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
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:
The Oh Lila resource pack does not talk about alcohol or any other substances.
How to book a place:
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.
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.
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
Please follow the link below to explore Education Scotland Professional Learning service for 2025/26.
Education Scotland professional learning service 2025 2026 v1 June 2025.pptx
24 September 2025 – bookings can be made through Business World
Staff should attend this training at line managers request. This training is for new starts, those who have not completed this course before or whose certification has lapsed.
Important information for School Leadership Teams
We welcome enquiries for bespoke face to face input from schools or clusters as we continue to strengthen our cluster working model and partnerships.
Inset day offer: Tuesday 19th August 2025
All other cluster-based offers for Tuesday 19th August are being agreed and organised directly with IWS teaching staff.
| Tuesday 19th August 2025
11.00 – 12.30 |
SBC Includes: Introduction to Nurturing approaches
This session will be based on the Introduction to Nurturing Approaches SBC Video, facilitated as a live online session. |
Target audience:
Induction opportunity for individual staff new to SBC |
Delivered via TEAMS – Link below |
| Session name | Outcomes | Additional info | BW Dates | To Book |
|
Conflict Resolution Skills (running over 4 sessions) |
Exploring
1) What is conflict and how does it escalate? 2) Active listening skills 3) Working with pupils on conflict resolution 4) Supporting pupils to develop conflict resolution skills |
· Mainstream ANA training offer, running over 4 sessions.
· Attendance at all sessions is required. |
5 September 2025
12 September 2025 26 September 2025 3 October 2025 All sessions 9.15am – 10.00am |
Booking through Business World
For more info:
|
| CIRCLE toolkit
|
Themes can include:
· To understand the context of CIRCLE. · To become familiar with CIRCLE Inclusive Classroom Scale (CICS). · To reflect on how to use this in your context. · Introduce Circle Participation Scale (CPS). · Explore how to use the CPS to support inclusive practice. · Identify next steps in integrating the CIRCLE tools (CICS & CPS) into your practice. |
· Whole school approach
· CAT sessions
Access to a paper or digital copy (downloadable from https://www.thirdspace.scot/circle/education-resources/ ) of the document will be required to fully participate in the session. |
· Leadership team consultations available.
· Self-serve options available. · Further support options on request. |
For more info or for bespoke group bookings:
Email Emma Auty eauty@scotborders.gov.uk or Doug Crabbe Douglas.Crabbe@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Restore and Repair | Themes will include:
· effective communication · relationships or friendships · empathy and understanding for another person’s perspective · respect (this could mean a sense of security, self-confidence, self-respect, or dignity) · understanding the impact of our own behaviour on others · repairing harm |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
26th Nov 2025 (Wed)
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke group bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Expectations and Consequences | Themes will include:
· Expectations, structures and boundaries · The importance of values and language · Consequences – positive, natural and logical · The principles and learning behind logical consequences |
· Available for Whole school /Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
30th Sept 2025 (Tue)
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Scripting: Confident and Positive Responses | Using simple, consistent clear and positive language to promote regulation and de-escalation | · Available for Whole school /Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
5th March 2026 (Thurs)
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Paddy Burke pburke@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Understanding and responding to behaviours including de-escalation skills | 1. Understand where behaviour comes from
2. Identifying signs of dysregulation 3. How to support the children we work with and each other |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
16th Sept 2025 (Tues)
4.00 – 5.30 |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Supporting Beginner Bilingual learners in the Mainstream Setting
(Primary and Secondary) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Beginner bilingual learners in the primary and secondary setting.
To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help Beginner bilingual learners access the curriculum. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
Thursday 2nd October 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting Established Bilingual Learners in the Mainstream Setting
(Primary and Secondary) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Established bilingual learners in the primary and secondary setting. To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help Established bilingual learners access the curriculum | · Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
Thurs 9th October 2025
4 – 5.30pm
|
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting Bilingual pupils in the Early Years Setting
(Early Years) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Established bilingual learners in the Early Years setting. To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help bilingual learners access the Early Years curriculum | Early Years staff | Tues 28th October 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting New Scots in schools | Themes will include:
To build staff knowledge and understanding of the rights of these learners and consider how to support them to integrate into our schools. This session will address the journeys made by these young people to reach the Scottish Borders, the legal framework under which UASC have arrived in our authority, their experiences including trauma and strategies for how they can best be supported in schools. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
Wed 5th November 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Reframing Pupils Positively | Using a simple person-centred planning tool to reframe pupils positively. This session also explores the impact of shame on self-esteem. | · Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
On Request or self delivery
1.5 hour session |
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Emma Auty |
| Nurture Principle 2 Principles into practice: Developing and understanding ‘The Environment as a safe base’ | To develop a deeper understanding of the Nurture Principle ‘The environment offers a safe base’.
To understand how the physical environment, social environment and structures and routines support an environment being a safe base.
