Teachers’ IN THE CLASSROOM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PUPIL SUPPORT AFTER HOURS
Autumn 2016
www.teachersresource.co.uk
RESOURCE
UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY How teachers can support pupils struggling with the country’s most common mental health problem
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Autumn 2016
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
www.teachersresource.co.uk
PUBLISHER
Denise Connelly
denise@dcpublishing.co.uk
EDITOR
HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF TEACHERS’ RESOURCE MAGAZINE!
Lindsay Cochrane
lindsay.cochrane@dcpublishing.co.uk
Summer seems to have passed in the blink of an eye, and just like that, it’s back to work – and back to reality – for a new year working with Scotland’s young people.
STAFF WRITER
And to go with the new term, there’s a brand new issue of Teachers’ Resource.
Kirsty McKenzie
kirsty.mckenzie@dcpublishing.co.uk
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Rachael Fulton
DESIGN/PRODUCTION Emma Goodman
SALES
Marian Mathieson
marian.mathieson@dcpublishing.co.uk
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Lisa McCabe
lisa.mccabe@dcpublishing.co.uk
©DC Publishing Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without prior written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of DC Publishing Ltd. The publisher takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers within the publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate; while dates and prices are correct at time of going to print, DC Publishing Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors.
DC Publishing Ltd, 200 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 249 9007 Fax: 0141 353 0435
This issue is crammed with ideas and inspiration to help you in your day job, and to keep you entertained away from work too. Kicking things off, we look at the topic of anxiety – it’s a major issue that’s becoming increasingly common amongst young people, and there’s lots out there to help teachers get clued up on how best to support those affected. Find out more on page 6. Elsewhere, we’ve been taking a look at what’s on offer at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival. It’s the perfect CLPL opportunity – whether you’re cruising the aisles in the exhibition hall or sitting in on seminars, there’s loads going on to help your professional practice this school year. Head to page 16 for an overview. We’ve also been finding out about the outdoor learning providers who’ll get your kids excited this term, as well as taking a look at the benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh Award – the encounters with midges are more than worth it! If your mind is already wandering to half term, our city break feature is for you. We’ve rounded up the best European cities to explore this autumn – from Copenhagen to Paris, you’re spoiled for choice. If you’re planning on staying closer to home, we’ve taken a look at what’s going on in Scotland this autumn on page 26. And that’s just the beginning! Turn the page to see what else we have to offer this season. I hope your year gets off to a great start – good luck and enjoy all those new classes!
Lindsay Cochrane Editor
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To subscribe to Teachers’ Resource, simply fill in your details below and send the form to: Teachers’ Resource, DC Publishing Ltd, 200 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG NAME:
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Autumn 2016
WHAT’S INSIDE...
IN THE CLASSROOM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PUPIL SUPPORT AFTER HOURS
SCHOOL DAYS: CAROL SMILLIE The TV presenter-turnedbusinesswoman reflects on her time at Hutchesons’ Grammar in Glasgow.
GET WILD
With outdoor learning, you’re totally spoiled for choice when it comes to reputable providers. We find out about some of the best.
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IN THE CLASSROOM
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PUPIL SUPPORT
AFTER HOURS
15 DUKE OF EDINBURGH: MORE THAN JUST MIDGES Schools across Scotland are reaping the benefits of the DofE Award – so why should you get involved? We find out what it involves.
9 HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR NQT YEAR Experienced teaching staff share some insight to help probationers through their first year in the job.
6 UNDER PRESSURE Anxiety is becoming increasingly common amongst young people. We find out how teachers can support pupils under pressure.
24 CITY SLICKERS Already desperate for a break? Europe is home to hundreds of fantastic holiday destinations for teachers keen to get away from it all! We round up some of the best city break destinations for half term.
19 EDUCATION GOES SOCIAL With pupils addicted to Snapchat and Twitter, how can teaching staff tap into social media for educational purposes? 20 GIVING BACK We take a look at the creative ways in which some Scots schools are giving back to charity – and teaching their pupils important lessons at the same time. Get ready to feel inspired!
TEACHERS’ RESOURCE NEEDS YOU...
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10 DISTANCE LEARNING WITH UWS One teacher tells us about her experience studying for a master’s in Mental Health and Education with UWS. 16 SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL 2016 It’s the biggest event in the educational calendar – and this year’s Scottish Learning Festival promises to be better than ever! We take a look at what this year’s event has to offer.
28 WIN A BREAK AT STOBO CASTLE Relax and unwind with this issue’s fantastic competition
26 VISIT SCOTLAND If you’re after something a little closer to home, Scotland has plenty to offer for autumn. From literature to science, there’s a festival for everyone! We’ve been looking into some of the best things to do and places to see. 30 THE RESOURCE RECIPE This issue, Jamie Oliver shares a tasty recipe from his new book.
Teachers’ Resource is nothing without stories of what’s really happening in Scotland’s schools – and we want to know what you’re doing. Whether your pupils have recently hosted a fundraiser, a member of staff has run their tenth marathon for charity or your department is showcasing innovative practice that got a huge thumbs up from the inspectors, we want to hear about it. You can email us with what’s going on in your school at resource@dcpublishing.co.uk, or call the team on 0844 249 9007. This is an opportunity to tell the rest of Scotland what makes your school great, so don’t be shy – shout about it!
Autumn 2016
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School of Education University of Strathclyde
We offer a range of postgraduate education programmes that are designed to support and enhance your professional practice and your pupil’s learning. Our programmes have been developed in line with current policy and the General Teaching Council of Scotland’s Professional Standards Framework to enable teachers to gain recognition for their continued development. Our programmes are challenging and research informed. We have opportunities for study in the following areas:
n Curricular Studies • • • •
Literacy Numeracy Educational Technology Philosophy with Children
n Early Years Pedagogy n Inclusion • Autism • Inclusive Practice • Learning Support
“The School of Education staff are very supportive of their students and they are always willing to help if you have any questions or problems. The level of teaching is also very high, so you know you are receiving a good quality of course.” Jan McGhie, Education Studies (MEd) student
n Policy and Management • Leadership • Professional Practice
n Health, Wellbeing and Sustainability
For more information on our postgraduate programmes: Visit: www.strath.ac.uk Call: 0141 444 8600 Email: hass-pgt-enquiries@strath.ac.uk 005 TRS AUTUMN 2016 ADS 2.indd 21
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PUPIL SUPPORT
UNDER PRESSURE
Thanks to social media, societal expectations and peer pressure, young people today are facing increased levels of stress – and their mental health is suffering. As a result, anxiety is on the rise in pupils in Scotland’s schools – but what can teachers do to support young people who aren’t coping? Charity YoungMinds share some insight
IT’S TOUGH BEING a teenager. Pressure comes from all angles – getting the most likes on your selfie, winning over the person you fancy in your maths class on WhatsApp, keeping up with pals when it comes to drinking and partying… Oh, and the small matter of passing exams too. Stress levels are soaring amongst Scotland’s young people, with pictureperfect social media profiles and 24-hour communication channels showing them exactly what they should be doing and achieving. And not everyone is coping – it’s estimated that as many as one in six youngsters will suffer with anxiety at some point in their lives. “When we talk about anxiety, we’re talking about a general feeling of fear or panic,” says 6
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Zoe Large from YoungMinds, the youth mental health charity. “When those feelings of fear or panic continue a long time after a difficult situation has ended, or you feel a much more intense sense of fear than other people, anxiety can become a problem and can even start affecting everyday things.” Different people experience anxiety in different ways. Some people might suffer from a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), while for others it can present in the form of panic attacks or phobias. The experience is never the same for any two people – and many don’t even realise that this is what they’re going through. It can affect anyone, and there’s no definite cause, but it’s sometimes brought on by a traumatic past experience, everyday pressures or even genetics.
