Two Signature School Programmes Announced
The two Signature Learning Programmes at CedarBridge Academy will be “Building Construction and Maintenance: Trades and Professions” and ” STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math,” while the Programmes at the Berkeley Institute will be “Health and Social Care” and “Financial and Insurance Services,” the Government announced today.
Minister of Education Diallo Rabain said, “I am pleased to announce the determination of Signature Learning Programmes for our first two signature schools. You may recall that in my last Press Conference, where I was joined by the Chairmen of the Boards of Governors for our two senior schools, Mr. Jason Wade JP, MP, the Chair of the Board at CedarBridge Academy; and Mr. Craig Bridgewater, the Chair of the Board at The Berkeley Institute, I announced the list of agreed Signatures for the Bermuda Public School System.”
“The Signatures which are based on sectors of the economy and cover a wide range of occupations include:
- 1. STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
- 2. Climate, Environment, Agriculture and Resources
- 3. Health and Social care
- 4. Community and Social Investment
- 5. Arts and Culture
- 6. Education Services
- 7. Sports and Leisure Management
- 8. Financial and Insurance Services,
- 9. Hospitality and Tourism,
- 10. Building Construction and Maintenance: Trades and Professions
Minister Rabain added, “Today, with thanks to our ongoing partnerships with CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute, I would like to announce the first two Signature Learning Programmes which each school will be offering to students entering Senior Schooling [S1] for the 2022-23 academic year:
“At the CedarBridge Academy, the two Signature Learning Programmes will be:
- 1. Building Construction and Maintenance: Trades and Professions
- 2. STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
“The two Signature Learning Programmes at The Berkeley Institute will be:
- Health and Social Care
- Financial and Insurance Services
“These four Signature Learning Programmes will bode well as a start for our students upon entering the workforce. There will be a continuing need in the Bermuda economy for building construction to maintain, redevelop and refurbish buildings and physical infrastructure on the island.
“As per the 2020 Employment Brief, the Bermuda labour market in 2019 showed that construction combined with retail trade & repair accounted for 14% of filled jobs; with the growth in the level of GDP in real terms mainly driven by increases of $53.0 million in the output of the construction and quarrying sector.
“Additionally, STEM is forecasted to be one of the biggest growth sectors of the global economy with these skills underpinning much of all future employment. In 2019, there were three times as many non-Bermudians compared to Bermudians who filled occupations such as software engineers, software developers and application programmers.
“The positive movement in GDP of 3.9 per cent was largely driven by an increase in the output of international business activity that reflected a growth of 17.0 per cent in the professional, scientific and technical sector as per the 2020 National Economic Report.
“Also, the demand for high quality health and social services is ever increasing with a need to be less reliant on overseas recruitment. In 2019, the number of filled positions by non-Bermudian registered nurses and doctors outpaced that for Bermudians. In 2019, the human health and social work sector represented 5.0 per cent of GDP and increased for the fifth consecutive year bolstered by growth in residential care activities for the elderly and disabled.
“The demand for Bermudians to work in the healthcare sector is ripe. Similarly, insurance, reinsurance and financial services continue to be thriving and robust sectors of the economy in Bermuda. International business drives Bermuda’s economy as it is a primary source of revenue and contributes significantly to GDP.
Minister Rabain stated, “The determination of the Signatures was based on a rigorous analysis undertaken by the CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute teams. They considered all factors critical to the success of the Signature Learning Programmes such as:
- the existing staffing profile
- the passions and interests of students and families
- physical resources
- existing and possible partnerships
- location
- history, and the culture of each school
“The Signature Learning Programmes for each senior school student, will consist of modules on relevant academic subjects, appropriate practical skills training, individual and group projects focused on real-world issues and challenges, internships and meaningful work placements, effective guidance on careers and further education, and relevant accreditation.
Minister Rabain added, “A student’s Signature Learning Programme will take up 30% of their time while also following the core curriculum of English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Students will further develop foundational skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and communication, and, collaboration and team working.
“These are essential skills which are critical to life and work in the 21st century.”
“Now that the Signature Learning Programmes have been finalized, the Ministry’s Learning First team will work with the two senior schools to recruit and induct school transformation teams. Members of these teams will develop the Signature Learning Programmes for the 2022-23 academic year.
“School Transformation Teams will be the vehicles for co-designing the transformation of a school. Transformation Teams are made up of diverse stakeholders from both within our two Senior Schools and across the system. The Team members will be active participants in the school transformation process, working on behalf of their school and the wider Bermudian education community to design, test and implement the new Signature Learning Programmes.
“The timeline for establishing the School Transformation Teams is as follows:
- Recruitment – begins on May 26, 2021
- Induction and onboarding of team members from June 14 to 16 2021
- Planning, testing and developing the Signature Learning Programmes during the school year from September 2021 to February 2022
- Transition to implementation of the Programmes from March 2022 to August 2022
- September 2022- opening new Signature Learning Programmes for S1 students
Minister Rabain concluded, “Please keep an eye out for future communications regarding this reform but should you be interested in joining these teams, please visit www.learningfirstbda.com or send an email to schoolredesign@moed.bm.”
“This a significant milestone in the reform of education in Bermuda, a further manifestation of this Government’s commitment to education. We do hope you join us on this journey to ensure that every Bermudian young person has the opportunity to lead personally and professionally, compete locally and contribute globally.”
