Reprimand over alcohol incident
- A Glasgow primary teacher has been slapped on the wrist after turning up to work at Langlands School under the influence of alcohol. Linda Armstrong waived her right to a full hearing and consented to a reprimand. The General Teaching Council for Scotland’s fitness-to-teach panel said that no student had been physically harmed during the incident in January. Ms Armstrong had shown “genuine remorse and taken steps to address the issue”.
Edinburgh gets it right for children
- Edinburgh has performed well in an inspection of children’s services across the council, NHS, police and voluntary bodies. The Care Inspectorate spent three months talking to children and families and found that the national Getting It Right For Every Child policy was having an effect. Strengths were the commitment to vulnerable children, action to prevent abuse and the canvassing of young people’s views.
New qualification support material
- Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority have published materials to support the new National qualifications. The web-based materials cover all 95 courses. Bill Maxwell, chief executive of Education Scotland, said: “All of this material has been developed by teachers for teachers.”
Primarypre-5 CfE survey
- The EIS union has launched a national survey to gauge teachers’ views on implementation of Curriculum for Excellence in nurseries and primary schools. It runs until 17 May. A similar survey explored CfE in further education colleges and the senior phase of secondary school.
Combined voices on regulation
- The General Teaching Council for Scotland has issued a joint statement with its equivalent bodies in Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, emphasising the importance of regulation. “This is a time of great change not only in society but in the understanding of the role of teachers across Europe,” said chief executive Anthony Finn. “It is at times like these when the importance of supportive regulation of the profession comes to the fore.”
Clarification
- Last week, TESS reported that senior managers at James Watt College received #163;95,000 in bonus payments for their work on two mergers. The college has asked us to point out that the correct figure is just under #163;60,000, with managers receiving a maximum of #163;5,000 each.
