Step Ahead Tutoring And Educational Services

Concerned about the new exams?

 

The new examination system in Scotland is due to be introduced in 2013-14 at the same time as Nationals are brought in to replace Standard Grades and Intermediates.

FEARS have been raised that Scottish pupils could miss out on vital grades, with the introduction of controversial new exams and the tightening up of the appeals process.

Teachers’ leaders have called for a delay in overhauling how appeals are handled, amid concerns some children could lose out because of uncertainty surrounding the introduction of the new qualifications system.

The country’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said the current system should be maintained as a “safety net” until after the new national qualifications are brought in.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is to revamp the appeals process, making it harder for pupils to appeal when their exam results fall short of what was expected of them.

Parents and youngsters have been, and are, in touch with us about both the new exam system and the issue over appeals, so if any of our readers of this "Diary" wish to discuss any individual concerns, we would be happy to advise.

 

A Clutch of Places Gained

 

Once again this year, STEP AHEAD clients, ably assisted by their tutors, have gained places in many of the leading Scottish independent schools.

At the last count, and over the past decade or so, we have helped youngsters in to two dozen such schools.

A dedicated team of tutors enjoy the challenges presented and work closely with their young charges in conjunction with parents.

Gail, in the Forth Valley Area, joins with me in sending congratulations to all concerned !

(Anti) Social Networking

 

The following, about which I entirely agree and endorse, was written by a fellow educator, Rod Grant, Head of Clifton Hall School :

"  Is it just me or are there others out there who believe that social networking sites are the most divisive, most abhorrent, least useful innovation of all time? I find myself worrying that I’m just becoming an old fogey who isn’t in touch with today’s ‘yoof’ and that ‘networking’ through various forms of social media is actually a vital cog in society’s wheel. Then I pinch myself and realise that I’m worrying needlessly. When you find two youngsters texting each other whilst sitting on the same school bus, you begin to see that the world is changing and not for the better. Too many youngsters inhabit their bedrooms for long periods of time ‘communicating’ with others by text, instant messaging or via something called ‘a wall’. It terrifies the living daylights out of me that we have allowed ourselves to come to this. When I was wee, I used to communicate with my friends by actually meeting up with them and talking to them. If we were going to insult one another we did it face to face, fall out with each other, perhaps indulge in a skirmish, make up and then get on with being friends again. Now, youngsters engage in ‘cyber bullying’ where they can ensure maximum exposure of their taunting to everyone that’s logged on. We have social network web pages where individuals display all of their talents to a faceless and nameless audience – photographs of nights out, where it is clear that the purpose of the night has been about taking photographs that can be uploaded, so that others can marvel at the excitement of the publisher’s life. Youngsters have become so engulfed in the age of celebrity that they truly believe that they are celebrities themselves, inhabiting a virtual world where one’s personal remarks, ‘likes’ and photographs actually ‘matter’, when the truth is that they don’t and not a soul is interested in your night out a week ago on Friday. They seem to compete with each other gleefully with regard to the number of ‘friends’ they each have. I know youngsters who are proud to relate that they have “347 friends”. I always reply, instantaneously, “No, you don’t, you have three.” We seem to have lost our sense of balance, our innate humility giving way to a dark desire to be noticed and celebrated. I am aware, of course, that now that such sites are here, they are here forever. My only hope is that they eventually become the domain of the few and that the majority see them for the waste of time they actually are. Such sites are, of course, a massive blessing to the police, University and College Admissions officers, prospective employers and of course, last but not least, to predators of questionable morality. It’s time we all woke up to the reality that such sites promote the very worst of human characteristics. As I tell my students, don’t publish anything on a website that you wouldn’t let your granny see, because once published it is potentially there forever. "

 

No wonder our football team is rubbish !

 

ONE in four children are spending as much as 12 hours a day sitting in front of a screen watching TV, playing video games or using Facebook.

 The figures, based on a survey of 8,000 teenagers in Glasgow, also show that 13 per cent spend up to 16 hours a day looking at a computer or TV screen, with one in eight exceeding 16 hours. The findings exclude the amount of time spent using a computer for homework.

