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

Recruitment to Into Headship Programme 2024 – 2025

Recruitment to Into Headship Programme 2024 – 2025

We are pleased to confirm that recruitment for the next cohort of the Into Headship programme will be open from Monday 29th January until Friday 8th March 2024.

Please note – we are aware that the Education Scotland website states 29 March as the closing date. This is the date that Local Authorities must confirm all successful applicants to Education Scotland and our recruitment process has to take place prior to this.

Into Headship

Into Headship is Scotland’s national programme for teachers with relevant leadership experience, who are aspiring to a headteacher post within the next 2-3 years.  The purpose of the Into Headship programme is to further develop the skills, knowledge and understanding, professional values, abilities and commitment for participants to move into headship with the confidence to lead a dynamic school community. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Standard for Headship which is a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed permanent headteachers in publicly funded schools in Scotland.

The updated national guidance document will be made available within the coming weeks.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a completed form, and an endorsement form from their line manager to CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk

For entry on to this programme, local authorities should complete an interview process with applicants to confirm that they can demonstrate appropriate experience and professional learning in leadership, relevant to local context.

Application and endorsement forms will be available from:  https://professionallearning.education.gov.scot/learn/programmes/into-headship/

Programme Funding

It is anticipated that funding to support the fees will continue for the 2024 cohort, however this is subject to the outcome of the budget bill process in Scottish Parliament and subsequently Scottish Ministers’ agreement.

Travelling expenses are not included as part of the funding.

Aspiring Leaders Senior Leaders Middle Leaders

 

Into Headship – Applications Opening Soon

The Into Headship programme is for GTCS-registered teachers aspiring to the post of headteacher, who are likely to be successful within the next 2-3 years.

If you would like to find out more about the Into Headship programme we will be holding an online information session on 24 January at 4:30pm.

Why not come along and hear about the application process, find out more information about the course and hear from past participants. We will be joined by colleagues from SEIC Local Authorities, Education Scotland and Edinburgh University.

Please contact CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk to receive the joining instructions.

Online Coaching for Wellbeing for Education Practitioners

Provided by the Scottish Government and delivered by Know You More. (Education Practitioners includes all staff that work in schools, CLD and ELC in Scotland)

This online coaching programme has been designed to support you with any of the challenges you are facing right now and focussing on your wellbeing. We have heard you and understand that work and life are not separate, so we are offering this space to talk about personal as well as professional challenges.

Read more about this opportunity and sign up following the link below:

This is open to all education practitioners with 2 x 1hours of coaching and is also open to anyone who has already benefitted from this offer previously.

Yvonne Wilson

ASN and Wellbeing Support Officer (Schools) | Mental Health First Aider

Yvonne.Wilson@scotborders.gov.uk

STEM Education Scotland Events

We are delighted to invite teachers and practitioners to register for the series of face-to-face events for Science and STEM being organised by Education Scotland.

Register now! The events are FREE to attend.

 The events are targeted at practitioners from various sectors including primary, early learning and childcare, secondary and ASN._

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Reimagining the BGE sciences curriculum (ELC, primary, secondary, ASN)

 

Target audience: These events are for practitioners from primary and also ELC, ASN and secondary sectors.

Purpose: Scotland will experience a STEM job revolution in the next few years as our nation transitions to Net Zero and seeks to excel in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, life sciences, space sector and advanced manufacturing, amongst others. How is our sciences curriculum, learning and teaching preparing learners (aged 3-15 years) for this exciting opportunity? How can innovative approaches and pedagogies, including interdisciplinary learning and project-based learning, prepare learners for an increasingly technical and rapidly changing world? These events will provide attendees with a valuable and stimulating opportunity to engage with practitioners from other sectors to look at the whole journey from a learner perspective to help reimagine the teaching of sciences within their settings, ASGs and clusters. If you like to connect with others, learn about new approaches and dream big then these events are for you!

Location: Aberdeen

Details: 0930 – 1500 on Thursday 25 January 2024 at the Park Inn Hotel by Radisson, Aberdeen AB11 6EQ

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-the-bge-sciences-curriculum-elc-primary-asn-and-secondary-tickets-759633001757

 

Location: Stirling

Details: 0930 – 1500 on Thursday 14 March 2024 – Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling FK8 1DU. * Note: NEW Venue

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-the-bge-sciences-curriculum-elc-primary-asn-secondary-tickets-759641537287

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 Unleashing Primary STEM Events Programme

 Target audience: Primary teachers looking for practical examples to implement STEM in their classroom and make connections across the curriculum. STEM novice or expert, it doesn’t matter, there’s something for all!

