New Internet Safety Section
 

A new section has been added with resources about Internet safety which can be used to raise awareness of Internet safety issues with pupils, teachers and parents. It can be found here.
16/1/09
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Gender Equality Resources
A range of gender equality resources is available here.
16/1/09
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Improving Scottish Education 2005-2008

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) has now published ‘Improving Scottish Education 2005-2008’, a landmark document that reviews and comments on the provision of education in Scotland across most sectors over the last three years.

The report analyses all the sectors of education for which HMIE has inspection and review responsibilities: pre-school, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and community learning and development.  It also looks at the impact of local authorities on education provision, and reviews the state of multi-agency child protection arrangements across the country.

Download the report here.
16/1/09
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More International Opportunities

There are 2 new SCIPD group study visits on the LTScotland website. Both have as their theme the Assessment of literacy, numeracy, and health and wellbeing in the context of Curriculum for Excellence.

One group will visit New Zealand from 5-15 March, and this visit is likely to be of relevance to local authority staff in posts with strategic and policy responsibilities for assessment as part of Curriculum for Excellence developments. The closing date for applications for New Zealand is 21st January 2009.

The other group will visit Manitoba, Canada, from 11-19 April. This visit is targeted at primary and secondary school senior managers and promoted staff with responsibilities for assessment as part of Curriculum for Excellence developments. The closing date for applications for Manitoba is 23rd January 2009.

LTS hopes to maximise participation across the country and get most authorities represented on one or other of the two Assessment visits.

Details of both visits and the specific application forms for each are available here.

14/1/09
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Cartoon Competition

The European Commission has launched a Cartoon competition for students aged 16 and over, on "European Union and Citizenship". It invites them to draw or design a cartoon on the concept of Citizenship in the European Union, in response to the question 'What does it mean to be a citizen in Europe'.

A competition website gives further details, the closing date is 27th February 2009. National winners will visit Brussels, and the top three designs in Europe win thousands of Euros.

http://www.eurocartoon.eu/index_en.htm

14/1/09
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DFID Global School Partnerships

In January and February 2009 the DFID Global School Partnerships (DGSP) team will be delivering a series of regional Grant Preparation Seminars for schools wishing to apply for reciprocal visit funding. A flyer promoting these events is available here.

The DGSP programme works to provide support for school partnerships between the UK and Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Caribbean. Seminars are relevant for teachers from schools who are already working with a partner school in an eligible country and have not already received a Reciprocal Visit grant.

Lunch will be provided and the seminar is free for participants.

If you have any questions about our programme, please contact the DGSP team on 0131 524 5780 or email globalschools@britishcouncil.org.

For more information and to book online go to www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools

7/1/09
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Holocaust Memorial Day 27 January

Resources for Holocaust Memorial Day can be downloaded here. A site with useful materials is here.

7/1/09
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EU Financed Courses

The theme of these courses is ‘citizenship and the built environment’, and they are fully funded through the EU Grundtvig CPD scheme.

The deadline for applications for funding is 15th January 2009.

More information available here.

19/12/08
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LTS International News Bulletin Dec 2008

News Bulletin from LTS International  Team available here

19/12/08
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2009 Global Teacher's Programme

LTS in partnership with Link Community Development now invite invitations for the 2009 Global Teachers Programme.

The Global Teachers Programme is a unique international professional development opportunity that involves a study visit to Malawi in July 2009, followed by a supported programme to help participants incorporate their knowledge into classroom experiences for young people. The opportunity is aimed mainly at Primary staff - although applications from all sectors will be accepted.

Further information, including the application pack, is available from http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/internationaleducation/studyvisits/destinations.asp

To find out more about Link Community Development, please see www.lcd.org.uk

Please contact Rosaleen Rentoul rrentoul@aberdeencity.gov.uk or Tel 01224 523095 if you are interested.

10/12/08
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WWF Natural Change Project

This is a research project run by World Wildlife Fund which seeks to find new ways for people to live a more sustainable lifestyle through Eco Psychology techniques. As the only teacher in the group, my blogs are written for children and educators.

To find out more about the project and to read the blogs from the twelve people involved in the research, view : www.naturalchange.org.uk

Roseleen Shanley Bankhead Academy, Aberdeen

10/12/08
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Study Visit to Israel

LTS has organised a group study visit to Israel, based at the International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential in Jerusalem, to explore in detail the key principles and practice of Feuerstein's 'Instrumental Enrichment' theory. This has been arranged in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, and will be facilitated by one of their staff who is a fully-trained IE practitioner.

