Please follow the link below to explore Education Scotland Professional Learning service for 2025/26.
Education Scotland professional learning service 2025 2026 v1 June 2025.pptx
Category: Uncategorized
IWS PL Offer 2025/26
Important information for School Leadership Teams
- All offers on Business World will be delivered live through TEAMS.
- All attendees are expected to complete an online evaluation form after the session
We welcome enquiries for bespoke face to face input from schools or clusters as we continue to strengthen our cluster working model and partnerships.
Inset day offer: Tuesday 19th August 2025
All other cluster-based offers for Tuesday 19th August are being agreed and organised directly with IWS teaching staff.
| Tuesday 19th August 2025
11.00 – 12.30 |
SBC Includes: Introduction to Nurturing approaches
This session will be based on the Introduction to Nurturing Approaches SBC Video, facilitated as a live online session. |
Target audience:
Induction opportunity for individual staff new to SBC |
Delivered via TEAMS – Link below |
| Session name | Outcomes | Additional info | BW Dates | To Book |
|
Conflict Resolution Skills (running over 4 sessions) |
Exploring
1) What is conflict and how does it escalate? 2) Active listening skills 3) Working with pupils on conflict resolution 4) Supporting pupils to develop conflict resolution skills |
· Mainstream ANA training offer, running over 4 sessions.
· Attendance at all sessions is required. |
5 September 2025
12 September 2025 26 September 2025 3 October 2025 All sessions 9.15am – 10.00am |
Booking through Business World
For more info:
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| CIRCLE toolkit
|
Themes can include:
· To understand the context of CIRCLE. · To become familiar with CIRCLE Inclusive Classroom Scale (CICS). · To reflect on how to use this in your context. · Introduce Circle Participation Scale (CPS). · Explore how to use the CPS to support inclusive practice. · Identify next steps in integrating the CIRCLE tools (CICS & CPS) into your practice. |
· Whole school approach
· CAT sessions
Access to a paper or digital copy (downloadable from https://www.thirdspace.scot/circle/education-resources/ ) of the document will be required to fully participate in the session. |
· Leadership team consultations available.
· Self-serve options available. · Further support options on request. |
For more info or for bespoke group bookings:
Email Emma Auty eauty@scotborders.gov.uk or Doug Crabbe Douglas.Crabbe@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Restore and Repair | Themes will include:
· effective communication · relationships or friendships · empathy and understanding for another person’s perspective · respect (this could mean a sense of security, self-confidence, self-respect, or dignity) · understanding the impact of our own behaviour on others · repairing harm |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
26th Nov 2025 (Wed)
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke group bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Expectations and Consequences | Themes will include:
· Expectations, structures and boundaries · The importance of values and language · Consequences – positive, natural and logical · The principles and learning behind logical consequences |
· Available for Whole school /Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
30th Sept 2025 (Tue)
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Scripting: Confident and Positive Responses | Using simple, consistent clear and positive language to promote regulation and de-escalation | · Available for Whole school /Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
5th March 2026 (Thurs)
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Paddy Burke pburke@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Understanding and responding to behaviours including de-escalation skills | 1. Understand where behaviour comes from
2. Identifying signs of dysregulation 3. How to support the children we work with and each other |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
16th Sept 2025 (Tues)
4.00 – 5.30 |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Doug Crabbe |
| Supporting Beginner Bilingual learners in the Mainstream Setting
(Primary and Secondary) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Beginner bilingual learners in the primary and secondary setting.
