What future for the school librarian?
Edinburgh Council has found itself in the middle of a major spat over proposals to reduce librarians in schools. The proposal is to rationalise library provision by moving secondary school library...
View ArticleAlastair Steven
Alastair Steven Born 6 January 1945, Belfast Died 20 May 2013, Edinburgh Alastair Steven, born in Belfast in 1945, was George and Sheila Steven’s oldest son in a family of five. Alastair won a...
View ArticleOver-egging the custard
Language changes. That is usually a good thing but not always. A wise educational veteran, speaking to me of interviews for teaching posts, recently illustrated that. “What is your vision for the...
View ArticleNo more heroes
A recent report from the US (Miami Herald, December 29, 2013) reminded us of inspiring teachers. Miami maths teacher, Teresita Lemus, was recently named one of 10 Nobel Educators of the Year by the...
View ArticleHow do we define success?
Determined to Succeed was the 2002 Scottish Government’s review of education for work and enterprise. It is also the title of a newly-published book (Kevin Murphy and Neil McLennan, Lulu, RPP £14.99)...
View ArticleTo boldly go….
In December one of Scotland’s major local authorities circulated its staff with an appeal to “Share your BOLD ideas”. Staff were reminded that “we need to make significant savings and deliver better...
View ArticleListen and learn
More than 160 school students, teachers and education professionals attended a recent Scottish conference on Student Voice. Insightful young people outlined the relationships, teaching styles,...
View ArticleAre exams undermined by curriculum reform?
SCHOOLS are regularly exhorted to listen and respond to the views of their students. The Herald (4 February 2014) carried a detailed, thoughtful letter from a fourth year Falkirk student criticising...
View ArticleA licence to teach
It’s again time for Scottish educationalists to peep over the Border, this time at Tristram Hunt and Anthony Seldon. Teachers should be licensed and could be sacked if they fail tough professional...
View ArticleProfessor Anthony John Harmar
Professor Anthony John Harmar Wednesday 30 April 2014 Professor of pharmacology Born: November 28, 1951; Died: April 10, 2014 TONY Harmar, who has died aged 62, was emeritus professor of pharmacology...
View ArticleReasons to be Cheerful
The contemporary world of schools induces contrary emotions. Some days I’m a grumpy old man: other days I have wings on my heels. A former colleague, a much respected headteacher, summed it up when I...
View ArticleEducationalists in the trenches are overruled by PR-led general staff
In recent years, school trips to Auschwitz and the battlefields of the 1914-18 War have become common. They provide an unrivalled opportunity for young people to understand the march of history far...
View ArticleWhat makes a good teacher?
A recent High Court ruling in Scotland has re-opened the debate about the entry levels we should maintain for the teaching profession. Alex Wood asks what makes a good teacher. A High Court ruling in...
View Article
