early years

John Muir Award – alternative programmes

With the current stoppage on the John Muir Award, schools may be looking for alternative Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability based programmes for their pupils. The following may be of interest to all schools;

Join in Award Scheme – previously the Junior Award Scheme for Schools, this programme is an inclusive, stand-alone award, and an ideal foundation for progressing to other awards.

Junior Duke Award – similar format to, but not associated with, the Duke of Edinburgh award, but is targeted at younger pupils. Age relevant programmes for pupils from 3yrs – 13yrs old.

National Outdoor Learning Award – free OL specific programme with main themes of development of self, others and the environment.

Junior Rangers and Wildlife Champions – Junior Ranger award for 11-18yr olds, Wildlife Champion award aimed at 8-11yr olds

RSPB Wild Challenge – series of challenges based around experiencing nature, and helping nature

Keep Scotland Beautiful Eco Schools and Learning About Forests programmes – national programmes with good resources and support, including teacher training and examples of the awards in action

The Tree Council is looking for 70 new schools or youth groups to work with us this year to deliver a Young Tree Champions Trees and More Project, to make a difference to your young people and to the planet! We will provide free trees (fruit or hedgerow), a digital microscope camera, related educator training opportunities, online curriculum-linked resources and the chance for in-person workshops delivered by us and our partners.

• Find out all about it HERE.
• Join our webinar 4pm on 26 September to hear from educators who have first-hand experience of delivering tree-mendous projects to understand the benefits, considerations and also to ask questions.
• Applications close on 25 October and I would love to see your school or youth group apply.

If you have any further questions or would like a chat, please drop me an email on luisa.brown@treecouncil.org,uk

Glasgow City Council are again running The Theory and Practice of Nurture programme which runs over 6 sessions and will be held online.

The course covers:

• The development of nurturing approaches
• Attachment theory
• The 6 nurturing principles in practice
• The impact of trauma and adversity on brain development
• Boxall Profile training with books ‘the Boxall Profile’ and ‘beyond the Boxall’
• Information on the assignment which includes a child study and reflections on practice
• Running a nurture group
• Supporting neurodivergent pupils with nurturing approaches

Date	Start	Finish
13/11/2024	10:00	12:00
20/11/2024	13:00	15:00
27/11/2024	10:00	12:00
04/12/2024	10:00	12:00
11/12/2024	10:00	12:00
15/01/2025	10:00	12:00

This course is amazing value for money at £300 per person. This cost would have to be met by individual schools.

If you would like to attend or require further information please email CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk with your name, base school and email address.

Education Scotland are delighted to share with you that they have opened applications to Leading the How of Change: Facilitated learning for strategic leadership. This new programme builds on and replaces Excellence in Headship. Places on Leading the How of Change will be limited, so we recommend applying early to secure your space!

Here’s why we think you should consider applying for the Leading the How of Change programme in 24-25:

We’re coming to you!

We have taken on board feedback about accessibility of some of our in-person learning opportunities. So, for Leading the How of Change we are hitting the road and will be travelling to various locations across Scotland.

As a participant on Leading the How of Change you will be expected to attend one of the following core sessions:
Tuesday 29th October 2024, 10am – 4pm, Dundee Malmaison
Thursday 7th November 2024, 9.30am – 12pm, online via MS Teams
Tuesday 12th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Stirling Court
Tuesday 19th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Glasgow Radisson Blu
Tuesday 26th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue
Thursday 16th January 2025, 1.30pm – 4pm, online via MS Teams,
Tuesday 18th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Aberdeen Copthorne
Thursday 20th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Glasgow Radisson Blu
Tuesday 25th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue

The full day session you attend will enable you to network with other leaders from across Scotland to explore key conventions of leading change, informed by practical leadership experience and research-based thinking.

 

We have extended the programme to those who hold the Standard for Headship!

Leading the How of Change is open to headteachers and those who hold the Standard for Headship, but who may not yet be in a headteacher role.

We expect high demand for this programme. Places will be given on a first come first served basis. If we are over capacity at a particular venue, we may have to contact you to offer an alternative date or venue.

If you’d like to apply for this programme, click here for further information. The application form is found under the section ‘Applying and further information’.

