MARK McLAUGHLIN
Evening News (Edinburgh)
September 11, 2010, Saturday
AS SCHOOL outings go, it was one of the more ambitious ones.
A group of sixth-year pupils from Drummond Community High School have recently returned from a trip to Kenya, as part of a partnership project with Muthambi Boys and Girls School in Marima, a town in the shadow of Mount Kenya.
In exchange for lessons in Scottish poetry and how to cook shortbread, the teenagers were given Swahili language tuition and a trip to a crocodile farm.
Drummond librarian Annie Scanlon, who accompanied the children on the trip, also helped to design a new school library out of "a motley collection of damp and ancient old books on rickety shelves".
She said: "With eight boys working as volunteer librarians, we cleared shelves and set up some of the new and exciting books that we had managed to take out with us.
"The library will now open for the boys in the evenings and we hope to send out more books in the future.
"In the girls school, we taught lessons on Scottish poetry and did cookery demonstrations, introducing the girls to shortbread.
"It was difficult to record their comments as their mouths were so full.
"We also took part in sports and games, music, tribal dancing and question and answer sessions on every topic under the sun, plus we made a short film on the life of a Muthambi schoolgirl."
As well as strengthening their curricular links, the school is hoping to raise £15,000 to bring eight students and two staff over to Drummond in June 2011.
Ms Scanlon added: "The trip far exceeded our expectations both educationally and socially and it would not be exaggerating to say that it has changed the lives of students and staff in all three schools.
"We embarked on a very full programme for our ten-day visit which was a combination of working and meeting with the Kenyan students and learning a bit about the life of ordinary Kenyans. The experience was far more fun than the usual 'safari' holiday."
"When we weren't in school we were out experiencing Kenyan life guided by Muthambi staff and students. We visited a crocodile farm and handled 'teenage' crocs with big teeth."
City education leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren praised the school's visit.
She said: "Global citizenship is an important part of the curriculum for Edinburgh schools and visits like this strengthen relationships and broaden horizons for our pupils.
"Similar links are being nurtured and developed all across Edinburgh and I think it's something the city should take great pride in."
Showing posts with label Annals of Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Annals of Education. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Sunday, 4 July 2010
NEWS: Defunct School Gets New Lease of Life
MARK McLAUGHLIN
Evening News (Edinburgh)
June 25, 2010, Friday
A MYSTERY bidder is planning to run a new school in the building left vacant by the collapse of St Margaret's, it emerged today.
Parents fighting to save the school from closure have admitted defeat after they failed to raise enough money to take it over, but they have now turned their attention to other bids to resurrect parts of the campus for future use.
An announcement on the Save St Margaret's School Campaign website revealed there was at least one other bid which will include the school buildings as well as the nursery.
Val Devlin, who had two girls in the junior school and chaired the St Margaret's School Parents and Friends Association, said: "All that we know is that bids were taken for St Hilary House nursery, that the bids closed on Tuesday evening, and that they're currently under consideration.
"We also know that one of the bidders is interested in purchasing the junior school building with a view to setting up an entirely new junior school.
"However, the parents won't be involved in that, it will be a totally private bid, and the logistics of it all means that nothing will be in place for August."
St Margaret's looked after children's education right through their childhood and adolescent years, from three months to 18 years.
St Hilary House, which is subject to several bids, catered for three months up to five years.
However, it is the junior school building, which catered for ages five to 11, that is the subject of the new combined bid.
Ms Devlin said: "The are several bids for the nursery, which is being sold as a going concern as it's still a viable business.
"However, we know that there is one bid for the junior school building, but not for the actual school business which has now been liquidated.
"All of the teachers have been made redundant and most of the pupils have now been found other schools.
"If this gentleman's bid is accepted he will be setting up a brand new junior school for ages five to 11.
"We know that he has a chain of nurseries already and is looking to expand.
"However, we don't know the identity of this person and we don't expect to be told in advance by KPMG.
