Equity

The second online information session regarding the national Equity: Mitigating the impact of poverty on Scotland’s children and young people professional learning programme, will be taking place on Monday 1st June. This session is for school leaders, ELC or CLD managers or LA leads.

 

Further information/sign-up link included in the flyer attached.  National Comms will follow after the pre-election period.

 

Attendance – 19^th May – A new report ‘Improving Attendance in Scotland: 2024-2026: Evidence, Impact and Actions for Consideration’ will publish on 18th March 2026. This session will share the key messages, what attendance data over the last two year tells us and practice which is having a positive impact to improve attendance.

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/improving-attendance-in-scotland-tickets-1988484537781?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

10^th June

This session builds on the previous webinar on 19th May which provided an overview of the key messages from the Education Scotland report ‘Improving Attendance in Scotland: 2024-2026 – Evidence, Impact and Actions for Consideration’. This session will further explore the key findings from the report through sharing effective practice from schools. Examples will be shared from a primary and a secondary school.

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/improving-attendance-in-scotland-2024-2026-effective-practice-in-schools-tickets-1988486756417?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

P1 Play Pedagogy

The events team has brought to our attention that some local authorities have not been receiving the registration information for the leading play pedagogy in primary one resource. We have had lots of emails from people who did not receive the first or second email attempt to pass it on.

We have now put everything in to a padlet and this has been sent out and we think that most LAs are receiving this now.

 

I thought I would send on to you all so you have it as a simple padlet link. We have also extended the sign up to the 13^th May as a result of the email problems.

 

There are currently over 100 schools signed up so far which is fantastic but I think there will be others who just may not have the information they need to do so due to their LA email blocks.

 

Play Pedagogy in P1 – Information Session Padlet

 

PIRLS 2026

Dear Colleagues,

 

I am writing to let you know of a new Education Scotland web page developed to support those primary schools participating in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2026.

 

The web page brings together key information and guidance to help the sample of schools involved prepare for the study, which is due to take place between 6 May and 19 June.

 

The resource includes:

• A class lesson aimed at introducing the purpose of PIRLS to P5 learners.
• Practical guidance and information for schools, learners and their parents/carers.
• Exemplar video demonstrations of reading passages and assessment questions from the IEA.
• Information on the four questionnaires designed to gather insights into reading in Scotland.
• Support and information from Pearson UK, the National Research Centre charged by the Scottish Government to deliver the assessment.
• Short information films for learners, parents/carers and schools.

 

The web page can be accessed here: https://education.gov.scot/resources/progress-in-international-reading-literacy-study-pirls-2026/

This information session, to be held online on Monday 1^st June 2026 at 4.00 to 5.00pm, will provide information to potential facilitators about the new national professional learning programme: ‘Equity: Mitigating the impact of poverty on Scotland’s children and young people’.

The programme has been developed by Education Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, along with a range of other key partners, including four pilot local authorities.

Potential facilitators are school leaders, ELC or CLD managers or Local Authority leads. All the resources required to lead the programme will be provided by Education Scotland, including online resources for participants and facilitator slides and notes. The programme uses a flexible, hybrid model, with both individual and group learning elements, where the group learning can be online or in person. It can be delivered at establishment, team, cluster, or local authority level.

Register for this information session if you would like to find out more about delivering the programme with your team, cluster or local authority (or wish to share or delegate this task). The programme is suitable for delivery with ELC and CLD participants, as well as those working in schools. Please note this session repeats the one held on 18/3/26.

The learning outcomes of the programme are:

• To know and understand the theory, data and evidence base around poverty both locally and across Scotland
• To know and understand the impact of poverty on learning, achievement and attainment both locally and nationally
• To reflect on and critically examine personal leadership attitudes, values and beliefs within a social justice and equity context
• To know and understand the practice and approaches that can improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty
• To develop and apply knowledge and skills to effectively plan for equity and ensure measurable impact.

4 of our young leader volunteers are hosting two webinars targeting education staff in schools.

