Making an Impact: The Role of Community Learning and Development in Curriculum for Excellence

This seminar will showcase the contribution community learning and development (CLD) makes to the Curriculum for Excellence, highlighting non-formal learning as a mainstream learning activity that contributes to young people becoming successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

The seminar will be jointly delivered by Scottish Government, HMIe, and a youth literacies practitioner.

The purpose of this joint delivery, in keeping with the principles of the Concordat, is to present a strategic and joined-up framework of CLD within Curriculum for Excellence, illustrating the need for strong links between schools, non-formal learning providers, and communities in delivering the best possible outcomes for young people and families.

In this session, we will discuss:

• The contribution of CLD to Curriculum for Excellence The importance of recognising non-formal learning as a mainstream learning activity
• The positive outcomes CLD delivers for young people and their families
• The need for strong links between schools, non-formal learning providers, and communities
• The benefits of a learner centred approach.

Suzanne Rennie is a community learning and development co-ordinator in Learning Connections, within the lifelong learning directorate of the Scottish Government. Suzanne's role is to support policy and practice development for CLD at national level. Suzanne has worked as a policy official within the Scottish Government for six years, and has been with Learning Connections since 2005.

Maureen Mallon is an inspector of education for HMIE. She has extensive experience of the community learning and development sector with a particular interest in youth work and the recognition of achievement. Maureen is a member of the youth work and schools policy working group. Practitioners in Youth Literacies hold regular network meetings to identify common concerns and to share effective practice. A member /members from this network will be part of the team presenting the seminar.