Category: Inclusion

Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Programme & Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme

We are pleased to share information about two upcoming programmes from the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Team:

Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Programme – 24th September 2026 to 10th December 2026 (4 online twilight sessions)

The Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Professional Learning Programme is for primary practitioners looking to engage in early intervention approaches to prevent gender based violence. This programme aligns with the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme, providing a more cohesive, joined up approach to prevention across sectors. All programme details, including how to sign up, can be found on the programme webpage: Gender-based Violence Early Intervention | Professional learning programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland

Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme – 30th September to 3rd June 2027 (7 online twilight sessions)

The Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme is designed to support practitioners to develop a robust, learner-informed equalities policy for their setting using the Equalities Policy Guide roadmap and supportive materials. This programme forms part of Education Scotland’s Equalities in Education suite of learning and resources and is relevant to practitioners from all educational sectors looking to lead on policy development.

The programme will benefit practitioners looking to develop leadership skills and increase understanding and confidence in relation to equalities and will contribute to whole-setting approaches to equalities work (e.g. preventing and responding to Gender-based Violence, anti-racist education and LGBT inclusion) and connects to key priorities such as Rights Respecting Schools, UNCRC. All programme details, including how to sign up, can be found on the programme webpage: Equalities Policy Guide | Professional learning programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland

Healing Classrooms Course

We have a very unfortunate update. Our UK Healing Classrooms programme has struggled to find funding meaning the programme will come to an end in August 2026.

All sessions will unfortunately be cancelled and we instead ask you to join our Open University Healing Classrooms course which will stay live for years to come.

We know this news is shocking and we are devastated to no longer be able to run our training sessions which are more important than ever. We have been tirelessly searching and applying for funding but have been unsuccessful in our bids. We thank all of those who helped us in this endeavor for your efforts in offering to partner with us, sharing available funding opportunities and more.

Building Racial Literacy

Building Racial Literacy – applications open now, and close Friday 04 September!

For all professional levels

The national Building Racial Literacy programme promotes anti-racism as a baseline professional value, empowering educators to identify and implement anti-racist behaviours and processes in their everyday practice. The ultimate goal of the Building Racial Literacy programme is to make every educator in Scotland racially literate, effective at dealing with racism and confident in leading anti-racism.

SBC Targeted Pupil Support Professional Learning Offers 2026-27

Download here – TPS PL offer 2026 -27

Message from the Targeted Pupil Support team
We work in partnership with schools to strengthen practice, build capacity, and ensure that all staff feel confident in meeting the needs of learners. We are committed to enhancing universal classroom practice, and providing targeted, specialist support for the smaller number of pupils who require a more intensive Stage 3 level of intervention support.

Important Information

  • All offers booked through Business World will be delivered live via Microsoft Teams, unless otherwise stated.
  • All online participants are expected to:
    • Have cameras switched on
    • Actively participate
    • Complete an online evaluation form following the session

 Professional Learning Framework

🔵 Informed Level (Universal) Establishing a shared baseline of understanding, common language, and core practice for all staff.

⚙️Skilled Level Deepening practice to support confident application within classrooms and targeted support approaches.

⭐ Enhanced Level Extending specialist expertise for colleagues with leadership responsibilities or targeted inclusion roles.

This framework builds on existing professional learning and provides a clear, progressive pathway to ensure both breadth and depth of practice across all settings.

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

 

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

Massage in Schools

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 iws

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 – sign up via Business World

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

  • for targeted groups
  • as a modelled whole class offer. In this instance the class teacher will be expected to continue with delivery after the programme has been delivered to their class.

There are 20 places so we can offer two places per cluster.

Find out more:

See attached and via link below.

https://misascotland.org.uk/

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’

Community as a Superpower: Celebrating schools working with refugee families

Wednesday, 18 June

Community as a Superpower:Celebrating schools working with refugee families

This webinar showcases how schools actively promote a sense of belonging for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.

The theme of Refugee Week 2025 is “Community as a Superpower” and in this webinar a panel of speakers will share their experiences and reflections around how schools and other settings are helping to nurture communities in which refuge-seeking learners feel a real sense of belonging.

Speakers from Schools of Sanctuary, Warwickshire Local Authority and a secondary school will consider practical examples of how they have achieved meaningful social inclusion, and will share their recommendations for other schools welcoming refugee and asylum-seeking learners.

After a short presentation from each of the panelists, Radha Chakraborty, Director of Trustees at The Bell Foundation, will pose questions from the audience to each of the speakers. If you would like to ask a question around social inclusion, please email webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.

Host: Radha Chakraborty, Director of Trustees at The Bell Foundation.

Panel: 

  • Megan Greenwood, School Coordinator, City of Sanctuary UK;
  • Nikki Ajibade, EAL Senior Lead, Warwickshire’s EMTAS Team;
  • Claudia Lopez, EAL Raising Achievement Coordinator, Saint Gabriel’s College, Lambeth.

Who should register for the webinar?

  • School leaders, including those responsible for EAL and inclusion;
  • EAL Coordinators, or those responsible for EAL in their school;
  • Pastoral leads and Year leaders.

Why you should register for this webinar:

  • One-hour intensive session with Q&A
  • Access to session recording;
  • First to hear about future webinars and how to sign up.

If you have any questions that specifically relate to the webinar topic, which you would like answered during the live session, please send them to: webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.

Community as a Superpower:Celebrating schools working with refugee families Tickets, Wed 18 Jun 2025 at 16:00 | Eventbrite