"KPMG have been as helpful as they can be under the circumstances, as they will obviously be operating under certain legal constraints regarding how much they can say.
"I've now found alternative schools for my girls and most people have been sorted, although not all of them which is obviously a cause for concern.
"However, if the old St Margaret's junior school is taken over in good time, and it offers a good service, then I would consider taking my children back there."
No-one from KPMG could be contacted for comment.
Evening News (Edinburgh)
June 25, 2010, Friday
A MYSTERY bidder is planning to run a new school in the building left vacant by the collapse of St Margaret's, it emerged today.
Parents fighting to save the school from closure have admitted defeat after they failed to raise enough money to take it over, but they have now turned their attention to other bids to resurrect parts of the campus for future use.
An announcement on the Save St Margaret's School Campaign website revealed there was at least one other bid which will include the school buildings as well as the nursery.
Val Devlin, who had two girls in the junior school and chaired the St Margaret's School Parents and Friends Association, said: "All that we know is that bids were taken for St Hilary House nursery, that the bids closed on Tuesday evening, and that they're currently under consideration.
"We also know that one of the bidders is interested in purchasing the junior school building with a view to setting up an entirely new junior school.
"However, the parents won't be involved in that, it will be a totally private bid, and the logistics of it all means that nothing will be in place for August."
St Margaret's looked after children's education right through their childhood and adolescent years, from three months to 18 years.
St Hilary House, which is subject to several bids, catered for three months up to five years.
However, it is the junior school building, which catered for ages five to 11, that is the subject of the new combined bid.
Ms Devlin said: "The are several bids for the nursery, which is being sold as a going concern as it's still a viable business.
"However, we know that there is one bid for the junior school building, but not for the actual school business which has now been liquidated.
"All of the teachers have been made redundant and most of the pupils have now been found other schools.
"If this gentleman's bid is accepted he will be setting up a brand new junior school for ages five to 11.
"We know that he has a chain of nurseries already and is looking to expand.
"However, we don't know the identity of this person and we don't expect to be told in advance by KPMG.
"KPMG have been as helpful as they can be under the circumstances, as they will obviously be operating under certain legal constraints regarding how much they can say.
"I've now found alternative schools for my girls and most people have been sorted, although not all of them which is obviously a cause for concern.
"However, if the old St Margaret's junior school is taken over in good time, and it offers a good service, then I would consider taking my children back there."
No-one from KPMG could be contacted for comment.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
NEWS: Universities in a fine mess
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
25 March 2010
TWO Edinburgh universities have been fined for over-recruiting students during the recession.
Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University have been fined GBP 338,000 and £42,000, respectively, as part of nearly £1 million of fines handed out to Scottish institutions as a result of a 12 per cent increase in students accepted on university courses last year.
The rise has been attributed to a lack of jobs in the recession.
Aberdeen University was hit with the highest penalty of nearly £500,000, while Robert Gordon University has a fine of £62,000.
The fines were revealed as the Scottish Funding Council announced a 1.4 per cent increase in funding for the 2010-11 academic year, awarding £1.12 billion of funding to Scotland's 20 universities.
However, critics say the £15.3m increase on 2009-10 amounts to a 0.6 per cent funding cut, in real terms, when inflation of 2 per cent is taken into account.
Under the settlement universities will get a total of £994.1m to support their core activities of teaching and research and to help modernise and maintain campuses.
A further GBP 129.5m of cash is being awarded as part of the horizon fund - which supports strategic initiatives such as the pooling of research activities across several universities.
SFC chief executive Mark Batho said: "Maintaining high quality teaching and learning in Scotland's universities has been at the forefront of our minds when making decisions about our allocations for university funding.
"The public spending environment is undoubtedly challenging but the funds which the Scottish Government have made available have allowed us to provide a cash increase for the coming year, reflecting the important contribution that higher education has to make to economic recovery and future prosperity in Scotland.
