Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Directors
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Wednesday 28 April at 10.30am in the Board
Room, Learning and Teaching Scotland, The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow G2 8DU.
Present:
Jim Conroy, Board Member
Carole Ford, Board Member
Jacqui Hepburn, Board Member
Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive and Board Member
Iain Nisbet, Board Member
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
In attendance:
Alan Armstrong, Director – Curriculum and Assessment
Andrew Brown, Head of Glow (Item 6.3 only)
Marie Dougan, Director – Learning & Technology
Eileen Gill, Chief Professional Adviser, Strategic Organisational Development
Alistair Gordon, Director - Corporate Services
Anne Jardine, Director – Learning and Community
Kay Livingston, Director – International, Research and Innovation
Catherine MacIntyre, Professional Adviser, Policy & Governance
Murray McVicar, Scottish Government
Gavin Whitefield, Special Adviser
Apologies:
Alison Coull, Scottish Government
Louise Hayward, Board Member
Christine Pollock, Cosla Observer
Action
1.
Due Date
Welcome and Apologies
1.1
Welcome
1.1.1
Graeme welcomed everyone to the meeting, noting in
particular Murray McVicar, Scottish Government and Anne
Jardine, who has recently been appointed to the post of
(Interim) Director of Learning and Community.
1.1.2
Graeme then advised the Board that, prior to the end of his
four year term as Chair of LTS, John had nominated
Graeme as Deputy Chair and this position has since been
confirmed in a letter from Colin MacLean, Director
Learning at the Scottish Government. Graeme will,
therefore, carry out the role of the Chair of LTS until such
time as a new Chair is appointed. The Board noted that
the advertisement for the Chair would be going into the
Press and online on Friday 30 April.
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Action
Due Date
Alistair
May 2010
.
1.2
1.1.3
Graeme also advised that, in terms of good corporate
governance, whilst he is carrying out the role of the Chair,
it would not be appropriate for him to continue to Chair the
Audit Committee. During this period Iain Nisbet has
agreed to take over responsibility for Chairing Audit
Committee meetings.
1.1.4
Board Members will receive confirmation of all changes to
Committee arrangements in due course.
Apologies
1.2.1
2.
Minute of the Previous Meeting + Action Grid held on
17 February 2009
2.1
3.
Apologies were received as noted above.
The Minute of the previous meeting and Action Grid were
accepted as a true record. The Minute and Action Grid will now
be published on the website, subject to any FOI exemptions.
Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes
3.1
Cosla Representative on the LTS Board (Item 3.1 refers)
3.1.1
3.2
Murray advised the Board that he had been in contact with
Cosla to discuss the process for contributing to the LTS
Business Plan. However, no further progress can be made
until discussion has taken place with the Cosla Observer
on the LTS Board, Christine Pollock.
Chair’s Report : New Board Members (Item 5.1 refers)
3.2.1
Graeme advised that the Minister, Keith Brown, had
confirmed the appointment of two new Board Members.
Both candidates have indicated that they will accept the
appointment and formal correspondence (which has been
reviewed by Graeme and Bernard) is now being finalised.
It is hoped that the new Board Members will be able to
attend the June Board meeting.
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Minutes
Action
3.3
Due Date
Chair’s Report : Cabinet Secretary Visit to LTS (Item 5.2 refers)
3.3.1
Graeme said that overall it had been a very good meeting
with the Cabinet Secretary. Mr Russell had been very
interested in LTS’s contribution to Curriculum for
Excellence and had also had a keen interest in Glow.
3.3.2
Bernard agreed that it had been a very positive meeting
from LTS’s perspective and the key issues were about
what LTS is delivering and contributing, particularly in light
of the statement from CfE Management Board. Mr Russell
wants to drive forward on Glow and is very supportive for
the future of Glow. He spoke about his recent visit to
Apple in Cupertino, California; not only did Apple know
about Glow, but they also knew about LTS.
3.3.3
Other areas discussed included:
i)
Small / rural schools and how LTS can support them
in terms of culture and technology. As at 2007,
there were over 440 schools with less than 40
pupils.
ii)
Mr Russell’s Ten Point Plan for CfE, how that will be
taken forward and the importance of good
communications.
iii)
LTS’s international work and the First Minister’s
interest in China. Mr Russell commented that he
would be going to the Shanghai Expo in September
2010 and he indicated that he would expect to see
an LTS presence there.
iv)
Support for Gaelic.
v)
The role of the LTS Area Advisers and the
immediate actions being taken by them to assist
local authorities with implementation of CfE.
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Minutes
3.3.4
3.4
The Board noted the expectation that SQA would arrange
a joint meeting of the Chairs / Chief Executives to agree
the outline programme for the joint Board Meeting.
