Professional Update Council Election Fitness to Teach Feedback on pilots Make sure your details are Supporting and engaging and progress to date up to date before the vote with customers

November/December 2013 Issue 52 For the teaching profession, by the teaching profession

WIN! YOU AND A GUEST COULD ENJOY A LUXURY BREAK

The Creative Learning Plan A partnership launched in

Book Week Scotland 25 Nov to 1 Dec Raise the

baton Supporting Scotland’s communities welcome the Commonwealth

Teaching Scotland . 3 Are your details up to date? on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Professional Update Council Election Fitness to Teach Feedback on pilots Make sure your details are Supporting and engaging and progress to date up to date before the vote with customers

November/December 2013 Issue 52 For the teaching profession, by the teaching profession MAKE

WIN! YOU AND A YOUR GUEST COULD ENJOY A LUXURY BREAK MARK The Creative Learning Plan A partnership launched in Scotland Check your details are

Book Week Scotland 25 Nov to 1 Dec correct before voting in Raise the our Council Election

baton Supporting PAGE 44 Scotland’s communities welcome the Commonwealth

Contacts GTC Scotland www.gtcs.org.uk [email protected] Customer services: 0131 314 6080 Main switchboard: 0131 314 6000 www.education scotland.gov.uk 0141 282 5000 38 Venture forth SQA Supporting and engaging disaffected www.sqa.org.uk children and young people [email protected] 0845 279 1000 Smarter Scotland 19 Designs for living 34 Natural heritage www.infoscotland.com An exciting architecture competition Inspiring our children and young Childline for pupils is launched people in the great outdoors 0800 1111 Parentline 20 Professional Recognition 40 Bannockburn 0808 800 2222 The British Red Cross is the The new visitor centre at the historic latest organisation to receive site will let visitors step back in time accreditation 42 Book trust 24 Fitness to Teach Scottish Book Week is the perfect Engaging the profession excuse to fall in love with books again 26 Creative Learning 46 CPD A comprehensive strategy has been A list of courses and resources published to develop creative learning available to help your development Please scan this graphic 30 Commonwealth Games 50 The last word with your mobile QR Communities across the nation are Rachel Hayton shares tips on how code app to go straight ready to take their marks to face fear and deal with it to our website

“We need a highly-skilled and knowledgeable profession if we are to implement the Curriculum for Excellence successfully” Petra Wend, page 16 4 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? KEYNOTE Anthony Finn, CEO, GTC Scotland A bridge too far?

t may be because this is my require changes in our plans; but last column in Teaching we often end up in an entirely Scotland (Ken Muir will have different place from where we taken over as Chief Executive expected to be. Officer by the time you And that is generally a good Ireceive this issue) that I have thing, both personally and recently been reflecting on the professionally. past, present and future of a Some of us have a tendency to career in teaching. overuse certain words. I use the In the past few years, we have word ‘bridge’ too frequently: for frequently made use of ‘journeys’ example, to separate Professional to describe the progress Update, a positive approach which make as we become more skilled aims to help teachers improve their and experienced. skills, from the Framework on Although this metaphor can Competence, which asks usefully describe progress across them to prove that they are still the staging posts of a career in meeting the basic standards education, I am not sure that I, for required of all teachers. one, have ever been aware of where These are very different is a bridge from my leadership to my professional learning journey processes and must not be that of Ken. He knows that a would ultimately end. confused. Fortunately, very few successful GTC Scotland must And, while I am happy to accept teachers will ever need to cross keep building bridges. To operate that journeying to excellence is a the bridge between them. effectively, GTC Scotland needs to commendable aspiration, you can I suppose, too, that this column keep making progress, listening to perhaps take journeys too far. teachers and other stakeholders, A journey is something you and taking account of their views, engage with a clear intention to “Like many travellers, while maintaining the reach a particular destination. teachers know very well independence which allows the Teachers’ ‘professional learning right decisions to be taken for journeys’ are very different. Like that we may face delays the profession and for the real travellers, teachers know very and diversions… and we public interest. well that we may face delays and often end up in an entirely GTC Scotland has, of diversions and might have to make different place from where course, already opened new decisions at crossroads which we expected to be” avenues (or even bridges) to Teaching Scotland . 5 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Teaching Scotland is the magazine of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland). GTC Scotland is the independent professional body which maintains and enhances teaching standards and promotes and regulates the teaching profession in Scotland. We strive to be a world leader in professional education issues. GTC Scotland aims to promote equality and diversity in all its activities. Teaching Scotland is partially written, designed and published by Connect Communications (Scotland) Ltd on behalf of GTC Scotland. www.connectcommunications.co.uk

Main office GTC Scotland, Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UT T: 0131 314 6000 Editor-in-Chief: Glenise Borthwick Editorial office Connect Publications, Studio 2001, Mile End, Paisley PA1 1JS email: info@connect communications.co.uk Editor: Daniel Lambie email: teachingscotland@ gtcs.org.uk Design and production: Debra Johnson Advertising Clare Stebbing Tel: 0131 561 0024 email: clare@connect communications.co.uk

The views expressed in Teaching Scotland are professional learning. Finally, as I continue my those of invited contributors and not The new Standards will help journey and cross new bridges, necessarily those of GTC Scotland. The information contained in Teaching Scotland is teachers to keep reflecting about I would like to commend my of a general nature and is not to be taken as advice on any individual situation. GTC where they are and what they hard-working colleagues in Scotland does not endorse any goods or might need to do to make further GTC Scotland, and in the teaching services advertised, nor any claims or representations made in any advertisement in professional progress. profession in this country, offer Teaching Scotland and accepts no liability to any person for loss or damage suffered as a They should also encourage thanks for the help and advice consequence of their responding to, or placing teachers not to close off avenues I have been given and affirm my reliance upon, any claim or representation made in any advertisement appearing in (or even bridges) which might confidence in the future of the Teaching Scotland. Readers should make appropriate enquiries and satisfy themselves lead to personal or professional profession in Scotland. before responding to any such advertisement, development they might not I could write a lot more (and I or placing reliance upon any such claim or representation. By so responding, or placing otherwise have considered. possibly will) but this was just the reliance, readers accept that they do so at The potential this can have for abridged version! AF their own risk. Printed on paper sourced from the level of professional and well-managed sustainable forests Tony Finn has retired from GTC Scotland. leadership skills in tomorrow’s © GTC Scotland, 2013. The new CEO, Ken Muir, will write in the ISSN: 1469-3054. teachers is considerable. January issue. 6 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

Employment survey to cease Report on jobs to stop

GTC Scotland has taken the decision to stop carrying out further employment surveys of probationer teachers. The survey served its purpose over a number of years, but with the response rate falling to levels which made interpreting the data difficult, it became a less useful tool to measure the job prospects of New chief joins probationers. GTC Scotland will now look at alternative ways of engaging with regulator probationer teachers and gathering data about Kenneth Muir took up his post and young people and, ultimately, their experiences. It will as the new Chief Executive of benefit Scottish society. use the new in2teaching. the GTC Scotland in September, “However, we also have org.uk website as a focus replacing Tony Finn, who challenges facing teachers which for doing this. Other has retired. we have to work together to partner bodies already Mr Muir arrived from Education resolve. I am acutely aware of these gather similar Scotland, where he was Director challenges and I can reassure information, for example, of Inspection and teachers that GTC Scotland the Strategic Director will engage with them carries out a census for School Years. directly to support the every September. He said: “I am More excellent work they do Turn to pages 4-5 to GTC Scotland would pleased to be read Tony’s personal day to day in our like to thank everyone taking up this farewell as he stands schools.” who took part in the post at what is an down from his post Meanwhile, recently survey over the years. historic time of at GTC Scotland retired GTC Scotland We will continue to work change and Chief Executive, Tony hard to support opportunity for Finn has been awarded an probationers and argue Scottish education.” Honorary Chair in Education by the case for improved “We have a number of the . employment groundbreaking initiatives to The Head of the School of opportunities where support and improve teaching Education at University appropriate. and learning in Scotland such as of Glasgow, Professor Bob Davis, Curriculum for Excellence, the said: “Tony has provided new Professional Standards and accomplished leadership of Professional Update. These GTC Scotland through a period initiatives give us a unique of far-reaching change and we opportunity to improve the are therefore pleased to make learning outcomes of our children this announcement.” Teaching Scotland . 7 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Staff moves Hellos and goodbyes Dr Zoè Robertson (pictured) joins the education team (Research and Professional Learning). Her appointment further strengthens the team ahead of the full implementation of Professional Update. GTC Scotland Annual Meanwhile, David Alexander is leaving his post as Director of report is published Operations and Finance. David is moving GTC Scotland has published performance for year to 1 April on to a its Annual Report and Accounts 2013, plans for the future, senior role for the year to 1 April 2013. statistics and a financial review. within The publication includes a West Convener’s report, Chief You can view or download the College Executive’s statement, what report at www.teachingscotland. Scotland. does GTC Scotland do for you, org.uk/annual-report-2013

Tom Devine Are your details right? If you have moved or changed your details in any way, then it is important that you inform GTC Scotland. You can update your details by using our secure online facility MyGTCS. To do this, go to our website www.gtcs.org.uk If you are a return user, simply log in, and follow the screen prompts. If you are a first-time user, sign up to generate a MyGTCS account and follow the screen prompts.

