Hong Kong Blog

Still trying to update and write up bits and bobs about the SCIPD visit to Hong Kong, this is not helped by a temperamental computer. However some more things appearing on the blog slowly but surely http://scipdhongkongvisit2009.wordpress.com/

Worn out!

Back for SCIPD visit to Hong Kong. More on the SCIPD Hong Kong blog over next few weeks. Grateful today was a bank holiday in SLC as somewhat worn out. It was a long, hard week with a lot to pack in in terms of visits, meetings etc, but as a learning opportunity well worth it. Tomorrow will be a good day at work looking forward to taking Ollie Bray round some of the establishments in our area

So…

I’ve been pretty busy of late with many ongoing developments at work. For instance this week we have had our regular Learning Community Management Team meetings. Today Jaye Richards updated the Cathkin LC on the Gams Base Learning ASG, which she writes about on her own blog, and over the course of the meetings the topics have been wide ranging from self evaluation, to planning, to CfE, staffing, etc etc.

This is one of the busiest planning phases for the Heads as they prepare new Improvement Plans, review what has been achieved etc. I’ve been writing up a review of LC Area improvements over the session and doing that has again confirmed the quantity and quality of work going on in the area. When doing this kind of task I really enoy seeing how establishments, partners, Youth Learning etc all link together within the Area to provide the best for the young people. Its pretty mind blowing when you pull together reports from various people on the activity their sector/project/service has been involved on. It also reminds me of the enormity of the job our Heads undertake and when out of school its crucial that you constantly remind yourself of the dedication and commitment those involved in education show daily.

I was at a really impressive event run by the SLC arts co-ordinators a few days ago where they showcased some of the activity they undertake. Arts are fundamental to life and although it may be difficult to measure the impact these projects might have on attainment – the children involved showed very clearly in their faces the difference being involved was having on their self esteem and love of just being alive!

We attended a HT conference on CfE with a variety of speakers from LTS, Universities, examples of good pracice and so on. I found the Secondary session where some trialling of new models of S1 – S3 timetables/curriculum models were discussed really interesting. Fascinating how different they all were, also fascinating from a primary background how the secondaries are approaching these reforms.

Anyway off to Hong Kong Saturday in SCIPD visit. Info will be update on our blog

Hong Kong Study visit

I’m going on a SCIPD (Scottish Continuing International Professional Development) study visit from 16th May for a week. Information on SCIPD can be found here. We will be writing a blog when out there which can be found here.  The group visiting Hong Kong met with Nick Morgan and Joanne McLaughlin last week to discuss the details of the visit. So why Hong Kong? From results of recent studies Scotland could be doing better at some things.  The aim  is to learn from other countries who feature  higher in these studies eg PISA/TMMS. While out there we’ll be visiting a range of establishments from early years to secondary wih a particular eye on teacher development and partnership working. The delegation going have a range of experience across authorities in Scotland and are all senior education officers within local authorities, so not only will we be learning from our hosts but we will be able to share our experiences and expertise with each other too.About a month after our  return we will meet again to share experiences after having  time to reflect.  At that point we’ll agree responsibilities for presenting our experiences in key themes to a larger group of SCIPD delegates in October. We’ll also meet with other  study visit groups around October and make formal presentations to others about what we have learned and how it has impacted on our/others practice.After about 9 months we’ll produce detailed reports for the LTS website. So the trip is a long term commitment for all of us to our personal CPD and also with an expectation that we will carry forward work on our return to impact in our own areas.