Bernard will follow this up with Janet Brown at their next
update.
May 2010
Murray explained that there was now a new Depute
Director (Maureen Verrall) within the Sponsor Team and
Murray thought it appropriate to give Maureen a chance to
comment on the LTS paper. Murray is also making
arrangements for Graeme to meet Colin MacLean
sometime in May and it is expected that implementation of
the outcomes from the Review would be part of their
agenda for discussion.
Declarations of Interest
4.1
5.
Bernard
Murray added that it had been a good and positive
meeting. Mr Russell is sensitive to the need to give the
system confidence.
LTS Review Implementation (Item 6.2.2 refers)
3.5.1
4.
Due Date
Chair’s Report : LTS / SQA Joint Board Meeting (Item 5.3 refers)
3.4.1
3.5
Action
None.
Organisational Development Programme Update
5.1
OD Committee – 18 March 2010
5.1.1
5.2
Board Members noted that the Minute of the meeting held
on 18 March had been circulated for information. Graeme
commented on the recent OD Committee meeting which
took place on 21 April specifically to review proposals for
the new High Level Structure and confirmed that the Board
would discuss this item in Closed Session at the end of the
meeting.
Programme Priorities
Eileen gave a brief update on progress across the Programme which
included:
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Action
5.2.1
LTS is still awaiting a response from the Scottish
Government to the original LTS paper which was sent to
Colin MacLean on 12 February (ref 3.5 above). This will
be important to ensure that there is common
understanding between the Scottish Government and LTS.
Consequently, there has been a delay to the further
development of the Supplementary Papers and the
Strategic Objectives which will go the Organisational
Development Committee for discussion in due course.
5.2.2
Actions arising from the recent Local Authority Pilot
Evaluation undertaken by David Montgomery will be taken
forward by the relevant Strand Groups as the Programme
moves forward.
5.2.3
Work on the Funding Model and Unit Costs will be
undertaken during the course of the next few weeks. Both
will be critical in moving the business forward and will be
reported to the Board at a future meeting.
5.2.4
The Strand Groups are now picking up pace and are
progressing work in a number of areas including: review of
partnerships; shared services strategy and knowledge
strategy across all LTS’s business.
5.2.5
The HR Strand Group is looking at the initial output from a
skills audit. This has longer term value to LTS, but is also
useful in the short term as the information can be
incorporated into the current Annual Review process. The
Board noted that the Strand Group would need to
undertake further analysis on the findings of the audit and
link this into competences, before reaching any firm
conclusions.
5.2.6
Communication with staff continues to be a key feature of
the Programme. The Focus Groups with staff will be
reporting to CMT shortly and another All Staff Meeting is
being planned to take place later in June.
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Minutes
Action
6.
Due Date
Chief Executive’s Report
6.1
Cabinet Secretary’s Decision on CfE Implementation
Timescales – Implications for LTS (verbal update)
6.1.1
Bernard commented on the outcomes from the CfE
Management Board meeting on 22 April. The
Management Board’s view is that an overall plan for CfE
exists; this will be managed and the associated risks
mitigated. It was on that basis that the decision not to
delay was taken.
6.1.2
The EIS position was discussed. Their view is that there is
not enough information on qualifications and
implementation of CfE should, therefore, be delayed for at
least a year. The EIS did, however, state that, in principle,
they do support CfE (experiences and outcomes). It is
expected that the Cabinet Secretary will meet with the EIS
in the near future.
6.1.3
The Board also discussed the recent surveys undertaken
by the Scottish Government and the EIS, and the SSTA.
6.1.4
Gavin commented that the bleak financial outlook could be
a major factor in teachers’ views. Carole agreed that this
was a serious issue in terms of resource implications.
6.1.5
Bernard said that the Cabinet Secretary did acknowledge
that no one could have foreseen the current financial
climate, but everyone is affected by this. The future of
public sector pay is also likely to have an impact.
6.2 Curriculum and Assessment
6.2.1
The Board noted that LTS successfully developed over
100 pre-NAR exemplars which were launched on the LTS
website, by 20 April, as agreed with the Scottish
Government. There had been a very positive statement
from local authorities in terms of support, with over 150
schools from all 32 local authorities contributing.
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Action
6.2.2
Due Date
Bernard emphasised that there had been a ‘light touch’
quality assurance for these materials which will then be
subject to a robust quality assurance process prior to
launch of the NAR in September. The LTS website
includes a statement about the quality assurance process
and also provides guidance on how to use the resources.
