Published: Wednesday, 9th July, 2008 12:00
Shaping up for schools’ future
By Nicola Findlay
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A REVIEW of primary and nursery education in Clackmannanshire will help shape the education of the county’s children for the next 10 years and make sure its schools are fit for purpose in the 21st century.
With ever-improving technologies, emphasis on the health and well-being of pupils and citizenship skills, the challenges faced by all those involved in education have changed dramatically over the last few years.
However, Clackmannanshire’s head of education, Jim Goodall, believes that the 3-12 review will play a vital role in making sure the county’s children receive the best education possible.
As previously reported in the Advertiser a possible amalgamation between Deerpark, Fishcross and Craigbank Primaries and Sauchie Nursery is one of the many options being looked at as part of the review.
Mr Goodall told the Advertiser, “An educational experience in nursery and primary schools inclusively, which is fit for the 21st century has become the stimulus for the 3-12 review.
Commissioned
“The review consists of an all-party group which is provided with evidence from council officials as well as those involved in the curriculum itself.”
The working group will then look at what needs to be done across a whole range of areas such as the curriculum, facilities for promoting healthy living and IT provision in schools.
An initial review was commissioned by the council which saw external professional advisors, parent councils, head teachers and people from the community who had an interest in education being consulted.
A report was then drawn up which recommended that the council should come up with a more explicit, overall strategy for education in Clackmannanshire over the next 10 years.
One area of change is a push towards smaller class sizes by the Scottish Government, which could put a strain on schools’ capacity.
But with a falling school roll predicted over the next 10 years Mr Goodall believes that Clackmannananshire is relatively well-placed to deal with this.
“We anticipate some reduction in school rolls over the next 10 years but that in itself won’t present a major problem for us,” he said.
“In fact given the issue of class sizes this may prove advantageous as if class sizes are reduced more classes are needed.”
New technology
He went on, “The authority is in quite a positive position capacity wise as we aren’t looking at massive deficiencies or, indeed, surpluses in our schools.”
Mr Goodall also believes that Clackmannanshire is well-placed to cope with new technology such as hand-held devices due to the secure wireless networks which have been set up in the county’s schools.
One area, however, that may prove challenging is providing more PE in schools and the 3-12 review is looking at ways in which physical activity can be embedded into class work or ways in which the schools could be extended to accommodate this.
Although Mr Goodall wouldn’t be drawn on issues within specific schools he admits that certain areas of the county may face bigger challenges than others.
“There are three or four areas across the county where various factors may come together and we will need to pay more attention to what options might be available to us and where there is a more immediate need for overall provision to be looked at,” added Mr Goodall.
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