 

Full Disclosure.

Places on Leading the How of Change are fully funded. We have invested in securing in-person venues for the learning days and we cannot recover costs incurred from cancelled or withdrawn applications.

If you have any questions regarding this programme, or would like a discussion about support please don’t hesitate to email us at edspll@educationscotland.gov.scot with LHoC in the subject line.

 

 

The Leading Professional Learning programme from Education Scotland is designed to support you in fostering a culture of transformational professional learning across your school, setting, cluster or local authority.

This for you if you lead professional learning in your school or setting (no need for formal senior leadership role) or your context (local authority, RIC or national organisation).

The programme focuses on increasing leadership of professional learning through a collective approach. Grounded in educational research and centred around our national model of professional learning, it offers a unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in designing and delivering professional learning.

 Key Dates:

• Induction core day (online): Tuesday 5^th November 2024 10am – 4pm
• Online self-directed learning through website
• Touchpoint (online): Wednesday 26^th February 2025 4pm – 6pm
• Professional Learning Exchange Summit: Wednesday 28^th May 2025 (Timings TBC)

To register or learn more, please visit: Leading professional learning programme | Programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland Applications close Friday 11^th October.

Come along to our Apple Teacher support session, either in person or online, for help to become an Apple Teacher. We can support you at every stage of your Apple Teacher journey, from getting started, to completing that last badge. Please register your interest with the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/b26nzq6Wc4

We are delighted to be emailing to invite you to an Introduction to Framing and Framing Care Experience Session which Each and Every Child are delivering in Scottish Borders during Care Experienced Week next month.  The training session will take place on Wednesday 23^rd October, 1pm – 4pm in the Roxburgh Suite at Scottish Borders Council Headquarters.  (Please see attached flyer for more details.) 

This session is for carers, members of the multi-agency children and young people’s workforce and comms teams. Please share the flyer with other colleagues and teams you think may be interested in this session.

 You can book a place on Eventbrite using the following link: CEW24: Introduction to Framing and Framing Care Experience Tickets, Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite

You will then be sent out the joining instructions for the session.  If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 The Promise Team

3 October 2024, 4pm until 5pm – online session

Descriptor – Update on the revised policy and procedures for SQA Assessment Arrangements for session 2024-25.

Aims – To ensure consistency of understanding and practice across all SBC secondary schools.

Target Audience – SLT and SFL staff response for SQA Assessment Arrangements

Would be advisable for staff to have read the Assessment Arrangements Explained PDF (Revised August 2024) available from About assessment arrangements – Guidance and support – SQA

Session will be online and joining link will be sent to those who have booked a place via Business World.

 

Good morning colleagues

 

The UK Safer Internet Centre are delivering FREE Online Safety updates which are open to all who work with children and young people. The Online Safety Live events provide the latest in research, legislation, technology, tools and resources along with exclusive access to the presentation and resource materials.

 

Safety online is constantly changing and the purpose of Online Safety Live events is to provide access to this information, right on people’s doorsteps.  They provide vital information, critically supplemented with access to detailed resources to review later. The team will also be available to answer any online safety queries or questions.

 

The events are delivered by the team at South West Grid for Learning, a charitable trust dedicated to empowering the safe and secure use of technology through innovative services, tools, content and policy, nationally and globally. The SWGfL is a founding member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety as well as an advisor to Governments and a partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre. They have created award winning resources and services that especially help and support professionals working with children and young people.

 

Currently, three events have been arranged. Please find the links below for onward sharing as you deem appropriate.

 

 

• Online Safety Live – Glasgow: Tues 1^st October 2024, 1:30pm – 3:30pm.
• Online Safety Live – Edinburgh: Weds 2^nd October, 4:30pm – 6:30pm.
• Online Safety Live – Scottish Borders (Galashiels):  Thurs 3^rd October, 9:30am – 11:30am.

 

 

Many thanks

 

Catriona

 

Catriona Scobbie |  Safeguarding Lead Officer | Education Scotland | Foghlam Alba

 

Mobile: 07464 538428

Address: The Optima | 58 Robertson Street | Glasgow | G2 8DU

Web:  www.education.gov.scot

Email: Catriona.scobbie@educationscotland.gov.scot