Resource
WINTER 2017
Teachers’
www.teachersresource.co.uk
IN THE CLASSROOM • PROFESSIONAL LEARNING • PUPIL SUPPORT • AFTER HOURS
REFUGEES
WELCOME SUPPORTING DISPLACED PUPILS Working with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland’s schools
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Become an examiner with Cambridge Cambridge International Examinations is growing and over 10000 schools in more than 160 countries are now part of our Cambridge learning community. To support our continued growth worldwide, we are inviting teachers to develop their professional experience by becoming Cambridge Global Perspectives® examiners. We are welcoming new examiners in Cambridge Global Perspectives® for all of our qualifications from Primary to A Level. Requirements are: • applicants should have at least 3 years 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 • valuable experience assessing a unique skillsbased qualification which tests pupils collaboration, reflection and research skills • 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 to be an examiner, please visit cambridgeinternational.org/makeyourmark
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Editor’s Letter
Winter 2017
Hello, and welcome to the final issue of Teachers’ Resource of 2017! PUBLISHER
Denise Connelly denise@dcpublishing.co.uk
EDITOR
Lindsay Cochrane lindsay.cochrane@dcpublishing.co.uk
STAFF WRITER
Lorne Gillies lorne.gillies@dcpublishing.co.uk
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Lucy Baillie lucy.baillie@dcpublishing.co.uk
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Lisa McCabe lisa.mccabe@dcpublishing.co.uk
SALES
Karen MacKenzie karen.mackenzie@dcpublishing.co.uk
www.teachersresource.co.uk @ResourceMagScot DC Publishing Ltd 198 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 249 9007 ©DC Publishing Ltd 2017. 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.
It’s been a great year for the magazine – we’ve delved into new and interesting topics, spoken with teachers really pushing the boat out in terms of lessons and caught up with the experts who are helping schools deliver the best they can for their pupils. And we’ve got plenty more of where that came from inside this issue! For winter, we’ve got a special focus on working with refugee children in the classroom. Glasgow charity Refuweegee fill us in on what you need to think about when working with geographically displaced children and young people – what’s your experience been like? Elsewhere, we’ve turned the spotlight on alternative schools, to find out what education looks like in establishments which aren’t working to CfE. We’ve also been chatting with betty for schools, the organisation changing the face of education around periods and puberty. Teachers have been filling us in on their view on banning mobile phones, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Shell have been telling us about their work with schools, and for some after-hours fun, we’ve got a roundup of the best places for a winter holiday – we know you’ll be counting down the days until that Christmas break already! There’s lots to get involved with this issue, so grab some time to yourself and get reading! I hope your winter term goes smoothly, and that you have a lovely time over the holidays. Here’s to a successful 2018!
GET SOCIAL
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest education news and features from Teachers’ Resource, @ResourceMagScot
Until next time,
Lindsay Cochrane, Editor
Subscribe to Teachers’ Resource
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Teachers’ Resource // Summer Winter2017 2017
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What’s Inside 6
Winter 2017 30
PUPIL SUPPORT 6 SUPPORTING DISPLACED PUPILS
It’s becoming more and more common to see refugee and asylum seeker children in Scotland’s classrooms – so how can you support them with their move to a new school, a new country and, in many cases, a new language? Glasgow charity Refuweegee offer some insight.
IN THE CLASSROOM
9 BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG: SUPPORT FOR GAELIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY
Bòrd na Gàidhlig fill us in on what’s going on in terms of Gaelic education Scotland-wide.
12 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
Education isn’t just about Curriculum for Excellence and following the rules and regulations set forth by the Scottish Government. We take a look at how education can differ in schools across the UK.
15 LET’S TALK ABOUT PERIODS
It’s not the most comfortable of topics of conversation – and betty for schools are working to change that. We find out how the organisation is working to alter the face of education when it comes to periods and puberty.
15
25 A BRIGHT IDEA FOR STEM EDUCATION
Shell tell us about their exciting competition for schools.
4
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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If you’re counting down the days until the winter break, we’ve got a few ideas of the places you could be visiting once the schools clock off for the holidays. This issue, we’ve got a tasty recipe from internet sensation Tanya Burr.
With some schools cracking down on mobile phone use in the classroom, we take a look at the arguments for and against mobiles in school.
It’s the season of giving – and schools are the ideal place to get a big group of people together to do something great for a charity or your local community. We offer some ideas on how your pupils can get fundraising this Christmas.
27 A WINTER ESCAPE
30 THE RESOURCE RECIPE
20 SHOULD WE BAN MOBILE PHONES?
22 PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING
AFTER HOURS
OVER TO YOU…
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING 10 LET’S GET APP-Y
There’s a smartphone or tablet app for just about everything these days – education included. We round up some of the most useful apps to boost your teaching.
17 ASK THE EXPERTS
A roundup of some of the charities and organisations sharing their wisdom through professional learning opportunities for teachers.
Teachers’ Resource is nothing without its readers – so we want to know what’s going on in your school. Whether you’ve got a teacher displaying innovative practice, you’ve taken pupils on an exciting excursion or you’re embracing the curriculum in new and exciting ways, we want to hear about it. This is a great opportunity to shout about what makes your school great – and to inspire educators across the country. So get in touch now – email editor@teachersresource.co.uk with the details, and a member of the team will be in touch.
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17/11/2017 14:13
SUPPORTING DISPLACED PUPILS Moving school can be a daunting prospect for a student of any age. Entering a new school after fleeing a war-torn country with only a basic understanding of a new language can be even more challenging. Lorne Gillies discovers what schools can do to accommodate displaced pupils
A
cross Europe and the UK, refugees are crossing borders to rebuild their lives after escaping their home country under conflict. This is a harrowing fact of our modern day society, but also a fact that we all have to accept and accommodate. In November 2016, the Scottish government welcomed 1,200 refugees across 29 local authorities – this number has steadily increased in the months that followed. Refugees coming into a new country and city are faced with many obstacles. Now, one community-led Glasgowbased charity is working hard to support refugees and schools to provide the best level of education for the local displaced community.
WELCOME
“Refuweegee was originally set up to extend the welcome that Glasgow is renowned for and famous for to the forcibly displaced community. We now average 120 welcome packs a month and 6
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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in the year and half we’ve been running, we’ve delivered over 1,800 welcome packs to forcibly displaced people arriving in the city and in Scotland,” explains Refuweegee founder Selina Hales. As their motto eloquently states, ‘we’re all fae somewhere’, and getting a warm welcome is imperative to feeling safe and secure in a new environment. Refuweegee work to provide refugees arriving in the city with community welcome packs with three main categories: essentials, Glasgow welcome and ‘letters’ from locals. Each pack is unique, and is a simple yet effective way to integrate people into their new area. Selina says: “It is lovely to receive the kind words, and lovely to know it means so much to people. Ultimately we are doing something incredibly simple – we’re being kind. That should not be radical, but it sort of is these days.”
LANGUAGE
The success of the welcome packs
has been overwhelming, and now Refuweegee have their sights on supporting schools to better accommodate refugees. “There is no blame – it is incredibly difficult for schools to get it right. This is new to so many people. It is a process we have to gather information from and learn from to make it easier,” adds Selina. Speaking at events, including educational talks at schools, Selina came across a 16-year-old Syrian refugee, detailing her experience of being placed straight into mainstream school. “She kept apologising for her English, but the fact is, she could communicate all this to us – her English was excellent. She came to this country speaking very little English, was put into school and had to learn English in subjects like science, geography and maths,” explains Selina. “She didn’t go into an intensive English learning class – she went straight into mainstream school. That is the norm for everybody and that, I think, needs to be fixed. That is a broken system that is incredibly cruel and unfair for young www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 11:45
PUPIL SUPPORT
“This is new to so many people – it is a process we have to gather information from and learn from to make it easier” people arriving in a new country.” Thinking back, there was a class that you had personal struggles with. Now, imagine trying to figure out those struggles with a limited use of the language. Scotland, and the rest of the UK, should attempt to mimic the German school system for refugees. Germany has thus far welcomed the largest number of refugees into the country, and the school system has subsequently altered. Displaced students are intergraded in international classes with intensive language training in a bid to get students into mainstream classes as soon as possible. After all, education is essential for everyone. One group working to help improve language skills for migrants is Govan Community Project in Glasgow, running a homework club for predominantly Arabic speakers. Selina explains: “They go right back to basics and learnt the alphabet, they learn phonetics and they learn things from the beginning, and that’s what children aren’t getting in school. It would be great to www.teachersresource.co.uk
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have a project like this, fully funded and supported.” It’s a small yet effective way of helping students improve their English.
FUTURE PLANNING
Refuweegee are now working on refugee and asylum seeker training to support teachers – it is hoped training will start in March. Within their campaign, Refuweegee are looking to utilise the letter-writing element of the project. Linking in with Curriculum for Excellence and getting young people engaged with the displaced community, it is an effective method of understanding the current refugee crisis. The training will also help teachers to adequately educate refugees in their classes. Ultimately, a focus on language is the biggest future goal. “We’re hoping to set up a multi-lingual library within our office that people can drop into and borrow books from, no questions asked,” Selina says. “There will be a volunteer within that space during specific times to go through phonetics, start at the beginning
and have language discussions run like an EFL café. “There are usually two weeks from when people arrive before they’re expected to start school. Within that time period, we would like to give them a start and access to informal language learning with volunteers who are dedicated to that field. For teachers who don’t have the resource, or the time, to help every child in the classroom they will have somewhere to direct people to.” Allowing displaced pupils to receive the highest standard of education is something all teachers and schools should attempt to accommodate. Better understanding of supporting refugees is crucial and the first step is communication.
FIND OUT MORE The team at Refuweegee are on hand for educational talks. Simply visit their website for information, www.refuweegee.co.uk.
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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ann an Coimhearsnachdan in Communities ann am Foghlam in Education
anns na h-Ealain in the Arts
anns an Dachaigh in the Home
ann an Gnìomhachas in Business ann an Turasachd in Tourism
ann an Ceòl in Music
anns na Meadhanan in the Media ann an Litreachas in Literature
... agus tha i a’ cur ris an Eaconamaidh ... and contributing to the Economy
gaidhlig.scot
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@bordnagaidhlig1
facebook.com/bordnagaidhlig
17/11/2017 14:14
IN THE CLASSROOM
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Bòrd na Gàidhlig: Support for Gaelic education and community Bòrd na Gàidhlig fill us in on what’s been going on behind the scenes at the public body promoting Gaelic in Scotland
PIC: © GRAHAM HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
T
he past few months have seen some major events take place which have had the Gaelic language, education and community at their core and which have been supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development. In September, the An t-Alltan National Conference for Gaelic teachers and early years staff organised by Stòrlann (www.storlann.co.uk) took place in Aviemore with over 200 delegates from all over Scotland attending to hear about the latest developments in Gaelic teaching and education. Bòrd na Gàidhlig staff contributed greatly to the event, through the provision of a series of workshops and sessions on a range of subjects, including Gaelic Bookbug, Go! Gaelic with the inimitable Jackie Mullen, language and usage, and outdoor play. The Bòrd was also delighted to announce that materials from the Scottish Government’s PlayTalkRead initiative have been translated into Gaelic and are now available to access. In October, the Royal National Mòd 2017 took place in Fort William over nine days with over 3,600 competitors taking part across some 200 events, making it www.teachersresource.co.uk
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the biggest National Mòd in recent years. Bòrd na Gàidhlig was delighted to play its part in what is the largest Gaelic festival in the world, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (www.ancomunn. co.uk), and which relies heavily on voluntary support from within the various host communities. Bòrd na Gàidhlig announced funding of over £107,000 to 40 early years groups across Scotland and also £90,000 for the on-going professional development of Gaelic teachers and funding to support students commencing initial teacher education (ITE) postgraduate diploma and undergraduate courses leading to a career in Gaelic medium teaching. National and international events such as An t-Alltan and the Royal National Mòd represent excellent opportunities to work with stakeholders in the key areas of education and Gaelic language and usage, but also offer great opportunities to create and build new partnerships, and the Bòrd will continue to support these kinds of events for the long-term benefit of the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland.
