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ANNEX 2: INNOVATION FUNDING
Innovation Funds were made available to provide the opportunity to develop innovative projects, which addressed some of the key areas of interest to the Scottish Executive and enhance the existing good practice in local authorities. Stakeholders were invited to submit bids, outlining projects which were subsequently judged against selected criteria. Business partnerships were encouraged, with many of the bids being business-led. Funding was made available during the period 2003/04 and 2004/05. Details of the funded projects are outlined below.
Innovation Funding 2003/04
Angus Council - Enterprise Tools
The project aimed to address local and national needs in meeting learning gaps in enterprise education and was created by the community for the community. A package of tools and strategies to develop enterprising skills and attitudes were to be agreed by pilot schools who would take ownership of the package. The pack was used to develop enterprise within schools with pupils, teachers and parents. The local authority devised the project in conjunction with a young, innovative, entrepreneurial company.
Inverclyde Council - Enterprising Global Citizen
The objective of the proposal was to train primary teachers to help their pupils start a sustainable, profitable ethical business. Schools were encouraged to act locally while thinking globally. The latest critical skills techniques to develop entrepreneurship with an international and ethical focus were employed. Working closely with East Lothian Council, the programme was created in partnership with UNICEF, Learning and Teaching Scotland ( LTS) and Enterprising Careers.
East Lothian Council - Enterprising Global Citizen
The focus of the proposal was to train teachers working in all sectors of school education to understand what enterprise in education means in practice and to help their pupils start a sustainable, profitable ethical business. Schools were encouraged to act locally while thinking globally through the development of an enterprising approach to teaching and learning. The latest critical skills techniques to develop entrepreneurship with an international and ethical focus were employed. Working closely with Inverclyde Council, the programme was created in partnership with UNICEF, Learning and Teaching Scotland ( LTS) and Enterprising Careers.
Orkney Islands Council - Enhanced Video Conferencing facilities
The aim of the proposal was to enhance provision of video conferencing facilities in the two secondary schools on mainland Orkney and in the four junior secondaries on the outer islands. The authority are committed to strengthening local communities and enhancing lifelong learning opportunities and believe that the equipment would be a tool in enabling delivery of the enterprise in education agenda in their dispersed geographical environment. Ownership lies wholly with the local authority.
Renfrewshire Council - Cultural Project with South Africa
The aim was to develop enterprise, entrepreneurial activity and cultural understanding between a cluster group of Renfrewshire schools and a group of schools in South Africa.
Emphasis was on the creative process and combined business tools and historical research methodologies. The activity developed core skills and an understanding of the evolution and state of national cultures. Renfrewshire Council education department and a school cluster group worked in partnership with Careers Scotland, Reid Kerr College, the Chamber of Commerce and Scottish Enterprise Scotland.
Shetland Islands Council - Vocational Initiative
The proposal looked at innovative approaches for Recommendation 2 - Work-based vocational learning, devising different strategies to address local issues. The proposal extended current provision of vocational education and looked at specific groups which were usually more challenging to engage namely; vulnerable/at risk pupils and S5 Christmas Leavers.
South Lanarkshire Council - Partnerships
The objective of the proposal was to create new and innovative partnerships between education and industry at different levels and on different scales. At local authority level it was proposed that an enterprising approach to Headteacher development and new management structures was taken. At school/cluster level the proposal was to create a culture change towards more enterprising pupils/ schools/clusters in a number of pilot schools. The aim was to reinforce these whole school strategies through follow on departmental support, by developing enterprise in education subject champions linked with other priorities, e.g. citizenship. The authority intended to create a post for this purpose in order to build school/business partnerships. At parent level it was proposed that the enterprise in education communications strategy be reinforced with publicity materials, created by the pupils through an enterprise project, for use at school events. The proposal is owned and driven by the authority under the leadership of an education adviser.
West Lothian Council - One Stop Shop
The proposal was to develop a "one stop shop" for enterprise in education to facilitate delivery and support across West Lothian. A key feature was training of teachers in enterprise activities and it also provides an enterprise in education resource for school pupils. A monitoring enterprise in education officer was appointed to run and evaluate the facility. Pupils were given access to resources and the opportunity to participate in mini company activities. West Lothian has taken a very proactive approach to enterprise in education and work in partnership with West Lothian Business Centre, Chamber of Commerce and Scottish Business in the Community.