Historian Professor Tom Devine delivered the latest GTC Scotland Find out more National Lecture recently. If you weren’t able to come along on the If you would like any evening, you can watch the whole lecture at www.teachingscotland. further information on the org.uk/national-lecture-2013 process, please email [email protected] 8 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

Humanitarian visit Crossing continents In June 2013, Dunoon travelled with The Responsible Safari Co. (RSC) to Malawi on a School Challenge Adventure to build an under five’s clinic in just eight days. Twenty four students raised £6,000 to build a village clinic on the shores of Lake Malawi. RSC linked the students with a local community youth group and Dunoon worked hand in hand with the village, bricklaying, cement Qualifications mixing, making roof trusses and ending each day with a village netball/football match. Their RSC New process starts Guide acted as build foreman, first aider and match referee. After five With the new National well as complete evidence, can be days of hard building the group Qualifications under way for used; provided at least one headed for Mumbo Island and a most S4 pupils, teachers across assessment has been made weekend of relaxation before Scotland are familiarising against the Assessment Standards. returning to put the finishing themselves with our new Centres will benefit from touches to the build. approach to earlier rounds of The clinic was officially opened Quality Assurance, verification, as this will with a traditional celebration, which aims to enable us to provide Dunoon played the bagpipes and provide teachers them with support, showcased some Scottish dancing with support and guidance and – the Malawians responded with guidance, and increase their reassurance earlier in the academic drumming and Yao tribal dances. confidence in internal assessment year. We will also publish key Dunoon’s Malawi Adventure was judgements. The new messages from each round of completed with a two-day Safari at arrangements reflect the verification and share examples of Liwonde National Park where they partnership approach of good practice, which means that all were treated to herds of elephants on Curriculum for Excellence and centres will have access to helpful the boat safari, a night 4x4 game support the more flexible feedback and advice from SQA. drive and dinner in the bush. delivery of the new qualifications. The first pick up of They are intended to promote verification evidence will be on For more about taking a group to knowledge sharing of standards Monday 4 November. Centres Malawi visit www.responsiblesafari and ensure the continued selected for this first round of company.com or contact info@ credibility of National activity will have already been responsiblesafaricompany.com Qualifications. contacted at the beginning of During our consultation with October with details of what they education professionals when have been selected for. designing the new approaches, we were advised that all centres For more information, please visit should have sufficient assessment www.sqa.org.uk/cfeqa or evidence ready for round 1 of contact our CfE or Liaison Team, verification. Interim evidence, as www.sqa.org.uk/cfeteam Teaching Scotland . 9 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

A bridge to the future How to book your visit The Forth Replacement Crossing for the new bridge and get involved is the largest engineering project in engineering and construction Bookings will be taken on a in Scotland in a generation. A related activities. first come, first served basis purpose-built facility available School groups of all ages are with priority given to for educational visits throughout welcomed and multiple bookings educational groups. To find the construction period is open can be made by each school for out more and make a school for bookings for school groups to groups of 12 or more. booking, contact: find out more about the Customised sessions are construction of the new bridge available relating to school topic W: www.transportscotland. across the Firth of Forth – The areas including maths, geography, gov.uk/road/projects/ Queensferry Crossing. environment, science and forth-replacement- The Centre provides technology and presentations can crossing/Contact-and- spectacular views of the existing be linked to CfE. Education-Centre bridges, the construction of the These sessions can include a E: frcenquiries@ new crossing and offers visitors presentation and workshop on transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk an opportunity to find out more bridge building and construction T: 0800 078 6910 about the project, view the works based activities to suit all ages.

Evaluation of his 1983 A Level maths results. taking place, including the CEM marks CEM now works with schools recently launched web-delivered in more than 70 countries and primary assessments and 30 years with is particularly active in Scotland forthcoming Evidence-based some big plans – working with more than half of Research conference in London Scottish Authorities to develop in January 2014. The Centre for Evaluation and and deliver school assessments. Monitoring (CEM) was first CEM has an exciting 30th year Find out more conceived in response to a head ahead with a number of Visit www.cem.org/30 for teacher’s concern as to the value announcements and events more information 10 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? IN MY VIEW... David Drever, Convener, GTC Scotland New Chief Executive joins Clerwood House

here is definitely a sense of change in the air at Clerwood House. As you may well know, we are currently seeking nominationsT from registered teachers to join Council in April of next year, and we will soon be preparing for that election process to get under way. As I never tire of saying, our Teaching Council in Anthony Finn, new CEO Ken Muir, Prof.Tom Scotland is exceptional in having Devine and David Drever at a recent event a majority of elected teacher members, and we welcome the Director and Director of direct experience they bring from Ken Muir brings to GTC Inspection, as part of the creation the profession to our work. There is Scotland a wide and varied of the new educational body, also change in the leadership team: Education Scotland. Previous to Tony Finn, our Chief Executive, experience. I wish him well these roles he was a Geography retired in September, and following in his new post teacher in various capacities. Ken a rigorous selection process, Ken Muir brings to GTC Scotland a Muir was appointed to succeed him, with all aspects of pedagogic wide and varied experience: his taking up post in late September. thinking, both here and furth of close involvement with the big Tony Finn joined GTC Scotland; he speaks with issues of Scottish education of the Scotland in 2008 as Chief authority and holds the respect of last two decades will serve him Executive following a our varied stakeholders; and he well in the challenges facing the distinguished career in Scottish has been a career-long team player profession today. I wish him well education. He started as a modern who works collegially to build in his new post. languages teacher in Ayrshire, trust in all his dealings. He will be Changes to our Council moving to St Andrew’s High a hard act to follow. membership and new appointments School in as I am delighted we have secured among staff are important. They will Headteacher for eighteen years the able services of Ken Muir. He allow GTC Scotland to continue and from there to the Directorate joins us from a leadership role in working on behalf of the profession, team in Fife before coming to Education Scotland, having supporting teachers and developing Clerwood House. Throughout his previously been a senior member standards. Equally important will be career, Tony has displayed the key of HMIE – my first meeting with the leadership role exercised daily by leadership qualities required in Ken was when he led an our teachers in schools as they Scottish education. He has a inspection of my own school, deliver education to our children practical instinct for what works Kirkwall Grammar. In April 2012, and young people. That is down to in the classroom; he is familiar he was appointed to Strategic you and I wish you well in it. DD Teaching Scotland . 11 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk Diary dates October – November 2013

Kaye Adams

2013 STAR AWARDS practice and to 8 November 2013, clarify issues. Glasgow Clyde College, www.sqa.org.uk/ Anniesland Campus sqa/67109.html Hosted by media personality Kaye Adams WORLD FORUM ON the glittering evening will NATURAL CAPITAL 21-22 November 2013, reward and recognise Edinburgh International inspirational achievements Conference Centre and commitment from The UN-backed World individuals, schools, Forum on Natural Capital colleges and training will be the first major organisations across global conference Scotland. devoted to www.sqa.org.uk/ understanding the sqa/65405.4488.html economic value of ENGLISH natural capital. PROFESSIONAL The World Forum on DEVELOPMENT Natural Capital will help WORKSHOP business and 16 November 2013, Glasgow sustainability leaders to identify the economic This workshop is value of natural capital aimed at teachers and – the world’s natural lecturers who teach and resources such as water, present candidates for forests and biodiversity, English Higher. which provide vital goods Aims of the workshop: (such as food and To inform delegates of medicines) and services the issues affecting (such as flood protection performance of and carbon capture) to candidates in the 2013 businesses and society. examination It will build on the To consider points for significant private sector action which may help interest in the fast- delegates improve the emerging concept of performance of accounting for natural candidates capital that came out of To provide the United Nations opportunity for Rio+20 Earth Summit delegates to focus on the in June 2012. points of action, to www.naturalcapital identify existing best forum.com 12 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

Promotional feature Think fostering, think Barnardo’s Scotland

Caring Scots are being asked to Fostering can offer help foster a future for some of the children – and most vulnerable children and carers – a new young people in the country. In perspective Scotland, there is a shortage of 1,000 foster carers needed for the increasing numbers of children coming into care. Research suggests that the vast majority of children thrive within a secure and loving family. Many people have the skills and qualities to be amazing foster carers, and with the extensive training and ongoing support provided by Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering, together we can help provide secure homes for children and behaviour and cope with wants to come back and stay with young people. challenges that might arise”. you, not because the bell rings and There’s no doubt becoming a As a Barnardo’s Scotland foster they have to but because they’ve foster carer is a major step, it can be carer, Katrina is supported through had fun and want to. Being a hard work and very demanding, her foster career by courses run by teacher and a foster carer dovetail but the rewards are immense. the charity, along with continuous together very well. I thoroughly Katrina a full-time teacher and professional development supplied enjoy fostering and would urge her husband Pete are short-break through the education authorities. anyone thinking about it to contact carers for Barnardo’s Scotland These have proved very useful, so Barnardo’s Scotland.” Fostering, West Lothian. Like much so that she Katrina said: There are a number of many, becoming a foster carer “The new skills I’ve learned misconceptions that prevent wasn’t a snap decision, but one through fostering have helped me people approaching foster agencies they’re really pleased they made. in my professional capacity in the to find out more about fostering. Katrina said: “Being a teacher classroom. Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering means you have different skill sets “If we go into full-time fostering embraces equality and diversity to bring to the carer’s role. we will have this experience, and and does not discriminate on the Teachers have experience of the knowledge we have gleaned grounds of age, gender, sexual children with different abilities over the years from the foster orientation, race or religion, from different backgrounds, carers we have worked with. And, marital/civil or partnership status. and your training in the as for our children, it’s been good classroom enables you to for them too. It’s given them an Find out more effectively handle children in insight into other children’s lives; Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering a number of situations. it’s made them appreciate what wants to encourage people to think “Strategies teachers use in their we’ve got as a family. about what they have to offer and professional capacity can be used “It’s very satisfying knowing take the next step and call us on well in a home environment. They you can make a real difference in a 0845 894 9501 or visit can help you understand a child’s child’s life and know that a child www.barnardos.org.uk/fostering Teaching Scotland . 13 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Rhyme and reason Ruaridh Macinnes finds a voice through poetry Your anger and angst lies with me. Your demeanour I show you hatred. As you scuttle into the corner to cry. This is our school life. When I come home I shall scurry and scuttle. As I am not your bully at home. As I am just a scared little boy. But one day my plea for help will be spoken by me. The scared little boy.

Ruaridh wrote this poem on the night of an anti-bullying celebration and art exhibition to more than 250 people. His support from Room 13 has taken him on a journey that ended up in the . You can read about his new found confidence and his engagement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award online at www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Best of the web Exclusive on www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Teaching Scotland Online, Scottish Archaeology – The the web-based version of our Heritage Heroes project works magazine, is full of exciting with schools to explore the content, exclusive articles, heritage on their doorstep. blogs, podcasts, videos and Podcast – Learning more. Manager Calum Price on the It also hosts a news feed new Bannockburn exerience that keeps you up to date with Content is updated regularly, all the latest happenings in and includes a dynamic news education. feed, so there is always something new to read Exclusive content between paper issues. coming up includes: Room 13 – Keeping young Bookmark people engaged in education www.teachingscotland.org.uk 14 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Top tips for... POSITIVE THINKING

In the last issue, we asked you for your tips on positive thinking. Here are a few responses: Make an ‘I can...’ can! Use a clean, empty aluminium can for children to place their ‘I can...’ statements at the end of each day. Share weekly, and celebrate each Catch your class being WINNER child’s successful learning. good and snap them on your Barbara Mitchell (invisible) magic camera. They Whenever an unwanted love to pose and good negative thought enters your behaviour is soon copied by head, say ‘stop’, then think of a their peers. Ruth Campbell green field full of flowers of opportunity. Elaine Hunter For the next issue, we’d like to hear your top tips on dealing with Well done Elaine, who wins a conflict. How do you manage and Hatching hens’ eggs in luxury break at Nira dispel confrontation in school? Share incubators is a fantastic Caledonia, your thoughts and you’ll be entered Edinburgh way to let children learn into a prize draw, where you can win a about bird life. luxury break for two at The Four Isobel Fleming Seasons Hotel on the banks of Loch Earn (see opposite).

