NEWS Innovation fund launched for all Scottish teachers


An innovation fund, established to support teachers develop new tools and resources, has launched in Scotland. Set up by The Glasgow Academy, the ‘PINEAPPLE’ Fund, is being made available to all teachers across the country,


no matter what school they work in, with the aim of encouraging innovation in education. PINEAPPLE is one of the only privately backed innovation funds in Scottish education and, through the initiative,


any teacher in Scotland will be able to apply for funding to help get projects off the ground. Its launch comes at a crucial time for Scotland’s education sector and supports the findings of a recent report from ScotlandCan and the Social Market Foundation, which argued that an innovation fund should be created in order to end the sector’s ‘risk- averse’ educational culture. PINEAPPLE has been designed to accept a wide range of submissions, from the development of a new app or


commissioning research into a specific teaching approach to creating a new workbook or suite of resources. The one stipulation is that applicants must demonstrate how their idea will make a positive contribution to Scottish education. As well as delivering funding, The Glasgow Academy will provide strategic support, offering guidance and access to


the school’s established network and contacts. Matthew Pearce (pictured), Rector of The Glasgow Academy, said: “The world of education is changing. The past


year may have been incredibly challenging but it has also created an opportunity to develop new ways of working and shape the landscape of Scottish education for the better. “We want to hear from any teacher or educational professional who has an idea for improving or transforming the


way we interact with young people in a school setting. It can be something as simple as designing new posters for the classroom to setting up a programme that gets parents and carers more engaged in learning. All ideas will be thoroughly considered and, if successful, we will work closely with the teachers to make their vision a reality.” For more information or to submit an application for funding, teachers should visit uwww.theglasgowacademy.org.uk/pineapple.


Worldwide Call for Fresh Sustainability Ideas


A global competition seeking good sustainability ideas from young people has launched, offering schools access to mentors, experts, sustainability education content and $200,000 in prize money. The Earth Prize, open


to students aged 13 to 19, aims to help young people understand how to take a great idea and make it a reality. Students can compete individually or as part of a team of up to five. A worldwide network of university students, sustainability experts, and change-makers will assist in developing ideas into solutions that can make a genuine difference. Bespoke sustainability education content is provided for schools, and participating students will be able to access a pool of university student mentors to help research and inform their ideas. Ten finalists will be selected by a panel of adjudicators and will be


partnered with a celebrity ambassador to conduct a social media campaign to raise awareness of their idea before the final winners are selected. This focus on real-world skills is intended to boost young people’s entrepreneurial abilities and give them insight into what it takes to promote an idea. The winning team and school will receive $100,000 and three finalist


schools will receive grants of $25,000 each. The remaining $25,000 will be awarded equally to The Earth Prize Mentor of the Year and The Earth Prize Educator of the Year. Winners and runners-up will be announced on 26 March 2022. The Earth Foundation Alumni Association, a community of people and


organisations working in sustainability, will then be available to all participants in The Earth Prize. The network aims to offer further mentorship, networking, internships, and professional placement opportunities to enable young people to explore their career options. For more information on the competition, the bespoke educational content and to pre-registerutheearthprize.org


12 www.education-today.co.uk


Student Maisy is learning on and off the pitch as her rugby dream becomes reality


Hartpury College student Maisy Allen is living the dream training and playing alongside World Cup winners and a host of senior internationals as a new face in the Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC squad. Maisy had set her


sights on playing for the Allianz Premier 15s side ever since she enrolled on the Level 3 National Extended Diploma Sport (Rugby) and Diploma in Sporting Excellence programme at Hartpury. Now, thanks to her hard work and determination, the flanker is a member of


the squad at Gloucester-Hartpury – a partnership between Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury University and Hartpury College – featuring the likes of World Cup winner Natasha Hunt and England women’s player of the year Zoe Aldcroft. “It’s a dream come true – absolutely – and I couldn’t be happier,” said Maisy,


who made her debut in a 27-6 win over Sale. “At the start of both years at Hartpury, I’ve written in my individual


development plan that I wanted to play for Gloucester-Hartpury.” Maisy, a member of the England Women’s U20s training squad, enrolled at


Hartpury because of its reputation for providing students with opportunities to excel academically and within their chosen sport. The DiSE programme gives aspiring athletes access to world-class training


facilities, expert coaching and sports industry professionals while studying their main academic qualifications at another school or college. Maisy said: “I’ve played rugby since I was eight, so when I left school I wanted


to go somewhere that would enable me to still play regularly as well as supporting me to gain the qualifications to go to university. “Both courses have been absolutely great and, having been taught by experts


in their various fields of study, I now feel more educated in lots of different areas of sport and rugby.”


uwww.hartpury.ac.uk May 2021


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