SchoolsOut project

About the project

The SchoolsOut project aims to provide an opportunity for children and young people with interrupted learning (and their families) to re-engage with education provision through the use of ICT and web technologies. The project, developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), involves a SchoolsOut Launch Day, which offers children and young people the chance to build their self-esteem and learn new skills.

The facts about interrupted learning

Children and young people can experience interrupted learning for a variety of reasons, including being school-phobic, being Travellers, having additional support needs, or suffering from a long-term illness. Seventy per cent of interrupted learners admit to being bullied - the real figures are closer to 90 per cent.

Launch Days

SchoolsOut Launch Days take place in local venues and involve staff from LTS and the local authority, and actors from a professional theatre company. Children and young people get the chance to work with professional actors in a drama workshop, then take part in a group drama performance. There is also a digital workshop, personal learning planning and a plenary session.

Aims of Launch Days

The aims of Launch Days are as follows:

• to help create a 'SchoolsOut' virtual community on Glow, the national schools intranet
• to raise the self-esteem of children and young people
• to tackle bullying issues
• to promote digital skills.

Support and resources

Learning and Teaching Scotland provides central support, consultancy on learning resources and technical guidance. Access to online collaboration and communication tools, and online learning services, will be provided by Glow.

Responses from two successful pilot Launch Days

'Thank you and the team for the excellent outcomes of today’s event. The very positive evaluations by the young people and the thirst for more of the same that they have developed are ample testimony to the quality of what was provided. Please pass on my thanks to all involved from LTS and perhaps especially the thespians!'
Quality Improvement Officer: Additional Support for Learning & Pupil Support Service

'Greatest success of all I think was that Alan’s mum said that he was ‘full of it’ when he got home.
Nicole has been coming in to the centre prior to starting next session – something that wouldn’t have happened without SchoolsOut.'
Interrupted Learner Co-ordinator

Find out more

Please contact Carol Gillespie if you are interested in finding out more, or would consider holding a SchoolsOut Launch Day in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland:

Carole Gillespie
Education ICT Development Officer
Learning and Teaching Scotland
The Optima
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DU

Tel: 0141 282 5047
Email:Carole Gillespie (c.gillespie@LTScotland.org.uk)