An invitation from Schools’ Educational Trust;
The Scottish Government’s education reforms and the introduction of new approaches.
Despite the Scottish Government’s proposals for education reform, as outlined in the Education Governance: Next Steps – Empowering Our Teachers, Parents and Communities to Deliver Excellence and Equity for Our Children, there remains considerable concerns that these do not go far enough, nor address some of the key issues, which continue to be raised by teachers, parents, communities and businesses.
So, what are the main concerns and limitations with the proposed reforms? What additional contribution can be made to the education system through greater autonomy and innovation? What are the lessons to be learnt observing from opening low-cost independent schools elsewhere? Is there an alternative more cost-effective way of delivering better outcomes in Scottish school education?
These are all issues that the new Schools’ Educational Trust (SET) is aiming to address, which will be covered by our speakers and through a Q/A panel debate on the day. We have pleasure in inviting you to join us for our launch event in Edinburgh this autumn where you will be able to hear more about SET, our approach and objectives.
Chairing the launch event will be Lord Digby Jones, who will also share his views with the audience through a keynote address. Our speaker line-up includes:
Frank Lennon OBE, Scottish Educationalist and former head teacher, and
Professor James Tooley, Professor of Education Policy, Newcastle University, and founder of low-cost independent schools in England and developing nations.
There will be an opportunity to put questions to Lord Digby Jones, Frank Lennon and Professor James Tooley, along with Director of SET, Bill Nicol, in a Q/A panel session rounding-off the morning. The event will conclude with a networking buffet lunch.
This launch is a ‘by invitation-only event’ and, while further details will be shared with you in the coming weeks, we wanted to ensure you had the advance diary date now and could register your attendance, as places are limited. In the meantime, you can read more about SET on our website: www.set.scot.
Details
Chair and Keynote Speaker, Lord Digby Jones
Wednesday 8 November 2017, 10.00 to 13.30
Radisson Blu Edinburgh, The Royal Mile, 80 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TH
Please RSVP in the first instance to: Bill Nicol, Director – Schools’ Educational Trust, contact@set.scot
• First West Lothian launches Service 21A “connecting West Lothian with the world”
• Operator responds to feedback and passenger growth by providing new travel option at airport
• Service has a dedicated stance and connects with key destinations in West Lothian
A recently launched bus service connecting people in West Lothian with Edinburgh Airport is already proving hugely popular, operator First West Lothian has revealed.
Service 21A was introduced in partnership with Edinburgh Airport in May and provides an hourly connection from Fauldhouse, Whitburn, Bathgate, Livingston Centre and Broxburn.
First West Lothian launched the service in response to feedback and in recognition of the airports’ continued passenger growth – and its role as a major employer in the area.
The service has its own dedicated stance at the airport, with fares available from as little as £2.40.
First West Lothian Managing Director, Paul McGowan, said: “We’re very encouraged by the response to this new service which was launched to meet the needs of people in West Lothian who are travelling to and from the airport or who work at this growing transport hub.
“I’d like to thank Edinburgh Airport for their support in getting this service off the ground. Both Edinburgh Airport and First West Lothian recognise the need to provide new travel options for customers and staff and this a great development in our growing partnership.”
Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, Gordon Dewar, said: “Edinburgh Airport serves a number of different regions and improving the connectivity between the airport and those areas is important as we continue to expand. We also need to have a mix of transport options so we can cater for the holidaymaker as well as the business community, and this new route is perfect for people who work and live in West Lothian as well businesses who are operating in and out of the area.
“It’s encouraging to see the positive reaction that this new route has already had and we hope that more people will consider taking the bus to and from West Lothian as it connects to Edinburgh Airport and the rest of the world.”
Find out more about Service 21A and other services on our website.
Pictured above: Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar with First West Lothian Depot Traffic Assistant Catherine Clerkson and First West Lothian Managing Director Paul McGowan on the airport plaza. All images © Warren Media 2017.
