11 Sep 2008: Visit 12/12 - Blackrock College

Principal of the college is a visionary leader. He is well connected with his staff and students and has set a good school tone base on trust and collegiality.

10 Sep 2008: Visit 11/12 - Leargas

Leargas is Ireland's National Agency for the management of transnational programmes. Their key programmes include WorldWise, eTwinning and in-service training for teachers.

10 Sep 2008: Visit 10/12 - St Andrew's College

St Andrew's College is a highly multicultural school. Some 30% of their students are from 50 nationalities.

Their students participate annually in the Model UN conference and gain significant educational experiences.

9 Sep 2008: Visit 9/12 - St Columb's College

St Columb's College was founded in 1879. Currently, it is a Grammar School which attracts more-aspiring students capable of doing well in academic examinations. 90% of their students did well in the A-level Exam to qualify for university admission. ICT is their key driver underpinning all their development projects in school including Virtual Learning Education (VLE).

On Friday, 12 Sep 2008, the school will be assessed by an EV Team for the Whole School ICT Award. We wish them "All the Best" in qualifying for this significant award.

8 Sep 2008: Visit to British Council, Northern Ireland

After our flight from Edinburgh to Belfast we visited the British Council (BC), North Ireland at Norwich Union House. Ms Mary McGeown, the Head of Education Programmes at BC, briefed us on the Purpose of BC in Northern Ireland (NI), their Education Partners and the NI Education Context (both local & global). She informed us that funding available through BC could be used for regional projects and study visits for headteachers and teachers in NI schools to educational institutions in any country. Schools in Singapore could arrange for such mutual visits & sharing.

5 Sep 08 - Outdoor Learning @ Greenhall Resource Centre

We were introduced to the Outdoor Learning Programme at the Greenhall Resource Centre, Gowkshill by CCAB officer, Ms Cindy Ng, who is doing her postgrad studies in outdoor learning at the Uni of Edinburgh. The aim of the outdoor learning programme is to give youngsters the opportunity to learn about themselves and others, be skilled, safe and active in the outdoors, and to protect and care for the environment. A key feature of the programme is Making Connections where pupils relate their outdoor learning experiences to classroom teaching and learning. 6 high schools and 30 primary schools in the Midlothian council are partnering the Greenhall Outdoor Learning programme to provide such learning experience for their pupils.

Sep 4 Jordanhill School Visit

Jordanhill School educate children from age 5-18(P1-S6). The school regularly tops the list of academic performance for state schools in Scotland.

3 Sep 2008 LTS and Our Lady of The Missions Primary School

Our Lady of the Mission Primary an Award winning school has been named the best mainstream school in Scotland for 2008.

We visited the Learning and Teaching Scotland this morning. This is the training arm for teachers and head teachers of all Scottish Schools

2 Sep 2008 - Burnhouse School, Westlothian

Burnhouse school caters to at-risk students who have been excluded (ie. suspended or expelled) by their previous school. The school currently has 56 students (maximum capacity) and there are many students on its waiting list. The school is a key initiative of the West Lothian Council and has received funding of >300,000 pounds spread over three years. Burnhouse has come around and is well on the way to becoming a centre of excellence for at risk students, extending its role to encompass outreach support for students and staff in mainstream schools.

2 Sep 2008 - George Watson's College, Edinburgh

George Watson's College (GWC) is a leading co-educational independent school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Scotland's capital city Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school George Watson's Ladies College in 1974. It has always been maintained by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh. Today, George Watson's College is a fully integrated school, catering for girls and boys from Nursery through to Senior 6 on a single campus just to the south of Edinburgh's City Centre. Throughout the School's long history, there have been many changes since its foundation as a Charitable Hospital in 1741. The Hospital was the legacy of merchant and financier George Watson; today, the George Watson's Family Foundation continues this legacy, raising funds for bursary support.

1 Sep 2008 - James Gillespie's High Sch, Edinburgh

James Gillespie's High School (JGHS) is a modern multicultural comprehensive High School, educating pupils (aged 11 to 18 years of age) from Secondary 1 to Secondary 6. Built in 1960s, the campus enjoys a wonderful mix of ancient and modern architecture. The school is state funded with 1100 students and 120 staff. The current Principal (also known as Head teacher) has been with the school since 1991.