Posted in Parental Involvement, Partnerships on Jan 31st, 2007 3 Comments »
We had a meeting today where we talked about incidents where parents verbally abuse by shouting, swearing and threatening teaching staff - headteachers included. Fortunately such incidents are rare but when it does happen - I’ve had my share in my time - it’s very distressing and threatening (and I’m big and ugly).
I can understand why [...]
Posted in Bullying, Parental Involvement on Jan 19th, 2007 3 Comments »
I’ve received a very heartfelt comment from an East Lothian parent to my recent reply to a “Parent with standards”
An extract reads: “Firstly, your office may well pass down a zero tolerance policy to the schools but it is not what happens on the ground. Bullying is tolerated in the sense of ineffective warnings issued [...]
Posted in Blogging, Communication, Parental Involvement on Jan 18th, 2007 9 Comments »
I’ve been getting some very interesting comments from a “Parent with Standards”. These comments have have been relating to bullying, bullying and good behaviour.
I agree with many of the points made in these comments but I’m intrigued by a couple of things to do with the choice of pseudonym.
Are you suggesting that there are very few parents [...]
Posted in Curriculum for Excellence, Extreme learning, Management, Parental Involvement on Dec 5th, 2006 1 Comment »
We had a great presentation today from May Sweeney and Alison Wishart about their recent visit to Victoria and Tasmania to explore emerging curriculum models.
I was particularly interested in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards which has three key strands: Physical, personal and social learning; Discipline based learning; and Interdisciplinary learning.
What captured my attention was the [...]
Posted in Management, Parental Involvement, Planning on Dec 3rd, 2006 2 Comments »
I recently spoke to parents and members of the Dunbar community about the option appraisal taking place to review primary school provision in Dunbar.
The driver for this review is the exceptional population growth taking place in the town. For example, the predicted intake in 2010 is 184 which would necessitate 8 Primary One classes.
I won’t [...]
Posted in Blogroll, Parental Involvement, Partnerships on Nov 30th, 2006 1 Comment »
Proof - if proof were needed - that we have much to learn from parental blogs comes in the form of this post from guineapigmum
In this this single post is captured most of the debate which surrounds A Curriculum for Excellence
Posted in Accountability, Parental Involvement, Uncategorized on Nov 30th, 2006 9 Comments »
I learned an important lesson on Wednesday night when I attended a public joint school board and community council meeting in Dunbar to discuss the plans for a new school in the community.
It was apparent that members of the community didn’t feel they were being properly consulted over the proposals - even though the decision [...]
Posted in Communication, Community Learning, Integrated Children's Services, Parental Involvement on Nov 16th, 2006 8 Comments »
We held our first of three seminars today to explore links between Community Learning and Education. What was striking was that there are so many existing links between community education - in all its forms and our schools.
The Museum Service support many curricular projects - they even offer a mobile service such as this display [...]
Posted in Head Teachers, Interviews, Parental Involvement on Nov 6th, 2006 4 Comments »
I was interviewing all day for the vacant head teacher post at Ross High School.
We’ve recently introduced a more rigorous long-leet process which has three parts.
1. Candidates were asked to write an essay in response to a set task which they received on the day. They had 45 minutes to write their response.
2. Candidates had a ten [...]
Posted in Parental Involvement on Nov 1st, 2006 No Comments »
St Blackie
Originally uploaded by Don Ledingham.
Alan Blackie, Director of Education and Children’s Services, strikes a saint-like pose whilst addressing Head Teachers about our plans for the Parental Involvement Bill.
We see this as an exciting opportunity to build upon the existing involvement and engagement of parents in the education process.
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