Education and Children's Services Committee 31 May 2011
EDUCATION, SPORTS AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMITTEE: 18 JUNE 2019
E-SGOIL UPDATE JUNE 2019
Report by Director for Education, Skills and Children’s Services
PURPOSE OF REPORT To update Members with regard to e-Sgoil developments.
COMPETENCE
1.1 There are no legal, financial, equalities or other constraints to the recommendation being implemented.
SUMMARY
2.1 During the course of Session 2018/2019 e-Sgoil has expanded exponentially in terms of pupil numbers, teachers recruited, subjects delivered and geographic footprint. Several inter-authority pilots have been run on a proof of concept basis and effective co-delivery of services with partner agencies such as Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland continue to evolve.
2.2 Engagement protocols, policies and procedures are being updated regularly to ensure that provision is as flexible and responsive as possible to the needs of pupils and staff. The Head Teacher is now the lead for e-learning across the northern alliance and a mangament structure consisting of staff from Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council, Highland Council and Western Isles Islands Council is in place and working effectively.
RECOMMENDATION
3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle note the Report.
APPENDIX 1 Northern Alliance 2019-20 Plan 2 e-Sgoil Local Plan 3 e-Sgoil 2018-19 Delivery Map 4 e-Sgoil in a Nutshell for Pupils 5 e-Sgoil Pupil & Parent Evaluations 6 e-Sgoil Video Links
CONTACT OFFICER: Angus MacLennan, e-Sgoil Head Teacher Tel: 01851 822850
BACKGROUND
4.1 During the course of Session 2018/2019 e-Sgoil continues to expand as follows:
Staffing 4.2 e-Sgoil currently has capacity to deliver the following subjects: Art, Biology, Bith-Eolas (GM Biology), Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing Science, Eachdraidh (GM History), English, French, Gaelic, Gàidhlig (Fluent), German, Graphic Communication, History, Home Economics, Modern Studies, Music Instrumental Tuition, Nuadh-Eòlas (GM Modern Studies), Physics, Primary Education, Psychology, Religious, Moral and Philisophical Studies, Science, Spanish and Tech. Studies.
Number of subjects which have been delivered through e-Sgoil 4.3 e-Sgoil has to date delivered 20 different subjects. These are: Accordian, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Gaelic, Gàidhlig. German, English, French, Graphic Communications, History, Home Economics, Maths, Modern Studies, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Piping, Business, Brass, Fiddle and Religious, Moral and Philisophical Studies.
Range of class size and level 4.4 e-Sgoil has to date delivered to classes ranging in size from 1 – 30. The levels which have been taught are Primary 1 GME through to Advanced Higher and Adult Fluent/Learner classes.
Number of schools supported 4.5 e-Sgoil has to date supported 37 different schools which are detailed in Appendix 3. These are: Alford Academy, Banchory Academy, Banff Academy, Bannockburn High School, Bernera PS, Bishopbriggs Academy, Brae High School, Breasclete PS, Bucksburn Academy, Bunessan PS, Campbeltown Grammar, Castlebay, Dingwall Academy, Dornoch Academy, Douglas Academy, Dunoon Grammar, Forres Academy, Golspie High School, Hazelhead Academy, Inverness Royal Academy, Islay High School, Leverhulme PS, Lochaber High School, Morrison’s Academy, Nairn Academy, Oban High School, Perth Academy, Portree High School, Sandwick Junior High, Sgoil Lionacleit, Sir E Scott, The Nicolson Institute, Thurso High School, Tiree High School, Tobermory High School, Turriff Academy, Uig PS – all Primaries in Eilean Siar for Dileab an t-Siorraidh and other inter-school enrichment activities. Primary schools in Shetland have also been supported as part of pupil-led-learning project.
Quality Assurance protocol. 4.6 Quarterly online surveys of e-Sgoil pupils and teachers are carried out. How Good Is Our School QIs are evaluated regularly and data is used to assess impact, inform the improvement agenda and guide future developments. ‘Nutshell’ guides have been produced to inform practice for pupils, parents, teachers & facilitators. See App. 4.
Current relationships with potential for expansion. 4.7 e-Sgoil has a desire to work effectively with UHI and indeed all colleges and universities that can add value to pupil experience, enhance transition arrangements for pupils between secondary and tertiary education.
Management Structures 4.8 The e-Sgoil Management Board structure currently consists of Bernard Chisholm, Director of Education (Western Isles Islands Council), James Vance, Head of Education (The Highland Council), Helen Budge, Director of Children’s Services (Shetland Islands Council), Anne Paterson, Head of Education (Argyll & Bute) and Wilf Weir, Director of Education (Orkney Islands Council). Highland Council & Shetland Islands Council have both appointed an Operational Lead to join e- Sgoil’s Management Team. Orkney Islands Council have recently appointed a lead in this area who is due to visit e-Sgoil in June 2019. A local delivery plan along with a plan for e-Sgoil expansion across the Northern Alliance has been agreed. The Northern Alliance Digital Learning Development Plan 2019-20 and the e-Sgoil Development Plan 2019-20 are detailed in Appendix 1&2.
