Author: Professional Learning

Free online training webinars for the National Standardised Assessments

An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland is useful for anyone involved in the delivery of national standardised assessments in primary or secondary schools who wish to understand the purpose of the assessments and gain familiarity with the functionality of the assessment system. It also highlights examples of good practice in administering the assessments and provides advice and practical information. It will be particularly useful for anyone who is new to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland (newly qualified teachers or teachers new to their current stage) or as a refresher for anyone who hasn’t used the system recently. 

  • A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context includes content that is relevant when working with learners who require additional support with their learning or for whom English is an additional language, including details of system functionality that can be used to support accessibility and some practical advice on using NSA.  

The webinars will take place via Microsoft Teams, with links to join being sent directly to all signed-up delegates. The dates for this term are:

Course

Date

Time

An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland

Monday 19th January 2026

4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context

Tuesday 20th January 2026

4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Both of these courses would be valuable for teachers engaging with the NSA system for the first time, whether new to stage or to the profession. This invite will be sent out to all active users who have signed in to the system within the last 12 months. However, it would be extremely valuable if you would be able to highlight these webinars to new users, as well as further promoting these webinars in your local authority as appropriate.

Places are limited so delegates should sign up here to register their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment:

https://forms.office.com/e/EHncS1FMn3

Please note that a valid school email address is needed to register. Please also note that we will be unable to accept any attendees who have not registered in advance. Further dates for these webinars will be made available again later in the academic year. Gaelic versions of these webinars will also be hosted later in the academic year.

If you would like any further information, please contact the service desk on 0330 403 0041 or support@nsa.scot

Leading the How of Change

Applications for the 2026 sessions for our Leading the How of Change programme go live at 9am on Monday 1st December. This is a fully funded, one day professional learning programme for Headteachers and those who hold the Standard for Headship. Attendance at an in person session counts for 6 hours of CPD, and the online sessions count for 4 hours of CPD time.

The 2026 session options are as follows:

Tuesday 27 January – Glasgow (in person)

Tuesday 3 February – Dundee (in person)

Thursday 26 February – Edinburgh (in person)

Tuesday 3 March – online

Thursday 21 May – online

The application forms are linked on our website, and will remain open until venues are at capacity, at which point we will close the relevant application form. Places are extremely limited so please only apply for one session – we can’t accept multiple applications.

Here is some feedback from our 2025 session attendees:

“Today gave valuable headspace for focusing on things I CAN control and influence”

“I’ll steal some of these tools for work with my staff and leadership teams”

“I thought action learning sets were really powerful and felt a sense of clarity after this exercise”

“I am leaving uplifted rather than downcast”

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing edspll@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions or queries.

Please note that conference packages are booked as per the number of programme participants and cannot be changed after booking. Unfortunately this means cancellations are unrecoverable, leading to unnecessary expense to Education Scotland, potentially impacting future programming and events. If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.

Emerging Literacy Links

The Emerging Literacy training package is available online – via the portal pages which have lots of information on them and the recorded training is in 4 parts that covers the emerging literacy training on each page.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sb/earlylevelportal/emerging-literacy-and-english/

Emerging Literacy & English, Oral Language & Phonological Awareness – Early Level Portal

Emerging Literacy & English, (pre) writing – Early Level Portal

Emerging Literacy & English – Concepts of Print – Early Level Portal

Education Scotland Early Level Reading resource – Learning to read in the Early Years: A professional support overview | Resources | Education Scotland

University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) STEM Outreach Programme – Primary STEM Videos

These Primary STEM videos, created by the UHI STEM Outreach Team, are designed to help teachers build confidence in bringing STEM to the classroom. While they’re especially useful for probationer teachers, the ideas and practical tips can benefit anyone, from understanding science capital and introducing coding, to trying simple experiments and making the most of online STEM resources. The series also highlights further opportunities, including the STEM Nation Award and the valuable role of STEM Ambassadors in supporting learning.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO4_Jw-o2NKTmzyH5zTSNlYgCLGkpW49W

Order-

  1. Science Capital: How to support and raise science capital in the classroom.
  1. Introduction to coding in the classroom: This video includes lots of simple ideas and tips for how to introduce coding to learners.
  1. The benefits of simple classroom experiments: This video highlights the benefits of carrying out simple experiments in the classroom. It includes a few ideas to get started.
  1. Websites and resources to support STEM learning: This video showcases a number of websites and resources that support STEM learning in the primary classroom. The padlet contains the links to all of the websites mentioned in the video. https://padlet.com/uhistem/stem-resources-for-primary-teachers-in-scotland-9zoupjrcmjk0uhcz
  1. Further STEM Support: This video highlights how to get involved in Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award, and the benefits of using STEM Ambassadors in the classroom.

