Pupils set to learn at new virtual campus

Perth and Kinross secondary pupils are now being taught qualifications virtually as a by-product of the pandemic. A virtual campus is being developed across the region. Perth and Kinross Council’s education chief told councillors pupils were now being offered a wider range of subjects as a result.

At a meeting of PKC’s lifelong learning committee on Wednesday, August 25, PKC’s executive director of education and children’s services Sheena Devlin revealed there had been a “significant development” with the virtual campus.

Perth and Kinross pupils are now being offered additional subjects they may not have been able to study in their own school - mainly at Advanced Higher level.

The range of courses available is being further developed - both at a Perth and Kinross level and across Tayside.

Councillors were told a virtual learning regent had been appointed in each school with one day a week in their timetable devoted to developing this virtual offering and ensuring pupils have access.

A council officer told the committee: “It is indeed an exciting time in Perth and Kinross in the world of digital learning.”

Ms Devlin said the pandemic had accelerated the digital offering and widened the breadth of choice of subjects for young people.

Pupils are currently able to be taught subjects such as Advanced Higher Modern Studies and Higher Politics within Perth and Kinross as well as Advanced Highers in modern languages and in Computing at a Tayside level.

Councillors have been offered a briefing on the full detail of this development.