School trip myths dispelled
The Health and Safety Executive has issued a UK-wide document to dispel some of the myths around school trips and outdoor learning activities. It provides support in Scotland for the Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning guidance, and covers all activities from school grounds to fieldtrips to residential and adventure activity experiences. A separate consultation is open until 21 September on the recommendations in Lord Young’s report to remove AALA - Adventure Activities Licensing Authority - and replace it with a code of conduct. The Scottish Government is currently investigating potential implications of such a move for Scotland. Go to www.hse.gov.ukconsultcondocscd236.htm and www.hse.gov.ukserviceseducationschool-trips.pdf
Financial support for Gaelic students
Bord na Gaidhlig has announced the launch of a scheme offering financial support for students working towards a career in Gaelic-medium education. Grants of up to pound;1,000 will be available to students currently studying courses which lead to a career in Gaelic teaching. Qualified teachers wishing to embark upon training to allow them to convert to Gaelic medium education can also apply for some support. Applications must be submitted by 2 September, 2011.
Visit www.tea gasg.com or www.gaidhlig.org.uk.
Review of college governance
Professor Russel Griggs, businessman and chair of Dumfries and Galloway College board, is to lead a review of college governance, Education Secretary Michael Russell announced last week. Scotland’s Colleges, which represents college principals, welcomed the announcement. But Hugh Logan, principal of Motherwell College, warned that it would be wrong to get into an “angels-on-a-pinhead debate about structures, planning and regionalisation”, at a time when colleges faced huge financial challenges.
Student teachers to manage profiles
Student teachers in Scotland will be able to manage their own online profiles in preparation for their induction year, following work by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and C2 Software. The announcement marks an extension of the current system for probationers through the MyGTCS portal, which four years ago replaced a paper-based process to track trainees’ progress towards reaching required standards.