Fiona Moss, head of health improvement at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “It is a massive amount of screen time. Families may have a limit for internet or television time, but they don’t tend to think of screen time as a totality. I would say that, overall, this is a really positive report. Some of the (other) improvements are only 3 or 4 per cent better, but we’re talking about a big population. That is significant.”

She added: “Bike ownership and physical activity reduce as you go further up the school. We have to watch that screen time does not replace these activities.”

Are your children spending too much time "sitting in front of a screen" - and not participating in healthy physical pursuits?

 

Another New Year

 

As the 15th anniversary of the start of Step Ahead is only days away, we have been reflecting on the progress and refinements made and the initiatives introduced, and we are very proud of the achievements of tutees and tutors alike.

As can be read on our "News" pages, we are thrilled to have tendered for and won the contract with Prestonfield and their exciting and innovative community centre project under the auspices of The City of Edinburgh Council.

Equally we are delighted about the ever-growing and successful branch of Step Ahead in Forth Valley in the caring and professional hands of Gail Fotheringham.

Season's Greetings

 

Two adult clients - Joe (see "News" page) and Hassan (a mature man originally from Turkey) - have typified the sort of attitude which we completely encourage and admire in all of our tutees.  Both determined to achieve their objectives, they have both worked extremely hard.  Well done, chaps!

 

About to go off to "re-charge the batteries", I wish you all a very happy and enjoyable festive time.

Disgruntled Me !

 

Going to be having a good moan this week!

 

Firstly, we have met several youngsters recently who are being 'sold short' !  "How?" you ask. 

" A shortage of qualified staff available to teach them in their schools," I respond.

 

Despite the Government's insistence that enough teachers are being trained - and their figures showing that a large percentage of newly qualified teachers are available for employment - there are schools which do not have specialist teachers for partucular subjects.  So young people striving to get the necessary Higher or Advanced Higher qualifications are finding themselves studying in school either without a specialist or with a cover teacher who does not necessarily have experience in the subject being covered.

 

Bad enough - but when you hear about the experience of one of our tutors - it beggars belief.  Our tutor - a highly qualified and able, and GTC Registered, teacher, with wide experience in state and independent schools, is readily available to go in to a local school where there is an identified need for Advanced Higher work, but is being prevented from doing so - by red tape!

 

The Headteacher would want an immediate appointment - but when my tutor spoke to the local council, where he was once employed and previously also on their supply list, he was told that supply teacher recruitment had now been outsourced to 'My Job Scotland'. He was told that it would take "several months" to process, including an interview, and that he would need to pay £59 for a new security check - even though he already has an "enhanced disclosure" certificate. The school and the children need him now - and he is available now - so this bureaucratic nonsense helps no-one!

 

 

Secondly, and related, the pledge made four years ago of smaller class sizes, lower pupil-to-teacher ratios and the maintaining of teacher numbers across the board has to be kept if Scottish education is to have any chance of keeping up with other countries which have caught us up and, in some cases, have overtaken us - and left us behind!

 

 

Next moan - on the day that the "Red Weather Alert" - and the subsequent winds - has meant that many schools, businesses and people across our country have been affected, I witnessed the collapse of significant branches from a very old tree in our village.  A few months ago a branch from the very same tree crashed through a house, causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage, serious disruption to the householders, to say nothing of stress and anxiety.  Despite obvious fears about the likelihood of this recurring the local council and others refused to take responsibility - and it has happened again today!  Albeit nothing like as serious, it has still caused structural damage to the same house - and the resultant disruption and upset will still be felt as keenly, if not more so,  One can only feel sorry for the residents, who have every right to say, "Told you so!" to their council.  Shameful! 

 

Encouraging Reading

 

EVERY child in their first year of primary school will receive a free book to encourage a lifelong love of reading.

The Scottish Book Trust said it will distribute the books through its Bookbug gifting programme, with 60,000 copies of What The Ladybird Heard, by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson, sent to classrooms throughout Scotland.

