Oaklands School
Gayfield exhibitions continue
Big Beach Busk
Colony of Artists
The Edinburgh Mela
Oaklands School on Ferry Road is a very special place and the recent inspection has just confirmed that once again. The inspectors said in their report that the children are happy and motivated and enjoy learning.
The school employs what is known as the MOVE programme to try to ensure that each child is as mobile as they possibly can be which the report praises.
The report also applauds the school on their approach to meeting the complex needs of children and young people with visual impairment.
The inspectors said: “We are satisfied with the overall quality of provision. We are confident that the school’s selfevaluation processes are leading to improvements. As a result, we will make no further evaluative visits in connection with this inspection. During the inspection, we identified aspects of innovative practice which we would like to explore further. We shall work with the school and The City of Edinburgh Council to record the innovative practice and share it more widely.”
This is the letter about the inspection:
Click to access OaklandsINS260814_tcm4-837370.pdf
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Although the Fringe is over and the Edinburgh International Festival is in its closing week, Gayfield is continuing its design exhibitions and talks until Thursday 11th September to allow Edinburgh residents and visitors alike some extra space to enjoy them.
A trio of design-led exhibitions form Gayfield Creative Spaces’ summer programme and they have already played their part in this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. These exhibitions also link to a series of six Twilight Talks where leading designers, curators and researchers discuss important issues around design.
India Street is an international collaboration between Scottish and Indian designers exploring the legacy of Scotland’s former Turkey red dye industry through contemporary eyes. The exhibition was one of four finalists for the Fringe Sustainable Practice Award and was recently filmed by India Today, India’s top news network.
Fragments features new work by ceramic artist Carol Sinclair which addresses issues around memory as part of Making Well, a focus on design and health. A digital book available as a free downloadable app extends the reach of the exhibition beyond the gallery space.
Garden Party brings together high-quality design from Scotland and Holland and celebrates with Timorous Beasties’ deckchairs, upcycled hampers by Laura Spring, light sculpture by Geoffrey Mann and furniture by Dutch design master Piet Hein Eek. All these stunning pieces are available to purchase.
Gayfield’s series of Twilight Talks continues this Thursday (28th August) at Creative Exchange Leith with ‘Digital Counts’ when Alan Shaw of CAT Glasgow and artist and lecturer Geoffrey Mann look at the role of digital tools in the development of their design process. ‘Cloth and Memory’ on 4th September at Lyon & Turnbull and ‘The Power of Place’ on 11th September at Gayfield complete this first series of six design discussions.
Gayfield’s Creative Director Dr John Ennis said, “There’s always so much to see and do in August, it’s impossible to fit it all in. That’s why we decided to extend our exhibition opening times and our Twilight Talks into September when people have a bit more space in their diaries. As a brand-new venue in central Edinburgh focusing on design, we’ve been delighted with the support and interest shown so far.”
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The fifth Big Beach Busk takes place in Portobello this weekend. On Portobello Prom on Saturday there will be music to entertain you, all put on by a group of volunteers.
This is what they say:
“The Busk doesn’t really have rules as such. The only thing you really need to think about is respect. Respect your fellow buskers. If you’re rocking an amp don’t blast it out next to a harp player. Be kind. Respect the residents. The prom is home to lots of folk. I think most people love the Busk as much as we do but try not to play the same tune on repeat right outside someone’s window. Be nice.”
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In Abbeyhill there is a community of artists living in the lovely houses there. On 20 and 21 September they will be showing off their work and opening their doors to the public each afternoon.
Click to find out the list of artists who will be putting their work on show.
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The Edinburgh Mela takes place on Leith Links this weekend.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
