Dumfries and Galloway Council

Watch this space for updates on the new Dumfries High School as it emerges from the ground - what a transformation it will be for the learners and the staff team.

Not all secondary schools can offer a full range of Advanced Highers or at times, particularly in our smaller secondary schools, a broad choice of Highers where pupil numbers are low. But by carefully working together, four councils have proven that live, on-line delivery of lessons CAN work across 40 secondary schools. We have successfully driven and delivered this approach over the past 3 years with results for hundreds of pupils across 10+ subjects comparable to class based teaching. Absolutely delighted that SWConnects at Dumfries and Galloway Council with South Ayrshire Council East Ayrshire Council and North Ayrshire Council won the Digital Transformation Award at the MJ Awards and also Highly Commended in the LGC awards this month. This recognition in UK awards for local government validate what we have achieved - if other Councils want to talk to us about what SWConnects is doing, we are happy to share what we have learnt. Get the basics right with good planning, excellent teaching and high quality feedback - with coordinated timetabling, school leaders engaged and basic IT kit being the ingredients needed to succeed. We know that pupils are often expected to study online at SCQF 6/7 if they move on to FE/HE - our project proves it works for school aged pupils studying for qualifications too. I accept it might not always be perfect but in rural areas and where resources are stretched we have to look to different approaches and challenge some of the long standing models of delivery. As we wait for the outcomes of the independent review of qualifications and assessment I hope to build on what SWConnects has initiated and consider the role of online live learning for senior phase pupils.

Today I met with Alan and Jessica from Scottish Rugby to learn more about the development of rugby in our schools and communities. Lots of common ground in our shared priority for thriving communities and the direct (and less direct) benefits of sport and physical activity for young people. Nearly 2000 young people take part in rugby across the region- training, learning and playing competitively. This includes 450 girls and young women across D&G which is particularly heartening. We discussed wide ranging issues facing our young people as evidenced by our ‘10,000 voices’ research and where we can direct work in response. Together, with the generous support from Holywood Trust we foster good relationships and build connections across parters in communities and with established rugby clubs. We will promote healthly lifestyles, help young people grow in confidence and guide them to access pathways for wider achievement and accreditation. I am looking forward to getting an further invitation to see the rugby development officers working directly with pupils and schools. Derek Crichton Dumfries and Galloway Council @jess John Halliday

Watch this space for more on youth beatz 2024!

Some project search interns and supporters at the business breakfast today - well done to you all. It was also a smart move to have prospective employees showcasing their skills while the Meet the Buyer event was running with many local employers in the building working with our procurement team. #positivedestinations #thrivingcommunities

The end of the first week in our new jobs for Dumfries and Galloway Council. The senior management team of the Directorate of Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing met today in Kirkcudbright to plan the way ahead. It’s such a privilege to be responsible for such a broad range of services which are important to our communities. Thanks to Gallery team for showing us around too. #localgovernment #communities #goodpeopleworkinghard

D&G council are a family - Derek and I cycling today to support our colleague Rodger after the loss of his son #cycle4david. Pupils and staff in our schools join Rodger and Lesley as they cycle across the region, from Murrayfield to Dublin with a match ball for Saturday’s parliamentary game. Please support cardiac screening for young people in our region. https://lnkd.in/eezGGyig

Are you actively looking for staff? If so then promote your business and vacancies at our Open Doors event taking place this Monday, 5th February 2024 from 10am-1pm at the Bridge, Dumfries, DG2 0AW. Open Doors is open to the public and is free to all – businesses included. E-mail either graeme.galloway@dywdg.co.uk or caroline.davidson@dywdg.co.uk to secure your space.

This position is a first for Dumfries and Galloway Council and as such you will have the opportunity to shape your role and advocate for content design as a discipline within the local authority. You will be able to influence how the organisation sees content design and what it can achieve.

DGVirtualOperationSupportTeam activated today - bringing real time updates on the impact of Storm Gerrit and better situational awareness thanks to local knowledge. Our Local Resilience Partnership moved smoothly into response mode and will work throughout recovery https://lnkd.in/ej4BxyFj