Although our Outreach Programme only covers the UHI regional geography we thought you many be interested in these Primary videos. You can find out more about UHI STEM and our schools Outreach Programme at URL STEM Team – UHI

2026’s Pocket Garden Design Competition

The launch of 2026’s Pocket Garden Design Competition

What is a Pocket Garden?

A Pocket Garden is a miniature garden that uses edible plants, plants that attract wildlife, and that reuses something which would otherwise have been thrown away.

Each year, we invite young people from schools across Scotland to send in their designs for a colourful and exciting environmentally friendly, pocket-sized garden. Pupils who send in the winning designs are then invited to build and grow their gardens to display.  You can find out more about this years’ competition by downloading the Pocket Garden 2025 Brochure.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer recognised the health benefits of taking part in Pocket Garden in his Annual Report 2023 -2024. He said it, “connects children with their food and with nature.”

Previously, Pocket Gardens have been displayed at Gardening Scotland in Edinburgh, where they have been visited by the BBC Beechgrove Garden team, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. You can see this years’ winning designs transformed into fabulous gardens in our online Pocket Garden 2024 showcase.

STEM – Live Lesson – Robert Burns & The Environment

A live lesson on Robert Burns and the Environment on January 19.

Every January we learn Robert Burns poems as a celebration of Scottish heritage. But, if we look a little deeper, we can see that through his poems Robert Burns reveals a strong connection to the natural world and the landscape of Scotland. 

Join us in the run up to Burns Night for a fun, interactive Live Lesson exploring Burns’s appreciation for nature and desire to protect it.

This lesson is ideal for classes looking to explore Learning for Sustainability in a new way and schools working on the Heritage and Biodiversity Topics for their Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. 

The lesson will be followed by curricular linked resources to help take learning further, including a challenge to pupils to write their own nature inspired poem.

With thanks to The National Trust for Scotland for their support in developing this lesson.

Timetable and registration

Live Lesson (recommended for P4-S2): 1.30-2.00pm Monday 19 January 2025

The lesson will be recorded, and the recording posted on this page for you to catch up if you cannot attend live.

SSERC – Exciting Computing Science Professional Learning Opportunity

We are excited to announce the following Digital Professional Learning (PL) opportunities available from February 2026 that will empower you to bring Computing Science directly into your classroom! Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to act fast. Please see the links below for further information and how to apply for a place:

Introducing indi: Accessible & Fun for All Learners  

(Choose between NEW Saturday course or Monday course) 

Sphero indi are extremely accessible robots perfect for introducing Computing Science across Early Years and Primary stages, and help develop confidence for teachers looking to engage with Computing Science and STEM. (Click for Intro Video)

What You’ll Gain:

  • FREE Resources: You will leave the course with a full Sphero indi class pack (value: £1500) on loan to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks.
  • Confidence in using the Sphero indi through hands-on exploration, and demonstrating how indi’s colour-based programming supports early computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Ready-to-use lesson ideas and classroom integration strategies aligned to curriculum outcomes which encourage critical thinking, collaboration and help teachers create engaging STEM experiences for young learners.
  • Computing Science Understanding: Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using indi and unplugged methods.
  • Strategic Impact Opportunity: Excellent for meeting requirements for your School Improvement Plans and the Digital Schools Award.

Who should apply? Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.

Saturday 21st February 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026/

Monday 23rd February 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026-2/

Sphero BOLT: A Robotic Sphere With Endless Possibilities

Sphero BOLT is a fully programmable robotic ball designed to bring coding and STEM learning to life. Its numerous advanced sensors, LED matrix, and Bluetooth connectivity enable rich, interactive activities for students and offers support for block- and text-based coding. BOLT empowers learners to explore creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking. (Click for Intro video)

What You’ll Gain:

  • FREE Resources: You will leave the course with 5 Sphero BOLTS (value: £1000)on loan to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks as well as resources to support the use of these resources.
  • Confidence in using BOLT’s advanced features, including sensors, displays, and coding capabilities, while strengthening understanding of block coding and supporting progression in programming skills.
  • Ready-to-use lesson ideas and classroom integration strategies aligned to curriculum outcomes which encourage critical thinking, collaboration and help teachers create engaging STEM experiences for all learners.
  • Computing Science: Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using Sphero BOLT.
  • Strategic Impact: Excellent for meeting requirements for your School Improvement Plans and the Digital Schools Award.

Who should apply? Primary teachers, Secondary teachers for BGE, and Digital Lead teachers.

Tuesday 3rd March 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/sphero-bolt-loan-kit-march-2026/

Dash & Dot: Engaging Early & Primary Learners 

(NEW Saturday course)

Dash & Dot are accessible robots perfect for introducing Computing Science across Early Years and Primary stages, with functionality to support all stages across the nursery and primary settings.