 

Thursday 28^th May (Primary education): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-people-with-type-1-diabetes-in-schools-primary-education-tickets-1984381671999?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Thursday 5^th June (Secondary Education): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-people-with-type-1-diabetes-in-schools-secondary-tickets-1984384651912?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Feel free to register yourself as a healthcare professional or if you can please send this onto any local schools or education staff you work with, that would be appreciated!

 

It will be recorded on the night, so if you’re interested in the webinar but can’t attend, please register anyways and you’ll be sent a link to the recording afterwards.

 

If you would like to stop receiving emails from me about Together Type 1 updates and opportunities, please let me know.

 

 

Róisín O’Donovan

Youth Coordinator Together Type 1 (TT1) Scotland Team

07469154828

Boardmaker

This course will guide you through how to create symbol supported resources using Boardmaker software.

Aims:

• Staff will be able to use Boardmaker to create basic symbolised resources.
• Staff will be able to use templates within Boardmaker.
• Staff will be able to use Boardmaker Online to search for pre-made resources.
• Staff will be able to edit pre-made resources.

12 May, 3:45pm to 4:45pm – bookings can be made through Business World

 

Sounding Board App

This training will cover how to use the Sounding Board app to support pupils with communication and choice making.

Aims:

Staff will understand the purpose of the app and how it can support communication.
Staff will be able to create a basic board.
Staff will be able to save and share boards with other staff/pupils.
Staff will be able to access some shared pre-made boards.

13 May, 3:45pm to 4:30pm – bookings can be made through Business World

 

During May and June 2026 the Insight Advisors will deliver Cohort 3 of “Developing your use of Insight”, a series of webinars designed to upskill participants in the use of Insight.

 

The content of the course is targeted at senior school leadership and those with a whole school raising attainment role.  Local Authority attainment leads are also very welcome to attend. Over 450 school leaders signed up for Cohort 1 (delivered following the February 2025 Update) and over 150 participated in Cohort 2 (following the September 2025 Update) with very positive feedback.

 

Participants can book onto the webinars through the Insight Padlet.

Click on the image below to access the full newsletter:

This live session will take place on Thursday 30 April, 4.30-5.30pm. This free session, available to all educators across our member local authorities provides an overview of how partnership working can support schools to strengthen parental engagement – so please share across your networks.

We recommend signing up for the session, even if you can’t attend, as all registrants will receive the presentation slides and recording afterwards.

Please note: Sessions will be held via Zoom which does not require any log in and can be viewed on a device of your choice. Registration through Eventbrite does not require to be completed with a local authority email address and email details are only used to send communication linked to this session.

Booking is essential!

I’ve also included a link to our Professional Learning survey Connect Professional Learning Feedback Survey 2026 – Fill in form

We rely on feedback from our members to support continuous improvement and ensure we are meeting your needs, so we would really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete it.

For those who have not yet signed up to MyConnect Professional Learning, you can do so here:

MyConnect Registration Request

https://connectscot.tfaforms.net/f/myconnect

Educators: Professional Learning Hub

Connect Members: Parental Engagement: Evaluate practice and build workforce capacity 30 April 2026, 4.30-5.30pm Online via Zoom. Places are free, booking is required Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985813520697?aff=oddtdtcreator

A practical professional learning session focused on strengthening parental engagement through collaborative evaluation.   Session overview Live Professional Learning Session (presented and facilitated) This professional learning session explores how schools can work collaboratively with parents, families and the Parent Council to evaluate and strengthen workforce values and skills in parental engagement. Grounded in national guidance, the session supports educators to take a reflective, partnership-based approach to improvement.   Participants will consider how meaningful co-evaluation can enhance relationships, build staff confidence and professional development, and support ongoing school improvement.   Who is this session for? Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers, and Senior Leaders in Scottish Schools   Key Themes: Workforce values and skills in parental engagement Collaborative co-evaluation with families and/or the Parent Council Professional reflection and capacity building Use of evidence to inform improvement (parental engagement) Alignment with national frameworks

Please note: Sessions will be held via Zoom which does not require any log in and can be viewed on a device of your choice. Registration through Eventbrite does not require to be completed with a local authority email address and email details are only used to send communication linked to this session.