Innovation Funding 2004/05
Dundee City Council - DARE - Digital Media Schools Team Challenge
The challenge was to provide a pupil experience that would develop enterprising and entrepreneurial attitudes, team working skills, understanding of self and an appreciation of the world of work. They would also experience Higher Education and business environments while being introduced to the potential of employment and wealth creation within the digital media industry.
East Ayrshire - BT and ICT Project
The aim of the project was to explore innovative ways to engage pupils in a creative and enterprising manner, to increase attainment, achievement and self-esteem. A focus was also placed on investigating new ways that teachers could use innovative methods and technologies to deliver agreed educational programmes. The authority established new partnerships within and out with education to deliver the programme.
East Lothian Council - Volunteering and Citizenship
A long-term progressive approach with a stepped involvement of individuals from S1 to S6, the project provided opportunities beyond those currently available in schools. Volunteering was introduced at a young age and the project supported pupils from S1 to S6. It comprised direct project work utilising volunteering, community work, creative arts, outdoor pursuits, residential and expedition experiences, environmental pursuits and team building with accreditation through national vocational qualifications ( NVQs).
Highland Council - A Good Night Out
Highland Council in partnership with Eden Court Theatre worked on a project called 'A Good Night Out' which offered children and teenagers in the Highlands a route towards vocational learning and accreditation through activities not included in local enterprise in education plans. The project offered opportunities for pupils to learn all important aspects of arts administration and events promotion and gave each venue team the chance to make all the arrangements necessary for a venue to host a public event such as bookings and publicity.
Jordanhill School - Communications and Media Studies
The Communication course was designed to develop language skills, with particular reference to vocational contexts, and provided exciting opportunities for students to study communications in the workplace. In relation to enterprise experiences, course plans included visits to local businesses, case studies of workplace communications, communications in the local community, visiting speakers/presenters/workshop co-ordinators, additional work experience, presentations to an outside audience and hosting a conference on communications. The Media Studies course combined an analysis of media texts with a practical media production unit. The authority envisaged developing an enterprise approach by focussing on digital video production to produce short documentaries.
North Ayrshire Council - Life Coach Scotland - Team Training
Recognising the vital role of teachers in education and shaping the future of our nation, the authority developed a training pack to meet their needs. Teachers fulfilled a privileged role in the development of pupils and in many ways are most likely to define pupils' individual future confidence and achievement. Teaching staff require the highest level of support and resources to develop their self-esteem and confidence, along with an understanding of their value to society at large. Confident teachers, with a good sense of self-worth and value to society, would be able better to facilitate the development of confident pupils, with a similar level of self-worth and value within the world.
North Ayrshire Council - Arts and Cultural Careers
The project aimed to link schools with businesses and cultural sponsors from within the professional cultural industry. Sponsors were to be matched to specific classes and teachers, based on negotiated, pre-defined learning outcomes. Participating schools were to be linked to James Watt College and a local call centre, which was to be involved in delivering workshop training in e-commerce, customer care and telephone communication skills for staff and pupils. In partnership with Business Dynamics staff and pupils were given opportunities to develop their presentation and financial skills.
Orkney Islands Council - Computer Assembly
The project was to develop a curricular alternative for mainstream pupils who are more responsive to practical (rather than theoretical) sessions to bridge links between school and the world of work. The course put pupils in touch with companies utilising practical skills as instructors and were formerly from businesses/ Orkney College. The course gave pupils skills prior to going on work experience and an understanding of Health and Safety before entering the work place.
Shetland Islands Council - Vocational Pathway Programme Extension
The authority proposed to extend their Vocational Pathway Programme to include a City and Guilds Level 1 course in Sound Engineering. The programme was developed as there were few opportunities within Shetland for young musicians to gain the complementary knowledge and skills relating to the music technology and production industry. Developing a Sound Engineering Course as a new vocational pathway provided a career opportunity for young people through enabling them to develop knowledge of music production techniques and technologies. The one-year course was aimed at S5 and S6 pupils.