What are your top tips on dealing with conflict? Provide 50 words or less. One entry per person please to be received before 29 November 2013 to be entered into our prize draw.

Name Email your entry to: [email protected]

Address Or post to: Teaching Scotland Top Tips, GTC Scotland Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road Edinburgh EH12 6UT

Email TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This prize draw is not open to employees of GTC Scotland. Only one entry per person please. We reserve the right to publish the name of any winner in future issues of Teaching Scotland, but will not hold details Phone Number for any other purpose. Entries must be received by 29 November 2013. One winner will be selected at random, and will be informed by email or telephone. Teaching Scotland . 15 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Win an overnight stay including breakfast for two in Perthshire

Come and relax away from the piped winning fine dining restaurant, Meall delightful, warm up with a wee carols and the bustle of the shops to Reamhar. Have a silent night in a dram and watch it snow, watch it this wonderful Lochside setting in superior room and enjoy waking up snow, watch it snow. For more Scotland. Be extra merry this to a hearty Scottish Breakfast fit for information on The Four Season Christmas with the chance to win an a king. Take a cup of kindness yet for Hotel's wonderful Christmas and amazing overnight stay for two at auld lang syne and bring in the New packages please visit The Four Seasons Hotel, Perthshire. Year with a luxurious stay at The their website: Start the festive celebrations with Four Seasons Hotel. Wrap up and www.thefourseasonshotel.co.uk a bottle of champagne on arrival explore the snow tip peaks of the T&Cs November - December open followed by a traditional five-course surrounding munros and rural tracks Thursday - Sunday Closed December 13th, 14th and 15th Christmas dinner with all the of Perthshire. Or if the weather Closed January - February trimmings and extras in their award outside is frightful, but the fire is so March open Thursday - Sunday 16 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MyGTCS Chair of the National Implementation Board and Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, introduces the work of the board

WORDS: PETRA WEND Teaching Scotland’s future

he theme for this year’s and to continue to Did and numeracy levels Scottish Learning develop their you know required for student Festival was Raising the professional NIB brings together teachers; Education bar in Scotland – practice. In stakeholders across Scotland’s website transforming lives August, GTC the profession to offers advice to form Tthrough learning. These words Scotland extended facilitate the meaningful mentoring encapsulate the work of the its piloting of implementation relationships. National Implementation Board Professional Update, of CfE GTC Scotland’s website (NIB) perfectly, as we strive to giving teachers the also provides a new resource turn the vision of Professor opportunity to on the use of professional enquiry Graham Donaldson’s seminal bring together their for deep transformational learning. report, Teaching Scotland’s Future, professional learning. Works in progress include the into reality for every teacher. The Standards for Leadership Framework for Educational As Graham reminded us, we and Management supersede the Leadership as an online resource; need a highly skilled and Standard for Headship. This the revision of the national knowledgeable profession if we are defines leadership as the ability to Professional Review and to implement the Curriculum for develop a vision and support Development guidance; new Excellence successfully. Our young others through that vision, thus resources for effective PRD; the people are Scotland’s future and giving aspiring leaders a better publication of key priorities for their teachers have a huge role in understanding of what is required teacher learning; and an giving them the skills to shape that of them. e-portfolio to record outcomes. future. We are deeply committed to These developments are just a In the near future, expect to this programme and pleased, but few of the resources over which hear about more masters-level not complacent, with the progress the NIB has oversight. Education learning. A key element will be a it has made. Scotland’s Aspiring Teachers framework that supports teachers Recent developments by GTC website has been developed to give to gain accreditation for their work Scotland are an essential part of a clearer understanding of literacy and enables them to transfer delivering Teaching Scotland’s credits between universities. future vision for lifelong learning. The establishment of a Scottish The updated Professional We need a highly-skilled College for Educational Standards include Career-Long and knowledgeable Leadership will be another Professional Learning, designed to profession if we are to important milestone. help teachers identify, plan and implement the Curriculum develop their own learning needs, for Excellence successfully www.educationscotland.gov.uk/slf

18 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Creating a room with a view Richard Murphy, architect of the first Maggie’s Centre, which was completed in 1996, talks about how the series of thoughtfully and innovatively designed buildings support and inspire those who use them

never dreamed back then, Richard Murphy while working on the first Maggie’s Centre, that there would be such an extraordinary proliferation of Isuch centres across the UK, and now abroad. It seems to be testimony in itself of the need for architecture which does much more than the mere ‘functional’. There was a period, from Victorian times right up until the middle of this century, when hospital buildings were not just functional, but were also designed to be uplifting. Sadly, in this country at least, something has gone horribly wrong; indeed, Maggie Jencks’ experience in the corridor-dominated hospital in Edinburgh directly led to her inspiration. While I am a great supporter of the Maggie’s Centres, at the same time, in many ways, I wish they didn’t have to exist; rather that the hospitals they sit alongside were designed on much more humane principles. Since Maggie’s, we have had buildings has been vastly gardens, around which the opportunities to build other health diminished and, at the same rooms are distributed. buildings and, on each occasion, time, their enjoyment and use We approach all of our the plan has been revolutionary. greatly increased. buildings primarily with people in Instead of the endless artificially lit For small buildings, this is easy mind. The unseen quality of the corridors, we have produced plans and this is why I am very excited building is the plan, but the plan where circulation takes place about the Belfast project, which is makes possible (or not!) all sorts around gardens. Instantly, the a big project but is broken down of social relationships, and in institutionalisation of such to be a whole series of walled particular how the circulation Teaching Scotland . 19 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk space is organised. In school and university buildings, it is the informal interaction outside classes and The art of design lectures which is becoming just as important as the classroom or Architecture and Design Scotland has teamed lecture theatre. up with Maggie’s for a competition for schools For example, a nursery school at Edinburgh has a very significant space where all the children arrive, take off their coats, have tearful farewells etc, but from there all the classrooms are available. Instead of being the usual corridor, this is the most delightful space in the school. Similarly, in an adult learning centre in Kirkintilloch, instead of arranging the classrooms around a corridor, they are arranged on two storeys looking into a large computer room, which itself looks out at a canal, and where students Maggie’s has launched a is a great way to engage with have individual study. nationwide architecture young people. The fact they This one move transforms the competition to help introduce design their submissions to the nature of education in the building Scotland’s pupils to the same brief as architects gives to that of shared learning and importance of good design. real-life experience. The winner informal interaction. The Maggie’s School’s gets a week’s work experience Sadly, the government’s Architecture Competition offers at the Richard Murphy Practice.” procurement system for building National Qualification and Maggie’s Centres are warm, schools and health buildings Higher pupils the chance to friendly, informal places, full of rarely puts architecture, or design a new Maggie’s Centre, light and open space with a big architects, at the top of their showing how architecture can kitchen at their heart. They agenda, so all these essential impact health and wellbeing. provide a bridge from the stress issues are rarely discussed. It will be judged by of dealing with cancer treatment. Consequently, I am Broadcaster and Maggie’s Patron Maggie’s Arts and Culture looking forward to seeing the Kirsty Wark, and top Edinburgh Co-ordinator Kathryn Lamont competition entries and the architect Richard Murphy. said: “Through this competition children’s own ideas on how Shortlisted entrants will be we hope to inspire the next buildings can build on the displayed at The Lighthouse generation of architects who Maggie Centre’s exemplars. RM visitor centre, Glasgow. might one day be designing Ian Elder, manager, The extraordinary buildings to Lighthouse, said: “A competition offer hope, inspiration or calm.”

Instead of endless, artificially lit corridors, we have To enter Maggie’s School’s Architecture Competition click on produced plans where www.maggiescentres.org Read our blog following a visit to circulation takes place Maggie’s in Glasgow at www.teachingscotland.org.uk around gardens 20 . Teaching Scotland November/December2013 Are your details up to date? Best foot forward GTC Scotland is working with the British Red Cross to accredit its humanitarian courses and provide teachers with Professional Recognition

n the last issue of Teaching education. Humanitarian education teachers with greater flexibility and Scotland, we shared the fact is a way of learning about and makes our training more inclusive. that courses run by Professional understanding the world. It aims to We understand that it can be Learning and Development build young people’s resilience and difficult to tackle controversial providers can now be used propensity to take humanitarian issues in the classroom and to Itowards Professional Recognition action. Our education work focuses facilitate sessions, which will – providing they are accredited by on four themes which are areas of motivate young people to take GTC Scotland. In this issue, we talk British Red Cross specialism; action. Our courses allow teachers to Jennifer Booth of the British Red conflict and its consequences, to build their skills and confidence Cross about the accreditation of disasters and emergencies, health to deliver humanitarian education. their humanitarian courses. and humanitarianism. This is done by looking critically at If a teacher fully completes our global issues, using interactive What has been accredited four-day CPD course they will gain activities and exploring links to by GTC Scotland? Professional Recognition without Curriculum for Excellence. At the British Red Cross we have having to complete any additional been providing CPD training to GTC Scotland paperwork. As well as Are there plans to extend teachers in humanitarian education this, we have also designed a mixed the accreditation? across Scotland for over seven years. mode approach where teachers can Our current accreditation is valid We have recently been accredited by participate in a number of twilights for five years and we have plans to GTC Scotland to offer Professional and/ or courses to achieve the same extend it after that period of time. Recognition in humanitarian recognition. We hope this provides Becoming accredited is a very Teaching Scotland . 21 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

positive step for our organisation, now and have had a great amount of our CPD training and for our The accreditation has been support from Rosa Murray in teachers. So we plan to continue a great opportunity as particular. Last year, she was the one to work closely with GTC Scotland we can now directly offer who informed us of the possibility in the future. Professional Recognition of applying for accreditation to offer Being able to extend our Professional Recognition. She accreditation after the five-year CPD training is of a standard to do explained the process we would go period will be a useful opportunity so. Teachers on our courses are very through and what evidence we for us to re-evaluate our courses and motivated and put in a lot of extra would need to provide. The whole the effectiveness of our CPD training. effort, so it is nice to now be able to process was simple and there was It will also be a chance for us to reward them for their hard work. support and guidance along the implement any future improvements way. We are very proud of our CPD after that evaluation process. How did you become aware that training and are grateful for the the accreditation was available? opportunity to be accredited to Why do you think this We have had a close relationship offer Professional Recognition in accreditation is of benefit? with GTC Scotland for many years Humanitarian Education. DL The accreditation has been a great opportunity for the British Red Cross as we can now directly offer Full details of Professional Recognition are available teachers Professional Recognition. on our website, at www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-recognition We are very proud to know that our For more on the British Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.uk 22 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MyGTCS Telling us WHAT YOU THINK…

he first phase of the pilot of a system of RESPONSES TO THE SURVEY Professional Update has been in operation since June 2012. Teachers from East 90% , and Perth hold permanent & Kinross Councils have been participating, 214 47 teachers were teachers posts in the Talong with teachers from the Erskine Stewart’s invited to respond completed participating Melville Schools in the independent sector. to the survey the survey schools To assist GTC Scotland in the evaluation of this first phase of the pilot, a survey was sent to all of respondents have participating teachers and their line managers. experience of the Teacher Below is a summary of some of the facts, 40% Induction Scheme figures and issues raised.