MORE INFORMATION Find out more about Bòrd na Gàidhlig at www.gaidhlig.scot
Taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig airson Foghlam agus Coimhearsnachd Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air taic a thoirt do na tachartasan An t-Alltan agus Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2017 thairis air na mìosan a chaidh seachad. Ghabh am Bòrd an cothrom goireasan ùr PlayTalkRead sa Ghàidhlig fhoillseachadh aig ‘An t-Alltan’ a chaidh a chumail san Aghaidh Mhòir san t-Sultain. Thug luchdobrach Bòrd na Gàidhlig taic cuideachd don tachartas le bhith a’ cur sreath de bhùthan-obrach air measgachadh de chuspairean air dòigh. Ron a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail chùm Bòrd na Gàidhlig coinneamh ann an Banbhaidh far an do choinnich na Buill ri riochdairean bhon sgìre agus bho chuid de na buidhnean a tha ag obair airson maith na Ghàidhlig anns an sgìre. Aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail fhèin ann an Loch Abar chaidh taic fhoillseachadh do luchd-teagaisg agus oileanaich agus thug sgioba luchd-obrach Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a tha stèidhichte san sgìre, taic gu saor-thoileach don chomataidh ionadail. Tha tachartasan mòr mar am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail agus An t-Alltan agus coinneamhan coimhearsnachd gu math cudromach airson ceanglaichean a dhèanamh agus airson taic a thoirt do na diofar choimhearsnachdan agus buidhnean anns na diofar sgìrean a tha an sàs gu mòr airson Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh agus airson leasachadh fhaicinn sa chànain agus Cultar nan Gàidheal.
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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20/11/2017 11:25
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
LET’S GET
APP-Y
Technology can be a game changer, and as the youth of today can’t seem to get enough of it, let’s make it work in the classroom. We round up the best apps to help you out whilst teaching to get your pupils engaged Google Classroom
TeacherKit
The powerhouse of search engines is helping schools get organised one classroom at a time. Google Classroom is an app that will help you distribute grades, and manage all your class materials in one place – no more disappearing bits of paper – and get your students more involved in the classroom. Face it – students are never off their phones anyway, so what better way to make sure they’re doing their work than tracking assignments on this handy app?
Organisation is key when it comes to teaching, so this little nugget is sure to make life easier. TeacherKit will make classroom management less of a chore, helping you log students’ attendance and behaviour, record grades and so much more to get the most out of your lessons and your students. This app does come with a charge of around £40 for a premium account, but with the upgraded account you will be able to record your own behaviour expectations, personalised grading and more.
edu.google.com
Remind
www.remind.com With all the drama going on in the playground, it’s no wonder students forget what they’re supposed to be doing. Who else remembers the diary handed out at the start of the year to jot down assignments and exam dates? How many of your pupils still use it? Exactly – but the end of ‘oh, I forgot’ is near thanks to the Remind app. Communicate faster with students and parents, find out who hasn’t been reading your messages and send home documents that will help your class to study. They will learn, if it’s the last thing you do.
www.teacherkit.net
Explain Everything
www.explaineverything.com
TWEET US
Have you discovered an app that has changed your classroom dynamic? Tell us about it on Twitter, @ResourceMagScot
The Elements – A Visual Exploration www.touchpress.com
For all the chemistry teachers out there, this is the app for you. Coming in at £9.99 on iTunes and Google Play, the app is a vital reference tool within the classroom. Containing video demonstrations of the elements, 3D visuals, over 500 rotatable objects to show off in detail and more, your next chemistry class will be bubbling over with fascination.
Ideas have no limits, and you can make your next lesson as unique as your teaching style with this fantastic application. The Explain Everything app is on-hand to help you communicate visually. Working like an interactive whiteboard, you can present in a whole different way by drawing, writing or moving objects to enhance any project. It’s ideal for students working on group projects, and with a free 30-day trial, there is no excuse not to get creative.
Get downloading these handy apps from either iTunes or Google Play 10 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 11:28
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17/11/2017 14:27
Alternative
Education While the vast majority of schools work to CfE, or the English curriculum, there are a few establishments out there doing things a little differently. We take a look at some schools who are marching to the beat of their own drum
Sands School, Devon
Sands School, which turned 30 this year, was established by a group of students and teachers – it all kicked off in a parent’s kitchen, and soon grew. These days, there are between 60 and 80 students, and 20 members of staff. What makes Sands School different is the fact that it operates as a democracy. That means there’s no head teacher, and students are actively involved in their education and creating rules for the school. Staff and students are seen as being equal partners, as students map their own path through the school, with guidance from adults. Play is also seen as important – even for older students.
Edinburgh Steiner School
The Steiner movement emphasises the role of imagination in learning. Based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, there are now Steiner schools across the country. The Edinburgh school seeks to ‘engage the head, heart and hands’ of all pupils, taking children from the age of three-and-a-half to 18. It’s a 12 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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relatively big school with 300 pupils, and all subjects are linked, with lessons integrating academic work with fine arts and practical arts.
The New Forest Small School, Hampshire
For children aged three to 16, the New Forest Small School is an independent, small-scale school with pupils split across six classes. They offer handson, practical lessons, and there’s time for free play every day. Because of its small size, the school says that all pupils are treated as individuals. Most pupils are there full-time, but there’s also the opportunity for part-time or flexi-school.
Park School, Devon
One of the longest-running alternative schools in the UK, Park School is a ‘Human Scale School’, where emphasis is put on the importance of relationships. Pupils are taught to respect themselves and others, and are encouraged to be responsible for their own behaviour and to understand its effects. Classes are small, and there are lots of large,
open spaces and natural woodland in the school grounds to allow for outdoor learning and den making. The school’s cafeteria serves up a healthy, mainly vegetarian lunch, with ingredients picked from the school’s garden – and pupils do their own dishes.
Brockwood Park, Hampshire
This boarding school offers personalised, holistic education for pupils aged 14 to 19. It’s not exclusively academic – pupils are encouraged to learn the ‘art of living’, bringing together aspects of learning, sensitivity, openmindedness, and self-reflection. It’s inspired by J Krishnamurti’s teachings, which encourage academic excellence alongside creativity and integrity in a safe, non-competitive environment.