WARNING SIGNS
While anxiety is, for the most part, a ‘hidden’ problem as it’s about what’s going on inside your head, there are certain warning signs and symptoms that teachers can look out for in the classroom. “Anxiety can affect people’s behaviour in quite negative ways,” Zoe says. “If a young person doesn’t seem to have the confidence to try new things, face new challenges or join group discussions, for example, that might be a sign that they’re experiencing anxiety. Young people also sometimes show anxiety through anger. If they have angry outbursts in class, or they’re getting into arguments with their friends and that’s out of character, it might be wise to ask them if they’re experiencing some difficulties with anxiety.” www.teachersresource.co.uk
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This isn’t the case for everyone though – it can present with physical symptoms too, which can lead people to believe they have a physical health problem. “There are a few symptoms which teachers might be able to spot signs of,” Zoe explains. “Pupils might be visibly shaky or say they feel sick a lot, stomach cramps, feeling dizzy. That might be something where you could start asking questions about whether they might be experiencing anxiety. If the young person is breathing quite fast or finding it difficult to breathe, or they’re visibly overwhelmed, then it might be that they’re even experiencing a panic attack.”
SUPPORT
If a young person confides in you that they are struggling and think they might be dealing with anxiety, there are things you can do to help. “The first thing to do would be to talk to the young person about what they’re experiencing and ask them what might help them,” Zoe advises. “Some ideas could be creating a safe place for a student to go if they’re feeling anxious. It might be helpful to find out what sort of activities might help them. Listening to music or reading could help. People might appreciate a few minutes at the beginning of the day before the rest of the students arrive to settle in and sit quietly before the school day begins.” If exams and school are the cause of anxiety, some young people might avoid www.teachersresource.co.uk
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going to class all together – while this might seem like a good solution to them, it does more harm than good. Work with the student and their family to come up with a way of getting them into class – even if it’s attending part-time initially or going home at lunchtime – and addressing their anxiety alongside this. There are a lot of simple coping strategies individuals can use to keep feelings of anxiety at bay too – like breathing exercises or thinking about happy memories – or it could be that they need professional help from their GP or a therapist. Make sure the pupil knows what their options are, and point them in the direction of organisations like YoungMinds, Breathing Space or Childline for support.
TRAINING
If you want to get more clued up about mental health, YoungMinds can help. They run a series of training programmes, and have a wealth of information available online that will boost your understanding of things like anxiety, depression and eating disorders – all big issues which affect high school pupils every day. Later this year, they’ll be launching a new campaign looking at mental health in schools – keep an eye on the website to see how you can get involved.
“As many as one in six young people will experience anxiety at some point in their lives”
“Young Minds have a parents helpline, and despite the name, it can provide free and confidential advice for any adult working with young people,” Zoe adds. “The helpline is staffed by trained advisers and they can be contacted by phone or email, any day of the week, between 9:30 and 4:30. We know that teachers struggle with their capacity, that they can often be overwhelmed themselves and don’t have the training for the issues that they’re facing every day, so it’s really important that we support teachers to get the training and the knowledge that they need to help pupils.” If you’re concerned about any of your pupils, don’t be afraid to approach them. It might be that they’re struggling silently and don’t know where to turn. With any mental health problem, talking helps – so start the discussion now. n
MORE INFORMATION YoungMinds www.youngminds.org.uk Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544 SAMH www.samh.org.uk Breathing Space www.breathingspace.scot 0800 83 85 87 Childline www.childline.org.uk 0800 11 11
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SEEMiS Group have partnered with Groupcall to provide enhanced parental communication for all SEEMiS schools with new functionality!
Simple, efficient parental communication for schools, saving admin time and money The ultimate communication ecosystem for all SEEMiS schools: • SMS (text) • Voice • Web-based • Audit trail
• Email • Multi-lingual • Message scheduler • Send attachments
Now with the latest enhancements, including: • FREE push notifications with the Xpressions app • Say goodbye to paper-based forms, slips, memos and more • Take the stress and confusion out of organising parents’ evenings
COMING SOON Have access to your SEEMiS school data - available in the palm of your hand for access anytime, anywhere! SEEMiS Group is the Management Information System (MIS) in Scotland and is owned by all 32 local authorities. All local authority student data is processed and managed by SEEMiS software, offering interfaces with external agencies such as ScotXEd and SQA.
Groupcall provides tried, tested and trusted communication, data and identity management solutions and is one of the education sector market leaders with its parental communication system, Messenger, currently used in more than 5,000 schools across the UK.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.GROUPCALL.COM/SCOTLAND
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21/08/2016 12:35
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPEMENT
HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR NQT YEAR If you’re a newly qualified teacher embarking on your probationary year, there’s often one thing on your mind for the months ahead – survival. Your first year in the profession is the year where you’ll work the hardest, learn the most and reap the biggest rewards. We asked some seasoned school staff to share the wisdom they learned in their first year in the job to help this year’s NQTs get the most out of their experience
“Plan a week night off. It’s so easy to work from dawn until dusk – from planning to report writing to keeping up with the GTCS profile. For the first month or so, I only took Saturdays off but I started to feel weighed down. Plan a week night, maybe a Wednesday or Thursday, which is completely your own; see friends, go to the cinema or even just catch up on Netflix. It will keep you sane and grounded.” “You’ll be assigned a probationer mentor, but make sure you get to know all the staff in your department – observing and speaking to a range of colleagues will make sure you get as much as you can from your probationary year.” “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how silly they seem – you’re not expected to know everything!” “Keep your head down, volunteer for everything and be prepared. It will get easier!”
“It’s really worth investing time at the beginning of the year to establish good relationships and boundaries with pupils. There’s tonnes of curriculum stuff to do, but it really does save time down the line (and a whole lot of hassle).”
“Meet deadlines. Start reports and development work in plenty of time to allow your mentor to have a glance over them before the final deadline.”
“Sanctions are all well and good but never threaten something you’re not prepared to follow through with. Spending all your breaks and lunchtimes leading detention is not fun.”
“Get involved with as much as you can outside your department – run a club, lead an interdisciplinary project, run a charity event with pupils. This will give you more to write on application forms and make you stand out.”
