Barry Smith - Stuff and things

I had an interesting discussion with one of our deputes today, Mike Mclaughlin, about the use of the STACS and Midyis data in secondary schools. As part of my next submission for SQH I have to analyse the school’s ‘capacity for change’ and part of that is looking at both qualitative and quantitative data in [...]

I have been thinking about what content I would like to have in my weblog and who and what it’s for. I am trying to use it as a learning diary to remind myself of the processes I went through and to inform my commentary which makes up the final unit of the SQH. I [...]

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to the SETT conference in Glasgow today. I heard three keynote speeches, Zoe van Zwanenberg from the Scottish Leadership foundation talking about Inspiring leadership, Terry Dozier, Teacher adviser to the Clinton administration, and Edward de Bono discussing thinking skills. I was pleased to note that [...]

The pressures of trying to juggle SQH, work, family and A LIFE came to bear this weekend. I juggled my daddy duties, as well as organising an African drumming workshop in Glasgow with my good friend and Senegalese master drummer Mockolo Sawane. By the time Sunday night came around at the end of our rehearsal [...]

After having been inspired on Wednesday evening I had more good news today. In trying to put together an alternative curriculum provision for S3 students I met with Angie Davie from the Pennypit Outdoor Pursuits Service in Prestonpans who is keen to become involved in delivering part of the enhanced curriculum. I have also had informal [...]

Had the typical day in Pupil Support……time for planning at a premium, firefighting on about 14 different fronts and then, magnificently at the end of a long day, a bit of inspriation after all the perspiration. I went to a
meeting in Haddington about trying to follow through the ideals of ‘
A Curriculum for Excellence ‘. [...]

Deciding to ‘take the plunge’ and apply for the SQH I was delighted to find that I was both supported by my headteacher and accepted onto the course at the subsequent interview, however the reality of the size of the task soon hit home….
The 2006 intake began the course in April, full of verve and [...]