Participants will hear how IE helps young people with additional needs such as autism and ADHD, and young learners generally, improve their learning.

The visit will take place in mid February 2009, so we're open for applications immediately. The closing date is 19th December 2008, so that we can let people know the outcome before Christmas and make the flight and hotel bookings.

Full details are on the web as usual, plus the Jerusalem application form.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/internationaleducation/studyvisits/destinations.asp

4/12/08

Budget Proposals 2009-2011

Budget Proposals pdf

Budget Presentation - Staff Briefing ppt

14/11/08
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Drop-in sessions – GLOW/ICT

The drop-in sessions, which proved very successful last session, will resume from Wednesday 12th November 2008.

Any staff in schools who would like to find out more about Glow or require help or advice in the use of ICT in the curriculum are most welcome to drop-in to Room 265 in Summerhill any Wednesday between 4pm and 5pm.

In order to ensure that appropriate people and resources are in place to best assist each individual, we would ask that we are given at least 24 hours notice.

If you would like to take up this offer of support then please contact any member of the ICT Team.

Andy Watson 346217   awatson@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Richard Ellliott 346221   relliott@aberdeencity.gov.uk
LilIan Lindsay 346211   llindsay@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Sheila Morrison 346220   shmorrison@aberdeencity.gov.uk

14/11/08
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CfE - City Information Pack

Download here.

13/11/08
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Resources from the Recent Improvement Conference

Quality Improvement Visits to Schools Guidance - Alan Stewart

The Journey to Excellence - M Wood

Curriculum for Excellence - M Wood

13/11/08
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Race Equality Policy 2008-2011

The latest race Equality Policy is available here.
12/11/08
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Glow Information for In Service Day 14 Nov

Here are some resources which can be used to introduce Glow on the IS day.

Secondary Demo (web based)

Primary Demo (web based)

Glow & CfE PowerPoint - this can be left to run by itself and lasts about 9 minutes

30/10/08
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International Education Masterclass 2008 

Exciting Opportunity with replies by 5th November 2008

Over the last two years the Scottish Government has supported an International Education Masterclass programme which aimed to create a network of international education champions in each local authority.  There is to be another programme this year.

Details here.

30/10/08
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Big Schools Birdwatch 2009

I am delighted to be able to give you details about Big Schools Birdwatch 2009. It takes place between 19-30 January and is a simple yet fun bird surveying activity, engaging children with nature and wildlife. This year, we have been working on some exciting new elements to the project, including a facility that allows teachers and their classes to build interactive graphs with their results, via an interactive whiteboard. This adds greater cross curricular links, which has always been a particular strength of this project.

Teachers and group leaders can visit our website: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch to find out more, register, download a host of fun supplementary activities and read about other teachers' experiences. A teachers' pack, containing a colour information booklet, large colour ID poster, photocopiable counting sheets and paper results submission form can be ordered online or by phoning our hotline number: 0300 456 8430 from 1st November 2008.

I have attached a Big Schools Birdwatch promotional flyer, in PDF format, that can be used as a download and our website can be linked to.

We hope that teachers in your LA enjoy learning about and participating with their classes in Big Schools' Birdwatch.

Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you have any questions or queries.

Best wishes,

Laura Osborne

Schools Projects Co-ordinator

RSPB Youth and Education

E-mail: laura.osborne@rspb.org.uk

30/10/08

 

Course for teachers of Spanish

This Spanish course is aimed mainly at secondary level teachers of Spanish. Please note that although the course is in August 2009 the deadline for applications for Comenius funding is 16th January for all activities up to 31st August 2009 so teachers interested should register with the course organiser and apply to their Comenius National Agency for funding in the Autumn term October – December 2008 to be reasonably sure of getting on the course.

The Comenius National Agency for Scotland is the British Council: please click the link below to be taken to their contact page.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/scotland-about-us-contact-us.htm?mtklink=scotland-about-us-contact-us-link

Download course details here.

Holocaust and Remembrance

LTS are seeking applications for a SCIPD group study visit on the theme of Holocaust Education and Remembrance, which will go to Amsterdam in November. Its built around the Anne Frank House and other local assets, and lasts just 3 full days.

The deadline for applications is very tight, with a closing date on Tuesday 21st October. I'm sorry for the rush, and I know mid-term breaks are a problem. Its been difficult to get the various elements finalised, with particular problems for hotel accommodation. We would have had to delay till March if we didn't take these dates.

It offers a very good opportunity for professional development, and I'd be grateful if you would promote the visit opportunity to your colleagues.

