From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS or LT Scotland) is a non-departmental public body and is the main organisation for the development and support of the Scottish curriculum and is at the heart of all major developments in Scottish education, moving education forward with its partners. Its headquarters are based in Glasgow, Scotland along with an office in Dundee.

The role of LTS is to provide advice, support, resources and staff development to enhance the quality of learning and teaching in Scotland, combining expertise in the curriculum 3–18 with advice on the use of ICT in education.

LTS works in close partnership with the Scottish Executive, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), education authorities, schools and with a range of professional associations, playing a key role in the drive to improve learning and teaching.

LTS provides support for people working in the Scottish state education system - including ministers, local authorities, school managers, teachers and support staff - and is accountable to the Scottish Executive Education Department.

LTS operates the LT Scotland Online Service, the successor to the National Grid for Learning in Scotland. It also runs a unique professional development programme known as Masterclass, and a range of supported online communities of practice including Heads Together.

LTS manages the Scottish Schools Digital Network (SSDN), recently renamed Glow in anticipation of its roll out to every Scottish school in 2007, and described as "the most ambitious education ICT project in the world." Glow will create a national intranet offering a range of teaching, learning and collaborative tools across the Web, in a secure and fully-authenticated way - bringing together more than 700,000 students, 50,000 teachers, all lecturers and students in initial teacher education and many others across the country.

LTS has been charged with leading the development of Scotland's 'A Curriculum for Excellence' programme. The purpose of the programme is to improve the learning, attainment and achievement of children and young people in Scotland. It’s also about ensuring that pupils achieve on a broad front, not just in terms of examinations. The work of the programme is being taken forward within a strong partnership between SEED, LTS, SQA and HMIE.

LTS also leads the innovative Assessment is for Learning programme in Scotland.

The current Chief Executive of LTS is Bernard McLeary, former director of education at Inverclyde Council.

The current Chairman is John Mulgrew, former director of education and social services at East Ayrshire Council.

The Corporate Management Team ("CMT') of LTS:

Stuart Ritchie, Director of Curriculum, former school inspector.

Laurie O'Donnell, Director of Learning and Technology, former local authority education adviser.

Alan Armstrong, Director of Education Improvement, former school inspector.

Stewart Carruth, Director of Corporate Services, former senior consultant with PWC.

• LT Scotland Online Service
• SSDN/Glow website
• Curriculum for Excellence website
• Assessment is for Learning website