"These resources will safeguard the stability of the sector and mean that the quality of the student experience is maintained at a high level."
SFC chairman John McClelland said: "Scotland's universities are extremely well-positioned to play a vital role in the country's long-term economic growth.
"Our universities are already leading in areas such as energy and cutting-edge medical research that are at the forefront of innovation and technology. They also produce the skills and attributes in people that help businesses to compete internationally.
"By protecting investments in strategic areas such as skills, employability, and research, this funding settlement is important for both our economy and for society."
However, Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students, said the decision not to expand university places meant "the door had been slammed shut" for many.
He added: "However, for those that are already at university, this announcement represents protection from course cuts and department cuts."
Mary Senior, of the University and College Union Scotland, called the real-term funding cut "disappointing and embarrassing".
Edinburgh Evening News
25 March 2010
TWO Edinburgh universities have been fined for over-recruiting students during the recession.
Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University have been fined GBP 338,000 and £42,000, respectively, as part of nearly £1 million of fines handed out to Scottish institutions as a result of a 12 per cent increase in students accepted on university courses last year.
The rise has been attributed to a lack of jobs in the recession.
Aberdeen University was hit with the highest penalty of nearly £500,000, while Robert Gordon University has a fine of £62,000.
The fines were revealed as the Scottish Funding Council announced a 1.4 per cent increase in funding for the 2010-11 academic year, awarding £1.12 billion of funding to Scotland's 20 universities.
However, critics say the £15.3m increase on 2009-10 amounts to a 0.6 per cent funding cut, in real terms, when inflation of 2 per cent is taken into account.
Under the settlement universities will get a total of £994.1m to support their core activities of teaching and research and to help modernise and maintain campuses.
A further GBP 129.5m of cash is being awarded as part of the horizon fund - which supports strategic initiatives such as the pooling of research activities across several universities.
SFC chief executive Mark Batho said: "Maintaining high quality teaching and learning in Scotland's universities has been at the forefront of our minds when making decisions about our allocations for university funding.
"The public spending environment is undoubtedly challenging but the funds which the Scottish Government have made available have allowed us to provide a cash increase for the coming year, reflecting the important contribution that higher education has to make to economic recovery and future prosperity in Scotland.
"These resources will safeguard the stability of the sector and mean that the quality of the student experience is maintained at a high level."
SFC chairman John McClelland said: "Scotland's universities are extremely well-positioned to play a vital role in the country's long-term economic growth.
"Our universities are already leading in areas such as energy and cutting-edge medical research that are at the forefront of innovation and technology. They also produce the skills and attributes in people that help businesses to compete internationally.
"By protecting investments in strategic areas such as skills, employability, and research, this funding settlement is important for both our economy and for society."
However, Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students, said the decision not to expand university places meant "the door had been slammed shut" for many.
He added: "However, for those that are already at university, this announcement represents protection from course cuts and department cuts."
Mary Senior, of the University and College Union Scotland, called the real-term funding cut "disappointing and embarrassing".
Saturday, 13 March 2010
FEATURE: It's Never Too Late to get and Education
MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
5 March 2010
A mother and daughter turned to education as a way to kick-start their lives and put their troubles behind them Consigned to the scrapheap at 15, life can turn out tough for the young tearaways who leave Lothians schools with nothing. But, just like the stars of STV's new television series on adult learning, many are finding out that "It's Never Too Late" to catch up, as Mark McLaughlin reports
ONE thing is certain about Viki O'Donnell's school days: she and her teachers simply didn't see eye to eye. The former teenage tearaway and her mum Beth have different recollections today of exactly how it all ended up going so badly wrong
but both agree that those days were an unmitigated disaster.
"I was never at school," admits Viki, 27, as she recalls leaving St Augustine's High at the age of 15 after years of truancy.