Lewes New School, East Sussex
Lewes New School is a ‘human-centred’ school, putting the needs, interests and potential of each individual at the heart www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 11:49
IN THE CLASSROOM
of school life. Teachers trust children to learn – they work to develop each child’s curiosity and inspire their imagination, and say they won’t stifle their creativity with an imposed curriculum. Parents are partners in their child’s learning too, and play a strong part in school life.
Drumduan, Forres
Drumduan offers an alternative education in the Highlands – and actress Tilda Swinton is one of the parents behind it. The curriculum is inspired by Steiner education, with academic work enhanced and balanced with movement, music, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. The school offers parent and toddler sessions, through to classes for those aged 18. Pupils can be found mountain-biking, canoeing, doing Tai Chi, or even completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award – and they don’t sit exams, or get any qualifications.
“Pupils are encouraged to learn the ‘art of living’, bringing together aspects of learning, Maria Montessori, Hampstead sensitivity and This London school has mixed-age classes, and provides an environment open-mindedness” where children learn through debate,
discussion and research. Pupils work individually and in groups – and focus on subjects which interest them. Teachers act as guides, and help them in their research. Core subjects are English, maths, science, geography and history, but activities like art, drama, sport and music are also on offer.
Elmfield, West Midlands This small independent school lets children be children, with no rush to grow up. Interestingly, pupils don’t sit SATs (National Curriculum assessments, usually sat by pupils aged seven and 11 in www.teachersresource.co.uk
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England and Wales) – but they do have amongst the best GCSE results in the area. It’s another follower of the Steiner curriculum.
Small Acres, Peckham
In this school, pupils interact freely and pursue their own interests through play and exploration. Throughout the day, there’s time for relaxed conversations, exploration of the outdoors, time to read under a tree and develop ideas – it’s all very much pupil-led. Children are trusted to be self-motivated and learn at their own pace. There are lots of opportunities to learn through play and explore outside, with a large playground on offer.
Bloo House, Surrey
An independent school for pupils aged five to 11, Bloo House provides a unique learning environment where teachers value pupils’ ability to think critically over memorising data. Every element of the curriculum encourages thinking outside the box, and pupils are encouraged to ask insightful questions.
Newlands Junior College, Glasgow
A little different to some of the other alternative schools out there, Newlands Junior College is aimed at young people aged 14 to 16 who are disengaged from education – so the focus is very much on vocational education and personal development. The curriculum focuses on four core areas – English, IT, maths and science – and all pupils can study these at National 4, 5 and beyond. Vocational education is undertaken with support from local colleges, and courses include engineering, hairdressing, childcare and business administration. Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 13
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17/11/2017 14:19
PUPIL SUPPORT
LET’S TALK ABOUT
PERIODS
Ah, hormonal teenagers – there’s really nothing better, is there? Talking about periods can still cause uncomfortable stirs in the classroom, but thanks to betty for schools, the end of the period taboo is near. We spoke with Becky Hipkiss, education manager at betty for schools, to find out how they are working to get everyone talking about periods
W
how to manage them. We also have a boys’ workshop that takes place in the classroom, and that’s all about empathy, and helping to understand what girls are going through during that time of the month.
Tell us a bit more about the betty bus. We wanted to create an open and safe space for girls to hop on board and explore the whole period topic and ask any questions they have. The bus is a fun and interactive way of touring the UK, and we felt we could combat all of the period taboos by being loud and proud of periods with our bright yellow and pink bus. On the bottom deck, we help to consolidate the learning from the classroom, and upstairs is all about the emotional side of periods and
How have students reacted to the betty bus? It’s been hugely positive. We only launched in March this year and conducted some research in July – the latest impact betty for schools had in Scotland saw 100% of boys rate the programme as good or very good, 81% feel more prepared to comfort a friend or a sister and over half said they would tell their male friend, mum or dad about what they learned in the workshop. For the girls, they absolutely love it too, with 78% wanting to see more of betty, and 96% of girls rating the workshop as good or very good. The difference you can see in the girls on their journey from the bottom deck to the top deck is incredible – their increase in confidence and seeing them shouting about periods is fantastic.
hat is betty for schools? betty for schools is a free period education programme for boys and girls aged eight to 12. It is mostly based online, so we have digital resources available that are accredited by the PSHE Association and links to the Health and Wellbeing curriculum. They include a mix of films, quizzes, and animations, plus we have the betty bus which runs alongside the whole programme to promote period positivity to schools across the UK.
www.teachersresource.co.uk
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What is the future of betty for schools? Our mission is to educate and encourage open and honest conversations about periods because, like it or not, there is a taboo surrounding periods and we want to help break that. We want to create a new generation of girls and boys who are completely at ease talking about periods. To do this, we will continue to spread the period positive message far and wide and encourage more boys and girls to start talking about periods and realise they’re perfectly natural.
FIND OUT MORE Register for free with betty for schools to access the digital resources, and request a visit from the betty bus at www.bettyforschools.co.uk
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 15
20/11/2017 11:29
IT’S YOUR CALL BUT DON’T BE A CRASH MAGNET Road Safety Learning within Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Despite the good progress made over the years, the road environment still represents one of the highest causes of accidental death to Scotland’s young people. It is important, therefore, to maintain the excellent road safety support that already exists in schools and communities.
Road Safety Scotland have developed two free road safety learning resources specifically for secondary school pupils, and linked to CfE. Both online resources aim to engage young people in developing road skills to promote good peer influence, and provide strategies to help them to look after themselves and others in the road environment.
YOUR CALL (S1-S3)
CRASH MAGNETS (S4-S6)
Your Call targets that ‘at risk’ age group with a range of interactive activities which explore risk-taking, decision making, personal safety, pre-driver attitudes and peer pressure.
Crash Magnets is aimed to help shape young people’s opinions and attitudes to issues such as speeding, drink driving, driver distraction, drug driving and in-car safety. The online activities are combined with DVD clips of other young people sharing experiences, with the aim being to encourage students to feel confident about expressing themselves in class about their own opinions and experiences. It seeks to engage them in the importance of positive attitudes and behaviours before they get behind the wheel of a car. The resource acknowledges that, at their age, driving a car has great benefits in developing independence and for some, defines them as an adult. However, this must be balanced with an understanding of the dangers of behaving irresponsibly at the wheel. Although activities are geared towards certain year groups, they are not prescriptive and allow for flexibility.
