Author: Professional Learning

Coaching in Education – self-directed learning

Coaching in Education is an open access resource designed to support all educators to learn about the far-reaching benefits of coaching which can have a significant impact on how we learn and develop within Scottish education.

This resource is designed to support those working in education to:

  • build an understanding of coaching in education and how it can benefit our workforce
  • build skills in using a coaching approach across different contexts
  • develop an understanding of how a coaching approach can be applied in education.

These self-directed professional learning activities (PLAs) are designed to support you to use a coaching approach and to learn and develop your coaching practice.

1. Introduction to Coaching in Education

This resource will introduce you to the practice of coaching in education and will support you to reflect on how coaching has the potential to impact you in your role.

2. Coaching Skills: Building the Coaching Relationship

Explore how to build effective and supportive coaching relationships through developing key coaching skills such as contracting, listening, and questioning.

3. Coaching Models and Tools

Explore tools and techniques to support you to use a coaching approach in your education setting.

A key feature of these professional learning activities is reflective learning and applying learning to practice. We have developed a reflective journal to accompany these self-directed professional learning activities that you may find helpful.

There are also versions of these modules which have facilitator notes for leading sessions with colleagues: Facilitating professional learning on coaching | Coaching in Education | Self-directed professional learning | Professional Learning | Education Scotland

Coaching in Education – Reflective Journal

Before accessing the PLAs, you may wish to check out our guide to creating an account on our website.

We have designed this Reflective Journal (Word) to be used with the Coaching in Education self-directed learning activities.  It is intended as an optional support and is not for submission.

Please note there are corresponding workshops on these topics that can be used to facilitate professional learning in your setting.

Together Type 1 Education Webinars – Hosted by young people with lived experience

4 of our young leader volunteers are hosting two webinars targeting education staff in schools.

 

Thursday 28th May (Primary education): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-people-with-type-1-diabetes-in-schools-primary-education-tickets-1984381671999?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Thursday 5th June (Secondary Education): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-people-with-type-1-diabetes-in-schools-secondary-tickets-1984384651912?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Feel free to register yourself as a healthcare professional or if you can please send this onto any local schools or education staff you work with, that would be appreciated!

 

It will be recorded on the night, so if you’re interested in the webinar but can’t attend, please register anyways and you’ll be sent a link to the recording afterwards.

 

If you would like to stop receiving emails from me about Together Type 1 updates and opportunities, please let me know.

 

 

Róisín O’Donovan
Youth Coordinator Together Type 1 (TT1) Scotland Team
07469154828

 

Boardmaker & Sounding Board App

Boardmaker

This course will guide you through how to create symbol supported resources using Boardmaker software.

Aims:

  • Staff will be able to use Boardmaker to create basic symbolised resources.
  • Staff will be able to use templates within Boardmaker.
  • Staff will be able to use Boardmaker Online to search for pre-made resources.
  • Staff will be able to edit pre-made resources.

12 May, 3:45pm to 4:45pm – bookings can be made through Business World

 

Sounding Board App

This training will cover how to use the Sounding Board app to support pupils with communication and choice making.

Aims:

Staff will understand the purpose of the app and how it can support communication.
Staff will be able to create a basic board.
Staff will be able to save and share boards with other staff/pupils.
Staff will be able to access some shared pre-made boards.

13 May, 3:45pm to 4:30pm – bookings can be made through Business World

 

Developing your use of Insight

During May and June 2026 the Insight Advisors will deliver Cohort 3 of “Developing your use of Insight”, a series of webinars designed to upskill participants in the use of Insight.

 

The content of the course is targeted at senior school leadership and those with a whole school raising attainment role.  Local Authority attainment leads are also very welcome to attend. Over 450 school leaders signed up for Cohort 1 (delivered following the February 2025 Update) and over 150 participated in Cohort 2 (following the September 2025 Update) with very positive feedback.

 

Participants can book onto the webinars through the Insight Padlet.

Parental Engagement: Evaluate practice and build workforce capacity 

This live session will take place on Thursday 30 April, 4.30-5.30pm. This free session, available to all educators across our member local authorities provides an overview of how partnership working can support schools to strengthen parental engagement – so please share across your networks.

We recommend signing up for the session, even if you can’t attend, as all registrants will receive the presentation slides and recording afterwards.

Please note: Sessions will be held via Zoom which does not require any log in and can be viewed on a device of your choice. Registration through Eventbrite does not require to be completed with a local authority email address and email details are only used to send communication linked to this session.

Booking is essential!

I’ve also included a link to our Professional Learning survey Connect Professional Learning Feedback Survey 2026 – Fill in form

We rely on feedback from our members to support continuous improvement and ensure we are meeting your needs, so we would really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete it.

For those who have not yet signed up to MyConnect Professional Learning, you can do so here:

MyConnect Registration Request

https://connectscot.tfaforms.net/f/myconnect

Educators: Professional Learning Hub

Connect Members: Parental Engagement: Evaluate practice and build workforce capacity

30 April 2026, 4.30-5.30pm

Online via Zoom. Places are free, booking is required

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985813520697?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

 
A practical professional learning session focused on strengthening parental engagement through collaborative evaluation.

 

Session overview

Live Professional Learning Session (presented and facilitated)

This professional learning session explores how schools can work collaboratively with parents, families and the Parent Council to evaluate and strengthen workforce values and skills in parental engagement. Grounded in national guidance, the session supports educators to take a reflective, partnership-based approach to improvement.

 

Participants will consider how meaningful co-evaluation can enhance relationships, build staff confidence and professional development, and support ongoing school improvement.

 

Who is this session for?

Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers, and Senior Leaders in Scottish Schools

 

Key Themes:

  • Workforce values and skills in parental engagement
  • Collaborative co-evaluation with families and/or the Parent Council
  • Professional reflection and capacity building
  • Use of evidence to inform improvement (parental engagement)
  • Alignment with national frameworks

 
Please note: Sessions will be held via Zoom which does not require any log in and can be viewed on a device of your choice. Registration through Eventbrite does not require to be completed with a local authority email address and email details are only used to send communication linked to this session.

Imagine a Man – Train the Trainer

Imagine a Man is a research and evidence-based development initiative designed to help boys and young men to develop a healthy and positive version of masculinity that aligns to gender equality.

The Scottish Borders Council is expanding the “Imagine a Man” programme, a No Knives Better Lives initiative, following successful trials. The programme focuses on positive masculinity to reduce violence and support youth, creating safe spaces for boys to discuss gender stereotypes, emotions, and mental health.

For more information, you can visit the Imagine A Man page on the Police Scotland site.

Aim – To enable school staff to deliver Imagine a Man / The Lassie’s are no Feart

Target Audience – School teachers / Pupil Support Assistants / Home School Link Workers / School Liaison Officers / Youth Workers

We have 2 sessions scheduled for the summer term and they are:

11 May – 1-4pm in the Roxburgh Suite, Council HQ

OR

1 June – 9:30 – 12:30 in the Business Suite, Council HQ

 

Bookings can be made via Business World.

 

Dyslexia Scotland Call for Applications

Support for Learning teachers, Additional Support Needs teachers, Pupil Support teachers and local authority Inclusion Education Officers are encouraged to apply, as well as others such as classroom teachers and Principal Teachers who can work in partnership with their support teachers.

Applications for cohort 6 of the programme (deadline 25 May):

Call for applications: Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice GTCS Professional Recognition programme | Dyslexia Scotland – Dyslexia Scotland