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.