The visit outline and the specific application form are here.

6/10/08
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Euroquiz 2009 for P6 pupils

• Organised by local authorities in conjunction with Scottish European Educational Trust.
• Open to all Primary Schools (P6). Each school to enter one team of 4 pupils
• Heats in local authority areas, to take place between September 2008 and 10 April 2009. •
Winners of heats to travel to Edinburgh in May 2009 to compete in the Scottish Final, hopefully in the Scottish Parliament.
• Questions to cover history, geography, language, sport, culture, general knowledge and European Union. Questions also available in Gaelic
• Winning team in each heat to receive trophy and individual prizes. Runners up also to get individual prizes. Promotional material for all contestants.
• Each school to receive list of useful websites, addresses for materials and sample questions to help prepare for the quiz
• Free of charge. National final travel costs covered by the Trust.

Details here.

3/10/08
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Play and Help

Click on the Free Rice link at the left of this page to play an educational game. Playing this game will also provide food through the UN World Food Program.

Click here to get a banner which you can place on your school website or blog.

29/9/08
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Fiona Hyslop talking about Glow at the Scottish Learning Festival

24/9/08

Acceptable Use Policies - update

The AUP listed previously was missing one page - my apologies for this oversight.

Staff and students must be aware of the rules relating to computer use and agree to comply with them before they are allowed access to ICT resources including the Internet.

All Establishments should use these updated AUPs -

AUPs (WORD version)

 24/9/08
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Curriculum for Excellence – Mathematics Event

 On Tuesday 26 February, an event was held for Principal Teachers of Mathematics at which Joe McLaughlin updated Principal Teachers on the Learning Outcomes and Experiences (LOs) in Mathematics and the rationale that underpinned these.

 At the event, Principal Teachers undertook a number of activities designed to unpack the LOs and explore the mathematics that might lie at the heart of them and the methodologies that might be used in delivering them.

 The Powerpoint presentation given by Joe in February and the activities he introduced on the day are provided below.  An updated presentation given by Joe at an event in May at Meldrum Academy is also included.

 Finally, at the request of PTs, the maths learning outcomes are included on an A3 format and the numeracy outcomes are provided separately – “Numeracy on one Sheet”.

 Principal Teachers are free to use and adapt this documentation in any way that they wish.

Download here (4.5 Mb)

24/9/08
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"Fit Like, Yer Majesty?" launch

You can now purchase Fit Like, Yer Majesty? on-line or from Waterstones.

The magnificent book was launched on Thursday 11th September. Fyvie Castle provided a spectacular backdrop to the celebration. The book was unveiled to over 100 invited guests including poets and storytellers Sheena Blackhall and Les Wheeler, Doric broadcaster and writer Robbie Shepherd, Itchy Coo's Matthew Fitt, River City star Joyce Falconer, Scotland the What? legend Stephen Robertson and top fiddler Paul Anderson.

The event brought together the poets, artist Bob Dewar, designer Julie Barclay and editorial committee together with guests from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, University of Aberdeen.

It was a fantastic day with over 80 youngsters provided entertainment throughout the castle. (From http://www.readingbus.co.uk/)

Read what the P&J had to say here.

 23/9/08
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Technologies Draft Outcomes

I would like to gather feedback from teachers on the draft technologies experiences and outcomes with a view to putting in a response from either Aberdeen City or to contribute to a national group coordinating a response.

I would be grateful if you have any views from nursery through to Advanced Higher perspectives about these outcomes and would like me to include them in any response.

The Technologies Cover Paper – introduction and the Draft Technologies Experiences and Outcomes can be found at

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/outcomes/technologies/index.asp

Please send comments / feedback to me at

rrentoul@aberdeencity.gov.uk  by 30^th September.

Many thanks

Rosaleen Rentoul
10/9/08
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Haddo Estate Day – An Invitation

The Royal National Countryside initiative is planning to hold an Estate day for Primary Six and Seven pupils on THURSDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2008 at HADDO ESTATE FARMS, Mains of Haddo, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7LD.

The Estate Day is being run by The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) in conjunction with Haddo Estate Farms and other partnerships to provide hands-on experience of a working north-east estate. Our aim is to provide pupils from urban schools with a field visit to enhance their learning experience through shared activity sessions based on estate land uses.

The Estate day will cover aspects of: FARMING & FORESTRY & GAME & CONSERVATION

Schools will be able to visit free of charge as travel costs for a coach to and from the Estate will be covered up to the value of £200. Your class will be allocated a steward to assist your group throughout the day. The RNCI will undertake a full risk assessment of the Estate and provide you with a copy along with a teacher information booklet to help you and your pupils get the most from your visit.

