New CLD course from Edinburgh University
CLDSC completed an approval visit with University of Edinburgh in January 2020 with the new MA(Hons) Learning in Communities going live in 2021. The report to University of Edinburgh stated:
“The Approval Panel wished to applaud the commitment to widening participation. It is heartening to see the level of consultation undertaken for the establishment of the programme and panel were impressed that recommendations from the consultation were taken into account and embedded within the programme. The panel also wish to acknowledge that the programme will be delivered by a very supportive staff team.”
This programme has two possible exit routes leading to two qualifications:
- BA (Ordinary) – exit after Year 3 – SCQF level 9
- MA (Honours) – exit after Year 4 – SCQF level 10
The BA (Ord) Learning in Communities degree, awarded after three years of study, is professionally approved by the CLD Standards Council for Scotland (CLDSCS).
Students can also graduate after Year 4 with an MA (Hons) Learning in Communities degree.
Find details on programme structure, entry requirements, funding and how to apply on the programme website. Programme details and how to apply
If you have any questions about this programme, you would be welcome to speak to the Programme Directors via live chat at the Undergraduate virtual Open Day taking place on 27 November 2020. Find details on how to register for the Open Day.
Tips & Tricks for CLD Practitioners Webinar
Webinar with Kathryn Koromilas, a CLD Adult Learning practitioner with years of experience of delivering online and blended learning, before it was a necessity. Based on feedback from previous webinar participants this session will aim to give participants some ‘tips and tricks’ around learner engagement online, overcoming technical barriers and making the most of digital platforms.
This webinar is open to all CLD practitioners regardless of role as it focuses on learning engagement. Webinar will take place on 9th December at 11am.
Register for the webinar on Eventbrite.
The College of the Future Report
The Independent Commission on the College of the Future, launched in Spring 2019 as a UK-wide, four nations process, has published its final report. Read the report on the Commission website.
The report aims to answer two questions: what do we want and need from colleges from 2030 onwards, and how do we get there? It sees its recommendations as having a key part to play in “a skills-led recovery to the ongoing health crisis”, and to rebuilding “healthy, connected and cohesive communities”.
Among the recommendations are that Colleges should develop as “key anchor institutions in the local community, supporting wider community action and services as well as providing education and learning”, and that a statutory right to lifelong learning should be established.
The report’s support for strong partnerships between Colleges and “adult community learning providers” (CLD in the Scottish context) at both national and regional/local level is particularly timely as the new Lifelong Learning Strategy develops in Scotland.
Affordability of school uniform in Scotland
Research has found that almost 20% of secondary schools in Scotland specified an exclusive supplier for school uniform, thus increasing costs for families.
In Scotland there is currently no national guidance on school uniform and dress code policy unlike Wales which has statutory guidance and England and Northern Ireland which have non-statutory guidance. The UK Government is supporting a Private Members Bill which intends to ban schools from using an exclusive supplier for uniform.
The research also found that few secondary schools in Scotland address equalities or human rights considerations in their uniform policy and schools do not appear to actively engage pupils in decision-making about uniform policy on a regular basis. These findings have various implications for meeting statutory obligations under UK law, as well as implications for the Scottish Government’s proposed incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.
The research was carried out by Dr Rachel Shanks, Senior Lecturer at University of Aberdeen, and CLD Standards Council Registered member.
You can read the policy briefing PDF on the Aberdeen University site.
There is also a free online event ‘Making School Uniform Affordable’ on Thursday 26th November 10-11am with Sara Spencer of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland and a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. You can sign up to attend at the Explorathon website.
Carnegie UK Report – ‘Accelerating Digital: Learning from a digital inclusion accelerator programme’
Eliminating digital exclusion is not a new challenge and the ways that organisations tackle the issue continue to evolve and refine. As a result, policy makers and funders also need to continually review how they support organisations to deliver the best outcomes to improve wellbeing, sustainably and efficiently.
In 2018, Carnegie UK launched the #NotWithoutMe Accelerator, a development programme to create opportunities for different types of organisations to explore, experiment with and learn more about delivering digital inclusion support, specifically with young people.
They have now published ‘Accelerating Digital: Learning from a digital inclusion accelerator programme’ to explore the relative merits and considerations of the approach, particularly for the third sector. This evaluation has been undertaken by Revealing Reality and is intended to act as a resource for individuals or organisations with an interest in development and capability building in their sector.
This reflective research explores various aspects of the programme design, factors around individual and organisational participation and provides 10 summary considerations. This report is intended to strengthen the evidence base for further capacity building interventions, and with a focus on digital, but also to inform practitioners about this, still relatively novel type of support.
You can read the report on the Carnegie Trust website and follow the hashtag #NotWithoutMe on Twitter to join the conversation.