6.3 Glow Metrics + Presentation
Graeme reminded the Board of previous discussion at the
December meeting and invited Andrew Brown, Head of Glow, to
take the Board through the detail of the presentation. The key points
included:
6.3.1
6.3.2
Glow Usage
i)
Upward trend with 700,000 accounts currently
(scope of Glow is 800,000). The main issue is how
local authorities are provisioning and managing
these accounts.
ii)
Upward trend in the number of unique users making
use of the system and returning usage is also
increasing. In March 2010 there were 1 million log
ins to Glow.
iii)
Until recently, no structural design changes had
been implemented since 2005. The vast majority of
change requests in 2010 have come from users
compared with previous (2008) change requests
which tended to come from local authority contacts
or the Glow team themselves.
Glow Benefits
i)
Meeting of the Board of Directors
28 April 2010
The Benefits Manager has been working with local
authorities over the last few months. Using the ‘key
benefits statement’, teachers have been surveyed to
find out what they believe are the key benefits.
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Action
ii)
6.3.3
6.3.5
It is important this year to undertake research to
sample users across the country in order to gain
insight into usage and benefit. Current evidence
suggests that even those not using Glow think that
Glow will help with key educational initiatives.
Glow Refresh
i)
The current Glow refresh includes improvements to
the environment and introduction of new services,
e.g. wiki and blog. A simpler interface is also in
development which will give easier access to email,
offer a better search facility and allow
personalisation of the homepage.
ii)
The next stage is to look at mobile devices and to
develop the interface so that it operates across a
number of different platforms.
Glow Meets
i)
6.3.6
A campaign for pupils – I Love Glow – is also being
run on the public facing site. Pupils can submit
video clips and a winner is then chosen each month.
Research Evidence
i)
6.3.4
Due Date
Stephen Moffat, current writer for the BBC series Dr
Who, has agreed to do a GlowMeet with Gavinburn
School. The facility now exists for this GlowMeet to
be rolled out across the whole of Scotland and also
coincides with a BBC initiative designed to
encourage creative thought and writing.
Online Community for Headteachers
i)
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28 April 2010
From 17 May 2010, the online communities will now
launch in Glow bringing with it the advantage of all
the other Glow tools.
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6.3.7
Action
Due Date
Marie
16.06.10
Glow Better
i)
There is now an area within Glow where any user
can comment / make suggestions about how to use
Glow most effectively.
ii)
Jim suggested that one of the difficulties in using self
analysis is that the current provider is suggesting
improvements as the deliverer rather than what
would be substantial change for teachers. Bernard
agreed that one of the weaknesses of Glow which is
now being addressed, is that it was not easy to
extract data. Research was commissioned by LTS,
but there is a need to deeper analysis and the online
survey will help with this. Marie added that local
authorities are now able to interrogate data
themselves and offered to provide an update on this
at a future meeting.
iii)
Iain queried how LTS knows what proportion of
schools / classrooms use Glow in their teaching to
enhance learning and not just for email. Andrew
explained that the management reporting suite now
gives us that information and this sort of information
is becoming clearer. It includes exactly what
elements of Glow are actually being used, how
much time is being spent on each and what impact
this is having.
iv)
Jacqui said it would be interesting to see if there is a
correlation between CfE use of resources and Glow
uptake and, therefore, how LTS could work with
authorities. Bernard said that LTS is going to try to
work with good authorities and promulgate best
practice across others, as well as providing direct
support to local authorities that are at a less advanced
stage. However, there needs to be a redefinition of
the role and responsibilities between local authorities
and national organisations such as LTS. The Scottish
Government has built in £5m of efficiencies as a result
of Glow, therefore, teachers / local authorities need to
look to new forms of delivering resources, CPD, etc.
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Minutes
v)
Carole said that financial constraints will also impact
this. Some local authorities are better resourced in
terms of IT and there is concern around what will
happen with school ICT budgets. Bernard said that
use of mobile devices and smaller laptops will be
important.
vi)
Bernard suggested using Glow, as a pilot, within a
local authority to gauge if real efficiencies could be
made. Gavin agreed that this would be very
worthwhile and said he would be happy to discuss
this further with Bernard.
vii)
6.4
Due Date
Bernard
16.06.10
Jim said that given the Donaldson Review, LTS
should be looking now at Glow becoming the
architecture for teachers to map their own
development. Bernard confirmed that some initial
work is already underway looking at how to use
Glow for online CPD. The Open University already
uses online provision extensively and this will
become more important as we progress to the
Senior Phase, e.g. delivery of minority subjects.
International Update
6.4.1
6.5
Action
The Board noted the report.
LL Online
6.5.1
Graeme advised Board Members that he had attended the
launch on Monday 19 April which was also attended by
both Jim Mather and Keith Brown. Both Ministers were
very impressed with what they saw and were very
complimentary.
6.5.2
Bernard explained that this was a consolidation of LTS’s
work with LL-Online and the current science resources will
support CfE and certain aspects of the Science and
Engineering Action Plan. The Managing Director of
LL-Online said they would not have relocated to Scotland
were it not for LTS.
