Latest news with #AndrewAnderson
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'New era for learning' as £30m learning campus officially opens
The facility, which brings together St Thomas' and Neilston primaries and Madras Family Centre onto a single campus, opened its doors to pupils in March 2024, and Friday's event provided an opportunity for all to see how it has transformed the learning opportunities available. The opening ceremony to officially mark "the new era for learning in Neilston" saw musical recitals from pupils, a religious blessing and speeches from pupils from both schools. READ MORE: Aberdeen Uni cuts 'legally questionable', critics say Parents are learning a lesson in Scottish education: do not trust the process This Scottish school mobile phone ban could be life-changing for children Speaking on Friday, Councillor Andrew Anderson said: 'Today's official opening ceremony was a wonderful way to mark this new chapter for learning in Neilston. This fantastic campus, combined with the staff, pupils, parents and wider community, will become the beating heart of the village and contribute to an environment where our children and young people will flourish. "The completed campus offers our children and young people the very best learning environment and I'm delighted that sustainability is also at the core of the design, with the latest renewable energy technologies being used including air source heat pumps. "A school community is about so much more than bricks and mortar and it's clear that the ethos and relationships which have already developed at Neilston Learning Campus since its opening will support all to achieve their very best.' Head Teachers Gerard Curley and Marie Kane with Jenny Gilruth MSP and Councillor Andrew Anderson and children from Neilston Primary, St Thomas' Primary and Madras Family Centre outside the new Neilston Learning Campus (Image: Jeff Holmes) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth added: 'I welcome the opening of this state-of-the-art campus – we now have a record number of pupils in Scotland being taught in schools that are in 'good' or 'satisfactory' condition. The Scottish Government is providing £10.6 million for the Neilston Learning Campus through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme which by the end of 2027-28, will have delivered 47 modern, state of the art schools.' Neilston Learning Campus was built to replace the out-dated former buildings and was designed to ensure both schools and the family centre retain their unique identities and teaching spaces, with shared facilities including a large sports hall, Digi-Zone, a dedicated space for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEAM), an art room, a green screen video editing area, and drama and music space. Gerard Curley, Head Teacher of Neilston Primary and Madras Family Centre, said: 'It's an absolute privilege to lead our school and family centre every day. I am blessed to have such a wonderful community to work within and we work hard to ensure every member of our community is seen, heard and supported. This outstanding facility will give us a springboard to strive for even greater achievements in future years. I'm looking forward to the journey that's ahead of us.' Marie Kane, Head Teacher of St Thomas' Primary, added: 'At the heart of all that we do in St Thomas' is our commitment to forming young people who embody our school values of love, faith and understanding. Since moving to our new home, the whole community has embraced the change and we are very appreciative of this remarkable facility and the high-quality learning experiences we are able to deliver. It's an exciting time for everyone connected with the school and we can't wait to start creating new memories for everyone at St Thomas'.'
