NEWS & DEVELOPMENTS

Tourism students from Cardonald College Glasgow have worked with Historic Scotland’s Learning Services team to produce an innovative, multi-lingual guide to Edinburgh Castle to help visitors to get the most from their visit.

The video guide provides insider tips on the best things to see at the Castle.  Visitors can download it onto their iPhones or other mobile devices for free via iTunes store by searching Cardonald College Glasgow, or visit http://webcontent.cardonald.ac.uk/e/podcasts/feed.rss.xml

Nathan Bryceland, Historic Scotland’s Learning Development Officer at Edinburgh Castle, said; “Encouraging people to learn more about Scotland’s past in a fun, informative way is something that we are very committed to and we work with schools, colleges and other adult learning groups throughout the year. This partnership with Cardonald College Glasgow is a fantastic resource. It’s a video guide for young people by young people and I’m sure it’s going to be a great addition for people planning a visit to the castle.”

Seton Collegiate Church: 22-24 May
Dirleton Castle: 29-31 May

Discover how medieval castles were built in our cross curricular show for P4-7 pupils.  Pupils will take part in demonstrations and challenges as they follow the journey of a block of stone from a quarry to the top of an arch, overcoming forces and gravity along the way!

Shows last 70 minutes, are FREE, and a travel subsidy is available.

To book contact Learning Services on 0131 668 8736/8793 or hslearning@scotland.gsi.gov.uk


Castleview Primary School took part in the “Good Citizenship Project” on Tuesday 27th March 2012.

The aim of the project is to encourage young people to demonstrate their good side to the rest of the community, as well as learning to become good responsible citizens; encouraging them to take responsibility for what goes on around them; help to care for the environment; to treat other people with respect and dignity; and to follow the rules of their family, their school, community helpers and their society.

The overarching theme - the story of Greyfriar’s Bobby - linked the project to Edinburgh as an historic city.  This historic tale contains many acts of good citizenship, which have inspired the people of Edinburgh, as well as people worldwide.

They spent time with various Government Agencies such as the Scottish Ambulance Service, Edinburgh City Council, Lothian & Borders Police and the Historic Scotland Ranger Service (who have all given free time to this project), to learn about many aspects of citizenship: nature, conservation, respect, stewardship, responsibility and social studies.

Each pupil carried out a citizenship led activity and produced a “Citizenship Pledge”, in which they expressed how they will continue to be a good citizen and contribute to their community.  The activities were:

• Flower Welly Plants, delivered by The Historic Scotland Ranger Service - members of the community, from the Thistle Foundation, Richmond Café and Church and Castleview Community Centre were given these plants to brighten up their day.
• Bird Feeders delivered by The Historic Scotland Ranger Service - residents from the Thistle Foundation and Sandy’s Community Centre were given a bird feeder - encouraging the birds to come to a person who lives alone - and a pack of 7 basic identification cards.
• People that help in Society delivered by L & B Police, explaining about community helpers and how they keep you safe.
• Stewardship Litter Pick delivered by the environmental wardens.  Parent helpers also participated, “keeping it neat on their street”.
• Graffiti Arts Mural Project delivered by the community safety team (Edinburgh City Council).  The artist was Barbara Middleton - 4 weeks prior to citizenship day the children from Primary 4 were told about the Year of Creativity 2012 and asked to draw the Junior Guides and to choose a color scheme for Craigmillar Castle.  This was to promote Historic Scotland, the Junior Guides and Castleview Primary School.
• I was brought up in Niddrie delivered by L & B Police, explaining about Anti-Social Behavior and the impact it has on victims, even if it is graffiti.
• Stewardship First Aid delivered by The Scottish Ambulance Service.  Children will benefit from being given proper first aid instruction, so that they will have the confidence to take responsibility if someone becomes ill or injured.
• Stewardship Craigmillar Castle Guides delivered by the Ranger Service.  The Junior Guides went to Castle Green care home, where some of the residents suffer from dementia, but can remember going to Craigmillar castle as youngsters.  This brought the old and young together.

The Creativity Portal aims to inspire and stimulate creativity in learning and teaching through partnerships between education and the arts and cultural sectors, to support Curriculum for Excellence.  Find organisations, case studies, articles and links.

Glow is the world's first national intranet for education that is transforming the way the curriculum is delivered in Scotland.  View Historic Scotland's Glow Group  

Is your class studying energy and forces? Perhaps undertaking technology projects such as "the fairground" and creating toys that move?  Or are the Victorians your topic?

Discover the people, places and products of Stanley Mills, the 18th century cotton mill on the River Tay.  With fun, hands-on learning opportunities that support Curriculum for Excellence it makes for a memorable experience.

Call us on 0131 668 8793 for details of the schools activity programme - including Waterwheel Challenge, Victorian Millworkers and Power Transmission workshops. A travel subsidy is available.

(note: Nov 2011-Feb 2012 inclusive teacher-led visits will be unavailable, but you can still book an activity from the schools programme).


The Schools Programme 2011/12 are now availble to search online and can be downloaded as a pdf

Schools Programme 2011-12 Early Years and Primary
Schools Programme 2011-12 Secondary