91% of respondents 68% updated MyGTCS have a MyGTCS details through Feedback on the account MyGTCS Professional Update process is broadly positive, with a 91% have a MyGTCS account, recognised benefit for but only 74% have updated participants. Feedback their details with GTC Scotland on specific aspects of as part of their engagement in the process includes: the pilot process PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS 12% of respondents engaged with the COACHING AND PRD MEETINGS 6% of respondents felt Professional MENTORING that their PRD meeting Standards to a large 37% of APPROACHES had changed to a large extent, 36% to some participants extent, 17% to some extent and 36% recorded their extent and 36% felt that used them ‘not very PRD meetings it had not changed very much or not at all.’ on paper, much. More than 60% of 35% on an *It is worth noting that respondents found their electronic teachers in phase one PRD meeting very useful document and of the pilot were using or useful in helping to the previous Standards 27% online. reflect on their previous and that teachers year’s learning, and to engaging in phase two of the pilot will use the MORE THAN plan their learning for Revised Standards. 90% the coming year. of line managers PROFESSIONAL LEARNING stated that they Almost 70% of respondents considered that used coaching and the nature of their professional learning had mentoring changed as a result of their engagement in the approaches to process. 10% of teachers had shared aspects of support the PRD their professional learning on GLOW, although process. 83% had not.

24 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MYGTCS Head of Fitness to Teach, Lindsay Thomson, talks to Daniel Lambie about how the department is evolving to provide even better support to the profession Fit for the future cornerstone of the analysing the information we have with challenges facing the revised remit of GTC gathered since we launched CoPaC Professional Standards. “Where Scotland is the [Code of Professionalism and previously the Standards were of ‘Fitness to Teach’ Conduct] and from the outcomes of active interest to groups during function, which sets the Fitness to Teach panels. This will certain phases of their career, they Aand monitors the expected conduct help us to identify patterns and have now evolved to become an of teachers on the register and trends. From these we can establish integral part of every teacher’s investigates the fitness to teach of if there are areas of the code which ongoing professional development.” applicants for registration. need to be changed or strengthened. There is arguably no clearer The department, previously It will also allow us to identify if indication of the quality and known as Professional Practice, there are sections or groups within standard of the profession in became Fitness to Teach in 2012 as the profession who are more likely Scotland than the fact that fewer part of the changes resulting from to need proactive support and to than 0.5 per cent of registered GTC Scotland becoming an feed that back to other departments teachers come into direct contact independent self-regulating within GTC Scotland, employers with the Fitness to Teach process. professional body for teaching. And, and Teacher Education Institutions.” But this means that the work of the as the Head of Fitness to Teach This, said Lindsay, leads to the department is largely invisible to the Lindsay Thomson explained, change second objective. “We need to work vast majority of the profession, until continues: “We have always, and will harder to make CoPaC a much more it is too late for the individuals who always, evolve to reflect the changing visible and active part of teachers’ fall outside of CoPaC parameters. circumstances and contexts – such Lindsay thinks that teachers can as technology – in which the help GTC Scotland improve the teaching profession operates. We are Fewer than 0.5 per cent of services it provides. “We need moving away from being a mainly registered teachers come teachers to tell us where they require disciplinary function towards into direct contact with the guidance. This will inform us how providing a proactive framework Fitness to Teach process and where we develop our support that supports the entire profession.” materials. We want to get to a place Lindsay is a fully qualified working lives. I’m not clear that it is where teachers are discussing solicitor who joined GTC Scotland a part of consciousness across the among themselves their concept of in early 2013. Previously, she profession at the moment. professionalism, perhaps by using performed a similar role at the “We do a lot of work with scenarios and challenging each other Scottish Social Services Council, probationers, but we need to think about how they should respond in which has close ties with GTC about how we make CoPaC more any given circumstance. Scotland. This makes her well- prominent for people at each stage “Creating the culture and the placed to understand the issues, of their teaching career. This is not channels to then feed this opportunities and challenges the about a ‘Big Brother’ mentality; it is information back to GTC Scotland profession faces – and how Fitness about supporting and guiding will help ensure CoPaC and Fitness to Teach can support these. teachers where required. The vast to Teach always remain relevant, So how will Fitness to Teach majority of teachers do an excellent current and useful.” continue to evolve to keep pace with job in sometimes trying This remains one of Lindsay’s the ever-changing education system? circumstances.” most important objectives, one we’ll Lindsay said the key is two fold. Lindsay knows improving track progress against in future “Firstly, we need to invest some time understanding of CoPaC parallels issues of Teaching Scotland. DL Teaching Scotland . 25 www.teachingscotland.org.uk

GTC Scotland’s Head of Fitness to Teach, Lindsay Thomson

VISIT THE FITNESS TO TEACH WEBSITE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT: You will also find copies Hearings Hearings schedule Making a complaint of CoPaC and other Criminal convictions and decisions Rules and policies. policies and procedures. Employer’s The investigation Downloadable www.gtcs.org.uk/ responsibilities process documents fitness-to-teach 26 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

A source of inspiration Glenise Borthwick talks about the Creative Learning Plan, launched by a series of partners recently Teaching Scotland . 27 www.teachingscotland.org.uk Check on MyGTCS

be in a curricular environment “The wealth of creative talent that Ruth Wishart where innovation is cherished, our young people can bring to bear change is embraced, and we and that often the spark for this can celebrate the fact that every child be through the inspiration of a is a creative child” teacher, an opportunity through Ruth Wishart experiential learning or an embedded creative approach Three Government Ministers have in school” backed the plan and all are Scottish Government supportive of the great opportunities creativity brings to In 2010 the Scottish Government both individuals and society, (Education and Culture) Creative making learning more satisfying Scotland and Education Scotland and enhancing wellbeing. The in partnership with the GTCS, Cabinet Secretary for Education SQA, ADES, College Development and where the work of the action and Life Long Learning, Cabinet Network and Skills Development plan group is bearing fruit and Secretary for Culture and External Scotland began work on an building confidence, and among Affairs and the Minister for ambitious Creative Learning Plan the tangible results of this ongoing Learning, Science and Scotland’s for Scotland. The group shared a exercise are two champions in the Languages, are all aware of the belief and a vision in placing national Creativity Portal and the wealth of creative talent that our creativity at the very heart of every Creative Learning Networks. young people can bring to bear and place of learning in Scotland. The Creativity Portal hosted that often the spark for this can be by Education Scotland allows through the inspiration of a “The eminent educationalist Sir educators to access cultural teacher, an opportunity through Kenneth Robinson is quite clear organisations and practitioners all experiential learning or an about it: creativity is not a special over Scotland helping them embed embedded creative approach quality bestowed on special people, creativity in every aspect of their in school. ‘If you’re human’, he says, it comes work already having 3,000 unique with the kit” users visit the portal every month “We know that creativity is vital in Ruth Wishart Chair of the Creative in term time. the world of work, with greater Learning Plan Strategic Group. Meanwhile the Creative opportunities for those who bring a Learning Networks deliver a creative approach. The country as a Ruth believes that a nation which champion in almost every local whole stands to benefit significantly nurtures and encourages creativity authority area. A cheerleader from the great wealth of creative is one that produces citizens able whose raison d’etre is to build talent that our young people can to rise to the challenges of a creative collaborations across bring to bear. We want to thank all global economy. schools, the arts, and communities. of those who have recognised this She said: “Business leaders Now, a colleges Creative Network ambition and are making it their worldwide have repeatedly is being funded to replicate that business to increase opportunities advanced the view that the 21st ideal in the sector. for creativity throughout century belongs to those who are Ruth Wishart is calling on learning in Scotland” creative, collaborative, and educators to work with the plan, Scottish Government intensely curious. People helping to create a dynamic, with ideas.” inspiring and creative educational Governance of the Plan She believes that untapped environment for every learner, potential is an unforgivable helping to shape the policies to “The national education agencies human wastage on a grand scale. support that nationwide creativity agree on the value of creative And that potential, released and and develop imaginative learning and teaching. It is vital harnessed, is nothing less than approaches for its delivery. for the well being of individuals transformative. and for society. We are working The Creative Learning Plan “The ambition aim is to allow our hosts a number of examples of how young people to be the best they can CONTINUED » 28 . Teaching Scotland November/December2013 Are your details up to date?

The partnership In the plan each of the partners outlined their commitment and how they were already helping to make this happen through a variety of case studies.

Creative Scotland The national agency for Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries funded by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. It supports artists, filmmakers, creative individuals and organisations to enable creativity to flourish and play a part in everyone’s lives be they living or visiting Scotland.

Scottish Government Ministers support the plan and the setting up of strategic groups to formulate and produce the plan.

College Development The College Development Network supports the sector in delivering best Network (CDN) practice, sharing innovations and developing colleges and their staff. They aim to ensure that creativity is present in all service design and delivery, encouraging colleagues to capitalise on opportunities to develop creativity and critical thinking in all their learners.

Education Scotland (ES) The key national agency for promoting improvement in the quality and effectiveness of education. It will provide the blend of national support and challenge seeking to embed creative and innovative approaches to inspire and secure continuous improvement.

The General Teaching The independent professional body that maintains and enhances teaching Council for Scotland standards and promotes and regulates the teaching profession. The new (GTCS) GTCS Professional Standards for teachers outline the values and personal commitment a teacher should hold throughout their career to develop areas such as creative learning.

Scottish Qualifications SQA is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland. They Authority (SQA) acknowledge the important role of creativity in learning for life and work and already provide a wide range of qualifications in creative areas.

Skills Development The national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland. They Scotland (SDS) support individuals to reach their potential through developing skills they need to progress effectively in their working and learning lives.

