Author: Professional Learning

Resources and support for anti-racist education practitioners in Scotland

This website provides tools, workshops and ideas to support Early Years practitioners and educators in Scotland to build an anti-racist curriculum which responds positively to the diverse needs of individual learning where all cultures, religions, identities, and languages are recognised and valued. There are materials for Early Level, which include 3 padlets on ways to develop spaces, experiences and interaction through an anti-racist lens, 1st level resources which take a story-line approach and 2nd / 3rd level materials which are designed as interactive workshops. In addition there is information about using the right language and how to deal with racial slurs.

The materials have been developed in partnership with a racially diverse group of children, young people and educators across different sectors of Scottish Education.

 

All the materials are free to access on our website https://www.antiracisted.scot/

Computing Science

Exciting Computing Science Professional Learning Opportunity

We have some truly exciting news to share that will empower you to bring Computing Science directly into your classroom! SSERC is offering a unique suite of professional learning opportunities designed specifically for local authority representatives and teachers like you.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out?

  • Hands-on, Experiential Learning: A full day providing excellent, practical experience that you can immediately apply.
  • Loan Robot Kits: Not only will you gain valuable knowledge and skills, but you’ll also receive a full class kit of robots on loan for up to 20 school weeks! This means you can instantly translate your professional learning into engaging, hands-on activities for your learners. Imagine the excitement and learning your learners will experience with these resources at their fingertips.
  • Highly Affordable Rate: We’ve made these events accessible to ensure as many educators as possible can benefit.

Secure Your Spot!

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to act fast.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Kevin Reid at kevin.reid@sserc.scot.

 

Teacher leader networks: Opportunities to lead SBCway priorities

Teacher leader networks: Opportunities to lead SBCway priorities
Rationale: As part of our new ‘Leadership Academy’, we recognise the need to provide strategic leadership opportunities for our classroom teachers. Teacher leaders will also provide additional capacity within the ‘Team Around the Cluster’ model, offering schools within each cluster access to expert support and advice about key #SBCway improvement priorities. These teacher leader roles provide a unique opportunity for experienced practitioners to lead, with support, out-with their own classroom and school.

SBCway-linked roles
For the priority areas listed below, teacher leaders will:
✓ Be classed-based but the school’s lead practitioner for ongoing specific priority developments.
✓ Remain up-to-date with SBCway developments.
✓ Attend regular (max. half-termly) twilight webinars.
✓ Support with ongoing evaluation of improvement developments.
✓ Join and engage with relevant SchoolHouse channel.
✓ Promote key messages to wider staff team, liaising with HTs.
✓ Support school / cluster improvement activity as directed by HTs.
✓ Commit 10hrs of individual CPD time to the role

SBCway priorities
To ensure key priorities receive proportionate teacher leader attention, the following opportunities have been allocated according to school size.


Commitment: Teacher leaders, by definition, are classroom based. They will commit 10 hours of their individual CLPL time to this development opportunity. School leaders may choose to provide additional time if appropriate. Additional CLPL sessions may be offered over the school year.
Middle leaders: In most secondary schools and some primary schools, these teacher leader roles will already sit within the remit of existing PTs or other middle leader roles. As such, there is no requirement to appoint additional individuals into these roles unless there is an appropriate rationale to do so.
Recruitment process: The opportunity to be a Teacher leader should be offered to all teachers. Headteachers should discuss these opportunities with staff. If necessary, informal interviews can be conducted to select the most suitable candidates.
Vacant roles: If a school/group of schools is unable to appoint teacher leaders, Headteachers will be the designated point of contact for improvement activity. But Headteachers will not be required to fulfil the expectations of the teacher leader role

Confirmation of appointed staff, along with contact email addresses and base school should be sent to CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk 

Introduction to British Sign Language

An introduction to the BSL 1+2 pack and its contents. Staff will be given the opportunity to explore resources and plan how it can be used in their setting.

Aims – to become familiar with BSL 1+2 pack. To feel more confident in the delivery of BSL. Opportunity for professional dialogue and questions around BSL. To become more deaf aware in your practice.

Target Audience – all interested staff

Online, 16 September 2025, 3:45pm until 5pm

Bookings can be made through Business World

 

OH LILA: A PRACTICAL RESOURCE FOR BUILDING RESILIENCE AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

VENUE:         The Roxburgh Suite, Scottish Borders Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells

DATE:           Friday 19th September 2025

TIME:            1pm – 4pm

WHO:           Early Years Settings

 

Oh Lila is a child friendly resource suitable for use with children aged 3 to 6 years and aims to build resilience and protective factors in young children, helping them to develop social skills and encouraging them to communicate.   Oh Lila can be linked to the Curriculum for Excellence, particularly around Health & Wellbeing but other areas too, such as Creative Arts.

On completing training, learners will have:

  • An increased awareness of the key themes of Oh Lila and how they relate to building resilience in children.
  • Increased confidence, skills and knowledge to use the Oh Lila resource and to manage disclosures from children in line with organizational procedures.
  • An enhanced awareness and understanding of the problems caused by alcohol and that by strengthening the foundation (early years) of life can prevent problems later as young adults.
  • An increased awareness of local and national strategies and policies.

The Oh Lila resource pack does not talk about alcohol or any other substances.

How to book a place:

  • Scottish Borders Council staff can sign up via Business World
  • Private & Voluntary nurseries should use this form

All Early Years Settings have been supplied with the Oh Lila resource pack.

Please have your centre’s pack to hand for the session.          

You can also attend this as a refresher session.

For more information on training and resources http://www.ohlila.org.uk

This course is free to attendees; however there is a charge to Borders Alcohol & Drugs Partnership.  Please ensure you have confirmed your availability before requesting to attend.

CPI – Breaking Up Fights

The Inclusion & Wellbeing Service have funding to organise a 3 hour session on Breaking Up Fights which will be facilitated by Crisis Prevention Institute.

The session would be for 24 people and we would like to register interest of staff before we secure a date and venue with the provider.

If you would be interested in attending this session please complete this form. iws

SAMEE Leadership & Mentoring Programme 2025

Leadership & Mentoring | SAMEE

SAMEE’s Leadership and Mentoring programme is underpinned by current research on the experiences of BME teachers in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2019; Mohammed, 2020). Minority ethnic teachers continue to be under represented in promoted posts and leadership. 

This programme is designed to provide the tools, resources and support network to enable BME professionals to:

​Enhance personal and professional wellness

  • Define their professional identity

  • Be cognisant of their leadership potential

  • Undertake impactful mentoring and coaching

  • Navigate critical conversations

  • Develop a sense of self-efficacy

​

The programme will begin in September 2025 and will be delivered over a six-month period.

To apply for the programme, fill in the application form below and email it to: administration@samee.org.uk

Download the application