What You’ll Gain:

  • FREE Resources: You will leave the course with 2 full Wonder Packs (value: £600) to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks as well as access to a loan iPad if necessary.
  • Computing Science: Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using Dash & Dot and other methods.
  • Curriculum Links: Learn how to link these robots with Health and Wellbeing (HWB), Music, Language, and Numeracy.
  • Strategic Impact: Excellent for meeting requirements for your School Improvement Plans and the Digital Schools Award.

Who should apply? Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.

Saturday 7th March 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/dash-and-dot-loan-kit-march-2026/

VEX 123: Scaffold CS Learning from Early to Second Level

VEX 123 is an innovative and accessible coding robot that can be used to support learners, scaffolding their learning throughout Early Years and Primary settings. Using three methods of coding with VEX 123 – Touch buttons, the Coder with Coder cards, and the VEXcode 123 app, provides access to various approaches to coding that can be carried out with the 123 Robot. (Click for Intro video)

What You’ll Gain:

  • FREE Loan Kits: You will leave the course with 1 x VEX 123 class kit on loan for around 16 school weeks.
  • An understanding of how to teach CS concepts and approaches using VEX 123, from Early Years settings through to Second Level, as well as lessons, activities and other resources to support implementation.
  • Continued support throughout the loan kit period and beyond via MS Teams.
  • Opportunity to share with colleagues in your setting using SSERC resources, and help meet requirements for school improvement plans and digital schools awards.

Who should apply?  Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.

Tuesday 10th March 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/vex-123-class-loan-kit-march-2026/

VEX GO: Build, Power and Code Your Way Through STEM Experiences

VEX GO is an amazing product from VEX Robotics that helps us introduce the world of STEM, robotics and coding to our pupils.  While VEX GO can be used to build, power and code robots, it is also an all round STEM resource which focusses on building models to encourage engagement with Science, Maths and Engineering. (Click for Intro video)

What You’ll Gain:

  • FREE Loan Kits: You will leave the course with 1 x VEX GO class kit on loan for around 16 school weeks.
  • Access to an immense library of resources to help use VEX GO to teach subjects across the entire curriculum, with a focus on STEM subjects.
  • Professional Learning on how to engage with STEM and Computing Science using this amazing resource, building several models throughout the day and seeing how these link with the supporting resources.
  • An understanding of CS concepts and approaches and how to teach them, during our afternoon session on coding, with the VEX GO CodeBase build.

Who should apply?  Primary teachers, Digital Lead teachers and has also been used by Secondary teachers supporting BGE.

Friday 27th February 2026:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/vex-go-class-loan-kit-february-2026/

Spaces for these full-day PL sessions are limited. Secure your place now and bring valuable, curriculum-linked robotics into your classroom this term.

If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Reid at kevin.reid@sserc.scot.

National Standardised Assessment

Upcoming free online training webinars for the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland.

  • An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland is useful for anyone involved in the delivery of national standardised assessments in primary or secondary schools who wish to understand the purpose of the assessments and gain familiarity with the functionality of the assessment system. It also highlights examples of good practice in administering the assessments and provides advice and practical information.It will be particularly useful for anyone who is new to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland (newly qualified teachers or teachers new to their current stage) or as a refresher for anyone who hasn’t used the system recently.
  • A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context includes content that is relevant when working with learners who require additional support with their learning or for whom English is an additional language, including details of system functionality that can be used to support accessibility and some practical advice on using NSA.

The webinars will take place via Microsoft Teams, with links to join being sent directly to all signed-up delegates. The dates for this term are:

Course Date Time
An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland Monday 19th January 2026 4-5.30pm
A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context Tuesday 20th January 2026 4-5.30pm

 

Places are limited so please sign up here to register your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment:

https://forms.office.com/e/EHncS1FMn3

Please note that you need to use a valid school email address to register. Please also note that we will be unable to accept any attendees who have not registered in advance.

Further dates for these webinars will be made available again later in the academic year. Gaelic versions of these webinars will also be hosted later in the academic year.

If you would like any further information, please contact the service desk on 0330 403 0041 or support@nsa.scot

Benedetti Foundation

Free Music CPD open to all primary teachers / PSAs (non-music specialists)

 

What: The 2 hour CPD will be a practical session on things like body percussion, singing, movement and creative music activities. The aim of the session is to help build confidence for non-specialists and give ideas of how to bring in music to the classroom.

Who: Primary CPD is open to all primary school teachers and teaching assistants

When: Tuesday 10th February 4-6pm

Where: Galashiels Academy (New school)

How: Sign up here – https://forms.office.com/e/MnhDXz31Gj?origin=lprLink