Association of Directors The independent professional network for leaders and managers in education and of Education in Scotland children’s services. It believes that creativity in the classroom and beyond contributes (ADES) to the improvement of educational outcomes of children and that developing creative approaches to learning can support the ambitions of the curriculum that seeks to instil self-confidence, self-resilience and ambition in our young people.

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE » learning, teaching and young a great place to live. To achieve people in this country.” this, it sees the need to be creative with this strong partnership to Joan Parr and generate the ideas that allow ensure that high quality creative teachers to meet the challenges of a opportunities are accessible to all The Vision for Creative global economy and an endangered learners, in all parts of Scotland Learning in Scotland environment, to be able to invent and that pathways for talented At the heart of this Creative and develop science and and enthusiastic individuals are Learning Plan is the vision for a technology. To write poems and identified and supported. We have more creative Scotland that the stories reflecting and enriching set out our shared beliefs and plan hopes will shape our future as who we are and expressing that ambitions in this Creative a country, characterised by greater through the visual arts, music, film, Learning Plan, which we believe equality, enhanced opportunity theatre and dance. will have hugely positive impact on and a vibrancy that makes Scotland At the centre is the need to Teaching Scotland . 29 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk eradicate the false demarcation 4 Develop approaches to lines between expressive arts and assessment of creativity, More resources every other subject. This is a including certification. A number of useful case studies barrier that doesn’t need to exist. and resources are listed here: What will the plan deliver? Creative Scotland ‘Creative learning and teaching The aim is to develop a shared Artworks Scotland: is the most fulfilling route to vision for creativity within learning www.creativescotland.co.uk/ both deep learning and a and teaching in CfE and lifelong explore/projects/artworks- rounded childhood.’ learning. It will raise awareness of scotland Page 9 of the plan the value of the arts and creativity Bookbug Train the trainer: in learning and teaching and it will www.scottishbooktrust. Creativity, states the plan, can be engage with international com/bookbug seen to be the capacity to generate developments in creative learning ideas that have value to the and teaching. It will also continue College Development Network individual, creativity is the ability to to support and develop a national Festival of Dangerous Ideas: make the world anew, to shape the infrastructure for creativity in www.scotlands future and enrich the here and now. learning across Scotland. It will do colleges.ac.uk/development- Creativity has to be developed all of this and much more from projects/fodi/festival-of- through learning and this means that developing resources, sharing good dangerous-ideas in all contexts of learning we must practice, helping to develop young Emerging Leaders encourage questioning, curiosity people’s arts strategy and professional development and exploration. Curriculum for developing pathways for young programme Excellence is very clear that all people with disability. Adaptive Comparative learners have personalisation and Judgement choice in learning, and that they So what will all of this do? have the chance to design and shape It will offer a source of inspiration GTC Scotland the tasks that they undertake. The and a summary of action from Professional Recognition in partnership is working to recognise Scotland’s Creative Learning Creative Learning: the good work already in place and Partners. It can be led by ideas and www.gtcs.org.uk/ encourage the sharing of carried out through supportive professsionalrecognition creative practice. materials and case studies of The vision and the ambition of inspirational quality but it will be SQA the plan are bold as it sets out how down to teachers and lecturers to A candidate’s interdisciplinary these aspirations can be realised. bring that heady mix of opportunity project. The effects of and optimism together to impact in pantomime on community What are the plans? our classrooms across Scotland. spirit and children with The activities highlighted in the Creativity shapes and knowledge additional support needs: plan are divided into four work is advanced and secured through www.sqa.org.uk/baccalaureates streams and pages are put aside to this shaping. outline examples of how the It is a powerful agent for Education Scotland partners are working to help bring transformation, a transformation 3-18 Curriculum Impact project: about change. led by Creative Scotland and Creativity Across Learning 1 Share our vision of a more supported by a broad range of www.educationscotland. creative society and ensure that partners. gov.uk all partners are committed to its Creativity Portal: fulfilment. www.creativityportal.org.uk “The ambitious aim is to allow our 2 Build capacity and expertise of young people to be the very best learning practitioners and Skills Development Scotland they can be in a new curricular creative partners to support the www.myworldofwork.co.uk environment where innovation is My World of Work offering development of creative skills cherished, change is embraced and career tools to support people through learning and teaching. we celebrate the fact that every 3 Develop a strategic approach to child is a creative child” achieve pathways for lifelong creative Ruth Wishart Certificate of Work Readiness learning for all. 30 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? The Queen’s Baton Relay needs you Get nominations in for your school to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as pupils pass the baton

orty days, 400 towns, continents, terrains and time more on this), and now pupils will 4,000 batonbearers, more zones, inviting athletes, people and have the opportunity for a special Fthan 4,000 kilometres. How communities to join together hands-on experience when the will your school become part of and celebrate the sport, culture baton returns to Scotland on the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth and unity of the 2014 14 June 2014. Games Queen’s Baton Relay when Commonwealth Games. The baton will travel for it returns to Scotland? Scotland’s teachers are already another 40 days, visiting On 9 October 2013, the being encouraged to make the communities in all 32 Local Queen’s Baton Relay began its most of the potential learning Authority areas of Scotland before 190,000 kilometre journey around prospects that the Glasgow 2014 being handed back to The Queen all 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth Games has to at the Opening Ceremony on 23 Commonwealth. Over 248 days, offer young people (see the July 2014 completing the final part the baton holding Her Majesty The ‘Inspiring a generation’ article on of the 288 day relay. Each Queen’s Message will cross www.teachingscotland.org.uk for within Scotland Teaching Scotland . 31 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Clyde and colleagues welcome the baton look at the role marketing and social media plays – the opportunities are extensive.

Involve your school council Invite the school council to decide how best to select your baton- bearer. By developing a clear criteria and process, they can reach out to their peers and deliver on their role as the representative voice of learners.

Run a competition Why not create a competition to choose your representative, with pupils involved in setting the guidelines and the judging process? The competition could use the Commonwealth Games as a context; you can find education has until 22 November 2013 to school community can get resources related to the Games at select a pupil to carry the baton as involved in selecting its www.gameonscotland.org, which part this exciting and historic event representative. might help with some inspiration. – a truly once-in-a-lifetime The lucky pupils nominated opportunity. The reasons for Conduct an election will be part of the 4,000-strong awarding a baton-bearer place can The pupil chosen will be a group chosen to be batonbearers be varied, for example, exceptional representative of their peers and, as in the world’s longest and most accomplishments within the with pupil councils or head boys ambitious relay. In addition to school, the local community or and girls, it’s vital that pupils have a the athletes and public figures for charity. say. The election itself could be a taking part, communities will be Being chosen to carry the valuable context for learning: for able to nominate their own Queen’s Baton on behalf of a example, pupils could investigate baton-bearers based on a set school will be a great honour, and different voting systems, plan the criteria, with a key focus on there are plenty of ways the whole logistics of a whole-school vote or youth and sport. Nominees need CONTINUED »

Pictured is the 2006 Queen’s Baton race travelling through Malawi 32 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

Previous baton relays have involved all sections of communities

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE » by the deadline of 5pm on 22 striking vistas and local flavour. November 2013. With schools hosting their to meet one or more of the The baton itself was designed own celebrations when the baton following criteria, for activities by Glasgow-based company 4c passes through their area, the carried out in Scotland: Design Limited, and has been Queen’s Baton Relay is going to Made a positive contribution crafted using wood, titanium and be a great opportunity to come to the lives of others through granite, reflecting the landscape of up with creative ways of community sport. the nation and the host city’s celebrating sport and the Undertaken voluntary work or heritage and culture. The baton’s Commonwealth, developing a contributed to schools or youth design was a closely guarded strong sense of community spirit organisations. secret until its official unveiling and creating a shared learning Contributed towards greater on 16 August 2013 at Glasgow’s experience the whole school inclusion for disadvantaged or iconic Riverside Museum, where can enjoy. marginalised sectors of the it was revealed in front of a With less than 300 days to go community. cheering crowd. For the first time until the Opening Ceremony, the Been a role model or mentor to ever, the message forms the visual Games are becoming a reality for youth through sport. core of the baton design – more and more people. Venues are Displayed a level of individual illuminated from within, yet operational, tickets have been achievement against the odds. unreadable until the Opening purchased and the city and country Made a significant contribution Ceremony. are preparing themselves for the to the local community. An average of 100 baton-bearers transformation Games Time Nominations for community will carry the baton each and every will bring. baton-bearers are open to those day, taking in some of Scotland’s Through education, celebration aged 12 and over (those under most dramatic views, including the and nomination, the Queen’s 16 require parental consent), Glenfinnan Viaduct and Forth Baton Relay is your school’s allowing yet another fantastic Bridge. From coast to city, farmland chance to count down and make way for Scotland’s children to to mountain pass, the Scottish leg preparations for Scotland’s largest gain the honour of hands-on of the journey will be filled with celebration of sport and culture. SK participation in the relay. Nomination forms can be accessed by visiting the Games For more information on education resources, nominations and website, (glasgow2014.com) and the baton’s domestic route, visit gameonscotland.org and nominations can be made online glasgow2014.com Teaching Scotland . 33 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk Translating inspiration to aspiration Hopes for future won’t float away as pupils celebrate launch of new ‘Global Citizens in the Making’ project

upils at Grove Academy in Dundee were among the first to start thinking of their inspirations and aspirations around the PGlasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, releasing more than 200 helium balloons on which they’d written their hopes for the future. They were taking part in the launch of Character Scotland’s new ‘Inspire>Aspire: Global Citizens in the Making’ project, which is being Scotland can connect with their developed this project to make the promoted through the Glasgow global peers and learn about them most of the London 2012 Olympic 2014 education programme, Game through an exploration of their Games, but it has now been On Scotland. character and values. refreshed and extended with the Character Scotland’s project aims Grove Academy teacher, Gerry 2014 Commonwealth Games to help young people explore their Dillon is already convinced about at its heart. Local hero and character, ideals and values through the programme’s value: “I use the Commonwealth Games gold a unique poster template Inspire>Aspire programme with my medallist Liz McColgan was complemented by supporting pupils because it gives us the at the launch to share her own internet resources. The programme opportunity to explore their values inspirational story with the pupils, has been designed specifically for and to reflect upon who they are and encouraging them to think about 10–18 year olds, but is freely what they want to be in the future. It their aspirations for the future. available to users of any age. Using is incredible to watch them develop Liz is a passionate advocate for the the poster, pupils will write about a deeper understanding of programme. She said: “The project their strengths and weaknesses, their themselves, and this process really allows pupils to believe in inspirational figure and their vision helps me to understand each themselves. It doesn’t matter what and personal commitment towards individual and their needs.” people think or say about you, if you a better world. The best quality Character Scotland aims to really believe in something you want posters will receive a prestigious support the development of to achieve you have to be dedicated. Inspire>Aspire Award, which children and young people’s This project allows children to recognises the pupils as ‘Global character and values, and initially search for what they are good at.” SK Citizens in the Making’. Excitingly, posters will be Inspire>Aspire is 100% grant funded for Scottish Schools and has completed by children and young been recognised by the Scottish Government as a Legacy 2014 people all over the Commonwealth project. For more information, visit www.inspire-aspire.org.uk so that children and young people in 34 . Teaching Scotland November/December2013 Are your details up to date?

