It is a mandatory requirement for all enhanced provision staff to complete Moving & Handling training. There will also be staff within mainstream settings who require this training for specific children within their setting.

Full Day Course – 19 October 2026, 15 February 2027 and 4 May 2027

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.

Refresher Training – 17 August 2026, 9am-12 noon or 1pm-4pm

The GTCS have launched a new area on the website for registrants who are aspiring or existing middle leaders.

The resource engages with the Standard for Middle Leadership (SML) and explores the role of middle leaders through the lens of how they ‘understand and demonstrate self-awareness and inspire and motivate others’ (SML – 2.2 Professional Responsibilities).

This is a recorded professional discussion between Kathleen Kerrigan, Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow and Jacqueline Morley, Teaching Standards Education Officer at GTC Scotland.

The discussion has 4 chapters:

1. The role of the SML as an underpinning framework to ‘becoming, being and growing’ as a middle leader
2. The professional and personal credibility of a middle leader as the lead learner
3. The middle leadership role in growing leadership skills and capacities in others
4. The professional responsibilities for middle leadership as a learner and a leader for helping colleagues engage meaningfully with the suite of Professional Standard

The resource also offers a series of reflective questions drawn from the recording to help promote discussion and reflection.

www.gtcs.org.uk/knowledge-base/articles/connecting-with-the-standard-for-middle-leadership

I am delighted to confirm that on Thursday 26 March we are sharing a Leadership+ session led by Chris Munro on a highly requested subject – coaching!

Leadership+ with Chris Munro: Got a minute? Making every conversation count!

Chris is joining us from Australia, so please note the time of this session – 9.15am to 10.15am.

Click here for further information and to register

This session will not be recorded, however Chris will record a synopsis for us which will be shared on our Leadership+ webpage – click here to view previous Leadership+ synopsis videos

Places at all of our Spring sessions are in high demand, so early booking is advised.

 

We are organising training for the third 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 has been very positive. 

Target Audience: Pupil Support / Support for Learning /ASN / Nurture staff iw

Training Dates: It will be delivered over two days on Fri 18 and Mon 21 of September 2026. Attendance at both days is required.

Venue: Roxburgh Suite, 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 available – first 10 spaces are free of charge to schools / settings.

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.

 

1. Accompaniment Sessions (dates agreed by Facilitators locally)

 

There will be 4 on-line accompaniment sessions which will be facilitated by middle and senior leaders. 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.

 

2. Diocesan Encounter Sessions

 

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.

 

This network is intended to be supportive and encouraging.  The framework will offer colleagues opportunities to connect and reflect.

 

We know that the 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

 

Primary – Introduction to Meta-Skills

Available sessions (all 4-5pm):

2 March 2026

19 March 2026

28 April 2026

6 May 2026

 

An interactive workshop exploring the Skills 4.0 meta-skills framework and how these can be integrated into everyday classroom practice

• What meta-skills are and how they fit within the skills landscape
• Why meta-skills are important
• The benefit of a shared skills language
• How meta-skills can be brought into focus for learners and how these can be developed

Target audience – all Primary Staff

 

Secondary – Meta-Skills – Skills and Profiling

Available sessions (all 4-5pm):

4 March 2026

17 March 2026

30 April 2026

 

An interactive session looking at the importance of skills, ways to embed skills and how the profiling tool can be used to support learners capture their skills and achievements.

• Why are meta-skills important, what are they and how they fit within the skills landscape
• How meta-skills can be brought into focus for learners and how these can be developed
• How can the profiling tool be used to support learners build their awareness of their skills and achievements

Target Audience  – all Secondary staff

 

Please book through Business World

 

This online workshop provides an introductory tour of the new Practitioner Toolkit for educators and other professionals working with Gypsy/Traveller and Roma communities. For those of you who may be familiar with the toolkit, this session offers a useful a refresher with space to ask questions about implementation into your practice.

