Award winners with Brendan Harris and Cllr Peter MacKenzie

EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES STAFF CELEBRATE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AT MUSSELBURGH QUAY CEREMONY

Twenty-five members of East Lothian Council’s Education and Children’s Services Department will received a wide assortment of professional qualifications at a special awards ceremony at Musselburgh’s Quay on Monday 10 November 2008. Between them they have amassed:

• Nine post-graduate qualifications
• Three HNCs 
• Two SVQs
• Eight child protection qualifications
• Nine Professional Development Awards for classroom assistants and support for learning One assessor’s award.

Acting Director of Education and Children’s Services Don Ledingham hosted the event. Head of Children’s Services Alan Ross and Acting Head of Education Maureen Jobson both said a brief word of thanks to everyone receiving an award for the hard work, commitment and dedication they have shown. Then Education Convener Peter MacKenzie will present the awards.

Brendan Harris of the UK Centre for Continuing Professional Development attended the ceremony to see some of his students receive awards. He said:

‘I’ve had quite a long association with East Lothian Council now and every year we get really good feedback from our candidates. Studying for a professional qualification like an SVQ gives people the skills and confidence they need to be really effective at their job. I think, although the courses are demanding, people get a lot out of them, both personally and professionally.’

Education and Children’s Services Convener Peter MacKenzie added:

‘I think study is like a journey, and, like travel, it changes you. I’m really pleased that Education and Children’s Services wants to help people make that journey, which leads to personal growth, and better services for our children, young people, families and carers. I offer my hearty congratulations to everyone here today.’

ENDS

Issued by Jane Ogden-Smith, Public Information Officer, Education and Children’s Services on Thursday 6 November

Phone: 01620 827199/07990 540 738

e-mail: jogden-smith@eastlothian.gov.uk