The next Middle Leaders Engagement Day will take place on Wednesday 1st October at Council HQ. These days are aimed at PTs and DHTs and attendance is at the discretion and approval of Head Teachers.
Please book here: Middle Leaders Engagement Day – 1 October 2025
As an ALC, teacher leaders will:
To become an ALC, candidates must complete the certified ALC programme:
To be considered for the ALC programme, candidates must:
To find out more or apply: coaching
Applications for the 25/26 Leadership Programmes are now open.
Further information on each of the programmes can be found on Business World – contact clpl@scotborders.gov.uk for an application form.
The Aspiring to Middle Leadership and Middle Leaders Leading Change are Education Scotland online programmes. We will work through these as an SBC cohort with a face to face induction and touchpoint sessions.
leadership
The OU in Scotland is currently offering some fully funded places on our Microcredential courses starting in June/July 2024. These courses run from 10 – 12 weeks and are designed for people looking to gain new skills to help advance their careers. The courses are delivered online via distance learning which allows you to fit in time for learning alongside work and life commitments. They can give you and your staff practical skills that can be immediately utilised in the workplace. Offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the courses will also give you the chance to learn alongside people in a wide range of sectors and roles and share knowledge and experience.
The courses on offer are:
More information about the courses and the application form can be found at https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/scotland-micro. The deadline for applications is 19th May 2024.
Catholic School Leadership Programme
The Scottish Catholic Education Service and the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh have been working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council to develop an integrated approach to leadership development for aspiring and present Catholic school leaders through the formation of a Catholic School Leadership programme.
This network will offer a framework for identifying, nurturing and developing future and present Catholic leaders within Scottish Borders Council and will feature two aspects: accompaniment and encounter.
There will be 4 on-line accompaniment sessions which will be facilitated by middle and senior leaders in Scottish Borders schools. At these sessions you will use materials prepared by the Scottish Catholic Education Service as part of their Good Shepherd Leadership Pathway programme to consider middle leadership in a Catholic school. The sessions will involve the Facilitators directing you towards reading and use of video clips to encourage discussion, sharing good practice and reflection on the role of the middle leader in a Catholic school.
These in-person sessions will involve all the participants taking part in the Catholic School Leadership programme from across the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh and will be hosted by the RE Advisors. These sessions will involve a presentation from a Catholic leader, spiritual activities followed by an opportunity to network with colleagues across the Archdiocese.
Session 1 The role of the Catholic Middle Leader: 22nd October 2024 4pm – 5:30pm
Session 2 Spiritual leadership in a Catholic school: 24th February 2025 4pm – 5:30pm
Session 3 Relational leadership: 28th May 2025 4pm – 6pm
This network is intended to be supportive and encouraging. The framework will offer colleagues opportunities to connect and reflect. There will be no formal activity and we hope no implication for workload.
We know that Scottish Borders Council has excellent leadership programmes to support those considering all types of leadership, in both the denominational and non-denominational sector. This programme is intended to meet the needs specifically for Catholic school leaders. It would therefore be important to note that this offering is intended to support those who meet the requirements to be appointed (at the appropriate time) to the post of a middle leader in a Catholic school.
If you’d like more information on this new programme, please get in touch with Margaret Barton, the Secondary School RE Advisor at margaret.barton@staned.org.uk or Melissa Gavan, the Primary School RE Advisor at melissa.gavan@staned.org.uk
Recruitment to Into Headship Programme 2024 – 2025
We are pleased to confirm that recruitment for the next cohort of the Into Headship programme will be open from Monday 29th January until Friday 8th March 2024.
Please note – we are aware that the Education Scotland website states 29 March as the closing date. This is the date that Local Authorities must confirm all successful applicants to Education Scotland and our recruitment process has to take place prior to this.
Into Headship
Into Headship is Scotland’s national programme for teachers with relevant leadership experience, who are aspiring to a headteacher post within the next 2-3 years. The purpose of the Into Headship programme is to further develop the skills, knowledge and understanding, professional values, abilities and commitment for participants to move into headship with the confidence to lead a dynamic school community. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Standard for Headship which is a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed permanent headteachers in publicly funded schools in Scotland.
The updated national guidance document will be made available within the coming weeks.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a completed form, and an endorsement form from their line manager to CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk
For entry on to this programme, local authorities should complete an interview process with applicants to confirm that they can demonstrate appropriate experience and professional learning in leadership, relevant to local context.
Application and endorsement forms will be available from: https://professionallearning.education.gov.scot/learn/programmes/into-headship/
Programme Funding
It is anticipated that funding to support the fees will continue for the 2024 cohort, however this is subject to the outcome of the budget bill process in Scottish Parliament and subsequently Scottish Ministers’ agreement.
Travelling expenses are not included as part of the funding.
Aspiring Leaders Senior Leaders Middle Leaders