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Minutes
7.
8.
Action
Due Date
Alistair
16.06.10
Glow Futures Procurement and Governance
7.1
The papers presented to the Board set out the current and
proposed arrangements for governance of this programme,
including a ‘twin track’ approach with both LTS and the Scottish
Government noting the Scottish Government’s statement that: as
the originator and project sponsor, the Scottish Goernment will
retain overall strategic ownership and direction of the project.
7.2
Alistair explained early thoughts on the technical specification for
Glow Futures and confirmed that a suite of papers including
engagement with industry, resources, risk and procurement
strategy will be coming to future Board Meetings. Board Members
noted that elements of the procurement strategy will be
‘commercial in confidence’.
7.3
Jim queried the notion of a ‘twin track’ approach and the problems
of clearly identifying the LTS Board’s responsibilities. Bernard
agreed that there is a degree of ambiguity and, therefore, a clear
requirement for role definition and specific accountability. Jim said
that the latter – accountability - needs absolute clarity and all
appropriate paperwork in place.
7.4
Jacqui suggest that the Board might want to consider having a LTS
Board Member act as an Observer on the Glow Futures Project
Board.
7.5
The Board also noted that Frontline will be undertaking the
consultation with stakeholders until September 2010 and LTS will
continue that dialogue to ensure that there is a feedback loop.
Annual Planning and Budgeting
8.1
Final Draft Annual Business Plan 2010/11
8.1.1
Bernard confirmed that this was now the final draft version
of the Plan which was being presented to the Board for
approval. Board Members noted that discussions with the
Scottish Government had not yet been concluded and,
therefore, the Plan may be subject to some refinement. It
was also noted that National Outcome 15 had been
omitted from page 3.
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Minutes
8.1.2
8.2
9.
10.
Action
Due Date
Anne
18.08.10
Notwithstanding the comments above, the Board
unanimously approved the Annual Business Plan
2010/11.
Final Draft Annual Budget 2010/11
8.2.1
Alistair reminded the Board that the budget is for 2010/11
only, largely because the Scottish Government does not
yet know what the budget will be in 2011/12. It is possible,
therefore, that this could result in greater budget strain for
LTS in the next financial year.
8.2.2
The Board noted that the Audit Committee had approved
the budget in terms of its technical accuracy and
unanimously approved the Budget for 2010/11.
Corporate Performance Report
9.1
Alistair advised the Board that for 2010/11, the Corporate
Performance Report will be based on LTS’s commitments as
detailed in the Annual Business Plan.
9.2
The Board noted Alistair’s comment regarding the year end figure
for 2009/10 which shows a very modest deficit in the region of £2£3k and that 2009/10 efficiencies are virtually on track to realise
savings of £500,000.
Proposed Partnership with Scotland’s Colleges : Statement of Intent
10.1 Bernard reminded Board Members of the existing Memorandum of
Understanding between LTS and SFEU which now requires to be
updated to reflect the change in SFEU’s status as part of Scotland’s
Colleges and to reflect LTS’s new Remit.
10.2 Board Members noted that the proposal had been welcomed by
Scotland’s Colleges Board and then endorsed the Statement of
Intent as the basis of LTS’s new relationship with Scotland’s
Colleges.
10.3 Bernard confirmed that officers would now take this forward with
colleagues in Scotland’s Colleges to develop a set of deliverables.
A paper setting out the deliverables and how they will contribute to
LTS’s Annual Business Plan will be brought to a future Board
meeting.
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Action
11.
Due Date
Advisory Council Update
11.1 Unfortunately, Louise had been taken ill while on holiday and was,
therefore, unable to attend the Board Meeting. Board Members
extended their good wishes to Louise and their hopes for her speedy
recovery back to full health.
12.
Items for Noting
12.1 Finance Reports – January and February 2010
12.1.1
Noted.
12.2 Media Update – February and March 2010
12.2.1
Noted.
12.3 Audit Committee Meeting : 25 March 2010
12.3.1
13.
Graeme gave a brief account of the business at the last
Audit Committee meeting. The full Minute of that meeting
will be circulated to Board Members in due course.
AOB
13.1 Dinner for John
13.1.1
14.
It has not been possible to identify a date suitable for all
Board Members from those dates originally suggested by
John. Victoria will be contacting Board Members shortly
with alternative dates.
Date of Next Meeting
14.1 The next meeting is scheduled to take place at 10.30am on
Wednesday 16 June in the Board Room of Learning and Teaching
Scotland.
Approved by:
______________________________________
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
Date: _________________
Approved by:
______________________________________
Alistair Gordon, Company Secretary
Date: _________________
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