Outdoor learning through countryside visits offers an ideal framework for achieving the four capacities detailed in A Curriculum for Excellence: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

In order to cope with the anticipated demand, places will once again have to be limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To register your school’s interest, please complete the attached pro-forma as soon as possible and return it to us no later than Friday, 12 September 2008. Successful schools will then be contacted by Friday, 20 September 2008.
2/9/08
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Caretakers of the Environment International Conference

The 23rd Conference of the Caretakers of the Environment International will be held in Aberdeen from 5-10th July 2009 on the theme of Sustainability Together : Working in Partnership. Up to 250 teachers and pupils from more than 20 countries will gather in Aberdeen to present their projects, take part in workshops, go on field trips and discuss Environmental issues.

If you would like to help with the planning and organisation of the conference or are interested in facilitating one of the working groups on Water, Waste, Forestry, The Coast, Biodiversity , Energy, the Arts, Media or Culture and Tourism, please contact Anne Marie Begg at Northfield Academy for more information. If you would like to bring a delegation of students to the conference, please get in touch for more information.
27/8/08
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Strategy for Transforming Services to Children and Young People

Available for download here.
30/6/08
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Glow

Glow will be available in a number of Aberdeen City schools at the start of the new session. This is the first stage of a rollout of Glow that we hope to complete by the end of session 2008-9.

Over the coming session, we will publish news here about the progress of the implementation and provide more details on the benefits that Glow offers schools.

The 'Log in to Glow' link at the top right will only be of use to teachers who already have their Glow login.
5/6/08
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Vote for Emily

Emily Thomson, P7H at Culter School, has been shortlisted for the National Child Book Review age 8 - 11 years old. She needs to get as many votes as possible in order to win and there are a few with lots of votes. She is the only pupil in Aberdeen (and we think in Scotland) who has been selected.

You can read her entry and vote for her here.
5/6/08
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 National Schools Film and Animation Awards

Forget the Oscars. Move over Baftas. TAG is pleased to announce the first National Schools Film and Animation Awards. Previewed at BETT this year, it’s the perfect way to encourage – and celebrate – the creative film and animation work of your pupils.

More details here
5/6/08
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Looked After Children

A new section about the support available to looked After Children is available here.
23/5/08
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Dialogue Youth Information Service

The Dialogue Youth Information Service, based in Woodside Library, is a resource and information service available to anyone who works with Children and Young people in Aberdeen.

 Our resources base covers a diverse range of topics and types of resources.  From leaflets to boozed and confused (goggles and a remote control car that highlights the dangers of drink driving).  From card games (chicken soup for the teenage soul) to smoking resources (jars of tar and Clem’s Phlem!)

More info here.
23/5/08
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Europe Day May 9

Information on, and quizzes about, Europe Day are available here.
28/4/08
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Confucius Classroom

Aberdeen City has been successful in gaining one of the first four Confucius Classrooms in Scotland. 

The Confucius Classrooms aim to give pupils lessons in Chinese language and culture. They will also be used to organise trips to China and develop links with Chinese people living in Scotland.

More information here.

31/3/08
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Byron Report

A comprehensive package of measures to help children and young people make the most of the internet and video games, while protecting them from harmful and inappropriate material was launched on 27th September with the publication of the eagerly anticipated Byron Review into Children and New Technology.  

Download the report here.
29/3/08
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The Spring Day for Europe 2008

As 2008 is the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, "Bridging  cultures through dialogue" is the chosen theme for Spring Day 2008.  It will be held from 25th March to 30th June, with a special focus on 9th May, which is Europe Day. Schools across Europe are invited to take part.
More information here.
29/3/08
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Malcolm Bruce Visit to Stoneywood School

Malcolm Bruce MP visited Stoneywood School on Monday 3rd March to talk to Primary 6 and 7 pupils about International Fair Trade. Mr Bruce gave a very insightful talk about the foundation of Fair Trade, the issues that surround it and he also answered many questions the pupils had prepared for his visit.

6/3/2/08
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Mobile Computing with the RM Minibook

We are seeking proposals from teachers to pilot the use of RM Minibooks (Asus eepc).

You will almost certainly have read about the new Asus eepc which is taking the education world by storm. We have a number of machines available to offer colleagues the opportunity to investigate integrating ICT into learning using this highly versatile and portable device.