Teaching in nature GTC Scotland closes its year of engagement with the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 with The Scottish Natural Heritage ‘Teaching in Nature Project’

earning outdoors is well work together in a nearby place that (NNR), and asked them to plan recognised for its benefits is special for a nature plan, and to something for their pupils. and is often a powerful implement and evaluate challenging The connection was that SNH and practical approach. It and fun outdoor experiences for were the experts on natural heritage is now no longer the ‘add their pupils. It pulls together and that teachers were experts on Lon’ it once was, but an integral part collaborative, practical and online the curriculum. It was a joining of the learning process. There are learning to support teachers through together of two strengths mixed many opportunities available for the next stage in their outdoor with willingness and enthusiasm. pupils in planned, quality outdoor learning journey. Teachers from various schools experiences. The model takes account of the joined together and many felt the The Learning for Sustainability lessons learned from the SNH year- transformational change. The South report’s key recommendations are long action research model Lanarkshire teachers involved went accepted, including the actions on (Mannion et al, 2011) taking on on to become the very first teachers teacher education, career-long board recommendations from the to ever receive Professional professional learning, the revised Donaldson’s Review of teacher Recognition in Outdoor Learning Professional Standards and also education. It’s about self evaluation, from GTC Scotland. the assertion that learning for professional collaboration, achieving Many teachers continued to sustainability should be regarded an appropriate blend of tailored support Teaching in Nature in their as an entitlement for learners. individual development and school schools and authorities, and others Many teachers still need support improvement. have delivered training becoming in embedding outdoor learning into In 2010-11, SNH worked with coaches. As well as impacting on their practice. ‘Teaching in Nature’ researchers from Stirling University teachers and pupils, the Teaching is a structured approach to School of Education and about 20 in Nature Project has influenced professional development in teachers to look at what teachers do the way other organisations outdoor learning for teachers. if you took them to a special place, support teachers in their outdoor It supports groups of teachers to usually a National Nature Reserve learning professional development. Teaching Scotland . 35 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk What teachers have to say about the project

The views of some “I think the Teaching in Nature of the users... Project has been an excellent opportunity for both myself and the children. They have been engaged and stimulated... they have produced excellent pieces of work and have been occupied in many curricular tasks.” GW

“I had always associated Outdoor Learning with mainly science topics or health and wellbeing. I think this “The children project has were more made me realise interested, got that outdoor caught up in the learning has much The 2012-14 project excitement and actually more scope than this Building on the success of the their behaviour and and that any curricular area can research project Teaching in Nature, performance improved. The be covered outdoors. Children projects are now in place in a children managed to co-operate have a very different approach growing number of places including: more outdoors and work to work when it is outdoors and Primary schools together. In the future, I will a positive attitude is very using Dundonald Links Golf Course make sure I incorporate outdoor evident. I think this will now Secondary learning into my termly alter my thinking when planning schools using Loch Lomond and plans.” KG any outdoor learning work.” GW Trossachs National Park Aberdeen Schools using “I feel that the class responded Forvie NNR better than I anticipated Highland Schools outdoors.... It was the first time using Merkinch LNR I had got such a good response Stirling Schools using Flanders to a home learning project and Moss NNR I think in terms of learning Primary intentions and success and Secondary teachers using criteria the children Battleby grounds surpassed my Primary and expectations.” KG Secondary teachers using Craigengillan Estate. Five teachers in each local To read more about the structure of the projects, comments from authority are supported by SNH teachers (a case study from Toronto Primary school in West although some authorities are funding Lothian), references and great weblinks go to our additional online additional teachers to be involved. pages at www.teachingscotland.org.uk 36 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MyGTCS

How do we register our interest? If you have not done so already, please ensure that one teacher registers online on behalf of the school at www.impresscotland.co.uk Prepare to be E: [email protected] T: 01620 890800 impressed What can we enter? Your school is invited to enter one magazine, School magazine competition set to online magazine, newspaper or newsletter inspire and develop schools and pupils for the 2014 competition. The publication team should be guided by a teacher, but ideas, content, design and strategy must be imPRESS Scottish School responsible citizens. pupil-led. Judges will award prizes for each of Media Awards represent So, if your school has the key elements which make a successful a chance for your students been thinking about publication. to be rewarded for their creating a school creativity and hard publication, then here is What are the award categories? work, develop valuable your chance to show your � Magazine � Editorial content skills and be part of a skills. If your school � Newspaper � Feature article successful team. already produces a � Newsletter � Front cover It is also an aid towards newspaper, magazine, � Online presence/ � Original meeting the aims of CfE online publication or publication photography that so why not take this newsletter, this could be � Commercial enhances a cover, chance to showcase what an opportunity for you to strategy feature or article your pupils can do? look again at what you do � Design & � Sports columnist The competition, and show us the issue layout � Inspirational promoted and managed from the current � Distribution & teacher by Menzies Distribution, academic year of which logistics � Outstanding pupil aims to help pupils to be you are most proud. successful learners and David McIntosh, MD What is the deadline for increase their literacy at Menzies Distribution, submission? skills; provide a platform said: “Producing a You need to send the entry form along with for pupils to show successful publication samples of your publication and/or access leadership capabilities requires a combination information for an online edition, to arrive no and become confident of creative and later than Wednesday 30 April 2014. individuals; encourage organisational skills, and young people to work the ability to work as part Where do we send our entry? in teams as effective of a team. We want to imPRESS Scottish School Media Awards contributors; give them recognise the most c/o Crawford Hay Consulting confidence to improve creative and hard-working 22 Rhodes Park communication between students and show them North Berwick pupils, parents, teachers that a career in print and East Lothian and the wider community, publishing is worth EH39 5NA and show they are considering.”

38 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Big adventure helps learning Kathryn Welch from Venture Trust talks to Kelly Forbes about why their programmes make a difference for young adults

t’s a situation common to many classrooms. There’s a child who, on the surface, is the one from an ‘unfortunate’ family. The dirty, uncared-for- Ilooking one, the one with a mouth like a sewer or a brother in prison. As a teacher, however, you’ve seen them grow up, seen them passed from hand-to-hand, from ‘responsible adult’ to ‘key worker’, and you can see beyond the facade to a child who has much more to offer. You can see that while that child doesn’t want to learn and frequently can’t engage with lessons, they have far more to offer than an all-too-predictable future of benefits, drugs or prison. Venture Trust knows from experience that some of those who struggle in the classroom can engage in a totally different way when taken out of the classroom. venturetrust Former participants speak about how they have engaged with can help. And they give leadership them develop the fundamentals of Venture Trust in ways that would roles to help everyone in the group. learning – without which further have been completely inconceivable In school everyone wants a progress is nigh-on impossible. in a classroom setting. reputation, but on the Venture Because Venture Trust staff aren’t The experiential learning offered Trust course you could be yourself.” teachers, although they could by Venture Trust was key to Sean’s Venture Trust is well aware of the reasonably be described as experience, who joined a Venture relative luxury in which they operate ‘educators’, Venture Trust has Trust programme back in 2010. He compared to those teaching in ‘luxuries’ such as one-to-three staff said: “One-to-one key workers schools. They work specifically with ratios, young people that are with help, actually sitting down and those disaffected young people who them of their own free will, and a listening to what the individual has don’t, won’t or can’t engage with a spectacular wilderness as a to say so they can find out how they classroom environment, and help classroom. Teaching Scotland . 39 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

When participants attend Venture Trust programmes – Do you have someone in mind? usually referred by their social worker, education team, or other If you have a student who you feel would benefit from working with support worker – the first step is Venture Trust or you would like more information on its programmes, acknowledging that ‘learning’ please visit www.venturetrust.org.uk or call 0131 228 7700. Many local doesn’t have to mean wrestling authorities can assist with funding through the Activity Agreement or trigonometry or memorising Additional Support for Learning provision for those who are unlikely to capital cities, but understanding find a positive pathway when they leave school. the concept of learning in its broadest and most practical sense. For participants the opportunity to assess its effectiveness, and refine apply new skills in a very practical We have the time and space their actions. At least twice a day, hands-on way is simply more to allow young people to each participant sits down with accessible than classroom-based break our rules their support worker to discuss learning. While experiential, how the skills they’re learning can Venture Trust’s provision sits classroom, as Kathryn Welch, be applied at home to make and within CfE; enabling young people Funding and Communications sustain positive changes in to become successful learners, Manager at Venture Trust, their lives. confident individuals and explained. She said: “We have the “To help participants sustain responsible young adults. time and space to allow young their learning long-term, they The intrinsic challenges and people to break our rules – to try compile an individual action plan. opportunities of the wilderness hiking without walking boots, to This supports participants to map are as important to participants’ have a go at pitching a tent out their long-term goal.” learning as more formal learning without listening to the Kathryn continued: “Of course, opportunities. The wilderness can instructions on how to do it – it’s not a miracle cure. We don’t seem harsh, brutal, uncaring. But then to decide for themselves return participants as perfect, shiny one of the vital lessons that whether the guidelines we set are members of society and – much as participants learn during their time worth keeping or not. we’d like to – we won’t be returning on expedition is that while you “After a few blisters and an hour many straight-A students. What can’t change the environment struggling with a tangle of ropes, we can do, however, is help our around you, your thinking, poles and pegs, young people learn participants to reflect on their lives behaviour and actions can to ask for help, and to gradually and where their futures are fundamentally alter your begin to understand the concept of heading, think meaningfully about experience of that environment. ‘plan, do, review’. This concept is what they want those futures to The experiences that young key to many of our discussions look like, then develop the skills to people have with Venture Trust with young people, where they start making those ambitions differ greatly from a traditional begin to reflect on their behaviour, reality.” KF 40 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date?