Number of Local Authorities that have visited e-Sgoil. 4.9 e-Sgoil has to date hosted delegates from 14 Local Authorities. These are: Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, The Highland Council, Moray, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands and West Lothian.
Number of Local Authorities that have engaged with e-Sgoil 4.10 e-Sgoil has to date had direct engagement from 22 Scottish Local Authorities. These are: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh City, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, The Highland Council, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney Islands Council, Perth and Kinross, Shetland Islands council, Scottish Borders, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire. Outwith Scotland, Fennland and East Cambridgeshire have engaged with e-Sgoil.
Non-LA e-Sgoil Visitors 4.11 e-Sgoil has to date hosted delegates from: Scottish Government, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Isles, Cornwall, Confucious, SWIRE, SQA, CnaG, GTCS, EIS, Cothrom, UHI, Digital Office, Education Scotland, Northern Alliance, Edge Foundation, GLAN, TES Global, British Irish Council and Japan.
Countries taught to and from 4.12 e-Sgoil teaching has to date been delivered to/from: Scotland, Portugal, India, New Mexico, Thailand, Spain and the USA.
Appendix 1
Northern Alliance Digital Learning RAG Comment Development Plan 2019-20 1 Consolidate a. Teaching: Continue to recruit, train and support staff and offer Recruitment protocols & procedures now in place. Staffing bank and improve appropriate professional development opportunities. continues to grow with increased of subject expertise. remote b. IT: Continue to pilot and refine bespoke solutions to allow for effective learning & delivery of remote teaching and learning. teaching c. Pupils: design guidance on how to use systems and materials for E-Sgoil nutshell guides have been produced for all parties strategies. remote learning d. Facilitators: prepare support material re: effective practice.
e. Parents: Prepare information packs for parents of remote learners.
QI analysis in an integral part of management team meetings and a f. Embed quality assurance and self-evaluation procedures (including robust self-evaluation process involving all stakeholders and partner PRD) agencies is in place 2 Expand and a. Offer blended approach to delivery of Nat 5 Gaelic learner course for Funding and staffing in place and offer out to schools across the Northern Alliance. This can be expanded on demand improve senior phase pupils. Gaelic b. Provide L3 Gaelic experiences for primary schools. Staff capacity in place. Awaiting demand from schools. curricular c. Facilitate online Gaidhlig enrichment events for GM pupils. Delivery model and materials in place following very successful offer across pilots in: GM science, music, local history & culture. the Northern Alliance. d. Respond to specific requests for GM subject input. GM History currently being delivered with staff capacity available to respond to future demand in a range of subjects. CDM Foundation Apprenticeship course materials, pedagogy & IT in place to run from June 2019 (Delivering to WI and Highland pupils) e. Provide language support for adult learners and parents of GM pupils. Pilot project for Mod Academy in place. Working in partnership with CLD/Adult Literacy and Comann nam Parant. Gaelic learner classes for adults being run in mainland authorities and some parents joining modern apprentice Gaelic classes in WI. 3 Foster a. Establish GDPR compliant data sharing policies and procedures. GDPR compliant inter-authority data sharing policy being developed with support from Grant Murray, NA Research collegiality Assistant. and establish b. Extend subject network groups to optimise sharing of effective Working effectively within WI. Now looking to establish links structures across authorities on a similar basis to share good practice practice across authorities. across local Weekly IT review meeting conducted to ensure that bespoke authorities in c. Explore the use of online tools to facilitate the above. solutions can be found for each scenario. Working closely with relation to Education Scotland and Digital Office. data sharing and remote learning and teaching.
4 Agree SQA a. Review SQA arrangements for submission of course materials using IT Continue to liaise with SQA to develop protocols and procedures are robust and meet the requirements of more flexible delivery protocols b. Meet with SQA representatives to discuss options Further meetings to be arranged c. Produce policy document and guidelines for presenting centres and Following completion of SQA exams and formal review, policy staff. document will be produced 5 Plan and a. Collate data on pupils currently unable to access education across all Pilot project set up to test approaches across the NA deliver a core authorities. subject offer b. Liaise with ASN specialists and Grant Murray, NA Research Assistant, to Ongoing for pupils not formulate plans. attending c. Agree core online offer of BGE and Nat 4 / 5 Maths and English and Offer of English & Maths extended to all in NA local authorities on a free pilot basis school. create a blended learning timetable and delivery plan. d. Commission staff to produce online resources or source materials to Course materials being prepared and customised for online delivery allow for anytime, anywhere learning. e. Raise awareness of provision amongst pupils, parents and education Ongoing engagement with LAs professionals and communities.