More details here.
25/2/08
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Autistic Spectrum Disorder Information Pack

The ASD Information Pack should now be available in all schools in which the Outreach Team are currently working. Additional copies can now be downloaded here.
25/2/08

INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE forms

Regarding INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST SCHOOL/ESTABLISHMENT STAFF - REPORT FORM (VI/05) has been updated after consultation with the Unions and are available here (you should also have received an circular). The previous forms issued in August 2002 should be replaced.
Reporting Incidents of Violence
Guidance: Completion of Violence Against Staff form
Violent Incident Form

25/2/08
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Scottish Continuing International Professional Development

Visit Opportunities

1. Brussels - European Union
year LTS asked for bespoke group visit suggestions, and one of the proposals (from East Ayrshire) was for a short visit to Brussels to engage with European institutions and programmes. LTS took up this idea, organised the details, and are now inviting applications by Thursday 21st Feb for a visit on 26th-28th March. We aim to take 15 people.

I've attached a Brussels specification which gives some details of the programme, including meeting 3 of our Scottish MEPs, and a Brussels visit application form.

Target audience: Teachers and promoted staff in schools

2. Uganda: School Performance Review: analysis to improvement in an African context
LTS and Link Community Development are running this in partnership, through the Scottish Continuing International Professional Development (SCIPD) programme. Applications by 14th March. Target Audience: Headteachers and holders of promoted posts in Primary Schools, or others who have the qualities or are aspiring to move into promoted posts, and who are motivated by this professional development opportunity.

Both these opportunities can also be found at http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/internationaleducation/studyvisits/destinations.asp

Please publicise these and have applications returned to Rosaleen Rentoul at least one week before the application date as stated on application form. In the case of Brussels - if there is interest please contact me by return - rrentoul@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

More details and application forms here.
13/2/08
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Improvement Plan

The School Improvement Plan document can be downloaded here.

23/01/08
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Senior Managers' Conferences - Dates for 2008

Wednesday 12 March 2008
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Tuesday 16 December 2008
17/01/08

WIN A TRIP TO BRUSSELS (pupils and teacher)

"Diversity in Europe”: Speaking competition for S3 pupils

Heats in 10 local authority areas, between January and mid May 2008
National final in Edinburgh in May or June 2008
Visit to European Parliament and European Commission in Brussels in September 2008 for winning team and their teacher
Teams of 2 pupils
Introduction and talk to last for 8 minutes, plus 2 minutes summing-up
Open to novice speakers; pupils who have represented their school at a major external speaking or debating competition (e.g. European Youth Parliament, Law Society) are not eligible
Each team to choose one EU country and speak about one of the following themes:
Being a migrant in…….
Being a member of a religious minority in ….
Being a member of a minority community in …

Schools should return the booking form  by 31st January 2008

More details and booking form here.

14/01/08
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Tom Murray Memorial Trust
Beijing - Scottish Primary Schools Competition 2008

This competition is open to primary school pupils, and aims to stimulate interest in and understanding about the capital city behind the 2008 Olympic Games. Pupils learn about Beijing, its people, culture, history and environs. Schools are invited to submit entries in the form of written work, artwork, or video.

It is being run in cooperation with The Burrell Collection, Glasgow Museums, and as part of the China Now in Scotland festival (7 Feb - 30 Nov 2008)  http://www.chinanow-inscotland.org.uk/

More details here.

Learning & Teaching Policy

The Aberdeen City Council Learning and Teaching Policy Statement was approved at the December Policy and Strategy (Education) Committee.

This is a high level policy statement which will be followed up by a series of sub sections with more detailed policy guidance involving all key stakeholders to develop a robust and detailed educational policy and supporting material such as research evidence and examples of good practice where appropriate.

This work will be undertaken by a small short life working group.

More details here.
07/01/08
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ICT Twilight Sessions

The ICT Team are holding a series of Twilight Sessions in the Spring term.  Each session will run from 4-5.30pm.

As well as pre-defined courses there will also be 3 drop-in sessions.  At these sessions, members of the ICT Team will be on hand to offer help and support with any hardware or software issues.  For instance you may wish to come in and get some help with creating a lesson using Easiteach or you may need a bit of support in editing a movie or updating your website.  If you contact any member of the ICT Team in the week preceding the drop-in session, they can ensure that you receive the best possible assistance.  So technically they are pre-planned drop-in sessions. Please use the opportunity to get some one-to one support with any ICT related matters.

Further details on courses from the ICT Team.

To book a course, phone Alex 346027 or Shona 346026.

19/12/07
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