Imagine a Man is a research and evidence-based development initiative designed to help boys and young men to develop a healthy and positive version of masculinity that aligns to gender equality.

Aim – To enable school staff to deliver Imagine a Man / The Lassie’s are no Feart

Target Audience – School teachers / Pupil Support Assistants / Home School Link Workers / School Liaison Officers / Youth Workers

We have 2 sessions scheduled for the summer term and they are:

11 May – 1-4pm in the Roxburgh Suite, Council HQ

OR

1 June – 9:30 – 12:30 in the Business Suite, Council HQ

 

Bookings can be made via Business World.

 

We are absolutely delighted to confirm that Action for Children have kindly offered to host a Roots of Empathy course in the Scottish Borders next academic session. This course will only be able to run if we have enough interest across out schools. A minimum of 6 delegates are required to run this course and the cost per school would be £1682.63 and £306.50 for annual re-accreditation.

 

The opportunity was discussed with Cluster Leads on Friday, so this might be something you would like to discuss with your Cluster Lead first.

 

Roots of Empathy is a Mental, health and wellbeing programme which has been delivered in Primary schools in Scotland for over 15 years.  Roots of Empathy is experiential learning at its best and at the heart of the programme is a local parent and baby who visit the class over the course of the school year.

 

Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based research programme, and these are the goals:

 

1. To foster the development of emotional literacy and empathy,
2.  To reduce levels of bullying and aggression and promote prosocial behaviours (e.g., helping, caring, sharing, including, etc.), promote children’s mental health,
3. To prepare pupils for responsive parenting
4.  To prepare pupils for responsible citizenship, and
5.  To promote mental health, resilience, and well-being among children

 

The children/young people are guided by a trained instructor to observe the emotions of the baby, to name these emotions and be able to identify these emotions in themselves and others which leads to perspective taking and empathy. ( emotional literacy). They learn about infant development, brain development, the attachment relationship, and important safety messages not just for babies but for themselves and this helps prepare pupils for the future.

 

Here is feedback from one of our class teachers who had the programme in her classroom this year:

 

“Over the course of the Roots of Empathy programme, I observed positive changes in many of the children’s emotional awareness and their interactions with others. Several pupils—particularly those who are more vulnerable—began to show increased empathy and sensitivity in their relationships with peers. The Family Visits were a clear highlight, with children showing high levels of engagement and curiosity about the baby’s development. The overall experience helped create meaningful conversations around feelings, caring, and understanding others, which contributed to a more supportive and connected classroom environment.

 

Thank you for everything you did to bring the programme to life in our classroom. The experience has created meaningful learning opportunities, and the memories will be carried with the children for years to come”.

 

Click here to access the documents listed below:

• The programme information leaflet for schools which explains the programme in detail and the HT school role/class teacher role.
• Mental health and wellbeing brochure (Roots of Empathy)
• Recent Annual programme evaluation report from ROE for Scotland 2025
• Girfec document and how Roots of Empathy links to each area on the Shanarri wheel.
• Link to Roots of Empathy introduction video ( see below)

 

https://youtu.be/zrqt4dPGBXo?si=q5jmA9J-xjV_7P9F

 

Costs for training a new instructor are £1682.63 and this includes –

• 3 days instructor training in September (29 Sept- 1^st Oct 2026 at Inspire Tweedbank)
• 1-day mid-year training in February or March (23^rd February 2027 at Inspire Tweedbank)
• Full family visit kit, toys, blanket, doll, infant roll
• Full literacy kit and bag
• Curriculum manuals
• Book, lanyard, leaflets, and baby t-shirts with school start up banners, leaflets, posters.
• Mentoring support and a classroom visit to school  (4 phone calls and 1 visit) and additional emails or calls as required.
• Support from KPP (key, point person)

Annual Re-certification costs are £306.50 which includes –

• Half day annual professional development workshop
• Baby t-shirts, poster, banner and start up leaflets
• Mentoring support (3 phone calls) and any additional emails or calls required for continued programme support .
• KPP support

If you have a member of staff who you would like to put forward for this training please email CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk ASAP. We would like to have a definitive number by the end of May so that we can make a decision on whether or not we can run this course.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further info.