Catholic School Leadership Programme

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.

  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 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.

  1. 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.

 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

Free 1:1 Coaching for Educators

Know You More has been supporting educators across Scotland for the past three years with online coaching (supporting 700+ education practitioners). They’re currently offering wellbeing 1:1 online coaching opportunities for those working in the education sector in Scotland. You can read more about this and sign up from today using the following link: Online Coaching for Wellbeing for Education Practitioners (knowyoumore.com)

This offer is fully funded by the Scottish Government. If you or any of your colleagues would value this opportunity, please do sign up and they’d be delighted to match you with your Coach.

University of Edinburgh Professional Learning Newsletter – January 2024

Hello and a Happy New Year! We hope you had a good break over the festive season. In our first newsletter of 2024, we are highlighting the following continuing professional development oppportunities:

  • Returning to Teaching (10-week course)
  • Technology for Additional Support Needs (10-week course)
  • Intermediate Timetabling (One-day course)
  • Rewilding Education (webinar)
  • Froebelian Futures National Conference 2024

Return to Teaching Course 

In this 10-week online course, participants will be thoroughly briefed on Scottish education policies, priorities and issues and will also receive guidance on applying for teaching posts.

Please note, participants must be eligible for registration with the GTCS (General Teaching Council for Scotland). If you are not already registered, please contact the GTCS directly.

Comments from previous participants:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel motivated and enthusiastic about returning to teaching. The clips and presentations were excellent, and extremely helpful.”

“The course was well lead, very supportive and manageable despite working full time and having a family. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone considering a return to teaching to complete this course.”

“The course has given me much more confidence than I previously had. I feel secure in my knowledge of current policies and practices.”

  • Course dates: Fri 23 February 2024 – Sat 11 May 2024
  • Course fee: £450
  • Delivery: Online

Booking deadline: Fri 9 Feb 2024

Technology for ASN – Last Chance to Book

This innovative and exciting 10-week online course, delivered by CALL Scotland, is aimed at educators who would like to increase their knowledge of how technology can expand educational opportunities for learners with Additional Support Needs (ASN), ie arising from conditions such as dyslexia, sensory impairment, severe and complex learning needs, autism, and communication difficulties.

The course will highlight and explore a range of assistive technologies and resources for pupils who require additional support within an educational context to address barriers to learning. You will learn about strategies and processes to help you make the most of technology, either specialised software or tools that are built into the operating system of devices, eg Windows, iPads (iOS) and Chromebooks.

Comments from previous participants:

“The variety, range and quality of materials was excellent. It was also great to have the opportunity to hear from others who are working in this area.”

“The course content was excellent including the extensive knowledge and experience of the CALL Scotland team, the opportunity to read so extensively, and the access to so many online resources. The overall course has had a very positive impact on the development of our service going forward.”

“The opportunity to discuss best practice, ask questions of various professionals contributing to the course. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to undertake professional reading. I really enjoyed the course.”

  • Course dates: Tues 6 Feb – Tues 9 April 2024
  • Course fee: £450
  • Delivery: Online
  • Booking deadline: Fri 2 Feb 2024

Find out more about CALL Scotland (Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning)

Please note that the weekly workshops for this course will now be held on Tuesdays at 4pm

Intermediate Timetabling

This one-day course is for those who have completed the Introduction to Effective Timetabling Course or who already have prior knowledge/experience of timetabling.

Course participants will:

  • Look at the parameters within which a curriculum is designed and constructed: eg teacher contracts, structure of the school day, SQA subjects offered, length of teaching units, etc.
  • Meet with colleagues to share different school curricular arrangements across all age groups of learners and share timetabling experiences delivering different designs
  • Look at some examples of different approaches to timetabling the senior phase in Curriculum for Excellence. eg single cohorts of pupils from S4 to S6
  • Learn how to use computer software to allow pupils to make free subject choices at key transition points in their education
  • Consider ways of delivering pupil entitlement subjects across all the year groups.

Practical exercises will complement the techniques and ideas examined during the day.

  • Date: Wed 28 Feb 2024
  • Delivery: In person, central Edinburgh venue
  • Cost: £139
  • Booking deadline: Fri 16 Feb 2024

Note: Our next introductory courses on Effective Timetabling will run Nov 2024, Dec 2024 and Jan 2025. If you wish to be notified when bookings open, please register your interest on the professional learning website.

Rewilding Education 

This online session will explore the concepts and metaphors of ecology and discuss how an understanding of complex ecosystems can help us to better manage and steer change in our own education work.

Speakers Dr Graham Thomson and Dr Hannah Grainger Clemson will discuss their own interactions with these ideas, coupled with different images and graphics as food for thought. Participants will have the opportunity to complete voluntary interactive tasks, engage in Q&A, and share their own ideas.

  • Date: Tues 13 Feb 2024: 4.30-6.00pm
  • FREE

Delivery: Online (MS Teams)

Froebelian Futures National Conference 2024: Repositioning power in early childhood

This national gathering of Froebelian educators will offer a wide selection of discussions, debates, films and research on topics including:

  • Froebelian understandings of inclusion and additional need
  • Froebelian Leadership
  • Anti-racism through a Froebelian lens
  • Froebel in schools – how can we go further?
  • Music and song in contemporary Froebelian practice
  • Learning with families
  • The Froebel Play Café Project
  • Reimagining the children’s garden
  • Froebelian affordances in our governing bodies (SSSC, Care Inspectorate, etc)
  • Filming with young children – purpose, ethics and practice

Keynote speakers:

  • Professor Alison Clark, Senior Research Fellow, University College London – author of Slow Knowledge And The Unhurried Child
  • Professor Kay Tisdall & Dr Lynn McNair, University of Edinburgh + child/family contributors
  • Dr Sacha Powell, Chief Executive, The Froebel Trust
  • Date: Sat 25 May 2024
  • Cost (includes lunch and refreshments): Sliding scale £15-£40 / Early bird discount for bookings before 29 Feb 2024

Venue: John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh