The Bell 500 gives us the opportunity to share thoughts on a wide range of educational topics from global contributors and gives you the opportunity to read 500 words to motivate your mind. It's quick, it’s focused and it’s always topical.
And, if you’re interested, here’s some further information on how the Bell 500 started…
The Bell 500 is an idea and inspiration borne out of our passion for education, determination to succeed and in homage to our founder’s late grandmother. Indeed, the Bell 500 takes its name directly from Jeanie Fairlie Hammond Bell who was a leading force in shaping his life. Born in 1919, Jean (as she liked to be known) was born into a working-class family in the mill town of Paisley in the West of Scotland. Married to Archie Bell, she soon welcomed a daughter to her family and it was not long after that when she (unusually for a married woman at that time) entered the workforce. As a strongly independent woman and a believer in learning with a passion for picking up new skills, she held various diverse positions during her long working career culminating in the job she loved most, training and working as a Chemistry Technician supporting academic staff and students at Paisley College of Technology (now the University of the West of Scotland). She remained in that role for many years until she retired from full-time employment at the age of 65. Even though she passed in 2015, at the grand age of 96 years, her determination, drive and passion for life and learning remain an inspiration to this day.
Next Generation Higher Nationals – what’s changed!
A previous article covered the rationale for the development of a new breed of Higher National (HN) qualifications – known as Next Generation HNs (NextGen:HNs). It also described some of the features of NextGen:HNs, such as the inclusion of meta-skills and the structural change to fewer but larger units of study.
Next Generation Higher National Qualifications
Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Diplomas (HND) have long been a cornerstone of Scotland’s educational landscape, providing practical, industry-focused training that prepares learners with the skills needed to thrive in the workplace. Many universities recognise the strength of these qualifications, often providing HNC and HND graduates with direct entry into degree programs.