"I originally went to Craigroyston but I moved school when I was 13. I was diagnosed with dyslexia so I always had trouble reading, and I was told that I was a couple of years behind the rest of the class, but I just didn't feel the teachers were giving me the support I needed, so I wanted out."
Beth, 56, remembers things differently. "The change of school was a last resort. There was just nothing I could do to get Viki to go to school. You can't drag a 13-year-old down the street by the hand and throw her into school, although I did try. I thought maybe if she went to a different school she'd take an interest."
But the truancy continued and mother and daughter soon found themselves in front of the children's panel. "They threatened to put me into care but I didn't believe them," says Viki. "I knew that it was just an empty threat."
Eventually, Viki was allowed to leave school at 15 and within a few months she left home.
"I thought I was all grown up and ready to make my way in the world," adds Viki. "I found a hostel on North Bridge that would take you in if you could prove that your parents had thrown you out, so I had to get my mum to sign a letter saying she'd disowned me.
"It was a bit unfair on her but she knew that if she didn't sign it I'd throw a tantrum, so she just let me get on with it."
Eventually, she found a flat in Davidson's Mains and took on a series of dead-end jobs, as well as volunteering for after school clubs and a disability charity.
Viki became pregnant aged 21 but her baby died at just three days old, and she spent the best part of her early 20s battling anxiety and depression.
Today, Viki has woken up to the fact that there are few prospects without qualifications. Her mother realised this many years ago, after falling into a succession of low-paid jobs when she left Queen Anne's High School, Dunfermline, at 16 with no qualifications.
Mother and daughter have both now embarked on a new life of learning together, after enrolling first on an English course equivalent to standard grade English.
"I used to hate writing at school," says Viki. "Because of my dyslexia I was scared to write because I was worried people would laugh at my spelling, but one thing my tutor has taught me is that it's not the spelling that's important but the ideas behind it. I'm not embarrassed when I misspell a word now."
Beth's experience is similar. "Most of the jobs I did throughout my life didn't involve much reading or writing," she says. "I worked in restaurants, as a live-in chambermaid at the Caledonian Hotel, and as an au pair.
"I used to shy away from any job that involved paperwork because I didn't have confidence in my reading. When I reached my 40s I started volunteering for a few charities, manning helplines.
"There was quite a bit of paperwork involved in some of these jobs, and I'd often be setting up appointments for people with difficult names, so I got used to using the phrase, 'can you spell that for me'. I'm not afraid to say that now, whereas in the past I'd be worried people would think I was stupid.
"I took a few classes to help me with the work, such as relaxation classes, and I finally realised I wasn't as stupid as people made me out to be.
"Now I enrol in any course I have time for. I've done a psychology course, a counselling course and a childcare course. I suffer from spina bifida so I doubt I'll have the energy to put all of these courses to use in the world of work, I do it for the love of learning."
Viki, meanwhile, has even embarked on creative writing. "I used to write poems when I was really depressed, and I've started writing my first book," she says proudly. "It's about a dancer in New York City who has an accident and loses her leg, and has to rebuild her life from scratch."
The story of mother and daughter rebuilding their lives is one father-of-three Steven Gaffney, 28, from Haddington, can relate to. He too is embarking on journey of personal discovery after years of jail, alcohol and drug misuse.
His problems started at school. He would regularly bunk off at Dunbar Grammar to smoke cannabis with his friends.
"My mum would get me dressed for school and off I'd go, but I would meet up with my mates and smoke weed, kick a ball around the park or go shoplifting.
"I was hauled before the children's panel a few times but I was young so I didn't realise how serious it was. I was just counting down the days until I was 16 and I could leave school."
Steven enrolled in an NC business course at Jewel & Esk Valley College but it felt like school, and his interest soon waned.
He started worked for a landfill creation company but struggled with alcohol and drugs.
His chaotic lifestyle landed him prison several times, for breach of the peace, possession of an offensive weapon as well as several charges for non-payment of fines and failure to attend court.
