Step Ahead Tutoring And Educational Services

Reports: Curriculum for Excellence

 

Parents have been used to receiving school reports which indicate Levels achieved (eg B or C) and/or comments such as "Excellent", "Good", "Fair", "Poor".

A parent brought me the new style report, inviting me to explain the following, as her youngster's statement indicated all three categories, as follows: 

Developing
The pupil has started to engage in the work of the new level and is beginning to make progress in an increasing number of outcomes across the breadth of learning described in the experiences and outcomes for the level.
 
Consolidating
The pupil has achieved a breadth of learning across many of the experiences and outcomes for the level and can apply what he/she has learned in familiar situations.
The pupil is beginning to undertake more challenging learning and to apply learning in unfamiliar contexts.
 
Secure
The pupil has achieved a breadth of learning across almost all of the experiences and outcomes for the level, including any significant aspects of the curriculum area and has responded consistently well to the level of challenge set out in these experiences and outcomes.  The pupil has moved forward to more challenging learning in some aspects and has applied what he/she has learned in new and unfamiliar situations.

We are wondering what other parents feel about the information provided - by written reports and/or parent-teacher consultations?

 

Scotland's Shame

 

As a witness to the shameful and depressing scenes, and pervasive atmosphere, at what is supposed to be sport - and only sport - in our Capital City on Wednesday evening, my Diary entry this week considers our society and its serious problems.

For far too long, the authorities have tried to cover up the rampant sectarianism which exists in Scotland and, in particular, in the West.  Often shown, and heard, during city marches as well as at football games, the bile and enmity is disgraceful and disgusting.  So-called attempts to deal with this have often been window-dressing and papering the cracks, and often once the horse has bolted.  For individuals to receive death threats and bullets, irrespective of their allegiances and indeed their personalities and conduct, is completely out of order, and brings not only our national game, but our country in to disrepute.

Scotland's recent record in regard to such as alcoholism, smoking, drugs, teenage pregnancy, obesity, levels of fitness and health, educational standards, even aspects of racism, is bad enough, but now the world's attention has been drawn to the religious divide which has become much more overt and sinister.

Children and youngsters can quite happily and peacefully co-habit our earth - if left to their own devices (I experienced this best for myself when leading an international school with 40 different nationalities, consisting of many races, religions, creeds, on another continent - where the pupils benefited from, and contributed to, others and to their education and lives).

Many adults/parents in our society need to think - or need to be made to think - about the indoctrination and hatred which they portray to the susceptible minds of children.  It is time that the Government and the Courts took far greater action against such perpetrators.

Let's get a debate going --- let's hear your views!!!!!

   

Edinburgh International Book Festival

 

In addition to the main Book Festival programme in August this year, there is also a programme of events dedicated to school-children.

 This year's RBS Schools Programme runs from 22nd to 30th August and features a host of household names guaranteed to get young imaginations running wild. The programme was launched earlier this week and includes the likes of award-winning author David Almond, illustrator John Fardell, and poet Roger McGough. The schools brochure has already been sent to schools across Scotland.

Parents may like to take children along for some Festival magic this August, but if you haven't seen the brochure yet, you can download it from their homepage. Alternatively, if you would like to receive a copy in the post send an email to mailinglist@edbookfest.co.uk with your name and address and put the words 'brochure' in the subject line.