Technical Education: A Portrait of Current Practice in Scottish Schools

Overview & Synopsis

"Technical Education--a portrait of current practice" is one in a series of portraits by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), illustrating current practice in key aspects of the Scottish curriculum. The portrait series is a recent initiative by HMIE, flowing from the "Improving Scottish Education" (ISE) report. It is intended to promote improvements in Scottish education by drawing on the findings of inspections, to stimulate reflection and debate and to promote improvements. This portrait draws on inspections from 2002-2007 and from examples of effective practice in schools which were showcased at HMIE good practice conferences in 2006 and 2007. These presentations exemplified high standards in young people's experience, from pre-school to higher education, across the spectrum of technical education, and with a special focus on meeting pupils' needs. The portrait will be updated and enhanced with further case studies and inspection evidence in due course. An important purpose of this portrait is to relate current thinking and practice on learning and teaching, and the curriculum of technical education, to the aspirations of "Curriculum for Excellence." It aims to stimulate all of us with an interest in learning and teaching in technical education to engage in considering how well our subject promotes the development of the four capacities for all young learners, and thereby make a contribution towards a smarter Scotland. Ambitious Excellent Technical Education showcases, relating to margin references are appended. (Contains 2 footnotes.)