Category: Primary

STEM: AI & Data Literacy

Our hugely popular AI and Data Literacy 4-day courses are kicking off again from September, for their fifth and possibly final year!! (We’re awaiting the decision on our project funding continuing…cross your fingers for us!)

What previous cohorts have said about the course:

  • “I’ll struggle to find more enjoyable, worthwhile and welcoming CPD!”
  • “To ALL teachers (not just for CS teachers!): This is a really engaging and worthwhile course to attend. I learned a lot – probably the best professional learning course I have been on.”
  • “Whether you know anything about data/AI literacy or not, come on this course and you will be amazed! Your mind will be opened to a new way of engaging your pupils across all areas of the curriculum.”

As part of our funding conditions, we have four places reserved for SBC teachers and/or senior leaders (two Primary, two Secondary), so please do take them up or they will be released to other local authorities! This means the course is free to attend (catering included) and we will offer 50% of the cost of getting classroom cover.

The Secondary course dates are:

  • Wednesday 16th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Tuesday 3rd November 2026
  • Wednesday 2nd December 2026

For details and to apply for the Secondary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-secondary-2026/. Teachers in all subject areas welcome!

The Primary course dates are:

  • Thursday 24th September 2026
  • Wednesday 18th November 2026
  • Tuesday 26th January 2027
  • Wednesday 17th March 2027

For details and to apply for the Primary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-primary-2026-2027/

All sessions will be in-person and held in the Edinburgh Futures Institute, 9am-3pm, though arrangements can be made for virtual attendance on a case by case basis, just get in touch. As we are kicking off soon, please apply as soon as possible if you’re interested! Feel free to reach out to Jasmeen (jasmeen.kanwal@ed.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Free online training webinars for the National Standardised Assessments

An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland is useful for anyone involved in the delivery of national standardised assessments in primary or secondary schools who wish to understand the purpose of the assessments and gain familiarity with the functionality of the assessment system. It also highlights examples of good practice in administering the assessments and provides advice and practical information. It will be particularly useful for anyone who is new to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland (newly qualified teachers or teachers new to their current stage) or as a refresher for anyone who hasn’t used the system recently. 

  • A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context includes content that is relevant when working with learners who require additional support with their learning or for whom English is an additional language, including details of system functionality that can be used to support accessibility and some practical advice on using NSA.  

The webinars will take place via Microsoft Teams, with links to join being sent directly to all signed-up delegates. The dates for this term are:

Course

Date

Time

An Introduction to the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland

Monday 19th January 2026

4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context

Tuesday 20th January 2026

4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Both of these courses would be valuable for teachers engaging with the NSA system for the first time, whether new to stage or to the profession. This invite will be sent out to all active users who have signed in to the system within the last 12 months. However, it would be extremely valuable if you would be able to highlight these webinars to new users, as well as further promoting these webinars in your local authority as appropriate.

Places are limited so delegates should sign up here to register their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment:

https://forms.office.com/e/EHncS1FMn3

Please note that a valid school email address is needed to register. Please also note that we will be unable to accept any attendees who have not registered in advance. Further dates for these webinars will be made available again later in the academic year. Gaelic versions of these webinars will also be hosted later in the academic year.

If you would like any further information, please contact the service desk on 0330 403 0041 or support@nsa.scot

Emerging Literacy Training Package

The training package is available online – via the portal pages which have lots of information on them and the recorded training is in 4 parts that covers the emerging literacy training on each page.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sb/earlylevelportal/emerging-literacy-and-english/

Emerging Literacy & English, Oral Language & Phonological Awareness – Early Level Portal

Emerging Literacy & English, (pre) writing – Early Level Portal

Emerging Literacy & English – Concepts of Print – Early Level Portal

Education Scotland Early Level Reading resource – Learning to read in the Early Years: A professional support overview | Resources | Education Scotland

Play Pedagogy Sessions

Play Pedagogy

Catriona Gill from Education Scotland will be leading two sessions for Scottish Borders Council on Play Pedagogy this term.

Friday 20th September, Inspire Building 9:00am until 12:30pm  – This workshop is the second of two planned engagement sessions for head teachers. The focus of the session will include: observation of play; quality assurance; messages from HMIe inspections.

Friday 4th October, Inspire Building 9:00am until 12:30pm – This session is designed specifically for those who are leading play pedagogy across primary schools. Please contact Claire Crawford, Early Years Improvement and Support Officer to confirm who will be attending from your school.

A number of Play Pedagogy training sessions are planned to follow on from the above sessions aimed specifically at Primary 1 class teachers. These training sessions are designed to support pedagogy and practice and those signing up can opt to do specific individual sessions or all five. These can be booked through Business World.

The termly Play Pedagogy Community of Practice for Primary 1 teachers will also continue this session facilitating professional discussion, the sharing of practice and the building of support networks. More information will be sent out shortly.