the academic research which has gone in to us interpreting it properly. We have an academic panel of Bringing the nationally recognised experts with specialisms in different areas, such as medieval life or English soldiery. It’s thanks to the input of our panel that past to life we know that our interpretation comes from the best historical Calum Price, Learning Manager of the Bannockburn research. When you see a solider Project, explains to Kelly Forbes why state of the art fighting or riding a horse we know, technology will take pupils back in time as close as we possibly can, that we’ve got that right.” The rigorous work of the panel hen the unique 3D exhibition and learning will be evident in the exhibits. Bannockburn experience that will transport Visitors will become immersed in Heritage centre visitors back to the battle in 1314. the story as the context and lead up closed its doors The project, which is being to the battle is told through actors for the last completed in time for the 700th representing key figures from the Wtime in October 2012 it marked anniversary of the Battle of battle, in 3D video format, as they the end of the 50-year-old centre Bannockburn, tells a story describe conditions and events. and the beginnings of a new, surrounding one of the seminal These digital storytellers explain the interactive visitor attraction that moments of Scottish history. separate journeys taken by King will immerse us in the most Calum Price, Learning Manager Edward II and King Robert the important battle of the War of of the Battle of Bannockburn Bruce that resulted in their Independence. When it opens in Project, describes the levels of armies meeting on the field at March 2014, The Battle of research and work that have gone in Bannockburn in June 1314. Bannockburn Project, a joint to ensuring that the interpretation The active learning experience endeavour between the National of the battle is as historically continues as visitors are challenged Trust for Scotland (NTS) and accurate as possible. to prepare for battle. They Historic Scotland, will create a “What underpins the project is experience a surround screen 3D Teaching Scotland . 41 Check on MYGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

environment where they will NTS intends to host a series of perspectives of the story of interact with digital figures who CPD events within the coming Bannockburn. Pupils are being explain the various different troops, months to give teachers a sneak asked to create a short film using how they would train and how they preview of the learning ‘Bannockburn 700’ as their would act on a battlefield. Arrows opportunities that will be available. inspiration. will fly overhead as you experience Support is also available financially With storytelling at the heart of battle medieval style as digital guides as The Scottish Government has the project, Calum is passionate provide insight into the battle. highlighted its commitment to about the importance of bringing There is a great opportunity for ensuring young people learn about this story to life for young young people to learn through Bannockburn by including the new . doing as they take up a role upon a visitor experience in a government “There is going to be nothing virtual battlefield and recreate the sponsored travel subsidy scheme. else quite like this in terms of battle for themselves. While Visiting schools can apply for a travel interpretation of a heritage site. waging war on their classmates, subsidy of up to 75 per cent of their In a cultural context, the story of pupils learn about battle strategy travel costs in order to visit the site. Bannockburn is one that’s really and have a chance to change the While schools can book their resonated down the ages. It’s a great course of history should the visit now to The Battle of story. So much of history is a great English side prevail in their virtual Bannockburn, March 2014 is still a story and it’s our job to tell that battle. Afterwards, the real strategy while to wait. There are other ways story well.” KF of battle is played out to in which schools can get involved demonstrate how remarkable the in the project now, one of which is Find out more Scottish victory really was. the recently launched The Battle of For more information about Many of the resources and Bannockburn Short Film The Battle of Bannockburn Project, content of the site have been Competition, which aims to to read our blog, or to book a created with CfE in mind with a encourage school pupils to film an visit for your pupils, visit visit to the site complementing interpretation of their own www.battleofbannockburn.com many common classroom topics. Online resources are being developed to support learning Listen to our podcast with Calum Price, Learning Manager outcomes both pre and post visit. of the Battle of Bannockburn Project, online at To help with the planning of visits, www.teachingscotland.org.uk/podcasts 42 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MYGTCS Build excitement for book reading As Kelly Forbes discovers, Book Week Scotland is a chance for people of all ages and backgrounds to rediscover the wonders of books - and fall in love with reading all over again

eading really is for Books’ was created as part of a everyone. Whether Wider Achievement Opportunity you’re looking for by pupils and staff at the school superheroes or Sunset and was such a success that they Songs, whether it’s hope to make another viral video Rhigh literature or how-to guides, for BWS in 2013. everyone can wander into a BWS is also a chance to put the bookshop and feel confident library at the heart of the school’s there’s something for them. That’s activities. It is a great opportunity the key message of Book Week to encourage pupils to share the Scotland: everyone, no matter books they are passionate about what their previous experience of and to find out about new things reading might be, can feel part of from each other and, of course, a national celebration of reading their trusted librarian. Why not for pleasure. try holding a book gifting swap, Now in its second year, Book designing shelf cards or an Week Scotland (BWS) will take analogue tweet review event place this year from 25 November (book reviews in 140 characters to 1 December, and is an Book Week Scotland is the or less.) Ask your pupils what they opportunity to create a buzz about perfect opportunity to would like to do, and what they reading for pupils (and staff) in the promote the message that would like to see in their library. way that can be tailored to the reading is for everyone and Book Week Scotland is the needs and culture of your school. everyone can take part perfect opportunity to promote One of the best ways to join in the message that reading is for the celebration is to throw a Big website has dedicated resources, everyone and everyone can take Book Bash – a social, fun, creative blogs and cases studies for the Big part in book-related activities. event around reading. This can be Book Bash, which includes great Scottish Book Trust provides a something as simple as holding ideas from teachers on how to get range of programmes all year reading lunch breaks where kids everyone involved. round that you can use to build a and staff read together or to Lindsay Clancy, an English programme for Book Week something more ambitious such teacher at Larbert High School in Scotland (BWS). as asking pupils to design and Stirling, is one teacher featured One of the best ways to create a implement a campaign to among the resources who used buzz around books is to give encourage their local community video as a means to get pupils children a chance to meet an to read. The Scottish Book Trust enthused about reading. ‘I Like Big author. Booking a local author to Teaching Scotland . 43 Check on MYGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Whatever your age, books help develop imagination and open up the world

visit your school during BWS brilliant way to create excitement online to classrooms around the is a great way to raise pupils’ about books in your school. The country, will host a special event aspirations and confidence for Bookbug Primary 1 Family Pack on the 28 November at 11am as their own creative writing. There is has also been translated into part of BWS with Scottish author a cost involved but the impact can Gaelic, and is available to all Gaelic Mhari Hedderwick. be huge – young people are often speaking P1 children in Scotland. This is also the time of year motivated to read because they Further up the school, pupils to challenge young people’s have met the person who wrote can read and vote for their preconceptions about reading – the book. favourite books in the other BWS is about celebrating and The activities in BWS are for SCBA categories – or why not ask sharing what you enjoy reading every age and ability range. Every older pupils to read the Bookbug and taking the opportunity to try Primary 1 pupil in the country will books with the younger pupils? something new. Why not set up receive the Bookbug Primary 1 It’s a great way to include less some specific reading groups – Family Pack through their confident readers and let them looking at sci-fi, or games fan school, funded by the Scottish turn themselves into reading fiction, or graphic novels, or blogs. Government and Education role models. Be part of this national event Scotland. The pack is chock full of Author’s Live, which is a series which is held in schools, libraries, the shortlisted Bookbug category of events featuring well-known businesses, unions, charities, books from the Scottish Children’s authors speaking to a live audience museums, galleries, public spaces Book Awards (SCBA). If you are a while being filmed and broadcast and homes across Scotland. KF Primary 1 teacher, make sure you have received your Teacher Pack full of useful ideas for the To find out more about Book Week Scotland, download the resource classroom. Even if you do nothing pack or view previous Authors Live events, visit the Scottish Book Trust website www.bookweekscotland.com else to celebrate BWS, this is a 44 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? GTC Scotland Elections Don’t miss the chance to vote for your representative on the independent Council

Nominations to fill eight of the the excellent work of the current Login to MyGTCS 19 elected registered teacher seats on Council in: (www.gtcs.org.uk/mygtcs) to the independent GTC Scotland taking forward the development check your contact details and Council with effect from 2 April and implementation of a fully your election/voting category. 2014 have now closed. Nominations supportive system of Professional received are being verified. Update for teachers Don’t worry… Keep an eye on the GTC developing GTC Scotland policy 1. if your election/voting category Scotland website at www.gtcs.org. on ongoing national issues (where and/or contact details are uk/election where we will publish these impact on professional different to what is recorded at details of all candidates to help you standards in teaching) MyGTCS – you can update your to decide who to vote for. We aim ensuring that GTC Scotland contact details and request a to do this in early December 2013. continues to maintain and improve change to your election/voting high standards in the regulation of category via MyGTCS Now it’s down to you! the teaching profession. 2. if you don’t have a MyGTCS Your vote is important. Voting for account – sign up for one now at your preferred candidate to What do you need to do now? www.gtcs.org.uk/mygtcs- represent your category on the Make sure: application-form.aspx independent Council will have a you are in the correct election/ significant impact on shaping the voting category in order to vote Find out more future of teaching and the teaching your contact details are up Further information on the election/ profession in Scotland. to date so we can send you voting categories and how you are Council members will have a information on candidates and allocated to a category is available at significant opportunity to build on how to vote for them. www.gtcs.org.uk/election

Election categories The table below sets out the categories in which the eight teachers are to be elected:

No of Codes Election Council Note Qualifications of election category members persons entitled to category to be nominate candidates elected and to vote I “P” &“PHT” Teachers (including 3 One seat will *Registered teachers headteachers) in primary be reserved to in primary schools schools or nursery schools those employed or nursery schools in Scotland as headteachers in Scotland within each II “S” & “SHT” Teachers (including 5 of these *Registered teachers headteachers) in secondary categories in secondary schools schools in Scotland in Scotland *NB In each of these categories a registered teacher (whether a teacher or headteacher) may nominate and/or vote for a teacher or headteacher.