RAG Definitions
RAG Project Progress Status Red To commence Amber Ongoing Green Completed
Appendix 2
e-Sgoil Development Plan 2019-20 -Local RAG 1 2 3 4 1 Consolidate and improve remote a. Teaching: Continue to recruit, train and support staff and offer appropriate learning & teaching strategies. professional development opportunities. b. IT: Continue to pilot and refine bespoke solutions to allow for effective delivery of remote teaching and learning. c. Pupils: design guidance on how to use systems and materials for remote learning d. Facilitators: prepare support material re: effective practice.
e. Parents: Prepare information packs for parents of remote learners.
f. Embed quality assurance and self-evaluation procedures (including PRD)
g. SLT / Staff: Share Vision Value & Aims with all staff and encourage them to become actively involved. 2 Provide equity in terms of subject a. Harmonise delivery of subjects across secondary schools as required choice across schools b. Maximise opportunities to work in effective partnerships with other providers c. Offer minimum of 6 subjects through GM in all schools in the BGE d. Standardise provision of Music instruction across schools within current constraints
3 Deliver value added curricular a. Develop digital skills set through collaborative learning opportunities experiences for primary & secondary b. Promote external specialist inputs, in niche curricular areas, to provide enrichment school c. Facilitate collaboration opportunities between schools through peer presentations d. Maximise use of Secondary subject specialists to deliver to upper Primary to enhance transition processes e. Identify potential within senior pupil cohorts to provide support and enrichment for other pupils 4 Ensure that ‘Gaelic: A Faster Rate of a. Provide bespoke learning opportunities for adults Growth’ is actioned b. Review policies and procedures relating to Gaelic c. Identify and share good practice on a national and local level d. Harvest data to identify trends and measure impact of initiatives in order to ensure value for money
e. Co-ordinate bespoke events and activities which promote the use of Gaelic as a living language
5 Facilitate CPD opportunities a. Promote consistency in use of Network Groups for teachers to share best practice b. Provide Network Meetings for Schools’ IT Technicians c. Create a database of specialists willing to deliver CPD inputs remotely d. Develop on-line CPD modules i.e. teaching tips
RAG Definitions
RAG Project Progress Status Red To commence Amber Ongoing Green Completed
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
e-Sgoil Pupil Comments Higher Psychology Pupil, ‘e-Sgoil is a great new way for making classes easier to access and a Sgoil Lionacleit more advanced way of learning through the internet.’ Higher Gaelic Pupil, ‘e-Sgoil’s been brilliant for me, I've wanted to learn Gaelic for years Banchory Academy and now I can! I really enjoy the lessons especially as it's video calling and not talking over the phone where I wouldn't be as comfortable.’ Nat 5 Gaelic ‘e-Sgoil is very useful for those who must take classes remotely’ Adult Learner Nat 5 Gaelic I'm loving the whole course as far as content / structure is Adult Learner concerned. Highly recommended! Good fun. Super instructions by my tutor. She is making everything "make sense". FAB!!!!! :) Higher Biology Pupil, ‘I feel that it is an amazing resource and I would not be able to do Tiree High School my Higher Biology has it not been for e-Sgoil. I am also lucky enough to have an incredible teacher through e-Sgoil who has supported me every step of the way and has made it as normal an experience as possible.’ Higher Maths Pupil, ‘I am enjoying the way of learning through e-Sgoil and I was Sgoil Lionacleit surprised at how well it worked even from the first lesson.’ S3 History Pupil, ‘It is good to use different methods of learning as it broadens your Sandwick Junior High learning so that you are not just writing notes in a class and being School bored. But with this it, in my opinion, works better than the older
learning techniques.’ Higher Psychology ‘I think that my teachers have great communication with my peers Pupil, and I. They also respond quickly to any questions that you want Sgoil Lionacleit answered.’ e-Sgoil Parent Comment Parent of ‘If there was a lack of cover in other subjects, I would much prefer Higher Maths Pupil, she was taught through e-Sgoil by a specialised teacher rather than Sgoil Lionacleit having a non-specialised teacher supervising the class.’
Appendix 6
Department of Education, Skills and Children’s Services e-SGOIL VIDEO LINKS
e-Sgoil Promotional video 1 e-Sgoil Promotional video 2 e-Sgoil GME Primary Science Enrichment video (Gaidhlig) e-Sgoil GME Primary Science Enrichment video (English)