Cathy Begley and I visited the Scottish Borders. The programme included visits to Galashiels Academy and Earlston High School. We later met with senior managers, and then Glenn Rodger and Andrew Lowe.
The school visits provided the opportunity to thank young people for their involvement in a RIGHT blether and to feedback the responses. In Galashiels I addressed around 30 pupils and teachers and the local children’s champion councillor did likewise. In Earlston it was a group of 10 pupils some of whom had organised the vote in the school. One interesting piece of feedback was that pupils felt the response to In Scotland – ‘Help us to be included no matter how different we all are’ – was a statement about everyone rather than just a particular excluded group. As a result I have slightly amended the response to build in flexibility around this response.
Meeting the senior managers was most encouraging. For instance, they informed that they are considering amending their annual school survey to take account of the focus of response to a RIGHT blether, particularly in the area of work around domestic abuse.
Glenn Rodger suggested in may be useful to contribute to the ADESconsideration of the Donaldson report as it has relevance to the a RIGHT blether Where we Learn response – ‘Help us to have the same chances no matter how much money our parents have’.