Category Archives: Education

Christie Eleison I

Posted on June 29, 2011 by davidsberry

Like it or not, the debate on Public Services is being shaken up today by the publication of the Christie Commission on Future Delivery of Public Services. Having been wrestling with this particular Hydra for the last four years, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Politics, Transport | 1 Comment

Isle of May: Paradise Found

Posted on June 15, 2011 by davidsberry

The legend of King Arthur dates from the days before the Brythons of Lothian were subsumed into what became Scotland. Arthur’s Seat links him to the area and there is a legend that the fabled Avalon was the Isle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment | Tagged | Leave a comment

Small = Beautiful or Uneconomic?

Posted on June 14, 2011 by davidsberry

Everyone, with the possible exception of Cabinet Secretary Russell (who is a hard man to flummox) was surprised today when Argyll & Bute binned its plans to close 11 rural schools, with the exception of 2 that had no pupils. … Continue reading →

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I See No Shifts

Posted on May 30, 2011 by davidsberry

Nelson’s famous use of his blind eye at Copenhagen is enjoying a re-run, courtesy of Scottish Labour. After four years in which the entire party seems to have believed that the 2007 election was some cruel quirk of fate that … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Education, Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

26: What Has Been Done for Our Kids?

Posted on April 9, 2011 by davidsberry

In ELC, the SNP has been very conscious of the high value set by residents on the excellent education available in its schools and has set much store in continuing that tradition. In each of the last three budgets, spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged | 1 Comment

30 Days to Decide…

Posted on April 5, 2011 by davidsberry

That’s exactly one month. That’s far fewer than the number of times the Labour opposition on ELC voted against the interests of residents: not to freeze council tax; not to build >1,000 houses; not to put more teachers in P1-P3; … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Community, Education | Leave a comment

32: Back to School

Posted on April 3, 2011 by davidsberry

On Friday East and Mid-lothian Councils met to discuss shared services, particularly in Education. The idea would not affect existing devolved school management but could lead to common central services, like psychological support and possibly even a common Head of … Continue reading →

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37: Vocal for Vocational

Posted on March 28, 2011 by davidsberry

Having served twelve years on an Education Committee and been at more parent councils/boards than I’ve had hot school dinners I know how parents value excellent schools and opportunities they give their children. Laudable stuff, especially when they are themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Education | Tagged | 1 Comment

50 Days to Go

Posted on March 16, 2011 by davidsberry

At the halfway point to May’s election, ELC’s Education Committee has tabled a paper on destinations for its school leavers. It highlighted a 2% year-on-year improvement in positive destinations (F.E. colleges, universities, training and jobs), despite a huge 40% ‘bulge’ in … Continue reading →

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56: Parliamo Politico, Part V

Posted on March 10, 2011 by davidsberry

Let’s Talk Pencil-Pusher: Lesson V—Education (Fifth of a series, translating bureaucrat-speak into what it means for folk in East Lothian) Probably no one element of local (if not national) government gets as much emotive, hands-on attention as education. While tertiary … Continue reading →

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