"I'd been wasting my life so much, and doing so many physical jobs, that I decided to sort myself out and use my intelligence for a change," he says. "I now take maths classes on a Monday morning, and English classes in the evening. Unlike some people, I'd always been able to read quite well but I never had the qualifications to prove it. You don't realise when you're younger how important that piece of paper is.
"The classes are nothing like school, where you're under pressure to learn. You walk into a friendly atmosphere where you can learn at your own pace, and you have a cup of tea and a chat in the break, and it's all really positive.
"I'm going to enrol in an access course at Newbattle Abbey College, and after two years I'll be able to enrol in university. I've not decided what I'm going to do, but there are interesting options such as history, politics or sociology.
"One job I'd really like to do is become a drug and alcohol counsellor. I think I'd be well suited to that with my background."
It's Never Too Late is on STV on Thursday at 7.30pm
FREE HELP AVAILABLE
TWENTY-THREE per cent of adults in Scotland have difficulty with reading, writing or using numbers - around 800,000 people.
As well as limiting opportunities to find a job or to get a better job, the problem can also affect personal relationships.
Many people are embarrassed to talk about it or to ask for help. The Big Plus is Scotland's campaign to promote the free help available.
When people call The Big Plus number - 0808-100 1080 - they are put in touch with tutors in their area.
The support the tutors offer is based on what the individual wants to achieve. This could be help with application forms, their kid's homework, or how to deal with household bills.
It's not like being back at school and it's not a course. It's relaxed and friendly and it can take just a couple of hours a week - which can be arranged to suit work or personal life.
Edinburgh Evening News
5 March 2010
A mother and daughter turned to education as a way to kick-start their lives and put their troubles behind them Consigned to the scrapheap at 15, life can turn out tough for the young tearaways who leave Lothians schools with nothing. But, just like the stars of STV's new television series on adult learning, many are finding out that "It's Never Too Late" to catch up, as Mark McLaughlin reports
ONE thing is certain about Viki O'Donnell's school days: she and her teachers simply didn't see eye to eye. The former teenage tearaway and her mum Beth have different recollections today of exactly how it all ended up going so badly wrong
but both agree that those days were an unmitigated disaster.
"I was never at school," admits Viki, 27, as she recalls leaving St Augustine's High at the age of 15 after years of truancy.
"I originally went to Craigroyston but I moved school when I was 13. I was diagnosed with dyslexia so I always had trouble reading, and I was told that I was a couple of years behind the rest of the class, but I just didn't feel the teachers were giving me the support I needed, so I wanted out."
Beth, 56, remembers things differently. "The change of school was a last resort. There was just nothing I could do to get Viki to go to school. You can't drag a 13-year-old down the street by the hand and throw her into school, although I did try. I thought maybe if she went to a different school she'd take an interest."
But the truancy continued and mother and daughter soon found themselves in front of the children's panel. "They threatened to put me into care but I didn't believe them," says Viki. "I knew that it was just an empty threat."
Eventually, Viki was allowed to leave school at 15 and within a few months she left home.
"I thought I was all grown up and ready to make my way in the world," adds Viki. "I found a hostel on North Bridge that would take you in if you could prove that your parents had thrown you out, so I had to get my mum to sign a letter saying she'd disowned me.
"It was a bit unfair on her but she knew that if she didn't sign it I'd throw a tantrum, so she just let me get on with it."
Eventually, she found a flat in Davidson's Mains and took on a series of dead-end jobs, as well as volunteering for after school clubs and a disability charity.
Viki became pregnant aged 21 but her baby died at just three days old, and she spent the best part of her early 20s battling anxiety and depression.
Today, Viki has woken up to the fact that there are few prospects without qualifications. Her mother realised this many years ago, after falling into a succession of low-paid jobs when she left Queen Anne's High School, Dunfermline, at 16 with no qualifications.
Mother and daughter have both now embarked on a new life of learning together, after enrolling first on an English course equivalent to standard grade English.
