Supporting Learners through Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Conference 25 March 2014 Thank you for attending the above conference in Edinburgh. The event was a huge success with presence from 27/31 Local Authorities – represented by senior managers, teachers, educational psychologists and policy leads – and from the independent school sector, teaching unions, ITE Institutions, independent sector and partner organisations. Graphic Artist Graham Ogilvie captured the key messages of the day brilliantly. This artwork, as well as workshop presentations, will be available on our website: www.educationscotland.gov.uk/supportinglearners Feedback about the day overall included; Big picture information about the national context. Excellent speakers. Children’s Parliament and MVP presentations were inspiring because of the obvious positive impact of participation for the young people involved. Wonderful to network and learn from inspirational colleagues – just what’s needed to help us drive this agenda forward. Very good overview of the work being done to improve wellbeing for our children. Excellent day with good opportunities for reflection. 2 secondary pupils – it was fabulous to see how being involved in the MVP programme has developed their selfesteem and confidence. Children’s Parliament video was deeply affecting and brought the issue of Rights into sharp focus. Informative and very enjoyable. Breadth of knowledge on display was particularly exciting. Susan McVie made a very good point about the significance of nurture and education. A very good opportunity for networking. Enjoyed pupils talking about MVP – encouraging a positive ethos and culture. Hearing from and working with young people was wonderful – our country is in safe hands if they are representative of young people today. Invaluable day! Made me think of all the links between Rights and Health and Wellbeing as a big picture around the child. Thoroughly enjoyable day – I feel really motivated and enthused with all I have heard. Over 90% of respondents could identify 2 or more aspects of the day that they found particularly valuable. The breadth and quality of expertise involved in the workshops was highly regarded, participants were enthused and motivated by the sharing of good practise; Workshops were enjoyable and well-pitched at target audience. Practical ideas and something I can implement. Quite inspirational and clearly outlined. Workshops provided practical approaches and were very useful. Very useful and thought provoking. Thoroughly enjoyed the workshops. Workshops were very interesting – a lot of new ideas have come from these! Most participants shared their next steps – many specifying ‘tomorrow’ as their starting point for change! Participants detailed specific action coming from their learning at the Conference including; The development of working parties to take certain approaches forward. The addition of key themes into School Improvement Plans. The implementation of resources and approaches within establishments. Visits to other establishments to see approaches and resources in action. Overwhelmingly, the next steps for Education Scotland are to organise more similar types of event to encourage the sharing of good ideas and ‘what works’, perhaps with more opportunities built in for discussion and networking. We will endeavour to do so, and look forward to welcoming you to further events in the future. Thank you to all those who contributed to make the Conference such a success! If you need support or advice in working towards your next steps, please get in touch with a member of the Rights, Support and Wellbeing Team: Maggie Fallon Jennifer Cairns Senior Education Officer T: 0141 282 5042 M: 07833402250 Maggie.fallon@educationscotland.gov.uk Development Officer T: 0141 282 5079 M: 07872 419 882 Jennifer.cairns@educationscotland.gov.uk Alison Fotheringham Development Officer T: 0141 282 5083 M: 07932 343 188 Alison.fotheringham@educationscotland.gov.uk Paul McWatt Development Officer T: 0141 282 5256 M: 07811 214 924 Paul.mcwatt@educationscotland.gov.uk