Aberdeen Improvement Conference 28 September 2007 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Tim Simons Head of the International Team Schools Directorate, Scottish Government.

Aberdeen Improvement Conference

28 September 2007

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Tim SimonsHead of the International Team

Schools Directorate,Scottish Government

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• Government has adopted 5 strategic objectives– Wealthier and Fairer– Greener– Safer and Stronger– Healthier, and– Smarter

THE SMARTER OBJECTIVE

• 6 key principles to guide what we do in the Smarter domain:-– Early start best– An International Perspective– Aspirational– Egalitarian– Community and– Child Learner Focus

THE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE PRINCIPLE

• Focus should be on Scotland and Scotland’s place in the world – challenging our ambitions against the achievement of other countries and aiming to have a confident sense of self.

• Learning in schools should promote an understanding of Scotland, our culture, heritage and history, environment, and our place in the world.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

• in this globalised society in which we live it is essential to ensure that our young people have an international education to help them gain a knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland's place in it.

• vision is for an outward looking nation with a strong sense of its place in the world.

KEY COMMITMENTS

• Curriculum should emphasise the place of modern languages, science and technology and provide a modern, enterprising, “Scottish world view”.

• Encouraging every pupil to learn about the institutions and governance of their country – and of the European Union.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROMOTE AN INTERNATIONAL

PERSPECTIVE?

• Trying to simplify the institutional and policy landscape.

• Changing the thinking – embedding an international outlook - not an “add-on”.

• Partnership working.

SIMPLIFYING THE LANDSCAPE

• Too many players; too much duplication and overlap.

• Coherent concise advice / information and simple messages.

• Making linkages between different cross-cutting areas – esp. International Ed, Sustainable Development and Citizenship.

CHANGING THE THINKING - 1

• Matter of attitude – easy when you know how. Lots of fantastic examples - from 3-18.

• CfE provides ideal platform for international education; draft outcomes will provide many hooks for teachers to use.

• CfE reinforces interdisciplinary working - e.g. illustrating sustainable development - as part of the curriculum.

CHANGING THE THINKING - 2

• International education provides challenge and enjoyment, depth & relevance.

• It also improves pupils motivation, interest and arguably, attainment.

• Must prepare our young people for life in a globalised world. Otherwise they will be disadvantaged.

PARTNERSHIP WORKING

• Many bodies involved– Learning and Teaching Scotland, British

Council, DfID – on International Education. – as well as HMIe, ADES, Teachers’ Unions,

SCILT, amongst others.

• Working with these bodies to deliver vision and ensure consistency and clarity of message and outcomes.