Cabinet Secretary visits Reid Kerr

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell, visited Reid Kerr yesterday to see how the curriculum for excellence (CfE) was being put in to effect at the colleges Institute of Construction and Engineering. The visit was arranged after Paisley’s MSP, George Adam, paid the college a visit earlier this year and was impressed enough to tell the Cabinet Secretary all about it and encouraged him to see for himself what the students and staff were accomplishing. They both went to meet Senior lecturer Craig Stevenson in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Department and some of the students.

Speaking on the visit, George said:

‘The curriculum for excellence recognises that learning continues throughout our lives. This means that we now look at learning as a continuous development of skills for life, learning and work.

‘When I first visited Craig at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Department I was blown away by the enthusiasm for this new way of continuous learning. Craig explained to me that students at the course had used left over plumbing materials to design and create sculptures, recycling and using their creative skills to produce art in their own time.

‘I really wanted to show Mike Russell how the college was working with students showcasing one of the best examples of how the curriculum for excellence should work.

‘Students have produced a number of works and they were keen to discuss their sculptures to the Cabinet Secretary, detailing how each was constructed and how they got their ideas.

‘It was a real pleasure to meet the students and staff and it was a privilege to get Mike to meet them’.

Reid Kerr Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said:

‘For many of the students this course represented their first experience of college education. They have been encouraged to raise their own expectations and ambitions, build their confidence and develop a clearer understanding of how they can continue to explore opportunities whether within education or in work. Almost all of the students on this programme will now progress onto further study or apprenticeships and should be proud of what they have achieved during their time at the college’.
Mike Russell, the Cabinet Secretary added:

‘George has mentioned this college course numerous times to myself and indeed parliament. Listening to the students and their plans for the future was quite inspiring. Everyone at the college should be commended for their efforts and delivery of such an inspiring example of vocational education’.

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X