"I used to hate writing at school," says Viki. "Because of my dyslexia I was scared to write because I was worried people would laugh at my spelling, but one thing my tutor has taught me is that it's not the spelling that's important but the ideas behind it. I'm not embarrassed when I misspell a word now."
Beth's experience is similar. "Most of the jobs I did throughout my life didn't involve much reading or writing," she says. "I worked in restaurants, as a live-in chambermaid at the Caledonian Hotel, and as an au pair.
"I used to shy away from any job that involved paperwork because I didn't have confidence in my reading. When I reached my 40s I started volunteering for a few charities, manning helplines.
"There was quite a bit of paperwork involved in some of these jobs, and I'd often be setting up appointments for people with difficult names, so I got used to using the phrase, 'can you spell that for me'. I'm not afraid to say that now, whereas in the past I'd be worried people would think I was stupid.
"I took a few classes to help me with the work, such as relaxation classes, and I finally realised I wasn't as stupid as people made me out to be.
"Now I enrol in any course I have time for. I've done a psychology course, a counselling course and a childcare course. I suffer from spina bifida so I doubt I'll have the energy to put all of these courses to use in the world of work, I do it for the love of learning."
Viki, meanwhile, has even embarked on creative writing. "I used to write poems when I was really depressed, and I've started writing my first book," she says proudly. "It's about a dancer in New York City who has an accident and loses her leg, and has to rebuild her life from scratch."
The story of mother and daughter rebuilding their lives is one father-of-three Steven Gaffney, 28, from Haddington, can relate to. He too is embarking on journey of personal discovery after years of jail, alcohol and drug misuse.
His problems started at school. He would regularly bunk off at Dunbar Grammar to smoke cannabis with his friends.
"My mum would get me dressed for school and off I'd go, but I would meet up with my mates and smoke weed, kick a ball around the park or go shoplifting.
"I was hauled before the children's panel a few times but I was young so I didn't realise how serious it was. I was just counting down the days until I was 16 and I could leave school."
Steven enrolled in an NC business course at Jewel & Esk Valley College but it felt like school, and his interest soon waned.
He started worked for a landfill creation company but struggled with alcohol and drugs.
His chaotic lifestyle landed him prison several times, for breach of the peace, possession of an offensive weapon as well as several charges for non-payment of fines and failure to attend court.
"I'd been wasting my life so much, and doing so many physical jobs, that I decided to sort myself out and use my intelligence for a change," he says. "I now take maths classes on a Monday morning, and English classes in the evening. Unlike some people, I'd always been able to read quite well but I never had the qualifications to prove it. You don't realise when you're younger how important that piece of paper is.
"The classes are nothing like school, where you're under pressure to learn. You walk into a friendly atmosphere where you can learn at your own pace, and you have a cup of tea and a chat in the break, and it's all really positive.
"I'm going to enrol in an access course at Newbattle Abbey College, and after two years I'll be able to enrol in university. I've not decided what I'm going to do, but there are interesting options such as history, politics or sociology.
"One job I'd really like to do is become a drug and alcohol counsellor. I think I'd be well suited to that with my background."
It's Never Too Late is on STV on Thursday at 7.30pm
FREE HELP AVAILABLE
TWENTY-THREE per cent of adults in Scotland have difficulty with reading, writing or using numbers - around 800,000 people.
As well as limiting opportunities to find a job or to get a better job, the problem can also affect personal relationships.
Many people are embarrassed to talk about it or to ask for help. The Big Plus is Scotland's campaign to promote the free help available.
When people call The Big Plus number - 0808-100 1080 - they are put in touch with tutors in their area.
The support the tutors offer is based on what the individual wants to achieve. This could be help with application forms, their kid's homework, or how to deal with household bills.
It's not like being back at school and it's not a course. It's relaxed and friendly and it can take just a couple of hours a week - which can be arranged to suit work or personal life.
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