“Make the most of opportunities to observe colleagues – everyone teaches differently but you have the chance to see the bits you’d want to incorporate (or definitely not use) as part of your own practice.”
www.teachersresource.co.uk
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“If you’re not exhausted in your first year, you’re not doing enough. Set your class rules on the first day and stick to them, never give more than one warning, always be prepared and don’t ever let the pupils see you cry. And baby wipes are great for cleaning white boards!” “Keep positive and maintain a sense of humour. Pupils respond so much more to positivity. They are young,they will step out of line at times, but using humour where possible will help you win them round.” “Enjoy the holidays! Don’t do school work when you’re off! And have fun. Teaching is a great job, and you definitely get out what you put in.” Autumn 2016 |
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DISTANCE LEARNING WITH UWS The University of the West of Scotland have a fantastic range of master’s-level courses on offer – and much can be done at a distance, as teacher Emily Clarke is finding out. Emily, who is a teacher and counsellor at the International School in Hong Kong, is currently studying towards an MSc in Mental Health and Education. We found out more about her experience so far
I
had been teaching for nine years, and felt like I was ready to do something a bit different. I quite enjoyed studying when I was younger and the thought of doing a master’s always appealed to me, but after completing my PGCE in 2007, I was ready to work and stop studying for a while. However after a break, I was ready to look for a course. I did a search for education-related master’s courses that had a distance learning option, and came across the MSc in Mental Health and Education at UWS. During my career I have worked with a lot of students with various mental health issues, and I am quite an approachable person. When students have come to me in the past, I have always got by, rather than feeling like I actually knew what I was doing, so I felt this course would have real practical application within my role.
AIMS
The course aims to give a flexible study opportunity to look at the impact on mental health in a learning context, looking not 10
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only at the learners themselves but also professionals within this sort of teaching and learning environment. So far the course has involved weekly tasks, which include reading articles, chapters, watching online videos, and then responding to the material through discussion questions posted on an online forum. Then there were more formal assessments, which were submitted at the end of the module time. For my first module, this included a 3,000 word literary review. We also had to create a media resource with an accompanying written commentary.
BALANCE
Some weeks (as deadlines approached) I found I was spending more than the expected three hours on study, but I balanced my time well. I was quite motivated to dedicate the time, and have a supportive husband who would leave the house if there was a day I wanted to focus with no distractions! I have found the online community to
be supportive. All documents that we are required to use have been easily accessible. The access to the online library is really good too. Yonah, our course tutor, was very quick to respond via email if I had any questions – his feedback was always helpful. I am really looking forward to the next module as I feel I have definitely learnt something that I can practically apply throughout my career, and look forward to seeing what else will be learnt as the course progresses. n
FIND OUT MORE For more information on master’slevel opportunities with the University of the West of Scotland, head to www.uws.ac.uk/schools/ school-of-education.
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For more information and details on funding, please visit: www.stir.ac.uk/social-sciences
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22/08/2016 16:41
IN THE CLASSROOM
GET WILD Marshmallows crackling over an open fire may all sound well and good, but let’s be honest – you’re already picturing 30 children screaming around the campsite as a tent goes up in flames. Being a teacher, it’s easy to see a safety hazard in every possible activity – sadly, it’s even easier to stick a tablet in their paws and leave them to it. But this year’s scary statistics revealed that kids are now watching 17 hours of television a week – so the last thing they need is more screen time at school. Which is where outdoor education comes in. Activities like canoeing, rock climbing and field trips all help children to develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills, as well as helping you explore various different learning outcomes and curricular areas in real situations. And making kids go wild in the outdoors is easier than you might think. We take a look at some of the best organisations available for outdoor ed...
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OUTWARD BOUND TRUST
The Outward Bound Trust is an educational charity which encourages young people to develop essential skills, mixing unique approaches to learning with adventure in the wild. Every year, The Trust’s Loch Eil Centre, near Fort William, provides 4,500 participants with the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Scotland, where the wilderness becomes the ultimate classroom. They offer three-day and five-day residentials filled with physical and mental challenges. Activities are adventure-filled (think walking and canoeing) and aim to challenge pupils and help them recognise their capabilities and strengths. There are bursaries and charitable subsidies too, making sure that as many children as possible can benefit from the experience – over 70% of participants receive financial support. Visit www.outwardbound. org.uk for more info.
JOHN MUIR TRUST
learning-focused lessons. While YET doesn’t offer any residential expeditions, it can be a great starting point for practical assistance for aspiring or experienced expedition leaders and teachers. They offer information on financial support and helpful publications as well as a timetable of events throughout the year, including conferences for members and training courses for expedition groups, which focus on the skills needed to organise a safe and successful outings. Find out more at www.theyet.org.
WOODLANDS TRUST
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. In other words, they love trees – and they want others to enjoy them too. To support this, the Trust has developed a series of high quality learning resources and projects for schools, most created in partnership with teachers and tested by children. Worth a mention is their free trees scheme. Teachers can register for tree seed packs and hedge and copse packs, containing 30 young native trees. They have 4,750 tree packs available to give away for autumn. Register at www.woodlandtrust. org.uk for yours.
PIC: © EMMA SMITH GAIRLOCH
GROUNDS FOR LEARNING
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme that encourages pupils (from upper primary level and up) to connect with nature and care for wild places through a fun and flexible award scheme. Last year in Scotland, 411 school groups got involved, including 41% of secondary schools. As a result 13,468 Scottish pupils and staff dedicated an average of seven hours to making a positive difference to wild places. The structured yet adaptable scheme can be used informally and adapted into an afterschool club or extracurricular activity and will do wonders for your pupils’ CVs. Find out how you can participate this year at www. johnmuirtrust.org.
YOUNG EXPLORERS TRUST
A national charity that encourages safe and responsible expeditions for young people by supplying advice and support to schools, Young Explorers Trust is a great resource for teachers hoping to boost their outdoor www.teachersresource.co.uk
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This Scottish school grounds charity aims to help schools embrace outdoor activities and make more effective use of their outdoor facilities. They believe that the great outdoors provide the perfect space to challenge and inspire children and teach them everything they need to know about health, sustainability and fun. GfL offers training programmes, membership support services, advisory visits and bespoke consultancy projects. Their accredited CLPL programmes will give teachers the skills, tools, ideas and confidence they need to open up learning and take teaching outdoors. Find out more at www.ltl.org.uk/scotland.
