84 days to go

The DUAL project - Dundee University Access to Learning - is an inspirational innovation that encourages some who might not otherwise apply to, or be accepted by, University to spend time preparing to study and building their knowledge and confidence.

I have been been very involved with widening access for some years and was pleased that I was able to ensure that last year's Post 16 Education Act ( passed a year ago tomorrow) made widening access a statutory obligation within the FE & HE Outcome Agreements.

The part of the course I attended this morning in Dundee involved groups of students putting the arguments for and against the city as a family tourist destination - a good exercise in analysis and presentation. It was also very enjoyable as this group demonstrated.

Later , back in Edinburgh, I took part in the last period of Education & Lifelong Learning questions in this session and then spent the the next four hours in the Parliament Chamber voting on lots and lots of amendments to the Housing Bill.

I was meant to be finishing the day with a meeting in Edinburgh University answering questions along with members of. "Academics for YES " on HE Research in an independent Scotland. But I have also been steadily losing my voice this week and after questions this afternoon it was raw. So a period of quietness was called for ....