It embraces a learning style that is fundamental to CfE and provides teachers with flexible lesson plans that support the experiences and outcomes. Pupils are actively encouraged to discuss and share experiences, reflect and challenge their own behaviour, with a view to taking responsibility for their own safety and that of others. The resource focuses on relevant issues for the 11-14 age group, including two feature films which explore the impact a road accident can have on young lives – one from a pedestrian perspective for younger pupils and, for older pupils, with a passenger theme. It has mobile compatibility and can be used by both teachers and students using a tablet or mobile phone. Find out more at
www.itsyourcall.org.uk
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For more information go to
www.crashmagnets.com
17/11/2017 14:20
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
When it comes to boosting your practice as a teacher, sometimes it really pays off to turn to those with more knowledge than you. We take a look at the charities and organisations offering career-long professional learning opportunities for school staff
Ask the EXPERTS National Museums Scotland
English-Speaking Union Scotland
Drake Music Scotland
NMS’s CPD sessions offer hands-on learning and networking opportunities for teachers. You can get to know the collections ahead of your class excursion at one of their CPD events – it’s a great way to make sure your trip goes without a hitch, and that you’re fully geared up for any questions your pupils throw at you!
Whether your school has a wellestablished debating team, or you’re looking to launch one, there are fullday and twilight CPD courses offered by the English-Speaking Union Scotland to help you boost your pupils’ chances at competition level.
If you’re a music teacher or instrumental instructor, Drake Music Scotland have some fantastic learning opportunities, including training and mentoring on inclusive music technologies, such as Soundbeam, Figurenotes and iPad.
www.nms.ac.uk
SSERC
www.sserc.org.uk SSERC offer CLPL opportunities for teachers of science and technology throughout the year. In the period between April 2014 and March 2015, over 90% of Scottish secondary schools and colleges were represented at one or more of their courses – showing they know what they’re doing. From courses for probationers to health and safety training, there’s a huge range of courses to choose from.
From courses for probationers to health and safety training, there’s a huge range to choose from www.teachersresource.co.uk
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www.esuscotland.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk The nation’s leading charity for LGBT young people, LGBT Youth Scotland can deliver training in schools on a range of topics, including helping staff gain a better understanding of LGBT young people, to challenge homophobia and homophobic bullying and to introduce their Toolkit for Teachers. It’s all flexible and can be tailored to the school’s preferences.
www.drakemusicscotland.org
SCILT – Scotland’s
National Centre for Languages www.scilt.org.uk
SCILT have lots of learning opportunities for language teachers, from focusing on improving uptake in the senior phase to the Modern Languages for Life and Work Award. There’s plenty for staff to sign up for to boost their practice and provide more opportunities for pupils.
Youth Link Scotland
Screen Education Edinburgh
Working in conjunction with Sense Over Sectarianism (www.actionsectarianism.info), Youth Link Scotland are delivering free training sessions for teachers around tackling sectarianism. With a secondary-specific course and resources available, it’s well worth checking out.
Edinburgh teachers have a fantastic opportunity to boost their knowledge of filmmaking with CLPL opportunities from Screen Education. Focusing on development of technical and production skills, as well as providing print and web-based resources, you’ll be able to support pupils at National 4, 5 and Higher level.
www.youthlinkscotland.org
www.screen-ed.org
Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 17
20/11/2017 11:30
IN THE CLASSROOM
IN ASSOCIATION WITH LEWS CASTLE COLLEGE UHI
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING Lews Castle College UHI share details of how they’re bucking the trend in engineering at their Stornoway campus
CAN-DO ATTITUDE
“I just think, why on earth shouldn’t women study engineering?” says degree student Naomi Henderson, 27, who is one of the women currently enrolled on an engineering degree. “In our group, it’s gone the other way – the women are outnumbering the men. But we are all doing it because we want to do it, not because we feel we should 18 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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do it – or to make any kind of point. It’s just such an interesting and varied – and exciting – subject.” Degree student Natasha Tew, 24, studied psychology before she swapped to engineering. “I like problem solving and designing systems to find answers,” she said. “There’s also a great camaraderie on the course,” she added. “We encourage each other and I think we all want to go on to do master’s degrees. We are all very committed.” Natasha is currently studying aerodynamics as one of her projects. Others have opted for marine engineering, energy systems and renewables, which LCC UHI specialises in. Others have done systems models relating to subjects such as artificial intelligence – the engineering spectrum is broad and varied.
DELIGHTED
Department staff are delighted with the increased enrolment on engineering courses from female pupils and women looking to develop new careers. “The days when engineering was an almost exclusively male profession are thankfully gone,” said Roddy Ferguson,
head of technology at LCC UHI. “We now have female students on a wide range of engineering courses, including the energy engineering degree, the work-based PDA, our NC and HNC/D courses and our school classes – which demonstrates an increased awareness in engineering as a great and rewarding option for female pupils and students.” Nationally, females compared to males studying engineering in Britain remains low – around 15% compared to other nations, including India where 30% of students are now women. Women who have successfully completed engineering courses at LCC UHI have gone on to successful careers and worked in areas as diverse as Formula 1 and energy engineering.
FIND OUT MORE For further information on the wide range of opportunities in engineering for women, please contact roddy.ferguson@uhi.ac.uk.
PIC: © MALCOLM MACLEOD
E
ngineering and its offshoots have tended to be pigeonholed as male domains here in the UK. Perhaps that explains why, as a nation, we now lag behind Europe when it comes to female engineers in the workplace and studying engineering at university. It’s a trend – or attitude – that experts say must change to stave off skills shortfalls that could soon bring some UK industries to a crawl. But there is some good news – at Lews Castle College UHI in Stornoway, the number of women opting to study engineering is on the rise, bucking the national trend. Currently, around half of students studying on some engineeringbased courses at the Stornoway campus are female.
Find out more about courses for your pupils at Lews Castle College UHI at www.lews.uhi.ac.uk
www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 12:03
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17/11/2017 14:28
IN THE CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION
SHOULD WE BAN MOBILE PHONES?
