Prestigious workshop on new school curriculum held at University of St Andrews

Senior education leaders and experts from across Scotland attended a prestigious workshop organised by the University of St Andrews this week (Wednesday 1 November).

Key speakers at the Teaching Learning Assessment Committee (TLAC) Open Forum included Walter Whitelaw, Area Advisor for Education Scotland – the school curriculum body; Ken Greer, Executive Director of Education at Fife Council; and Professor James Hough, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) and member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council.

Also making key addresses were Professor David Coates, Deputy Principal (Learning and Teaching) of the University of Dundee; and Professor Alan Roach, project leader of the STEM-ED Scotland at the University of Glasgow.

High profile attendees included several members of the education committee of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and government representatives.

Also attending were senior school leaders from secondaries across Fife including Madras College, Glenrothes High, Kirkcaldy High, Auchmuty High and Waid Academy.

Many senior academics and admissions officials from the University of St Andrews were also present.

The event is the second discussion meeting held at the Fife university to exchange information on current and future plans for the new school curriculum.

A key topic was how new school qualifications, being introduced, will affect admissions and the transition from school to higher education for pupils.

High on the agenda was the opportunity for schools and universities to share experiences to ensure students are best prepared for university, and that universities are prepared for the first cohort to go through the new system.

The Open Forum is a regular event every semester at the university and exists to promote discussion of good teaching, learning and assessment practice among academics.

However, this is the first to be expanded to the wider education community and had a record number of expected attendees at more than 80.

Lorna Milne, Proctor at the University of St Andrews said: “It means a great deal to us at St Andrews University to work together with local schools and national experts for the good of education across Scotland.

“I’m sure that this Open Forum will have fueled enthusiasm for further dialogue and collaborations.

“The idea was to look for opportunities for the university to collaborate with schools in the development of the Curriculum for Excellence.

“In four years the first school leavers, to go through the new system will be seeking a university place, and we want to work with schools to make sure we are ready to give them the best and most appropriate experience to advance their knowledge and skills.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona MacLeod on 01334 462108 / 07714 140559.
Ref: (education 3/11/11)
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