PGL
PGL are experts in school travel, and have 21 centres across the UK that provide the best in outdoor education, overnight stays and amazing activities. Available for primary and secondary groups, PGL promise to provide your pupils with adventure-packed days filled with everything from canoeing, raft building and climbing, to the tree-top heights of the trapeze. They’ve also got centres in Europe if you fancy something a little more exotic (and with slightly better weather). Learn more about the experiences they offer at www.pgl.co.uk. n
ROCK UK Rock UK Adventure Centres are a great place for school trips. As well as offering excellent adventurous activities and the opportunity to expend some physical energy, the team make your school’s learning experience great fun. Your group will embark on new activities whilst learning, developing and applying a wide range of skills beyond the classroom. Rock UK is a Christian charity that has been providing outdoor adventure for over 90 years. Their 4 LOtC Quality Badged centres offer residential stays and day programmes that encourage high levels of resilience, confidence and independence when tackling challenging activities that will encourage children to explore their own mental and physical capabilities. The team will discuss your learning objectives with you before planning a programme to suit your specific needs, so whether you’re a geography teacher hoping to check out what nature has to offer or you’re taking a group of pupils on a reward trip, they’ll be able to tailor activities for the day or week to make sure your students come away having learned something relevant and useful. They also invite you to arrange a pre-visit to see first-hand what’s available – so no surprises when you get there! Activities include abseiling, swimming, archery, fencing, high ropes, low ropes and more – so there’s plenty there to keep your kids busy, active and learning. Rock UK have a great track record with schools with thousands of teachers and children returning to their centres year after year, and offer a bursary scheme enabling more children to access school trips. Find out more at www.rockuk.org.
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IN THE CLASSROOM
Duke of Edinburgh:
MORE THAN JUST MIDGES The Duke of Edinburgh Award has helped young people boost their employability and get out in the great outdoors for over 60 years. Here we look at the benefits of getting involved for schools
T
he Duke of Edinburgh programme [DofE] might not be everyone’s cup of tea; but committing to a bronze, silver or gold award can open up a wealth of opportunities for students and teachers alike. The horror stories of camping in torrential rain surrounded by midges and moaning S3s are unfortunately true, but there’s a lot more to DofE than sodden student hikes – and it can bring a lot to your school. Comprising of four elements – volunteering, physical, skills and expedition – the DofE Award is a big commitment for pupils. They will be active in their local communities, meeting and engaging with people from new backgrounds and different walks of life while fulfilling their volunteer roles. They will push themselves to their physical limits by participating in new sports and setting off on camping expeditions, while challenging themselves intellectually and improving teamwork throughout.
CHALLENGE
Pupils are asked to dedicate three months to volunteering, physical challenges and skills challenges at bronze level alone, which gradually increases as they work towards gold. Teachers signing up to help pupils in the 14
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programme should also prepare to support lengthy and challenging extracurricular endeavours (and act as a sounding board for complaints when expeditions get wet and cold). Daunting commitment aside, the benefits of DofE for your class could be wide-reaching, both for their present school career and in setting them up for UCAS, college and job applications in future. The programme delivers key elements of Building the Curriculum 4, through developing skills in personal learning planning. It also builds on numerous interpersonal attributes through its teamwork activities. Delivering DofE also supports health and wellbeing and outdoor learning outcomes within the curriculum, as it sets regular intellectual and physical teamwork challenges for participants.
CORE SKILLS
“Over 90% of Scottish secondary schools offer the programme because they recognise the core skills it develops in their pupils,” says Barry Fisher, director of Duke of Edinburgh Scotland. “All young people touch secondary education at some point. We recognise the importance of formal qualifications; however schools also have a responsibility to develop
skills for life and work in their pupils. The DofE programme does this by enabling young people to fulfil their potential.” Teachers also feel the impact of participating in the DofE programme, whether their involvement is in chairing meetings, accompanying groups on trips or helping arrange voluntary placements. “By seeing pupils out of the classroom setting, teachers increase their understanding of their pupils’ abilities, enhancing their capacity to provide support and guidance,” says Barry. “Delivering the DofE also provides teachers with opportunities beyond their day-to-day roles that enhance their experience and could positively influence their career progression.” So, what are you waiting for? Ready to go for gold? Remember to pack those wellies... n
MORE INFORMATION To find out more about how your school could get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh programme, head to www.dofe.org.
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22/08/2016 13:10
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NEW CONTENT, NEW LOOK
Come and visit us at stand E15 and see a live demonstration
21/08/2016 12:34
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL 2016
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY FOR ALL The Scottish Learning Festival is back for another year of sharing ideas and good practice, up-to-the-minute information and networking opportunities for education professionals. We take a look at what this year’s big event has to offer
T
he new school year is a brilliant thing. While most people wait until January to give their lives an overhaul, teachers get a second chance at new year’s resolutions in August, with a brand new term to inject with fresh ideas and innovative practice, allowing themselves to flourish professionally and their students to get even more from their lessons. And there’s a certain event right at the beginning of term which can give you the boost you need for all of this and more – Education Scotland’s annual Scottish Learning Festival. Taking place on 21 and 22 September at Glasgow’s SECC, SLF is the biggest professional learning opportunity for teachers in Scotland, attracting thousands of teaching staff each year. For 2016, the Festival’s theme is ‘promoting excellence and equity for all’, tying in with the new National Improvement Framework and Scottish Attainment Challenge. With a busy seminar programme, bustling exhibition hall, inspirational keynote speeches and plenty of opportunities to meet with like-minded people, SLF is the one event you don’t want to miss out on this school year.
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MEET THE SPEAKERS
This year’s keynote programme really stands out. Kicking things off, Scotland’s deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for education John Swinney MSP will be delivering the opening keynote address, talking about what’s going on behind the scenes in education today. Other speakers on the opening day are Dr Yong Zhao from the University of Oregon, who’ll be flying
in to speak about moving on from past methods in learning and teaching, and Dr Carol Campbell from the University of Toronto, who will be discussing developing your leadership and professional practice. On the 22nd, Education Scotland’s Clare Lamont, Alasdair Eadie and Siân Neil will be leading a discussion on the key elements of self-evaluation for self-improvement, while later in the day, the body’s Joan MacKay www.teachersresource.co.uk
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EXCELLENT EXHIBITORS
“Over 50,000 education professionals have attended SLF since its launch” and Carol MacDonald will be talking about the curriculum and progression pathways, and what they mean. Also on the Thursday, visitors can hear from the Scottish Attainment Challenge team, while TV presenter and adventurer Mark Beaumont will be delivering the closing address.