During the summer, one MSP urged the government to overhaul its guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools – saying it was time to ban them from the classroom. But is it necessary? We take a look
W
hether we like it or not, mobile phones are now very much a part of school life. One MSP, however, is saying it’s time the devices got left at home. Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, urged the government to introduce a ban on mobiles in primary schools, and introduce restrictions for secondaries if head teachers feel it’s necessary. She cited a London School of Economics report, which found that schools with mobile phone restrictions in place saw a subsequent improvement in test scores.
COMMUNICATION
Mobiles, for the most part, are a means of communication for pupils. To stay in touch with parents, to keep on top of social media, to share their thoughts throughout the day. But, some argue, they can be a distraction, even contributing to issues like bullying. Schools are working to combat this 20 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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though, with rules on phone use coming into place already. “Lots of our kids get buses to school, so parents like them to have phones for emergencies,” explains a primary teacher in North Lanarkshire. “At the start of the day, they put them in a tub and I lock them away until home time. We have lots of social media issues coming into school too so I can imagine in high schools, when they have their phones on them, it’s just a nightmare.” While a Snapchat notification mid-class or someone sneakily trying to send a message under their desk is annoying, some schools are starting to see mobiles as a useful tool in the classroon.
USEFUL
“I think the time of banning phones has passed in secondary schools,” says a Glasgow secondary science teacher, whose school has been embracing the benefits of smartphones. “They are actually useful in class sometimes – my pupils will take pictures down
the microscope, use their phones as calculators, search engines, calendars, or for homework reminders.” The initial government guidance issued in November 2013 stated that an outright ban wouldn’t be practical – and it seems that teachers agree. What is required, though, is a strong policy, with definite rules for when and how phones can be used – and consequences if phone privileges are abused. “School policies need to make it clear where, when and how phones are used appropriately,” adds the Glasgow teacher. “That sets them up for knowing and understanding how phones can and can’t be used in the real world at work.”
YOUR VIEW
Do you think mobile phones have a place in school? How does your school tackle mobile misuse? Share your experiences and views by emailing editor@teachersresource.co.uk
www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 11:31
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20/11/2017 16:10
Fundraising is, and always will be, a part of school life – and Christmas is the ideal time to do a bit of giving back. Re-write the rulebook and raise your fundraising game with the help of your school community
Putting the FUN in
FUNDRAISING B
ake sales, craft fairs and dressdown days – ideas for charity fundraisers are not difficult to find in a school. As the season of giving is just around the corner, getting some fun activities organised is quickly hitting the top of the to-do list. Raising money doesn’t have to be a daunting task – there is a lot of fun to be had.
CHARITY CHOICES
Firstly, finding out the best charity to donate to is important. Obviously, as much as we would all love to, donating to every single charity running is just not viable. Schools are great for raising valuable funds, so whether you’re giving locally or further afield, all the donations will be well received and appreciated.
Getting involved with charity is important for students, and empowers them to care for others in their community or further afield. As the school comes together to collectively raise money, students will gain a sense of engagement – making the process of fundraising even more enjoyable. When deciding what charity your school should donate to, consider the values your school and pupils hold. Doing research on various charities is a great way of discovering what different organisations do and how any donations are spent. Depending on the size of your school, you could have a small selection of charities, from local causes to help and support for further afield, which you fundraise for throughout the year. There’s a charity for everyone.
Getting involved with charity is important for students, and empowers them to care for others in their community or further afield 22 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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THE CLASSICS
Charity chosen, it’s time to get collecting. Schools have raised millions of pounds for charities over the years, and there are some classic methods guaranteed to work. From your parents’ time at school, your own school days and school life of years to come, there’s no denying classic fundraising events work. This year, mix up the traditional dress-down day and get involved with Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day (www.christmasjumperday.org). Taking place on 15 December, grab your bauble-laden knitwear and help save a child’s life – it’s a really simple idea and a lot of fun. Not only is it a chance to see Mr Suited and Booted or Mrs Prim and Proper in their silliest festive jumper, students will love it too. Get the whole school involved, with just £2 to take part and see the money help children get a hot meal, vital medication and the safety they deserve. Signing your school up is quick and easy to do – simply visit the Save the www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 11:31
IN THE CLASSROOM
Children website to go pom-pom daft in the hallways this December. Another oldie but a goody is the annual Christmas fair. Glitter, Christmas music, home-made buns and crafts – has there ever been a better excuse to get out of the classroom? Stock up on some stocking fillers and donate to various charities at the same time. From a dedicated stall with sweets and treats with money going to Macmillan Cancer Care to a table selling colouring books for SAMH, the options are endless. Giving students the responsibility of running a stall will give them excellent experience handling money, communicating with peers and working hard. Think of it as The Apprentice on a very small, festive, charitable scale.
