Event Reports: Curriculum for Excellence 2006
Making Connections Conference
Friday 10 March 2006
The conference took place at Stirling Management Centre on 10 March 2006. Feedback from the conference and evaluations confirmed a highly successful event with excellent speakers and a range of workshops providing great ideas to take back and share.
Here we share some of the highlights and key information from the day.
Speakers
Jim Dunbar, Chairman, IDES Management Committee opened the conference and set the scene for the day, emphasising how significant it is that ACE has now placed human capacities at the centre of the curriculum. Over the years, IDES has always promoted aspects of education such as enterprise and citizenship through its work on creativity and thinking skills. He commented how pleased he was to see that they have now become central to the aims of the Scottish education system.
Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive, Learning and Teaching Scotland highlighted the opportunity not to be missed by those on the ground to move education into a new century, focusing on the issues important to young people today and encouraged teachers to be creative and innovative.
He noted that the 4 capacities of ACE were important to deliver, but that it was more about HOW this is delivered than WHAT is delivered. He encouraged headteachers to spend time with staff engaging in the issues.
PowerPoint file: Bernard McLeary's presentation
Keir Bloomer, Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council in thought provoking style encouraged teachers to look forward and prepare young people for a changing world. He noted that education should be challenging, enjoyable, relevant and prepare young people to be independent.
PowerPoint file: Keir Bloomer's presentation
Wokshop topics
- Class Magazine – Blackhall Primary School, City of Edinburgh
- Sharing A Curriculum for Excellence – Colliston Primary, Angus
- Literacy Circles – Denbeath Primary, Fife
- School Assemblies: Tired and Jaded? – Woodlands Primary, Renfrewshire
- Creative Fridays – Inverary Primary, Argyll and Bute
- Rainbow Light School – Uyeasound Primary, Shetland
- Creation of Land Art – Bathgate Academy, West Lothian
- 21st Century Record of Achievement – Monifieth High School, Angus
Conclusion
The seminar concluded with a plenary question and answer session. The Chairman invited those present to continue to share ideas and best practice though the IDES network and via the website and to forward examples of activities from their schools to IDES (email ides@ltscotland.org.uk).