SUPER SEMINARS
There’s a jam-packed programme of professional learning seminars to get involved with too. Education experts, fellow teachers, charities and more will be sharing their experiences and addressing key issues in education today. On the Wednesday, charity FSC Scotland will be talking about outdoor learning and CfE, and their work in schools across the country. If your school is facing an inspection this year, Education Scotland will be talking about the new inspection model in the 2pm slot – a really useful session. If you’re focusing on attainment, head along to see what Linda O’Neill from CELCIS has to say about working with parents to improve engagement, while newly qualified teachers need to hear Elaine Napier from GTCS talk about how the teaching council can help you throughout your career. On day two, there’s even more to delve into! Dalziel High School in North Lanarkshire will be sharing their experience of developing the workforce with a 9:30am www.teachersresource.co.uk
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session – prepare to be inspired by their work. Also at 9:30, Joanna Mawdsley from the V&A Museum of Design in Dundee will be talking creativity, discussing the museum’s schools design challenge. Elsewhere, Valerie Drew from the University of Stirling will be reflecting on the first year of the Into Headship programme, Education Scotland will be exploring the 1+2 approach to language education and Hyndland Secondary’s Paul Downie will be talking about the school’s success in using smartphones in science. The biggest challenge of SLF will be deciding which sessions to attend! If you register to attend the event now, you can reserve your spot at the opening address plus up to three seminars on the opening day, and the closing address and three seminars on the second day. The one thing that everyone attending the Festival this year have in common is their passion for education – and their determination to do their best for our young people. Whether you’re heading along to check out new products and resources, to discover training opportunities, to engage in debate and discussion or to see what’s going on elsewhere in the industry, you’ll leave full of ideas for the year ahead. Get online and register now – it’ll be the best professional learning decision you make this year. n
MORE INFORMATION Scottish Learning Festival 21-22 September, SECC, Glasgow www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk
One of the biggest draws of the Festival is that of the exhibition hall. Over 100 different organisations will be present, discussing their services, new initiatives, products, resources and more. The hall will be packed with interesting companies who can help boost your lessons – think Lego Education, the Scottish Book Trust, British Council, Into Film and Vex Robotics. Engage with the likes of Education Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, NASUWT and SQA to get a better understanding of what’s going on in the wider industry. A number of charitable organisations will be there to talk about their work, what schools can do to help raise funds for their cause and to talk about learning opportunities they can bring to your class too. From the RNLI to RNIB, Scottish Autism to the British Red Cross, there’s plenty to engage with. If gadgets are your thing, Scanning Pens will be demonstrating the new C-Pen Reader and C-Pen Exam Reader at stand E40 – approved for use in exams by SQA, the pens can help with literacy difficulties such as dyslexia or English as a second language – definitely worth finding out more. Also in tech, the Tablet Academy will be out in force to talk about integrating new and existing technologies into your practice. The Local Authority Village will play host to councils from across Scotland, discussing what’s new in their region – whether you want to know what’s happening in your current authority or you’re keen to get a broader understanding of education Scotland-wide, it’s an area that’s worth your time. Also in the exhibition hall, exhibitors will be taking to the theatre space to talk about their wares throughout the day – so stop by and see what’s going on as you browse. It’s a great opportunity to find out about organisations who might not otherwise be on your radar.
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21/08/2016 12:38
IN THE CLASSROOM
GET CONNECTED
EDUCATION GOES SOCIAL Social media can be a great educational tool, as well as a wonderful way to motivate and communicate with students. Check out our top tips for savvy student-teacher social media
B
y engaging with parents and students on social media, teachers are able to stay abreast of online trends that might make interesting classroom talking points, educate students on the power of viral marketing and strengthen their understanding of tricky topics such as cyberbullying, trolling and data protection. Despite the potential positive outcomes, navigating social media can be a minefield, particularly when young people are involved. It’s therefore wise to approach this everevolving medium with caution.
KEEPING PARENTS INFORMED
One of the great advantages of school social media is keeping parents informed of what’s going on, both inside the classroom and out. This can be particularly useful on school trips or excursions, during which photographs of activities can be posted via Facebook or Instagram, letting caregivers ‘check in’ on their children when they are away from home. Hockey matches, football tournaments and sports or science days can also be documented, giving parents insight into the school day and making them feel more involved in their child’s education – just
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make sure all the pupils present have a signed photography consent form before posting.
GET APP-Y
There is also the option of using SchoolWay, an app which sends push notifications to parents’ phones informing them of updates. Class quiz reminders, snow day closures, after-school club schedules and sports club results are all easily communicated. It’s free and easy to download for all parents.
SHARED GOALS
It’s important that all teachers involved in the school social media network are working towards the same messages and goals. What is the school ethos? What outcomes do you want to achieve when communicating with parents online? Work closely with your IT department to develop clear goals and intended outcomes so that everyone is singing from the same sheet, whether you’re updating the whole-school or departmental profile.
CASUAL CHAT
By its very nature, social media can unintentionally change the tone of teacher-
student discussion, making it more casual and relaxed. This can be dangerous territory for teaching staff, as any online dialogue is open for misinterpretation. Likewise, the feeling of distance provided by electronic communication may encourage students to be more confident, cheeky and inappropriate to teachers online. Using an informal-yet-professional tone with students and parents online is vital. Setting up work accounts that maintain your professional persona and discussing topics relevant to students is wise, steering away from any relaxed banter the students may try to initiate. Check out the GTCS Professional Guidance on Social Media document for more (www.gtcs.org.uk).
CURIOSITY
It goes without saying that your students will Google you to dig for dirt. Doing frequent assessments of your online presence is therefore recommended, avoiding unwanted pictures of you in Kavos ‘05 circulating among your Nat 4 class. Locking down the privacy settings on your social accounts and changing the spelling of your name by a letter will prevent any unwanted Facebook stalking. n
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IN THE CLASSROOM
Giving back Want to raise cash for a good cause? Here we take a look at some schools who thought outside the (collection) box when it came to charity fundraising GETTING PUPILS INVOLVED in fundraising is not only great for your chosen charities, it teaches children to give back from an early age. It can also foster a real sense of community spirit, improving relationships within the school and the community beyond it. You can rope your students (and parents) into late-night cupcake baking sessions for Macmillan Coffee Mornings, get them shaking tins for coins at school events or perform an all-singing, all-dancing impression of their favourite celeb for Stars in Their Eyes – whatever it takes to rack up that total and help your selected causes.
SINGING FOR SYRIA
The kids from Strathesk Primary in Penicuik are putting their voices to good use; singing to help the displaced refugees of Syria. Teacher Ian Armstrong wrote and recorded a song, entitled Equality, sung by the Strathesk school choir, which highlights the plight of millions of families fleeing war torn Syria. All proceeds from sales of the song will go to The Scottish Refugee Council. Making the track available for download on iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Play, the school set up their own website to
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promote the track as well as a JustGiving page to encourage people to dig deep for a good cause. Find out more at stratheskschoolchoir.wix.com/equality.
GROWING UP GENEROUS
What’s more adorable than nursery kids growing their own daffodils? Nursery kids selling daffodils they’ve grown to raise money for charity, that’s what. The incredibly cute pupils of Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow grew daffodils in their own special eco garden and sold the potted flowers to raise money for cancer charity Marie Curie. This is not only a great way to teach kids about charity, but also about the environment and the science behind growing a plant from seed to flower. While your teens might not be quite as adorable as the Kelvinside kids, their parents will be more than happy to shell out for a bunch of daffies just the same. Want to find out more about fundraising for Marie Curie? Head to the website, www.mariecurie.org.uk.
SUPERHEROES FOR THE STV CHILDREN’S APPEAL
Crookfur Primary kids put on their capes
in 2016 and turned into superheroes for the day, with a sponsored walk of 4km in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal. Armed with Avengers shields and wearing Batman and Spider-Man masks, the Newton Mearns primary kids walked to raise money for Scotland’s disadvantaged children – and raised a whopping £3,760.70. “We are incredibly grateful to all the schools across Scotland who have fundraised for the STV Children’s Appeal, or are planning an event in 2016 to help raise money for children and young people affected by poverty,” says Elizabeth Partyka from the STV Children’s Appeal. “Money raised by schools makes a fantastic contribution to the overall total every year and every donation, big or small, will go directly to the children who need it most.” n
OVER TO YOU What’s your school doing for charitable causes this term? Email editor@dcpublishing.co.uk and you could make it into next issue!