Event Name: An educator’s guide to the STEP Practitioners’ Toolkit 2026
Event Date: 11th March 2026 3:30 Pm – 4:30 Pm
Link: https://www.step.education.ed.ac.uk/events/an-educators-guide-to-the-step-practitioners-toolkit-2026/

Susan Jordan, Child Protection Education Officer will be hosting a Child Protection Annual Update session for all staff who have been unable to attend a session within their setting this year. The session will take place on 2 March at 4:15pm.

 

It is mandatory for all education staff to complete the Child Protection Update on an annual basis so we would ask that any staff who have not already attended one of these sessions try to ensure they can attend this opportunity.

 

The link to join the session is below:

Join the meeting now

Rollout of the New MyGTCS Platform

 

GTCS is preparing to transfer all fully registered teachers onto the new MyGTCS platform before the Summer break. You will receive an email around two weeks before your group is moved, with clear instructions on next steps.

 

The rollout will take place in staged Professional Update (PU) groups, with 2025–26 PU teachers being the first to transition. To avoid duplication, PU sign‑off in MyPL will close shortly before your transfer date, and you will complete your PU on the new platform once both you and your reviewer have access.

 

A new MyGTCS help area and FAQs are now live, and GTCS will continue to add updates as rollout progresses.

Please ensure all your MyGTCS personal details are up to date to support a smooth transfer. This includes:

• Surname
• Work email address
• Local authority
• Base school

 

GTCS do not anticipate any issues transferring your information. However, if you log into the new portal and notice anything missing, please report this to GTCS as soon as possible using gtcs@gtcs.org.uk or the online contact form. Remember to include your GTCS number and full name in all correspondence.

This professional learning opportunity is open to all promoted education staff in Scottish Borders schools who are looking to further develop their leadership experience and skill set within another school, cluster or across SBC. This could include head teachers who may wish to move within or beyond the cluster. This is on a secondment basis only and current terms and conditions of employees will not change. 

 Aim 

Overall, the Leadership Exchange programme provides a structured and supportive environment for SBC education staff to grow professionally and personally as aspiring, emerging and developing leaders of the future.  

Benefits 

Participating in a Leadership Exchange programme offers many benefits for education staff. Including: 

 Professional Growth and Development 

Enhancing leadership skills by engaging in different leadership roles and opportunities across various settings/schools will help promoted staff develop and refine their leadership abilities and skills, making them more effective leaders. By exposing staff to diverse educational environments and challenges, they will broaden their experience and understanding of different leadership styles, remits and strategic thinking. Gaining additional leadership experience can enhance career prospects and open up opportunities for promotion and advancement within education by developing the leaders of the future. 

Networking and Collaboration 

Participating in the exchange allows staff to build relationships with colleagues from different schools, clusters and departments, fostering a collaborative professional network where staff can share best practices, innovative ideas, and successful strategies with their peers, contributing to the overall improvement of educational practices which they can take back into their own school/context 

Personal Development 

Taking on new leadership challenges can boost staff confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to take on more significant responsibility. Working in different settings/schools or remits will enable staff to become more adaptable and resilient, better equipped to handle change and uncertainty. 

Organisational Benefits 

The programme supports SBC succession planning by preparing staff for future leadership roles, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in leadership. 

By developing a pool of skilled leaders at all levels, education can benefit from improved management and performance, ultimately enhancing student outcomes. 

Eligibility 

• Full-time or part-time permanent staff who have been in their current post for a minimum of 3 years. 

• This is a secondment opportunity for professional development and current terms and conditions will remain the same during the agreed exchange period 

• Approval is required from line managers or head teachers 

• Submission of an application does not commit Scottish Borders Council to a contractual change. 

• No additional travel expenses will be paid for the exchange as this is a self selected professional learning opportunity 

• Should be agreed as part of the PRD/appraisal process 

 Application Process 

Complete the Leadership Capacity Exchange MS Form, ensuring the application is linked to the Professional Review and Development (PRD) process which identifies strengths and areas to develop 

Dates 

Applications for the new academic session should be submitted by Friday 9th March for the exchange period starting Mon 20th April onwards. 

Timeframes 

Staff can exchange for minimum of one school term (approx. 10 weeks) to a maximum of 23 months within their own school cluster or SBC wide as a secondment opportunity.