Explore practical ideas to develop good practice in this Nurture principle. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
Attendees should have engaged with the video session prior to this session. Nurture principle 2: The environment offers a safe base |
Tues 10th March 2026
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Email
Caroline Robinson |
| Nurture Principle 5 Principles into practice: Developing and understanding ‘All behaviour is communication’ |
Extend understanding of the Nurture Principle ‘All behaviour is communication’
Learn practical strategies to support this Nurture Principle and understand how and why they work. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals Attendees should have engaged with the video session prior to this session: Nurture Principle 5: All behaviour is communication |
Wed 21st Jan 2026
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Email Doug Crabbe |
| Establishing a ‘Circle time’ approach | Understand the benefits and opportunities offered through a ‘Circle time’ approach
‘Circle time’ promotes: · Emotional Literacy · Sense of Belonging · Stress Reduction · Confidence Building · Communication Skills · Empathy and Understanding · Conflict Resolution · Teamwork and Cooperation · Respect for Diversity |
· This is a modelled offer delivered over three class-based sessions and coaching support to implement this post-delivery.
Find out more about Circle time https://research.edgehill.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/36940775/58914_227363_1_PB.pdf
|
TBA with Caroline | Email
Caroline Robinson |
| ***COMING SOON***
Building Racial Literacy |
TBC | · TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Nurture and Nurturing Approaches – SBC Video links | SBC Launch Pad > Core Business > SBC Includes > IWS > Relational Approaches > Nurturing Approaches > PL > Watch | · Whole school approach
· Catch up for staff induction |
Flexible | Self-delivery
7 x 1.5 hour sessions available |
| Recommended Professional reading list
Inclusion, inclusive practice, nurture and nurturing approaches |
The Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom: A Practical Guide to Supporting Children Who Have Encountered Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences by Rebecca Brooks
The School Mental Health Response Handbook: Practical Strategies for Educators and Support Staff by Tina Rae and Ali D’Amario
Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools: A Practical Guide to Transforming School Communities by Margaret Thorsborne and Peta Blood
|
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IWS contacts
| Name | Cluster/s | |
| Bilingual Support Teachers | ||
| Jane Bryant | Hawick and Peebles | jane.bryant@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Jane Clancey | Galashiels and Selkirk | jane.clancey@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Liz Scarpa | Berwickshire, Earlston, Eyemouth,
Kelso and Jedburgh |
lscarpa@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Outreach Teachers | ||
| Laura Anderson
Kate Riddell |
Galashiels and Selkirk | gw08andersonlaura@glow.sch.uk
kate.riddell@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Nicola Brown | Eyemouth and Berwickshire | Nicola.Brown@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Paddy Burke | Hawick | pburke@scotborders.gov.uk |
| TBC | Peebles | eauty@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Peter Wood | Kelso and Jedburgh | peter.wood@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Sally Veitch | Earlston | sally.veitch@scotborders.gov.uk |
We are organising training for the second SBC cohort of the Massage in Schools programme.
It has strong, evidence-based outcomes including reductions in negative physical touch behaviours and is widely used across Scotland and the rest of the world.
Feedback from schools in the Borders already using this in session 2024 – 25 has been very positive. Please see attached and below.↓
Target Audience: Pupil Support / Support for Learning /ASN / Nurture staff
Training Dates: It will be delivered over two days on Fri 19th and Mon 22nd of September 2025. Attendance at both days is required. Dougie Mirfin, the trainer, is looking at a way he can condense input on Friday 19th. .
Venue: Council Headquarters
TO BOOK – if you are interested speak to your HT/Cluster Lead.
Attendees will be expected to deliver this program in schools and will be licensed to deliver this program for life after completion of the course.
Potential attendees should be aware that the training does involve direct, positive, physical contact before they agree to attend or participate.
This programme can be delivered
There are 20 places so we can offer two places per cluster.
Please let me know names of staff in your cluster who would like to attend with name, email address and the name of the school/s they will deliver to. I will send a reminder in the new session.
Find out more:
See attached and via link below.
Scottish Borders Teacher Feedback:
P1/2 Teacher
‘The massage within P1/2 has been very beneficial for the children. They love doing it, very motivated and engaged, they are very respectful of each other and show great listening. The massage helps to regulate and relax the children. I have been doing it after break everyday and I feel my maths lessons are much more settled. I would like to do it after lunch as well but at the moment the timetable is a bit hectic. I plan to move things about to allow me to do it 2 times a day.’
Primary 2/3 Teacher
‘Massage worked really well with Primary 2/3. They all looked forward to massage on a Monday and loved taking part. I had two pupils who did not want to take part at the beginning of the block. After watching their peers for a few weeks, they decided to join in and I feel these children are the ones that have benefitted the most. They never liked anyone in their personal space but because massage is focused on giving consent, I think the children like that they are in control and can say stop if they don’t like it.
I have started introducing massage at the start of Circle time as it calms them down and relaxes them ready for a quiet activity. I have used it a couple of time after break time to bring them back down after a busy playtime outside. They are all now better at listening and doing the massage with their partner. At the beginning of the block, they were a bit excitable and I didn’t think it was very relaxing for them. However, now that they know all the moves and they know what to expect it is having a positive impact. After massage they are ready to learn, their listening is better and they stay engaged with the learning task longer’
Booking for the next cohort is now open!!!
Please register your interest via Business World.
Programme Aims
Enhanced capability and desire to:
All sessions will be held at Inspire, Tweedbank:
| Session | Date | ||
| 1 | 24/09/2025 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 2 | 08/10/2025 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 3 | 05/11/2025 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 4 | 10/12/2025 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 5 | 21/01/2026 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 6 | 04/02/2026 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 7 | 11/03/2026 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
| 8 | 01/04/2026 | Wednesday | 2.00 – 4.00pm |