West Dunbartonshire Council - Health Promoting School - Vale of Leven
The project aimed to link enterprise in education with the Health Promoting School agenda. The programme invited parents/carers to awaken them to the concept of enterprise in education and the role they can play. The authority proposed to open each school weekly between 7-9 pm, during which time a menu of health promoting activities and tasters in "Good Health" would be offered to parents/carers, pupils and the wider community. Pupils would be responsible for running the evenings as an enterprise project. A variety of programmes offered include; Fitness Suite, Cosmopolitan Health, Holistic Treatments, Health Eating and Dietician Support, Yoga, Line Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing, Pilates, Keep Fit and Drug Awareness.
West Dunbartonshire Council - Big Ship Café Clydebank High School
Beginning in the Modern Studies Department, S1 pupils were presented with a business scenario and tasked to address an issue facing the Big Ship Café by preparing a business plan and market research questionnaire. Already piloted, the scheme proved extremely popular. In S2 the focus was on Enterprise Studies, a curricular subject for pupils run by the Business Studies Department. Pupils researched, made and supplied goods and services for the café/gift shop. Enterprise groups in associated primaries also attempted to address business issues. Other departments became involved, contributing from their own subject specialisms. S3 pupils were given the opportunity to operate the business on occasion, supported by S1 and S2 and also primary pupils. The café could run Parents' meetings for primary schools. Issues to be considered would be entrepreneurship, tendering and franchising.
West Dunbartonshire Council - Market Garden
The Choices Programme is an initiative to address the needs of 3rd and 4th year pupils who had become disengaged from mainstream provision. The marrying of achievement to attainment is the distinctive feature of the Programme. An important component of the curricular provision was the promotion of vocational work which was certificated through National Qualifications. Provision was further enhanced by the project to design a Market Garden which was viewed as a suitable mechanism to promote enterprise culture.
A Market Garden shop provided an outlet for pupils who would be actively involved in all aspects of delivery from manufacture through marketing to retailing. Links with mainstream provision were promoted through Clydebank High School to supply their shop. Curricular areas of Home Economics, Catering, Craft and Practical Skills were provided with an outlet for materials produced and a strong practical and motivational focus was given to the pupils. Benefits for the pupils were enabling attainment through a bank of certificating bodies, active involvement in planning and promoting the relevance of learning to the world of work. Certification was explored with SQA and City and Guilds.
West Lothian Council - Mentoring Project
Mentors can have a positive influence on young people and the opportunity to relate to a mentor could well make the difference between success and failure. Mentors were volunteers who were interested, approachable and good at listening. They got to know the young people they were mentoring and encouraged them to greater efforts. The area of discussion related to the areas of the 5 National Priorities. All mentors received support and training from specialists. The key aims of the programme were to provide role models, raise aspirations and expectations, empower individuals and enhance opportunities for personal growth and development at key transition stages.
Western Isles Council - Certificated Work Related Learning Programme
The proposal made use of "flexibility in the curriculum" and the provision of relevant skills. The main thrust of the proposal was to provide front line certificated work related learning for pupils, set in the context of the socio economic circumstances in the Western Isles and Scotland as a whole.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra ( RSNO)
The RSNO offered a number of workshops linked to an enterprise challenge that involved creating, recording and marketing a new piece of music. Members of the RSNO worked closely with groups of pupils (around 20) and teachers to provide opportunities for pupils to develop the core skills of working with others, IT, problem solving, communication and numeracy. It helped them to develop their creativity and raise expectations of both individual and collective abilities that, in turn, increased esteem and worth of individual pupils and the group as a whole.
Edinburgh Business Development ( EBD)
The project aimed to raise awareness of and identify opportunities for business-education engagement, with small to medium enterprises ( SMEs). With EBD as a lead partner, it worked in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire Business Gateway to develop a partnership plan that addressed local economic needs. A database was developed to manage those SMEs that expressed an interest in working with schools and to match them with appropriate schools.
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