minutes 6 Sep 1999

	ITEM	ISSUES	ACTION BY
1	present	The following schools were represented: Dyce A, Northfield A, Linksfield A, Bridge of Don A, Torry A, Kincorth A, Oldmachar A, Cults A, St Machar A
2	apologies	Apologies were received from Harlaw Academy Guidance Team. It seems that there has been some problem with communication about the meeting, details of which were sent out in June. Terry apologised to any schools which had not received notification of the meeting as early as they should.
3	minutes of previous meeting	Matters arising were Jackie McKay, whose presentation was greatly valued at the last meeting, would be approached regarding a possible handout for guidance staff about careers in the performing arts Issues relating to attendance procedures still need to be discussed. A member of the authority senior management team would be invited to the next meeting Two of the three suggestions made at the last meeting for staff development had been incorporated into this session's programme. The third - certification of core skills - would be left until the appointment of the development officer for the City Terry, Sandra Mojsiewicz and Duncan Innes had not had the opportunity of meeting to discuss a possible development plan for the Network. This was an item for the meeting	Terry Terry
4	Think Business	Claire Stewart (Grampian EBP) outlined the purposes of the video "Think Business" (now in schools) and how it can be used. The idea was that it would help pupils consider setting up their own business as a possible career. Although small businesses are a crucial part of the economy, there is, in Scotland, a more negative attitude towards entrepreneurs than in the rest of the UK and the video attempts to help young people see the possibilities. It can be used in PSE, preferably in conjunction with an input from a local entrepreneur.	If any school needs help, contact Claire Stewart at Grampian Education Business Partnership on 01224-252043 or e-mail Claire.Stuart@scotent.co.uk
5	Higher Still	Hilary Gordon, Development Officer with respect to Access within Higher Still, briefed the group about her role in supporting the development of Access in special and mainstream schools. She is working at present on supporting special schools who are starting Access this year, some of whom have a background in similar work already. She is also involved in working on target setting and on matching Access to Standard Grade, identifying existing resources and what is needed further.	If help or information is required, Hilary can be contacted on 01224-3460
6	Liaison with the University of Aberdeen over student choice and recruitment	Lori Manders (University of Aberdeen) discussed with us issues relating to A possible Student Ambassador scheme with University students playing a more high profile role in helping potential students to make choices about Higher Education. This included discussion of students going into schools to talk to pupils (eg in PSE) and possible shadowing of students by school pupils university and departmental open days and their value public lectures and possible interest from pupils a new University website for guidance staff (to start this autumn) the reduction of numbers involved in the summer school and how publicity could be enhanced how the University prospectus could be improved	Lori would get back to schools with suggestions for a plan for student shadowing and will come to our next meeting on 10 February 2000 for further discussion. All guidance staff should ensure that the Summer School is as widely publicised as possible
7	targets and plan for Aberdeen Guidance Network	There was discussion about the development plan for the Aberdeen Guidance Network for this session, and for the use of the 12 development days allocated to the Network by Aberdeen City. Four areas were identified in which beneficial work might be attempted: Progress File: production of a guide and exemplars to the essentials of Progress File and the process of its production Monitoring Progress: how guidance staff might be involved in monitoring progress (Higher Still or 5-14) and how they might work with pupils on this, taking into account end of unit assessments etc. Materials and methods relating to substance abuse Materials and methods relating to sex education	Terry would put out a notice to all schools asking whether anyone would like to work on these issues for all or part of the 12 days.
8	Guidance policy development in Aberdeen	Terry explained that a working group will be set up in the near futures to review the guidance policy and to attempt to extend it to primary and special schools. Members were to ask their guidance colleagues in school how they thought the policy should be tackled and what issues need to be examined.	Everyone to arrange for discussion in guidance team in their own school.
9	AOCB	Terry briefly mentioned the following the Careers Conference, WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE: CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE FOR A NEW CENTURY, at Pittodrie on 20 September 1999 inservice courses for session 1999-2000 - details of guidance courses have been in school since June and the folder containing details of all courses in the authority has just been distributed to schools. the newsletter, Aberdeen Guidance News, is to be restarted after an absence of at least 1 year the guidance website, which includes lots of information about guidance, including details of courses and also the agenda and minutes of Aberdeen Guidance Network meetings work experience: it is important that young people and parents have reasonable expectations for work experience and know that pupils will often be in junior positions just as they would be at the start of "real work"; schools should remember that they are responsible for the young person when they on work experience so that any difficulties should be dealt with by them. It is important that the school inform the employer as soon as it knows of any absence from work experience. Prince's Trust xl clubs: Terry mentioned the possibility of these being introduced into a small number of Aberdeen schools during 1999-2000	Everyone to check the list of inservice courses and bring it to the attention of all staff who might be interested Everyone to ensure that this information gets to those in school who organise work experience