is a great opportunity for schools to exchange old mobile phones no longer in use for the latest class- room technology. The ChildLine service in Scotland offers protection and advice to thousands of children and young people each year, and we are proud to be helping such a worthy cause.” The campaign launches on

September 6, when schools will be able to register at www.giveevery childavoice.com

SecEd • August 26 2010

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