New education director named
- East Ayrshire Council head of schools Andrew Sutherland is Falkirk Council’s new education director. Mr Sutherland, 50, will succeed Julia Swan in December. He has held his current post since 2008 and was head of Aberdeenshire’s Meldrum Academy for seven years, overseeing its 2001 opening. The University of Glashow history and politics graduate gave evidence on behalf of Cosla to the Scottish Parliament last month on the implications of the McCormac review.
Council building bill of pound;400m
- South Ayrshire Council owes pound;400 million for the building of five schools, it emerged this week. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, after an enquiry by the GMB union, show the council will have to pay back pound;1 million a year for the next 30 years, despite the initial costs being pound;76 million. The union has called on the council to review the contract.
FE college plans scrapped
- Plans for a further education college in East Renfrewshire have been scrapped. Reid Kerr College confirmed that it could not commit long-term to the project. Council leader Jim Fletcher said the news was “a huge disappointment”. He said that the authority remained committed to the construction skills academy in Barrhead that it runs with Reid Kerr College. The East Renfrewshire college had been expected to provide up to 3,500 vocational training places.
Taxing tutors and coaches
- A campaign targeting private tutors and coaches who have undeclared tax liabilities was launched by HM Revenue amp; Customs this week. HMRC wants to hear from those providing tuition in traditional academic subjects, fitness and dance, music, art, and services provided by life coaches. They have until 31 March to declare their outstanding tax for the years up to 5 April 2010, and pay what they owe.
Bronze in Skills Olympics
0 A young Scottish mechanical engineer won bronze in the Skills Olympics, helping Team UK to its best ever results in the international trade competition for under-25s. Ryan Sheridan, 20, of East Kilbride, received the accolade at the contest in London on Sunday. Team UK came fifth worldwide, with five golds, two silvers and six bronze medals. Rory Andrew, 19, from Bathgate, received a medallion of excellence for world- class fashion design.