JOKING AROUND
Helping charity is all about fun as well as giving back to others. An interesting and highly entertaining way of fundraising – well, for the students anyway – truly celebrates the #TBT trend. Those kids love a throwback. Get a group of teachers together and dig out your best baby photo, and see how many of your students, and fellow teachers, can figure out who’s who. This is incredibly easy to do, and by charging students 50p or a pound to play the game, you can get those all-important donations. If baby photos don’t go down well, in the staff room try pairing the pet www.teachersresource.co.uk
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to the teacher. Find out if the quiet janitor has a Great Dane, or if the students’ favourite teacher is a fan of luxury, fluffy, pure-bred cats. What a treat. You can also get your students to show off how much they’ve learned during the year. We’re talking quizzes – they’re easy to arrange and you know they’re a great laugh. Make it Christmas-related, or test the students on their knowledge of everyone from Beyoncé to Prince. Throw in some old-school movie trivia, or do a well-rounded variety of general knowledge. With Christmas around the corner, let’s face it; the students aren’t going to be all that engaged in maths class, but that doesn’t mean their brains need to switch off entirely. Spruce up the assembly hall and get students to come along in teams with all entrants making a donation, and audience members too. You’ll be amazed by how much money gets raised, and the competitive streaks of the students. Mix it up, and for a higher donation, even a fiver, have teams of students versus teachers. Hilarity and huffs will ensue, but it’s all for a good cause. Raising money doesn’t have to be tiresome – there’s fun in fundraising, after all. Big or small, regardless of the number, your chosen charity will appreciate the time and effort put in place. As the season of giving draws in, release the laughter and get the money flowing for a great cause. Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 23
20/11/2017 11:31
What will cities look like in 2050 – how will they
be powered to be vibrant, healthy and clean places for people to live? We’re looking for students’ bright ideas to power future cities. To find out more, including how your school could win up to £5,000 and a VIP London experience at Make the Future Live, visit shell.co.uk/brightideaschallenge
Teacher Information At Shell we’re committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. That’s why we run The Bright Ideas Challenge – our cross-curricular schools’ competition. It invites secondary students across Great Britain, aged 11-14, to imagine creative solutions to power cities of the future. We’ve developed a suite of resources to support your teaching and spark students’ imaginations, including a step-by-step Teacher Toolkit, Student Workbook, mini videos and more. You can download the resources and find out more about the prizes online. Full terms and conditions apply. See www.shell.co.uk/brightideaschallenge
024_TRS_W17_ADV.indd 24Teach Secondary A4 AWv2.indd 1 NSR01253-TBIC 2017-18 Ad
17/11/2017 27/10/2017 14:21 16:21
IN THE CLASSROOM
IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHELL
A bright idea for
STEM Education 1 Engineering UK, 2017 2 Good Practical Science report, Gatsby Charitable Foundation, September 2017 3 Good Practical Science report, Gatsby Charitable Foundation, September 2017
N
After exciting new ways to get your pupils interested in STEM? Shell explain how their annual competition could be just the thing
ovember sees The Bright Ideas Challenge, our STEM schools’ competition, open for entries for the third year. As we get set to enter the 2018 Year of Engineering, we’re hoping more Scottish schools will take up this pressing challenge. Why? Because with EngineeringUK estimating that we currently have a shortage of 20,000 scientists and engineers a year1, the need to nurture a generation of innovative problem solvers and creative thinkers has never been greater. So, what role can competitions like The Bright Ideas Challenge play in answering this demand?
INSPIRING
The answer is two-fold. Firstly, they can support teachers to inspire young people to make the connection between the STEM skills they are accumulating in the classroom and their ability to make a positive difference in shaping the future. In the case of The Bright Ideas Challenge we invite young people aged 11 to 14 to come up with ‘bright ideas’ to power the cities of 2050, helping them to become vibrant, healthy and clean places to live. Secondly, challenges like this answer www.teachersresource.co.uk
025_TRS_W17_Spons.indd 25
a need for the types of project-based CURRICULUM-LED investigations that the workplace Zoe Moncrieff, chemistry teacher at demands, but that so few schools have Inveralmond Community High School, the time to deliver. the Scottish winner for The Bright Ideas One of the key recommendations Challenge last year, explains: “The of the recent Gatsby ‘Good Practical thought of taking part in non-compulsory Science’ report, was for students to have additional challenges is daunting but more opportunities for open-ended The Bright Ideas Challenge’s free investigative projects, with only 15% of resources are curriculum-linked, which schools saying their students currently is fantastic. There are even ‘ready to have such opportunities2. The reason go’ warm-up exercises and inspiring for so few opportunities existing? As videos to get your students’ imaginations the report found, these projects can be fired up. ‘a significant burden on teachers and “Making the leap from a traditional technicians.’3 science lesson to a project-style STEM But, with carefullychallenge also gave our researched competitions, students a chance to delivering opportunities develop and showcase for beneficial open-ended wider skills such as creativity, investigative projects problem solving, resilience needn’t be a burden. In and team work.” creating The Bright Register today and see Entries to Ideas Challenge, we what the challenge can The Bright Ideas Challenge worked closely with do for your school. With close at 5pm on 27 April 2018. teachers to ensure the chance to inspire Go to www.shell.co.uk/ that far from being a your students in new, brightideaschallenge drain on resources, exciting ways and to find free curriculum-linked it could actually help £45,000 of educational resources, tips on creating them in delivering prizes on offer, there’s winning entries and the the Curriculum for every reason to give it competition terms and a try…. Excellence. conditions. Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 25
20/11/2017 11:34
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Dundee Rep Ensemble Presents
A CHRISTMAS
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Adapted for the stage by Neil Duffield Directed by Andrew Panton
30 Nov - 31 Dec Box Office: 01382 223530 dundeerep.co.uk
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Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Limited is a Registered Company No: SC021201 Scottish Charity Registered No: SC017315 Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Limited gratefully acknowledges support from:
17/11/2017 14:31
Winter Escapes
AFTER HOURS
Feel like an age since you were last on holiday? Panic no more, because the winter break is finally on the horizon. Sure, there might be marking to do and lesson plans to organise for 2018, but you deserve some down time too. Good job there is a world of adventure waiting for you...
R
egardless of how long your winter break is, it’s important that you actually relax. This is when you can take some welldeserved ‘me time’ and ensure you’re not burning out before the start of the new term. Ditch the marking – well, for a little bit at least – and start packing.
of all the scenic shots you will get to show off to your pupils and co-workers. Fancy something more exotic? A long weekend in the city of Prague will only set you back about £200, and you’ll be in amongst some of the most stunning architecture in the world. Offering topclass restaurants and bars, make this a
holiday of two parts – enjoying the sights before letting your hair down in one of Prague’s many interesting night spots. Where do we sign up? Looking for something extra special? Then make sure you drink in the magnificent sight of the Northern Lights as you visit Reykjavik in Iceland. Spend
CITY BREAKS
Looking for a quick getaway before getting back to the grind? Then a city break is just what you need. As the winter nights draw in, why not get ready to enjoy the sights of London, Prague or even Iceland? There are some great winter deals on at the moment, meaning you can shut up shop and head off to a far-off city – or even just pop down the road for some much-needed festive rest. London comes to life at this time of year, filled with Christmas lights, twinkling trees, festive shoppers and markets. Be left in awe as the London Eye sparkles over the city, or take an educational wander along Parliament Square – think www.teachersresource.co.uk
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Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017 27
20/11/2017 11:37
AFTER HOURS
Grab your ITIC Teacher Card and enjoy holiday discounts both home and away with STA Travel, www.statravel.co.uk
your time either sightseeing or well and truly relaxing in the Blue Lagoon. There is no better way to wash away the past year than indulging in the luxurious health spa that has been developed from the lava landscape – this’ll knock the socks off any spa experience you’ve ever had. After taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon, you could enjoy the volcanic tours, head back into the water for a spot of snorkeling, or just enjoy the nature in the parks and gardens on offer. Going for a long weekend is sure to leave you refreshed and rejuvinated for the start of the school term.
