Category Archives: Professional Development

Outdoor learning training opportunities 2015-16

Dear colleagues

At Grounds for Learning we offer many in-service outdoor learning courses for teachers, all developed by Scottish teachers and Universities, and proven to have positive impact on learners. Our feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with more than a few teachers suggesting it is the ‘best course in (12) years of teaching’ and more.

I am accredited by GTCS, and teachers completing the long term courses will be recommended for Professional Recognition. These courses all support CfE, Learning for Sustainability and GTCS professional standards, which require every teacher to be leading outdoor learning on a regular and progressive basis. Continue reading Outdoor learning training opportunities 2015-16

Best Practice in Outdoor Learning

THE SCOTTISH ADVISORY PANEL is the forum for representatives from Local Authorities across Scotland to consider and debate best practice in the development and safe delivery of Outdoor Learning.

It aims to:

*   Support Local Authorities in the development of Outdoor Learning as part of the Curriculum for Excellence
*   Promote and develop consistent good practice across Scotland for off-site visits through the implementation of Going Out There
*   Support the provision of Adventure Activities and residential Outdoor Centres

Find out more About Us

<http://www.sapoe.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do>

http://www.sapoe.org.uk/

Curriculum Design Days resources: Day 1 and 2

See below to download materials from the recent Curriculum Design Days held during 2013/14

Day One resources:

Agenda Day 1

Day 1 letter

Curriculum presentation power point

Curriculum provision taxonomy summary

Curriculum provision taxonomy detail

Curriculum Jigsaw template

Curriculum Evaluation example

Curriculum Evaluation A

Curriculum Evaluation B

Day Two resources:

Agenda Day 2

Day 2 letter

A curriculum plan or statement

Design Principals:

Design Principles Resource

The Four Capacities:

Four Capacities Audit

The Four Contexts:

Four Contexts Resource (updated)

Working docs:

Audit – Curriculum areas and subjects

Audit – Ethos and life of the school 1

Audit – Ethos and life of the school 2

Audit – Interdisciplinary learning

Audit – Opportunities for personal achievement 1

Audit – Opportunities for Personal Achievement 2

NEW!! Opportunities for Personal Achievement 3

Vision, Values and Aims:

VVA presentation

Schools’ plans:

Dalintober

Curriculum Statement: Kilcreggan Primary

Curriculum map Kilcreggan

Kilmartin map

Rhunahaorine map

Lismore

UHI and Local Authority Partnership to facilitate Masters-level learning

UHI, together with Highland Council, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council, Comhairle nan Eilean, Moray Council and Argyll and Bute Council was successful in applying for funds to facilitate Masters-level learning for teachers.
The programme will commence on Monday 8 September. Included below are the selection criterion. Please note that as this is Master-level learning applicants should hold an Honours Degree. Our aim is to complete the selection process before the start of the summer break so that successful individuals have sufficient time to do a bit of background reading over the holiday period.
Further information on the programme can be found HERE
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity please submit an application outlining the planned focus for your work and how it will support Argyll and Bute Education Priorities and the priorities of the establishment in which you teach. You must also include confirmation from your Headteacher that they support your submission and that it will be a priority in your school improvement plan.
This information should be submitted to wendy.brownlie@argyll-bute.gov.uk no later than 3pm on Friday 6 June.
selection criteria:-
1. Two applications from a school will be favourably considered where the two applicants plan to cooperate with each other and to use relevant techniques such as a) peer mentoring and b) peer observation of each other’s classrooms;
2. Applications will only be considered by UHI if the applicant has been endorsed and supported by, relevant local authority personnel;
3. Applicants must demonstrate awareness of local authority educational priorities and development plan objectives;
4. Applicants must be endorsed by their head teacher;
5. Applicants must demonstrate that the planned focus of work is embedded within current school development priorities;
6. Applicants must be fully registered teachers;
7. Applicants must be class contact teachers;
8. Applicants will be expected to contribute to INSET at school and authority level in relation to areas of research;
9. Applicants will be required to participate in probationer training.

Parklands ‘doors open’ day.

Parklands in Helensburgh plan to hold a doors open day on their Nov in-service day. They are offering opportunities to see what resources they use, how they operate as well as a tour. The school are also happy to respond to requests  regarding any other aspects of the work of the school that staff are interested in seeing.

Those interested should contact Parklands directly.

Parklands School
27 Charlotte Street
Helensburgh
G84 7EZ
01436 673714

Girfec, Internet Safety and Autism training available

I currently offer training in the following areas on request at single establishments up to local cluster level events.
Applied Behaviour Analysis, Autism Awareness, Autism Training
Assertive Discipline, Pathological Demand Avoidance
Working Together – assistant and teacher roles and responsibilities in school
Internet Safety (Parents and Carers), Internet Safety (P4 to P7)
File Auditing Processes – girfec compliance for practitioners, Girfec Named Person/Lead Professional Training (Full Day), Girfec Workshops for NP/LPs (Half Day)

Also on offer is case based consultancy and support to schools, parents and other professionals for specific children or groups of children to produce individual plans, procedures, protocols and processes to support developing positive behaviour.

download request forms here:
ESO Behaviour Support letter.
ESO Request for Support Form Guidance.
ESO Request for Support Form.ESO Request for Support Form Guidance

Please contact:
Gerry Geoghegan
Education Support Officer
The Moat Centre
Stuart Street
Rothesay
Isle of Bute
PA20 0BX

gerald.geoghegan@argyll-bute.gov.uk

PRD CONSULTATION

You will now be aware that the General Teaching Council for Scotland was tasked by the Scottish Government with introducing a scheme of re-accreditation for teachers. This scheme is called Professional Update. The Professional Update process requires teachers to:
– keep their entry on the GTCS Register accurate
– engage in on-going professional review and learning
– confirm this with GTC Scotland every 5 years
The Professional Update process requires employers to:
– provide a Professional Review and Development scheme which meets national criteria and supports teachers in completing the Professional Update process

From August 2014, ongoing engagement in the Professional Update process is a condition of registration with GTC Scotland for all teachers. To ensure that we have a Professional Review and Development (PRD) scheme in Argyll and Bute that meets the criteria and supports the Professional Update process we have undertaken an online review of the current process, consulted with head teachers and teaching staff in all areas whilst delivering presentations and have been working closely with the professional associations.
We are pleased now to be sharing with you the DRAFT PRD POLICY and DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES for final consultation.

All comments and questions should be returned to stephanie.duffy@Argyll-bute.gov.uk no later than Friday 2 May.
On 28 May a panel from GTC Scotland will be visiting to undertake verification of our policy and procedures. Following verification we will issue a final version of these documents. Training will be available in all areas and online to support preparing for your PRD. Training will be provided in mentoring for those who lead the PRD process.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information or have any questions.

Wendy Brownlie
Seconded Headteacher
(Principal of Rothesay Joint Campus)
Argyll and Bute Council
01369707118
07500918528