Ms Donaldson has been named as patron of the campaign. “Showing children how much fun and excitement books can bring has always been a subject close to my heart,” she said.

“I hope that my patronage will highlight the excellent work being done by the Bookbug programme to encourage parents and children to discover the joy of sharing books.”

Ms Donaldson has written 160 books, including The Gruffalo, which was made into an Oscar-nominated animated film last year.

Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We are really pleased to be gifting 60,000 copies of What The Ladybird Heard to all P1 children this year. It was the winner of the Scottish Children’s Book Awards Early Years Category in 2010, voted for entirely by children, so we are confident that it will be a very popular choice.”

“We are also delighted that Julia has agreed to be the patron of the Bookbug programme, especially during what might be her busiest time ever as Children’s Laureate.”

The programme also distributes books for younger ages, with packs given to parents by health visitors and libraries for children aged six weeks, 18 months and three years. Primary one is the final intervention point

 

Mail Scam

 

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam, which has been confirmed by Royal Mail. 

Please circulate the following information, especially as Xmas is fast approaching.

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact the m on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

 DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.

 If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

 If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

For more information, see the Crime Stoppers website:
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime/scams/postal-delivery-scam <http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime/scams/postal-delivery-scam

 

Innumerate Trainee Teachers

 

It has been revealed that one in five trainee teachers cannot do simple sums or pass basic spelling and grammar tests.

One in ten have failed their final-year numeracy and literacy tests twice in a row, while dozens have needed an astonishing ten attempts.

One clearly innumerate trainee was allowed 37 resits to get through the maths paper.

One in ten trainee teachers have failed their final-year numeracy and literacy tests twice in a row, while dozens have needed ten attempts.

There has to be a question asked about whether those who take multiple resits should be teaching because of the likely detrimental impact on their pupils.

From next year, Education Secretary Michael Gove is limiting the number of retakes to just two.

Trainees have to pass basic skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT (information and communication technology) before they qualify for the classroom.

The pass mark is a modest 60 per cent.

The latest figures from the Training and Development Agency for Schools reveal that in 2009/10, a fifth of trainees failed both the numeracy and literacy tests first time round.

Some 6,957 failed literacy and numeracy on the second attempt, while 1,508 failed either discipline on their fifth attempt.

 More disturbing still are the vast number of resits some trainees have been granted before passing. One took 37 tries to pass numeracy and 57 would-be teachers passed only on their 19th attempt.

Standards have fallen during the last five years.

Of the 32,717 trainees who passed their numeracy test in the academic year 2003/4, 83.6 per cent did so first time.

And of the 33,412 trainees who passed their literacy test, 86.4 per cent did so at the first attempt.

Last year the figure was 80 per cent for both. Under Mr Gove’s plans, woefully poor trainees will no longer be allowed in the classroom.

His policy would have weeded out 1,963 for poor literacy and 2,939 for poor numeracy last year.

Passing the numeracy test has been a requirement of Qualified Teacher Status since 2000. Passing tests in literacy and  ICT were made compulsory the following year.

Students sit the online tests in the final year of teacher training. They were originally allowed just four or five attempts to pass. But Labour scrapped the rule in 2001 to allow unlimited resits.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said: ‘It’s shocking we have allowed people to become teachers who don’t fully grasp our language or  handle numbers and who we have let slip through the net on the 37th attempt.

‘The nature of tests is that ...  people will be able to fluke them, which means they pass but have no proper understanding of the subject – much like with driving  tests. Three attempts will reduce  this possibility, but it does not go far enough.’

Numeracy Test Questions include :

* Teachers organised activities for three classes of 24 pupils and four classes of 28 pupils. What was the total number of pupils?’ [184]

* A teacher completed an 18km sponsored walk for charity. Thirty pupils sponsored the teacher 5p per kilometre. How much did the teacher raise? [£27] 

And in literacy, trainees were asked:

* There were no [blank] remarks at the parents’ evening. Is the correct word: dissaproving disaproveing dissapproving disapproving? [disapproving]