Please note: The term of office for the elected Council seats in the category (1 seat) and the Universities (providing Initial Teacher Education) category (1 seat) runs until 1 April 2016. Therefore no election arises to be held in either of these two categories at the present time. Teaching Scotland . 45 Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Key election 2013-2014 diary dates 4 December 2013 Closing date for electors; by this date, all electors must be in the appropriate election category

13 January 2014 Ballot papers issued (including information relating to voting online or by post)

5 February 2014 (12 noon) Closing date for receipt of whom it has been sent. The teacher votes online or ballot papers What will will require to enter both parts of the by post security code number in order to happen next? gain access to the voting page on the 10 February 2014 relevant website. (or as soon as possible Voting process 2. The website will then give clear after this date) A ballot paper will be sent out by instructions on how to select the Publication of results post by Monday 13 January 2014 chosen candidates and submit to all teachers on the register the vote. February/March 2014 relating to the voting category 3. The online voting service will Induction meetings of the new against their name on the register be available 24 hours a day until Council (two days – dates to on 4 December 2013. noon on Wednesday 5 be announced) This will be accompanied by February 2014. a document containing details 4. The electronic votes are received 2 April 2014 of all the candidates and their by Electoral Reform Services, New Council members election statements in that the Independent Scrutineer. take up office particular category. The ballot paper will contain Voting by post information on how to vote either A pre-paid envelope will be online or by post. enclosed for the return of the The deadline for ballot paper by post to Electoral teachers who want Voting online Reform Services, the Independent to change their 1. The ballot paper will: Scrutineer. election/voting give the relevant website address Ballot papers must be received category is Wednesday where teachers can vote online by the Independent Scrutineer no 4 December 2013. contain a two-part security code later than noon on Wednesday number unique to the teacher to 5 February 2014. 46 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? CPD listings Listed here are just a few of the wide range of CPD courses running in the coming months

RADIO EDUTALK or computer. You can Listen to the new even interact with the ‘Professional learning for live show via email teachers’ online radio and Twitter. channel, featuring teachers who have New to Radio Edutalk improved teaching and is the ‘Professional learning, and pupil learning for teachers’ attainment and channel. The weekly achievement. show features teachers who, following their Visit the link below on own Masters-level your smartphone or professional learning, computer and browse have improved teaching all shows, guests and and learning, and pupil topics. You can also find attainment and out how to listen to, and achievement. join in, the live broadcasts. For full details visit: bit.ly/17WB5Sf bit.ly/14xfBdA Contact: David Noble. E: [email protected] Interested in being W: edutalk.cc a guest? Contact David Noble at Tune in to Scotland’s [email protected] own Radio Edutalk- Twitter: @EDUtalkr Radio Edutalk features Our main website technical support staff. teachers and EDUCATION contains links to all our Programmes are offered educationalists talking SCOTLAND resources to support in a range of formats about interesting Advice on strengthened Curriculum for that vary from practice, excellent models of career-long Excellence interactive electronic learning for Scottish www.educationscotland. sessions, short resources and relevant gov.uk research. Details teachers: face-to-face sessions of forthcoming shows www.educationscotland. to immersive one or gov.uk/clpl SCOTTISH SCHOOLS two-part residential are at: EDUCATION http://edutalk.info/ Resources to support RESEARCH CENTRE events. Many of our upcoming mentoring: SSERC is a science and courses attract external glo.li/VCpuhG technology education funding to offset Tune in to the live Resources to support service, providing health registration fees. show at: those interested in a and safety advice and “Scottish Schools http://www.edutalk. career in teaching: CPD courses that Education Research info/listen www.educationscotland. promote exciting and Centre – one of the gov.uk/aspiringteachers every Wednesday from safe practical activities prominent providers 8pm, and catch up with Online professional for schools. of professional learning the podcast and learning portal: SSERC provides in the sciences.” previous broadcasts at bit.ly/plcommunity targeted professional (Education Scotland http://edutalk.cc New national PRD development to improve 2012). T: 01383 626070 You can listen to the live guidance and the subject knowledge and Freephone: 0800 shows and podcasts interactive framework skills of mainly primary 8406998 anytime, anywhere on for educational and secondary teachers, E: [email protected] your smartphone, tablet leadership – coming soon curriculum leaders and www.sserc.org.uk

This list is not exhaustive and GTC Scotland does not necessarily endorse these events. To promote your event to every teacher in Scotland, call Clare Stebbing on 0131 561 0024. Teaching Scotland . 47 Check on MyGTCS Advertising feature www.teachingscotland.org.uk PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Amanda Corrigan, Senior Teaching Fellow University of Strathclyde

Driving ahead in education At the start of this new After some consideration, academic year for I have come to the undergraduate students following conclusions: across the country we Student-led enter an exciting new professional development era for Education at works because as staff we Strathclyde. Our new are willing to relinquish BA (Hons) Primary power and, in return, our Education degree started students understand that in September, but we with this opportunity now also offer Education comes considerable as a joint honours subject responsibility. We ADVERTORIAL for those who are demand excellence in the interested in the study professional development Global recruitment of Education but don’t opportunities being necessarily want to enter developed by students Shaping the world of our consultants are able the teaching profession. and so all leaders of education for more to use their industry Our student-led learning strive for than 15 years, Randstad experience to provide professional development excellence in the activities Teachanywhere is the you with the best global leader in opportunities the world activities are already they develop. While international teacher has to offer. well under way. We are staff create a culture of recruitment. We have Working in entering our fourth year ambition, and students extensive experience in partnership with of students working as work to achieve their recruiting teachers to private international leaders of learning as potential, we all accept more than 47 countries schools, ministries they design, host and that no one person knows across the Middle East of education and present professional everything and that we and North Africa, Far educational and South East Asia, establishments, our development all have much to learn. as well as Europe. dedicated and opportunities for their At Strathclyde, our With offices in the experienced team peers and for educators students are driving UK, UAE, Australia, New advise and support you across the sector. their own professional Zealand, South Africa from application right I am regularly asked development. And if and North America, our through to the arrival what it is that makes this is all our students global team of skilled ensuring we find you student-led professional ever know... education consultants the right job suited to development at have extensive local your personal Strathclyde such a market knowledge. requirements. Our students With many being success. For a long ex-teachers and time I was unsure as understand that with principals themselves, the models we use are opportunity comes very straightforward. responsibility

Teaching Scotland . 49 Are your details up to date? Check on MyGTCS www.teachingscotland.org.uk Prize Crossword Complete our crossword and answer the simple question below to be entered into our prize draw. One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay for two, including breakfast, at the superb Bunchrew House near !

Across Down 6. High School which serves pupils from 1. Essential higher order thinking skill for Terms and Conditions Prestonpans, Port Seton and Longniddry learning, life and work (10) Entrants must be aged 18 or over (employees (7,5) 2. Film with a famously shocking shower or agents of GTC Scotland, their families or 8. Get Scotland ______, a Scottish scene (6) anyone connected with the promotion are not eligible to participate). Entry constitutes Government policy (7) 3. The ______Award presents your acceptance of these rules. The 9. Grinding tooth at the back of the sixth-year pupils with a unique creative promoter reserves the right to alter, amend mouth (5) challenge (4,5) or withdraw these terms and conditions or 10. Light-coloured dry sherry (4) 4. And 15 Down. Major sporting event in the prize draw without prior notice. Only one entry per person. One winner will be selected 11. Involuntary sign of boredom or 2014 (12,5) at random. The prize consists of a two night tiredness (4) 5. Quality which is improved by taking stay for two, including breakfast, at 12. Iconic US movie star part in Pilates (7) Bunchrew House (subject to certain whose films include ‘The 7. Mel Gibson plays William Wallace in exclusions and availability). The prize does Searchers’ and ‘True Grit’ this movie (10) not include travel to and from the hotel. We Winner will draw the winners at random from the (5) Congratulations to 14. Large, flightless Australian bird entries submitted. The date of the draw is 30 13. Spend winter in a (3) November 2013. The winner will be notified dormant state (9) Tady Meehan, who 15. See 4 Down by telephone on the day of the draw and you 16. Thick, sweet liquid (5) won last time 16. Was he a fishy rugby union must respond as directed within 24 hours of receipt of the call, otherwise we reserve the 19. Small, seedless raisin captain for Scotland? (4) right to reallocate the relevant prize. The (7) 17. The Hampden ______, as made by judge’s decision is final and binding and no 20. After two years, Scottish football fans (4) correspondence will be entered into. Prizes probationer teachers used to achieve 18. Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s current are non-refundable and non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. The promoter this status (9) religious position (4) cannot and does not accept any 21. Eagle’s nest (5) 19. Indian garment (4) responsibility for late or lost or corrupted entries due to any viruses, delays or failures in transmission, failure of software or hardware or telecommunications networks, FINISHED? Now tell us: nor for any other circumstances beyond the control of the promoter. All lost, damaged or What was the previous name of the Fitness to Teach department? incomplete entries will be deemed invalid. Send your answer, including your name and contact details, marked ‘Teaching Scotland Proof of entry shall not be proof of delivery Crossword’ by email to [email protected] by 30 November 2013. or receipt. 50 . Teaching Scotland November/December 2013 Are your details up to date? Check on MyGTCS The last word Dr Rachel Hayton discusses the Fear Factor

losing face in front of pupils or colleagues fear of having made a bad Fight, flightcareer choice fear of being in trouble with line-management/central staff fear of looking foolish and losing respect of peers and/or pupils or freeze? fear of being seen as poor or weak.

was in Waterstones the other So what can be done to beat day and noticed a book fear back into its box, and, as celebrating 20 years since it Susan Jeffers says, feel the fear was first published. The book and do it anyway? was called Feel the Fear and Let’s start with the reality check... IDo it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. what is really going on and how It’s not a book I’m familiar with but much is in your imagination? Are the notion struck a chord with me. your fears fuelled by catastrophising I guess many of us can identify in the media or in the community? fear in children and young people What are the facts? we work with. Fear of failure is Put things in perspective – try often cited as a reason why not to let the few things that go children may not make as much of I’m not advocating wrong dominate your thoughts. an opportunity as possible, fear of We often fail to hear about our ‘social death’, as my son puts it sweeping things under the successes and tend to dwell on the when asked to wear a jacket on a carpet, I’m just looking things that go wrong. I’m not cold day, fear of what the peer for a little balance advocating sweeping things under group might think about them if the carpet, I’m just looking for a they raise their hand too often or pupils and adults in schools and little balance. Make sure you how their friends will react if they can be stimulated by management, identify the positives and try to not join the choir. other staff members or students. In let negative thoughts and feelings Do we, as adults, ever find our some schools the head teacher may overwhelm them. I acknowledge own fears and anxieties and ask be scarier than the pupils. Fear may that this is easier said than done. what they might be preventing us come from staffroom hype, other Try not to default to worse- from achieving? Are we even more fear responses may relate back to case-scenario thinking. Risk assess, likely, in these straitened financial personal experiences that are not of course, but plan for success as times, to play it safe and steer an even school related. Fear responses well as having a contingency idea. unambitious course rather than may also be triggered by incidents Try to refocus and see the risk under-performance or that happen outside of school, in situation from someone else’s initiative failure? If the answer to our home or personal lives. Sue perspective, whether it’s the the latter question is yes, then our Roffey in her book Changing disruptive pupil or the colleague impact as educators may be Behaviour in Schools (2012) that undermines you. RH adversely affected. identifies several causes of fear and We know that fear can lead to anxiety in school staff, including: Dr Rachel Hayton is an Educational fight, flight or freeze responses that not knowing what to do Psychologist working for are triggered when we are in a losing control of the class and Galloway Council. She has situation we perceive as dangerous losing self control through particular interest in developing to us in some way. Fear can affect anger or tears capacity through reflective dialogue