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
School near Glasgow given high praise by inspectors
The Education Scotland team said young people at Williamwood High, which serves the areas around Clarkston, Busby and Netherlee, are 'highly motivated and articulate' and 'determined to achieve well.' The inspectors added: 'Very positive relationships across the school support a constructive and purposeful culture of learning which promotes very effective engagement in learning by young people.' (Image: East Renfrewshire Council) The report said headteacher Nicola MacGlashan, senior leaders and staff 'have worked very successfully with young people to develop a high quality and well-structured framework of key principles in learning, teaching and assessment. ' The inspectors added: 'Young people benefit from a very extensive range of activities and programmes which support and develop their wider achievement. 'Young people's achievements are encouraged, recorded and celebrated by school staff highly effectively as a central part of the school's culture.' READ NEXT: 'We are all walking in footsteps of the brave': Rutherglen woman's VE Day tribute READ NEXT: Tragic story behind Glasgow comedy club's new home READ NEXT: 'Excellent report' from inspectors for North Lanarkshire school The report noted that pupils at Williamwood High 'attain exceptionally well throughout their time at school' and added: 'Staff use high quality approaches to monitor learners' progress and attainment and create skilled interventions to support them as required. 'This supports well a culture where all young people are encouraged to succeed and flourish.' Williamwood High's use of data to improve learning experiences, attainment, participation in achievement and attendance, was identified as a practice worth sharing nationally to inspire other schools. The inspection also looked at the work of the school's Communication Support Service (CSS), a dedicated service for children with additional support needs. It was noted that over the past two years all pupils from the CSS have gone on to positive destinations at the end of school, with the majority moving into college education. As an area for improvement, the inspectors said the school should 'continue to build on highly effective planning in learning, teaching and assessment.' Headteacher Nicola MacGlashan said: 'I am delighted that inspectors have recognised the fantastic work which goes on every day at Williamwood High. 'All of the staff, partners and wider school community regularly go above and beyond to ensure our pupils are provided with excellent experiences to support them to achieve their very best. 'It is particularly pleasing that the fantastic culture created within the school was recognised during the inspection process – as it's by creating the right environment that our young people are able to thrive and excel.' Councillor Andrew Anderson, East Renfrewshire Council's convener for education, equalities, culture and leisure, added: 'We continue to see excellent practice across all our schools, and I'm delighted that some of the sector-leading work identified at Williamwood High will now be shared nationally. 'This is another demonstration that our approach to providing all our pupils with a wide range of excellent experiences throughout their educational journey plays a massive part in developing and improving our already high-achieving schools.'
Local Spain
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Spain
Americans in Spain to hold anti-Trump protests in five cities
American nationals in Spain will hold five demonstrations in major cities across the country this weekend in order to protest US President Donald Trump. The rallies, called in 'Defense of US Democracy and Against Trump Administration Actions and Impact on the US, Spain, Rest of Europe and World', will be held in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga on Saturday 29th March. In a press release, the Democrats Abroad (DA) organisation stated that the 'protests will feature music, speeches, signs and chants, focusing on the impact of the Trump administration's actions on people in the US, Spain, the rest of Europe, and around the world.' According to the organisation's website: "Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party arm for the millions of Americans living outside the United States." Speaking to The Local, Andrew Anderson, chair of DA Spain, said that protesters hope for 'visibility by Americans that feel dissatisfied with the current administration's handling of the economy and the running of government.' 'My message is this is your opportunity to manifest with other Americans your dissatisfaction with the current administration,' he added. Asked about the specific concerns of Americans living in Spain, Anderson stated that his countrymen and women have 'many worries' including 'services that they are used to receiving or need access may be curtailed or cut. Consuls being closed, and not being able to vote in the future,' he added. Expected turnout numbers are still unclear, he says: 'Numbers are hard to configure, yet our hope is at each there will be a sizeable number.' Barcelona: 12:00 in the Plaça Sant Jaume. Valencia: 11:30 in the Plaza de la Virgen. Seville: 12:00 at Las Setas. Málaga: 12:00 in the Plaza de Félix Sáenz. As The Local has reported previously, the rate of Americans moving to Spain is increasing at higher rates than ever. As of January 1st 2024, the latest data made available by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE), there were 50,623 US citizens registered as residents in Spain. But back in January 2022, Americans in Spain numbered just 40,159, meaning that in two years Spain's American population increased by 10,464 residents - a 26 percent rise. In a recent reader survey undertaken by The Local, many cited political polarisation, safety concerns and a hostile environment for the LGBTQ community and people of colour as reasons for their move. It should be noted, however, that while many view the increase as evidence of a Trump-inspired exodus, others would point to the fact that the 26 percent rise in Americans moving to Spain happened largely during the years of the Biden administration, and many readers also cited the cost of living and quality of life as big factors in their decision making. Barcelona city council receiving a letter from the US embassy in Spain urging them not to apply diversity policies at a language learning programme, and even threatening to withdraw funding if not, or the embassy also demanding that its Spanish suppliers prove they don't have diversity and inclusion policies at their companies.