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Dundee Rep Theatre Ltd gratefully acknowledges support from:
01382 223 530 dundeerep.co.uk
Dundee Rep Theatre Ltd is a Registered Company No: 21201 - Scottish Charity Registered No: SC017315
the Craigmore Centre
The Craigmore Centre is set in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Scotland. We are a unique property with great opportunities for all kinds of residential, music, sports, dance and other various pursuits for your school to enjoy whether overnight or day visits. The Craigmore Centre sleeps up to 120, however we can accommodate up to 250 if required. We provide catering facilities to suit all needs. All meals are served in the beautiful Gartmore House, 18th century mansion
The sports hall is ideal for any type of sports-related activity
We can tailor activity packages to suit any need
A range of activity rooms are available, from the smaller classroom-style rooms to spacious conference rooms
Our 75 acres of ground provide endless opportunities for outdoor activities
If you’d like to know more about the Craigmore Centre or if you want to make a reservation please email mail@gartmorehouse.com or call 01877 382 991
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22/08/2016 18:00
INTERVIEW
MY SCHOOL DAYS
CAROL SMILLIE She found fame as a game show hostess in the 80s – not the typical path for graduates of Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow, but it’s how Carol Smillie started her career! Now running her own underwear business, Carol took some time out of her schedule to share her school memories with Teachers’ Resource
STANDOUT TEACHER
One of my favourite teachers was, bizarrely, the biology teacher – Miss Stevenson. She was funny. She only retired about four, five years ago. I see her often and chat to 22
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“Miss Stevenson was sparky, fun and a bit cheeky” her. I can’t bring myself to call her Caroline though! She’s a lovely lady. I didn’t get her subject, but I got her personality – she was sparky, fun and a bit cheeky. I wanted to go to art school. Back in those days – I’m 54 now – telling a school like Hutchesons’ that you want to go to art school, you’d be as well saying you want to be a pop singer. They were all about the lawyers and the doctors. That was definitely the traditional route for a Hutcheson’s Grammar School girl. That wasn’t me! I didn’t know what I wanted to do career-wise, but I didn’t see myself running a business. Life’s funny. I’d watched many before me fall into the chasm that is women
of 50-plus in television – it’s a desert out there. So I decided to do something else. I’d rather walk away with my head held high and say, ‘I had a fantastic time – it’s time to give someone else a shot now.’ But I’d love to see it change, don’t get me wrong.
PART OF SOMETHING
My best memory was probably doing the school shows, being part of assembly – the social life of the school, the friendship side of things. I think most people would say that. Nobody loved the exams! I loved being part of something that was bigger than me. School shaped me as a person. It gave me confidence and a belief in myself that are all too easy for kids not to have. It taught me that if you want something in life, it’s down to you and you alone to go and get it. ■ Check out Carol’s new underwear range Diary Doll, www.diarydoll.com.
AS TOLD TO LINDSAY COCHRANE
BY TODAY’S STANDARDS, I was pretty good in school. I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box! But I definitely tried my hardest. My mother had taken on two jobs to pay for my education. I was the only one in my family who went to a private school. It was a big deal. They didn’t impress that on me as hard as I would my children, but I knew it was a big deal. I worked hard, but I just wasn’t an academic kid. I had great fun, and I absolutely loved my time at Hutchesons’. Art was my favourite subject. I loved it. I got it. I’m much more creative than I am academic. I didn’t like the sciences. I didn’t understand a word they were talking about. It could have been in Greek, for all I knew.
www.teachersresource.co.uk
22/08/2016 16:50
Scottish Book Trust - BBfS Advert.pdf 1 09/08/2016 15:47:53
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Significant Contribution Award in association with Browns Books for Students Scottish Book Trust is delighted to announce a brand new award to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to Scottish children’s literature.
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The Significant Contribution Award in association with Browns Books for Students will be awarded annually to one author or illustrator and one learning professional who have inspired young readers in Scotland.
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We are asking you to nominate a teacher or librarian who is going above and beyond the call of duty to pass on the reading for pleasure message to the next generation and who works tirelessly to inspire children and young people to read and write.
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Nominations will open on 31st August 2016 at scottishbooktrust.com.
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Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives. We work towards a Scotland where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive through literacy. Keep up to date with our teacher resources at scottishbooktrust.com/e-updates
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@scottishbktrust
21/08/2016 12:32
AFTER HOURS
s r e k c i l s y t i C
BOOK A BREAK
From wine tasting in Dubrovnik to clubbing in Amsterdam, and Scandi-chic shopping in Copenhagen – when half term rolls around, why not take the break you’ve always dreamed of? We take a look at some of the best cities to visit for the ultimate escape from the school day
AMSTERDAM
Reckon the le gendary city is simply a playground fo r wild sixth ye ars? Think again. Enjoy th e laidback Dut ch lifestyle by taking bike rides across th e glimmering canals and tree -lined streets of the Vondelpark, vi siting a mindboggling arra of museums an y d galleries an d soaking up the city’s ri ch history. But if you still can’t resist a bi t of a party, in October the city plays host to the world’s biggest club festival, the A msterdam Dan ce Event (ww amsterdam-d w. ance-event.nl) and PINT Bokbierfestiv al (www.pint.n l), Amsterdam answer to Okt ’s oberfest. Direct flights from Edinbur gh from £49 and Glasgow from £62 retu rn.
COPENHAGEN
It can be chilly here in autumn, but use it as an excuse to explore the Scandicool shops and buy a cosy jumper from one of the independent boutiques. The people in Copenhagen are criminally beautiful, as is the breathtaking scenery. While exploring Denmark’s capital isn’t cheap, there are plenty of ways to see the city thriftily. Buy a Copenhagen Card (around £55.80 for three days) and you’ll get unlimited visits to a range of museums like the Palace and Tivoli Gardens – an incredible 19th century amusement park. Plus you get access to free transport around the city, including trips on the unmissable canal tours. If cycling is your thing, do as the locals do and rent an electric-powered, GPS-enabled Bycyklen bike for £2.50 an hour (set up your account before you go at bycyklen.dk). For food, entertainment and that all-important people watching, head to Salotto 42 in hip Pilestræde. This Danish hot spot houses some of the best (and priciest) cocktails in the area and shares bar space with an-in house barber and vintage treasures (salotto42.space). Fly direct from Edinburgh from £43 return.
