This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New project to improve teaching of children with dyslexia
12/12/2005
A pioneering new project at the University of Aberdeen will train new teachers in how best to help children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, it was announced today.
The project will create a new Chair of Inclusive Studies at the University and is the result of discussions between the First Minister, Sir Jackie Stewart, President of Dyslexia Scotland and University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Duncan Rice.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Teachers must have the skills to inspire all children and give every single one the best possible start in life.
"Dyslexia and other learning difficulties need not hold any child back.
"That is why this new project is so exciting. It will ensure new teachers are expertly trained in how to help children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
While he was at the University, the First Minister opened the newly renovated MacRobert Building, which has undergone a £13 million transformation.
He added:
"High quality teacher training is critical to recruiting and retaining the very best of the profession. These top class new facilities will ensure the north east continues to provide that opportunity."
The aim of the Chair of Inclusive Studies project is to embed within Initial Teacher Education inclusive approaches which will enable teachers to support pupils with literacy difficulties and dyslexia, and to work with pupils who display a whole range of difficulties.
This aim will be achieved over five years through the introduction of inclusive teaching methods firstly to the Professional Graduate Diplomas in Education (Primary and Secondary) and in year three through the incorporation of the two four-year Bachelor programmes (Education and Music). The project will be monitored and evaluated on a continual basis to provide a feedback loop into the programmes which will continue into the indefinite future. This will continue into the early years of the careers of Aberdeen graduates.
The Scottish Executive is providing £1.4 million in 2005-10 to Aberdeen University to carry out this project. Sir Jackie Stewart has committed to acting as a spearhead to attract funding for the continuation of the project, which will consider teaching methods related to other additional support needs, in project years six and seven (2011-2012).
The £1.4 million will fund several posts, the chair, a senior lecturer, a lecturer and research fellow. They will develop, implement and review the teaching methods used, and then the cycle will repeat itself so continual monitoring will be in place.
The First Minister also officially opened The University of Aberdeen's newly renovated MacRobert Building. The University of Aberdeen's School of Education, which was based on the city's Hilton campus, transferred to the MacRobert Building on the University's main King's College campus, in July 2005 on completion of a £13 million refurbishment process.
There are currently 1,400 full and part-time students and 150 members of staff within the School of Education. The MacRobert Building, which was completed in July this year after two years of renovation, boasts state-of-the-art facilities, with an entire floor of ICT facilities, available on a 24-hour basis. The building ensures the School has access to unparalleled facilities to continue to provide innovative teacher education using the latest in technology. The building is finished to the highest standard, featuring additional performance space; enhanced facilities for post-graduate research and Continuing Professional Development (CPD); science classrooms, office space and a ground floor catering outlet.