OUTSIDE THE BOX
The festive holidays can be an expensive time, but getting away from it all doesn’t need to break the bank. More and more European cities are having a tourism face-lift and before the masses discover these hidden gems, there are some great cheap deals available. Don your walking shoes and get ready to see the sights of the stunning old town of Tallinn in Estonia. Direct flights cost under £40 from London, or just over £100 for flights from Scotland with a stop over, before you will find yourself in coffee shops full of culture or in flea markets purchasing goodies your friends will be envious of. Another European hot spot waiting for you to discover its charm is the 13th 28 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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century town of Vilnuis in Lithuania. Culture buffs out there will love this little gem, with must-visit destinations including The Contemporary Art Centre and Lithuanian Art Gallery. Walk down the quaint streets where glass blowers used to work and purchase some authentic pieces of art. These little trips outside the box are sure to get you ready to rock the new school term.
HOME AFFAIR
Not got the time to pack your bags and hop on a plane? Have a staycation and be mesmerised by the sights and sounds available outside your front door. Scotland has a lot to offer, especially during the winter months. So head to the Highlands and experience the Northern Lights in a log cabin in the woods – they might not be as bright as in Iceland, but they will be stunning nonetheless. Go for a city-swapping experience and visit the festive mecca of Edinburgh, or splurge in the style mile of Glasgow. Both cities offer something different and are sure to leave you feeling reenergised – you might even get to finish off the last of your Christmas shopping. See the artistic sights of Glasgow with Kelvingrove Art Gallery, or walk the mural trail. Edinburgh is on hand to offer some Christmas cheer with markets and stalls offering fresh, tasty delights from churros to pretzels.
You won’t want to come home. For those looking to truly indulge over the festive season, make your way down to the borders and enjoy a taste sensation in the charming market towns and villages in the south of the country. With an abundance of family-run bed and breakfasts, finding a comfortable location to rest your head won’t be any trouble. With so much out there, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to exciting activities to pack into your winter break. Whether you treat yourself to an exotic city break or stay at home relaxing or shopping, you’re sure to be ready for the year ahead.
www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 16:18
5th March 2018, Edinburgh
The Annual Scottish Assessment Conference Join us for an up-to-the-minute exploration of formative assessment, from research principles to classroom practice and whole-school improvement. Shirley Clarke
Seamus Gibbons
Best-selling author and expert on Formative Assessment and practically applying AfL
Headteacher with exemplary experience of the implementation of Formative Assessment
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RESOURCE RECIPE
Tanya Burr’s
MELTING SNOWMAN COOKIES
Internet superstar Tanya shares a recipe from her new Christmas collection
W
hatever your age, you will appreciate these cute cookies. The biscuits are easy to make and the fun is in the decorating. It’s a brilliant edible crafts project for children to enjoy tackling, too. I am obsessed with marshmallows so these little faces make me very happy. MAKES 20 PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOKING TIME: 15 minutes DECORATING TIME: 20 minutes FOR THE BISCUITS: 110g caster sugar 225g unsalted butter, softened 275g plain flour, plus extra for dusting FOR THE ICING: 200g icing sugar 3-4 tbsp milk TO DECORATE: ready-made writing icing in tubes (a few different colours) 20 mini marshmallows orange jelly slices, or other jellied orange sweet mini chocolate chips or chocolate-coated puffed rice You will need a 7cm round pastry cutter
1 2 3
4
5
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment. Put the sugar and butter in a bowl and cream together until thick and pale. Stir in the flour until everything is mixed together. Dust the work surface with flour. Tip the mixture out onto the surface and work it into a disc with your hands, gathering in all the crumbly bits as you go and working them into a dough. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 5mm then cut out 20 circles with the 7cm cutter, re-rolling scraps of dough as necessary and arranging them on the lined baking sheets as you go. Bake the cookies in the oven for 13-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Leave on the tray to firm up for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. While waiting for the cookies to cool, decorate your snowmen’s faces by using writing icing in tubes to draw eyes and a
mouth on individual marshmallows. Use orange jelly slices cut into tiny wedges for a carrot nose. Allow the decorated faces to set. 6 Make the icing by sifting the icing sugar into a bowl and stirring in the milk little by little until you have a thick, smooth icing that isn’t runny. If it looks too runny, add a little more icing sugar to thicken it up. You don’t want it to pour off the edges of your cookie. 7 When the cookies are completely cool, spoon a little white icing onto each one – it’s meant to look like a puddle, so don’t worry about being too neat. While the icing is still soft, put your marshmallow head in place. Use chocolate chips or chocolate-coated puffed rice for the coal buttons, and place these on while the icing is runny. Leave the icing to harden and set for about 10 minutes. 8 Once the white icing has set, use the writing icing to draw on stick arms and a nice colourful scarf.
Tanya’s Christmas by Tanya Burr is out now, RRP £16.99 (Blink Publishing) 30 Teachers’ Resource // Winter 2017
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www.teachersresource.co.uk
20/11/2017 12:09
2 for 1 offer
THANK YOU LOCAL HEROES! Teachers get 2 for 1 tickets at the King’s and Theatre Royal this January. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. To book or for more info go to ATGTICKETS.COM/LocalHeroes◆ 2 for 1 offer
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Just married. Buried alive. Hedda longs to be free.
Photo: Manuel Harlan
TANGO MODERNO
Henrik Ibsen’s thrilling masterpiece in a bold new version by Patrick Marber
TUE 16 – THU 18 JAN
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BOOK NOW 0844 871 7648 0844 871 7647 * Booking fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. ◆Offer is available to employees of the following organisations: NHS, members of the Scottish Police Recreation Association, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, The Coastguard, RNLI and Teachers of primary and secondary pupils. Tickets must be Valid I.D (payslip, name badge or SPRA membership card) must be shown when collecting tickets from the box office. Offers are strictly limited and allocated on first come, first served basis. 2 for 1 offer is valid on price band A only, max 4 tickets per show. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. ATG Tickets reserves the right to introduce discounts. Booking and transaction fees apply.
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17/11/2017 14:32
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