To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help Beginner bilingual learners access the curriculum. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
|
Thursday 2nd October 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting Established Bilingual Learners in the Mainstream Setting
(Primary and Secondary) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Established bilingual learners in the primary and secondary setting. To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help Established bilingual learners access the curriculum | · Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
Thurs 9th October 2025
4 – 5.30pm
|
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting Bilingual pupils in the Early Years Setting
(Early Years) |
To raise awareness of the specific learning needs of Established bilingual learners in the Early Years setting. To provide an insight into second language acquisition and how this impacts on English language acquisition. To look at strategies to help bilingual learners access the Early Years curriculum | Early Years staff | Tues 28th October 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Supporting New Scots in schools | Themes will include:
To build staff knowledge and understanding of the rights of these learners and consider how to support them to integrate into our schools. This session will address the journeys made by these young people to reach the Scottish Borders, the legal framework under which UASC have arrived in our authority, their experiences including trauma and strategies for how they can best be supported in schools. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
Wed 5th November 2025
4 – 5.30pm |
Booking through Business World
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Liz Scarpa gw09scarpaliz@glowmail.org.uk or Jane Bryant |
| Reframing Pupils Positively | Using a simple person-centred planning tool to reframe pupils positively. This session also explores the impact of shame on self-esteem. | · Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals |
On Request or self delivery
1.5 hour session |
For more info or for bespoke bookings: Email Emma Auty |
| Nurture Principle 2 Principles into practice: Developing and understanding ‘The Environment as a safe base’ | To develop a deeper understanding of the Nurture Principle ‘The environment offers a safe base’.
To understand how the physical environment, social environment and structures and routines support an environment being a safe base.
Explore practical ideas to develop good practice in this Nurture principle. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals
Attendees should have engaged with the video session prior to this session. Nurture principle 2: The environment offers a safe base |
Tues 10th March 2026
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Email
Caroline Robinson |
| Nurture Principle 5 Principles into practice: Developing and understanding ‘All behaviour is communication’ |
Extend understanding of the Nurture Principle ‘All behaviour is communication’
Learn practical strategies to support this Nurture Principle and understand how and why they work. |
· Available for Whole school / Cluster CAT sessions
· Available on BW for individuals Attendees should have engaged with the video session prior to this session: Nurture Principle 5: All behaviour is communication |
Wed 21st Jan 2026
4.00 – 5.30pm |
Email Doug Crabbe |
| Establishing a ‘Circle time’ approach | Understand the benefits and opportunities offered through a ‘Circle time’ approach
‘Circle time’ promotes: · Emotional Literacy · Sense of Belonging · Stress Reduction · Confidence Building · Communication Skills · Empathy and Understanding · Conflict Resolution · Teamwork and Cooperation · Respect for Diversity |
· This is a modelled offer delivered over three class-based sessions and coaching support to implement this post-delivery.
Find out more about Circle time https://research.edgehill.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/36940775/58914_227363_1_PB.pdf
|
TBA with Caroline | Email
Caroline Robinson |
| ***COMING SOON***
Building Racial Literacy |
TBC | · TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Nurture and Nurturing Approaches – SBC Video links | SBC Launch Pad > Core Business > SBC Includes > IWS > Relational Approaches > Nurturing Approaches > PL > Watch | · Whole school approach
· Catch up for staff induction |
Flexible | Self-delivery
7 x 1.5 hour sessions available |
| Recommended Professional reading list
Inclusion, inclusive practice, nurture and nurturing approaches |
The Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom: A Practical Guide to Supporting Children Who Have Encountered Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences by Rebecca Brooks
The School Mental Health Response Handbook: Practical Strategies for Educators and Support Staff by Tina Rae and Ali D’Amario
Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools: A Practical Guide to Transforming School Communities by Margaret Thorsborne and Peta Blood
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IWS contacts
| Name | Cluster/s | |
| Bilingual Support Teachers | ||
| Jane Bryant | Hawick and Peebles | jane.bryant@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Jane Clancey | Galashiels and Selkirk | jane.clancey@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Liz Scarpa | Berwickshire, Earlston, Eyemouth,
Kelso and Jedburgh |
lscarpa@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Outreach Teachers | ||
| Laura Anderson
Kate Riddell |
Galashiels and Selkirk | gw08andersonlaura@glow.sch.uk
kate.riddell@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Nicola Brown | Eyemouth and Berwickshire | Nicola.Brown@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Paddy Burke | Hawick | pburke@scotborders.gov.uk |
| TBC | Peebles | eauty@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Peter Wood | Kelso and Jedburgh | peter.wood@scotborders.gov.uk |
| Sally Veitch | Earlston | sally.veitch@scotborders.gov.uk |
Evolve Excursions training – teacher webinar
Evolve Excursions training – teacher webinar
Edufocus, the company that run the Evolve system, are hosting an Intro to Evolve webinar for teaching staff on Tuesday 17th June at 0930, which will be repeated on 17th September. This 30-minute session will help with basics such as logging in, where to find things, using the Help Centre, etc., saving time and building confidence in using the Evolve system. The booking link is: https://tinyurl.com/2ubn8utd
PLEASE NOTE – this is an Edufocus delivered webinar, not an SBC delivered webinar. For any specific SBC enquiries, please contact Outdoor Education Officer Gordon Smith Gordon.Smith@scotborders.gov.uk
Oracy & Vocabulary Development
Participants will learn what Oracy is and why it is important, explore resources which can be used to support Oracy development, learn about different strategies which are effective in teaching vocabulary development, focus on which vocabulary should be prioritised, which skills are important when learning new vocabulary and learn about resources which support vocabulary development.
