Upcoming free online training webinars for the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland.

• 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	4-5.30pm
A Closer Look at the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland in an ASN and EAL context	Tuesday 20th January 2026	4-5.30pm

 

Places are limited so please sign up here to register your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment:

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

Please note that you need to use a valid school email address 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

Free Music CPD open to all primary teachers / PSAs (non-music specialists)

 

What: The 2 hour CPD will be a practical session on things like body percussion, singing, movement and creative music activities. The aim of the session is to help build confidence for non-specialists and give ideas of how to bring in music to the classroom.

Who: Primary CPD is open to all primary school teachers and teaching assistants

When: Tuesday 10^th February 4-6pm

Where: Galashiels Academy (New school)

How: Sign up here – https://forms.office.com/e/MnhDXz31Gj?origin=lprLink

Primary experience page

Secondary experience page

 

Scholar’s programme of free professional learning webinars for teachers is back. Each webinar
will focus on how teachers can make the most of Scholar to enhance and inform learning and
teaching

These sessions are designed to support teachers who are new to Scholar, or looking for a refresher, in making effective use of our comprehensive and high-quality resources, engaging interactive tasks, formative assessments, and insightful reporting tools.

Teachers can view the full programme and register here:  https://go.hw.ac.uk/SCHOLARplWebinars.

 

 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

 

Please read all the details fully, information on how to book is noted below.

 

I have your name on our distribution list wishing to participate in this training.  The next course will take place on:

 

Dates	Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th January 2026 – You must be able to attend both days fully
Time	8.50am – 5pm
Venue	Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Drive, Langlee, Galashiels, TD1 2LP

 

The administration of ASIST courses is now done nationally and you need to book through a link to the national portal (which I will provide below).  All bookings are on a first come first serve basis and we are unable to influence or prioritise who gets allocated places.  Once all places have been taken the portal will tell you there are no longer spaces available on this course.

 

Link to book

https://mhandsplearning.publichealthscotland.scot/course_registration.aspx?id=61ef6b80-363c-47d7-9580-cb6970187c0a

 

If you wish your name taken off our distribution list please email myself and I shall action this for you.

 

The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) for 3–18 sciences is well underway, and significant progress has been made through engagement with practitioners across Scotland. The Education Scotland science team is eager to continue hearing from as many of you as possible, ensuring your voice helps shape a future-oriented sciences curriculum.

We’re pleased to share two key opportunities to stay connected and informed:

🌟 Term 2 Newsletter – Now Available

Our latest newsletter provides:

• Updates on CIC progress to date
• A spotlight on alignment work between science and maths
• Links to our new Science CIC Blog, where you can access ongoing updates and summary reports from the CIC Core and Collaboration Groups

Please share the newsletter with colleagues in your school, setting, or wider networks.

The newsletter can also be accessed via our Science CIC Blog   https://bit.ly/4oRrTcq

💻 Upcoming Webinar: Science Curriculum Improvement Cycle

📅 Wednesday 26 November

🕓 4:00 – 5:30 pm

This online session will include:

• The latest updates on CIC progress
• An exploration of the draft curricular rationale statement for the 3–18 sciences curriculum
• Opportunities for discussion and reflection before wider consultation

This webinar is open to all practitioners across early years, primary, secondary, and ASN who deliver science.

Please do share the event details with your colleagues and networks — your participation and insights are invaluable.

Register here:

Sciences Network – Curriculum Improvement Cycle Webinar 3 Tickets, Wed, Nov 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite

 

Please note: This invitation and newsletter is being shared across several of our networks. If you are subscribed to multiple networks, you may receive this email more than once — our apologies for any duplication.

 

We look forward to your continued engagement as we work together to shape the future of science education in Scotland.

Are you ready for the next step in your professional learning journey? Join us to learn more about the University of Glasgow’s BA Childhood Practice. Spaces are available to start in August 2026.

 

We will be hosting the first of our Childhood Practice student information events in the coming weeks – please join us online on Tuesday 18 November at an online event between 6pm and 7pm.

 

The BA Childhood Practice Programme is designed for those working in day care services for children enabling students to meet SCCC requirements for lead practitioner.

 

We hope you can join us to hear about the programme and meet the team and ask any questions you may have.

 

• The programme encourages reflective practice, professional growth and leadership development.

 

• You will engage in a vibrant mix of face to face and live online seminars, complemented by self study guides and interactive online spaces.  Our approach emphasises active participation, both individually and collaboratively, to develop your knowledge and skills and expand your professional networks, all supported by an encouraging team of lecturers and tutors.

 

• Our part time twilight sessions run from 18:30 – 20:30, designed to fit in with your busy working lives

 

• You can hear some of our current students talk about their experience at University of Glasgow here:  BACP testimonials 1.mp4

 

To join us, please open the link University of Glasgow Childhood Practice Online Open Evening – 18 November at 6:00pm

 

We look forward to meeting with you!

As we move into November we wanted to highlight our upcoming online Leadership+ and BRL+ webinars.

Leadership+ sessions are offered to anyone in a leadership role in Scottish education, across sectors (this includes classroom, ELC and CLD practitioners, middle leaders, and school, setting and system leaders). The aims are:

• to enhance leadership learning across pertinent themes
• to encourage critical thinking in leaders at all levels.

BRL+ sessions are one-off webinars from the Building Racial Literacy team, designed to support all educators in deepening their understanding of racial literacy and strengthening anti-racist practice.

 

Firstly, on Tuesday 11 November, 4pm to 5pm our speakers will be Jordan Daly and Liam Stevenson, the founders of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE), with a webinar entitled Leading LGBT Inclusive Education – Guidance to Practice.

This Leadership+ webinar is designed to support education leaders to engage effectively with the Scottish Government’s Guidance on LGBT Inclusive Education. It will explore the strategic actions and whole-school/setting approaches required to embed LGBT-inclusive practice across teaching and learning, and to prevent the stigma and stereotypes that lead to prejudice-based bullying.

Please click here to register for a place at the webinar, or use the link or QR code in the attached poster.

 

On Tuesday 18 November from 4pm to 5.30pm we are hosting Practical Approaches to Racism, a webinar and Q&A with Natalie and Naomi Evans co-founders of the Everyday Racism Project.

In this interactive BRL+ session, Natalie and Naomi will share insights from their work in challenging racism and supporting individuals and organisations to take meaningful anti-racist action. Following a short input introducing their approach and experiences, the majority of the session will be dedicated to questions, discussion, and practical strategies for enacting antiracism in educational settings.

Please click here to register for a place at the webinar, or use the link or QR code in the attached poster.

 

Then on Wednesday 19 November, 4pm to 5pm, Dr Jenni Donohoo will be leading a webinar entitled Leadership for Collective Efficacy.

This Leadership+ webinar will focus on Collective Efficacy- the belief that through collaboration, educators can improve learner achievement. Anyone who has been part of Education Scotland’s Leading Professional Learning programme will know the extent to which Jenni’s work has influenced its development. This webinar is for anyone leading or working in a team, with an interest in positively impacting learners through collective endeavour.

Please click here to register for a place at the webinar, or use the link or QR code in the attached poster.

 

We anticipate high demand for these events, so would encourage you to sign up quickly. If a number o you in your establishment want to sign up, then why not watch together, learn together and take forward your post-event plans together?

 

Please note that our Leadership+ sessions are not recorded, but following the webinars a synopsis will be available on our dedicated Leadership+ pages on the Education Scotland website.

 

Please email edspll@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions or queries.