University and City Schools Join in Groundbreaking Collaboration

A groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Dundee, the City Council's Education Department and the headteachers from four Dundee secondary schools recently saw headteachers and senior staff from the four schools attend a leadership conference on pupils' learning and performance.

More than 700 S1 pupils from Craigie High, Menzieshill High, Harris Academy and Morgan Academy schools took part in a pilot research project asking them about their views of school and school work. The pupils' views will provide unique benchmarking data which will be used to improve principal teacher leadership and boost pupil performance in our schools.

By understanding pupils' attitudes and attainment, principal teachers can develop more effective leadership strategies that focus on learning and learners.

This collaborative approach to improving educational achievement in City schools is the first of its kind in Dundee. Professor Elizabeth Leo, of the University of Dundee, is leading the research dimension of the project.

"Our schools have talented headteachers and principal teachers with the vision, energy and passion to create a sustainable future for their pupils and their communities. They are backed by the Director of Education and her senior colleagues in their efforts to provide and sustain the highest quality of leadership at all levels in our schools. This project is informed by international research on human motivation and learning" said Professor Leo.

Ambitious goals for a new economic vision for Dundee place education at the heart of the City's future. Schools are critical in developing young men and women who will contribute to active citizenship, community renewal and economic regeneration.

Dundee City Council education convener Councillor Kevin Keenan said, "This conference placed the leadership role of Principal Teachers within the national setting of 'Ambitious Excellent Schools' and 'A Curriculum for Excellence'.

"We are keen to investigate the factors that motivate our pupils - and to use this information to build our programmes of work to suit the ways our young people learn."

The pilot project is currently due to end next month, but there are hopes to extend it for a further year and eventually to increase the number of pupils involved to include all pupils in Dundee schools.