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PIC
PARIS
As Audrey Hepburn once said: “Paris is always a good idea.” So no excuses! Whether it’s taking a romantic stroll along the River Seine or gazing at the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower, Paris has everything you need for the perfect city break. The best way to see the city (and soak up its incredible history) is by bike. Fat Tire Tours (www.fattiretours. com) will lead you through the city’s streets – and sights – allowing you to explore everything from the Alexander III Bridge to the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre in just one afternoon. Use all that extra free time to grab a bottle of €5 red, a baguette and go explore the bohemian quarters of Montmartre. Prefer your baguette made to order? Head to Frenchie To Go (www.frenchietogo.com) and try their legendary lobster roll – avec French fries of course. Fly direct from Edinburgh and Glasgow from £54 return.
KRAKOW
all the best xicating mix of to in an aces on the – w Krako the coolest pl of e on is – s r culture – in European citie wned for its ba no re rs is ty ci e and in the cella planet. Th r of Kazimierz us te io ar lic qu de h is nd w fi the Je a you’ll tle ka and Szewsk lit ns a ia ng or hi Fl et g m on al For so eap as water! 1.com. cocktails as ch ria 1881 (188 lie tig ot B y tr t ke ar style sm pa more up with ta wine is served y st an a ta th re e he or w m pl), on’t cost you w d mix an – ’ yo ks rty – get ur ‘wine snac to do than pa e m or m eu is us e M er l istorica fiver. Th visiting the H t by ar w ry ne ra d po an d em of ol .pl) and cont hk .m Card w w w (w ko The Kra of Krakow n.mocak.pl). (e K A g C in O er M off museum d pay less, to see more an well is a great way nd the city, as ou ar am travel tr kow d ra K an s. s m bu eu ee us fr thirty m nd ou ar to roclaw, y W tr e, as free en to Katowic nt train links n’t lle do ce st ex ju s – ha also Prague k, Berlin and l and ns ia da or G , em w M sa le ar W the incredib g tin si vi t ou leave with chwitz.org). . uschwitz (aus Museum at A om £76 return gh Edinbur fr om fr ct re di y Fl
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BERLIN
Calling all cu lture vultures – this dynam city is the plac ic e for you. From 7-16 October Berlin’s most , legendary land marks are lit up at night for th e annual Lich terfest (festival of-lights.de) gi ving you the ch ance to see the city in a w hole new (spa rkling) light. History buffs shouldn’t mis s the chance to learn more ab out the astoni shing city on guided walking a tour, daily at 7p Highlights in m and 9pm. cluding the R eichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Unt er den Linden and Potsdamer Platz (www.v iator.com). C ontinue the fa tale by staying iry in the magical Grimms’ Potsdamer Pl atz, a budget boutique hote a central loca l in tion, lightly th emed around stories from th the e Brothers Gri mm (grimmshotel.de). Flights from Glasgow from £82 return an Edinburgh fr d om £68.
EDINBURGH DUBROVNIK
Europe’s most underrated city definitely deserves more hype (and visitors). This small walled city on the coast of south Croatia is steeped in history – impressive churches and sculptured fountains are hidden gems behind the city’s walls. If you can tear yourself away from the cobbled streets, take a boat trip to Peljesac and enjoy the stunning views of Dubrovnik’s coastline: signature red roofs against the backdrop of lush green hills and the clear blue Adriatic sea. On Peljesac, you’ll find the wine region where you can take advantage of the country’s best vineyards in the sleepy town of Mali Ston. Fly direct from Edinburgh from £115 return.
If going abroad isn’t an option, Scotland is the perfect spot for a staycation. Once the festival loving crowds have died down, the capital takes on a calmer, more relaxed feel – perfect for strolling through the cobbled alleys. Once your legs tire, head to Under the Stairs. Tucked under George IV Bridge, this unpretentious hideaway is the perfect place to escape and enjoy a dram. Still want to explore more? The Real Mary King’s Close underground tour (www. realmarykingsclose.com) reveals the secrets behind the buried parts of the city. Once you’re ready to fall into bed, treat yourself to a night at the lavish, gothic inspired hotel, the Witchery (www. thewitchery.com).
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AFTER HOURS
THE ENCHANTED FOREST
From 30 September to 30 October, Faskally Wood near Pitlochry is transformed with a spectacular light show, showing off the autumnal landscape at its beautiful best. Stunning visuals and a beautiful original musical score make for an incredible experience in the great outdoors. INFO: www.enchantedforest.org.uk
VISIT SCOTLAND The Highland Games may be over and the tents for the Edinburgh Festival pulled down, but there are still plenty of great things to do and see across our fair nation. Scotland in the autumn is at its vibrant best – and there’s so much to do. Take a look at our top picks straight to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (aka Alnwick Castle), where you’ll be invited to grab a broomstick and have a flying lesson. Hagrid’s Hut in Glencoe also features in the tour, as well as the train journey from Fort William to Mallaig, which features in the films. INFO: www.touringscotland.co.uk, 0845 225 5121
Dundee Literary Festival takes place from 19-23 October. The city will host a five-day celebration of literature with everything from graphic novels to book design and author talks – this festival has something for everyone. INFO: www.literarydundee.co.uk
EDINBURGH OKTOBERFEST
Think Edinburgh is only about whisky? Think again. Our capital is ready to get its beer goggles on and play host to a weekend of booze and banter at Princes Street Gardens from 5-9 October. After all, nothing prolongs that summer feeling quite like a cool beer (or two or three)… INFO: www.edinburgh-oktoberfest.co.uk
HARRY POTTER TOUR
Missed tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child but still need your Hogwarts fix? Why not Potter around Scotland and visit the locations that inspired JK Rowling and featured in the films? A five-day B&B tour inspired by the films will lead you through Rowling’s favourite Edinburgh haunts 26
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Fancy ending your weekend with a sense of achievement? The Heb invites sports lovers to run, mountain bike and kayak around the coast of the Outer Hebrides. Following the chain of Islands from North Uist to Benbecula and South Uist, it’s a 122-mile jaunt through the most spectacular, wild and remote landscapes the UK has to offer. Plenty to talk about in the staff room on Monday then! Single entry is £250 and covers ferry rides and overnight camping – it’s taking place from 3-4 September, so get a move on and get involved! INFO: www.theheb.org
DUNDEE LITERARY FESTIVAL
Bam! Wham! Spat! There’s no escaping Dennis the Menace and his pals in Dundee. But it’s not all comics in the City of Discovery. Book lovers are in for a treat when the
© DYLAN DRUMMOND, SONOFTHESEA.CO.UK
THE HEB RACE
DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL
This vibrant celebration of the scientific is a must-visit this autumn. With events taking place across Dundee, there’s a huge range of activities to get involved with, for kids and adults alike, from workshops to stand-up comedy nights! Events will be taking place between 29 October and 13 November across the city of Dundee. INFO: www.dundeesciencefestival.org
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The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland It truly has been a landmark year for The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS), with NYOS Symphony Orchestra and NYOS Jazz Orchestra both performing stand-alone concerts at the BBC Proms. That’s two performances, in two different genres, for one youth arts organisation.