The Language and Communication service will share resources, strategies and theory around the development of Oracy skills and vocabulary.
4 June, 4-5pm
Bookings can be made through Business World
Child Protection Annual Update
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 this year. The session will take place on 4 June 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:
Playfest
This Scotland wide Playfest is an exciting opportunity to hear about effective Play Pedagogy practice from authorities across Scotland, including Scottish Borders. The Playfest is running from the 9th – 12th June and includes presentations from teachers across Early, First and Second level. Further information on the content of each session and sign-up instructions can be found on the poster.
To book your place click here
Early Years
Curious about Gaelic Medium Education
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07853 836 229 | |
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kirsteen@cnag.org | |
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www.parant.org.uk |
Froebel in Childhood Practice
Further information regarding the Froebel in Childhood Practice course is available on our website: Froebel Courses
Places available on the Summer or Academic Year courses but please note that these courses would have to be self funded.
The Summer course is delivered in Edinburgh over 5 consecutive days in July. This course will run between Friday 18th and Wednesday 23 July, with no teaching session on Sunday 20 July.
The Academic Year course is delivered online on Saturday mornings from 0930-1230. The course commences on Saturday 25 October 2025 and the final session is on Saturday 7 March 2026.
Digital Skills Week
✨💻Digital Skills Week 💻✨
Digital Skills week is just around the corner!
We’re thrilled to announce Digital Skills week is just around the corner! From 26 May, we invite all staff to dive into a week full of learning, sharing new skills and discovering handy tips and tricks.
Join us on Viva Engage All Company throughout the week for a treasure trove of information designed to boost your digital skills. Whether you’re looking to master a new tool or simply want to stay updated with the latest digital trends, we’ve got something for everyone.
Got some great tips to share? We’d love to hear them. Head over to our Viva Engage – Unlock your Potential: Productivity Pointers Community and share your insights. Your tips could be the key to unlocking someone else’s potential.
And don’t forget there’s a fantastic £50 Amazon voucher up for grabs, generously donated by CGi – make sure to participate for your chance to win!
We’re delighted that the Inspire Team has agreed to deliver two live 30-minute sessions, which you can attend in person or online on Friday 30 May. The sessions will cover SharePoint Tips & Tricks at 10am and Microsoft Tips & Tricks at 11am. You can secure your space at the in-person session by completing our booking form. A link will be sent to the live event nearer the time, so be sure to block the time in your calendar.
Check out our schedule for the week below – we can’t wait to see you there and make this Digital Skills Week the best one yet.
#digitalskillsweek2025 #getinvolved #bestoneyet
If you have any queries, please submit them using the Digital Skills Week MS Form
Youth Climate Action Fund 2025
SBCAN are excited to launch our Youth Climate Action Fund 2025
Young people across the Scottish Borders are full of inspiring ideas to help tackle the climate crisis and promote community climate action– and we’re here to help bring those ideas to life. We’re inviting youth groups, schools, clubs and voluntary groups to apply for up to £750 to run a project that makes a difference in your community. Please note, we can only accept one application per group/ school/ organisation.
Key info:
- Projects must take place in 2025.
- The deadline for applications is 6th June 2025.
- Applications will be reviewed and money will then be distributed to those successful w/c 16th June 2025 in time for the summer holidays!
- The application form is available now on our website: https://www.sbcan.co.uk/funding
- Please return the application form to sbcan@sup.org.uk
- Projects must be based in the Scottish Borders
Helen Orde, Learning for Sustainability (LfS) Teacher