Applications for the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland 2017 are open from August 2016 You can apply to audition for all NYOS classical and jazz orchestras online. Visit our website to find out more at www.nyos.co.uk Applications are invited from musicians aged between 8 and 25 with Scottish links: • • • •
Born in Scotland Living in Scotland Studying in Scotland With Scottish family
symphony
ACCESS
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COMPETITION
THE PRIZE One lucky Teachers’ Resource winner will win an overnight stay for two at Stobo Castle Health Spa, which will include:
WIN A BREAK AT STOBO CASTLE HEALTH SPA If you’re already looking for new ways to unwind this term, this issue’s competition will be right up your street
T
here’s no denying that working in education can be stressful at times – which is why teachers deserve a little bit of ‘me’ time to relax, unwind and chill out away from the pressures of their day job. And where better to do it than Stobo Castle Health Spa near Peebles? Award-winning Stobo Castle combines the finest spa facilities in Europe with premier hotel service and adds a personal touch to make Stobo your very own personal haven. From the sweeping driveway when you enter the castle, guests are enveloped into an environment of unrivalled luxury, serenity and calmness. Guests at Stobo are drawn to Scotland’s only 25m Ozone Pool offering panoramic views of the Borders countryside and giant Hydrospa with relaxing water jets. Knowledgeable fitness trainers also run a full range of classes throughout the day. In the spa, there are customised
treatments available to detoxify, smooth, tone and revitalise as the mood suits, carried out by highly-trained personal therapists. In the castle’s grounds, the gently burbling Japanese Water Gardens are specially designed to promote a Zen-like calm. Water from the Stobo Lake tumbles down a cascading waterfall, while delightful little bridges take you over peaceful pools – perfect for a mid-afternoon stroll before heading back for dinner. At Stobo, the chefs create dishes sourced from only the finest Scottish produce that are not only delicious but promote healthy eating – but some decadent desserts are on the menu too, alongside Champagne, cocktails and fine wine. It’s a real treat for food enthusiasts! And you could be enjoying it all very soon with our competition… n
• Overnight stay in a classic room • One back massage with relaxing oils per person • Dinner, breakfast and lunch • Use of the spa facilities • Optional fitness and aqua classes • Entry into the Japanese Water Gardens • Complimentary slippers and use of bathrobes
HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question: Where in Scotland is Stobo Castle Health Spa located? A) Dumfries B) Aberdeen C) Peebles Send your answer, along with your name, address, daytime telephone number and the name of the school where you work to Stobo Competition, Teachers’ Resource Magazine, DC Publishing Ltd, 200 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG, or email your details to competitions@ dcpublishing.co.uk, with ‘Stobo Competition’ in the subject line. All entries must be received by 13 November. Good luck!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS All entries must be received by 13 November 2016. Minimum age 14. Excludes Friday and Saturday nights. Prize is an overnight stay for two in a classic room at Stobo Castle (Stobo, Peebles, EH45 8NY) only. There is no cash or other alternative. Transport to and from the hotel is no included. Prize is subject to availability. One entry per household. The publisher’s decision is final.
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Become an examiner with Cambridge Cambridge International Examinations is growing and over 10 000 schools in more than 160 countries are now part of our Cambridge learning community. To support our continued growth worldwide, we are expanding and strengthening our examiner network, and inviting teachers to develop their professional experience by becoming Cambridge examiners. We are welcoming new examiners for our Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International AS & A Level syllabuses. Requirements are: • applicants should have teaching experience and be educated to degree level. • successful applicants will require a PC and broadband to allow them to access Cambridge on-screen marking systems. We offer: • a powerful insight into the teaching and assessment of Cambridge qualifications • support in developing your own professional practice • the highest standards of training and support • freelance opportunities, based on contracts for services for each examination series, which fit around your existing commitments. To apply, please visit www.cie org.uk/makeyourmark
Please come and visit us at stand H100 at The Scottish Learning Festival in September.
twitter.com/cie_education
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AFTER HOURS
As well as being nice and high in fibre, humble wholewheat couscous is high in the mineral copper, which our metabolic systems need in order to function efficiently. INGREDIENTS SERVES 2
TOTAL TIME: 24 MINUTES
© JAMIE OLIVER ENTERPRISES LIMITED (2016 SUPER FOOD FAMILY CLASSICS) PHOTOGRAPHER: JAMIE OLIVER
250g fine asparagus 120g fresh or frozen peas 120g wholewheat couscous 1 lemon 20g flaked almonds 2 x 120g free-range skinless chicken breasts olive oil 2 heaped teaspoons sun-dried tomato paste 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt ½ a bunch of fresh mint (15g)
METHOD
1. Trim six wooden skewers so they’ll fit inside a large non-stick frying pan, then soak in cold water. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus, then char in the dry pan on a medium heat, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, place the peas and couscous in a bowl. Finely grate over the lemon zest, then just cover with boiling kettle water. Pop a plate on top and leave to fluff up. 2. Once done, remove the asparagus to the plate, crumble the almonds into the pan to toast until lightly golden, then remove. Use the base of a pan to flatten the thicker side of the chicken breasts slightly, then use three wooden skewers to pierce each chicken breast at regular intervals. Sprinkle both breasts with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper and rub with 1 teaspoon of oil. Place the chicken breasts in the pan for 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through, but still juicy, turning every couple of minutes, and returning the asparagus to the pan for the last minute to warm through. 3. Meanwhile, mix the sun-dried tomato paste with the yoghurt and half the lemon juice until smooth. Fluff up the couscous, squeeze over the remaining lemon juice, then pick, finely chop and stir in the mint leaves. Taste and season to perfection. Slice between the skewers to create chicken lollipops ready to dunk in the sun-dried tomato yoghurt and coat in the crunchy almonds, then serve up with the couscous and asparagus.
CALORIES 535kcal
FAT 15.7g
SAT FAT 2.7g
PROTEIN 46.2g
CARBS 53.8g
SUGAR 8.2g
SALT 7.9g
FIBRE 0.9g
2 PORTIONS VEG & FRUIT
THE RESOURCE RECIPE
JAMIE OLIVER’S CHICKEN LOLLIPOP DIPPERS, PEA AND MINT COUSCOUS AND CHARRED ASPARAGUS TV chef Jamie Oliver shares a recipe from his new collection, Super Food Family Classics
Super Food Family Classics by Jamie Oliver is published by Penguin Random House
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LET US ENTERTAIN YOU THIS AUTUMN! STARRING
JASON MICHELLE PHILL MANFORD COLLINS JUPITUS
TUE 4 - SAT 8 OCT KING’S THEATRE
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WED 19 - SAT 29 OCT KING’S THEATRE
STARRING
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STARRING XFACTOR’S
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MON 14 - SAT 19 NOV THEATRE ROYAL
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STARRING
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TONY ROPER
FRI 2 DEC - SUN 8 JAN KING’S THEATRE
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MON 12 - FRI 30 DEC THEATRE ROYAL
KING’S THEATRE 0844 871 7648 THEATRE ROYAL 0844 871 7647 www.atgtickets.com/glasgow Bkg fees apply. Calls up to 7p per min, plus your phone company’s access charge.
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