Purpose: You’ll recognise the moment when you unleash the power of STEM in the primary classroom. It could be the biggest Wow! moment a learner has ever experienced (like seeing a wee beastie super close up through a microscope) or the quizzical and curious looks when something unexplained has happened and learners are staring in disbelief and wonder. Your class may be literally buzzing and full of high excitement or uneasily quiet because learners are completely and utterly engrossed in their learning. Come and join us for a stimulating day of hands-on STEM learning, designed in as a direct response to requests from primary teachers across Scotland. Take away great ideas to use with your learners and make the most of the opportunity to connect with other teachers and partners who can help you unleash the power of STEM.

What to expect – workshops and input

The following provides a flavour of some of the workshops and input running across the events. Note: the workshops on offer at each event will vary.

  • STEM through stories – making connections between STEM and literacy
  • STEM resources to help you plan great learning and teaching in STEM
  • Makedo with engineering – a world of possibilities
  • STEM on a budget
  • Putting the M in STEM – bringing numeracy and mathematics to life through STEM contexts
  • STEM goes digital
  • STEM in the GREAT Outdoors
  • Data literacy – See data in a creative new way

 

Location: Dundee 

Details: 0945 – 1500 on Wednesday 31 January, Contemporary Arts Centre, Dundee DD1 4EA

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774294705307 

Location: Edinburgh

Details: 0945 – 1500 on Monday 26 February, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774309880697

 Location: Glasgow

Details: 0945 – 1500 on Thursday 29 February, Mercure Hotel, Glasgow G1 1DQ * Note: NEW Venue

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774313862607

 

Location: Dumfries

Details: 0945 – 1500 on Friday 01 March, The Bridge, Dumfries DG2 9AW

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774322558617 

 

Location: Moray

Details:  0945 – 1500 on Wednesday 13 March, Kinloss Primary, Moray IV36 3SX

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774325467317

 

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Significant events for all sectors (Secondary, Primary, ELC and ASN)

 Making Scotland’s Future – Engineering Careers Event for Practitioners

Target audience: All primary, secondary, ELC and CLD practitioners who want to prepare their learners for the rapidly changing world of work and innovative STEM career pathways

Details: 1545 to 1800 on Monday 22 January – Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow G51 1EA

Purpose: Scotland’s economy is transforming rapidly in the coming years and there is an increasing and urgent demand for a skilled workforce to enable this transition to take place. Research shows that educators have a pivotal role to play in equipping learners with the skills for learning, life and work and promoting relevant pathways to learners, parents and carers. This professional learning event has been designed for Scotland’s educators to help them excite and inspire our children and young people about their future career opportunities.

Book: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gscevents/1060614

 

STEM Nation EXPO event for learners and practitioners: Celebrating Success, Inspiring Innovation

Target audience: Practitioners and learners from primary, ELC, ASN, secondary and CLD sectors

Details: 1000 – 1400 on Wednesday 06 March, Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DU

Purpose: This event will be a showcase and celebration of STEM Learning in Scotland and is for both learners and practitioners. This is a fantastic opportunity for practitioners and young people to connect with award-winning STEM Nation schools, settings and groups and a host of dynamic partners that can support STEM learning in your settings. Find out about exciting and innovating practice in STEM. Learn about the support from a wide range of inspiring partner organisations, including Young STEM Leader programme and STEM Ambassadors, and take away loads of ideas and inspiration!

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stem-nation-expo-celebrating-success-inspiring-innovation-tickets-775658815397

 

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Assessment and moderation in BGE sciences – Secondary

Target audiences: Secondary science teachers

Details: 0930 – 1500 on Tuesday 23 January – The Studio, Glasgow G2 6AE

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/assessment-and-moderation-in-bge-sciences-secondary-tickets-759622630737?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Raising attainment in BGE sciences – Secondary

Target audiences: Secondary science teachers

Details: 0930 – 1500 on Thursday 22 February 2024 – COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh EH12 5BH

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/raising-attainment-in-sciences-secondary-tickets-759635418987?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

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Details about these events are available on our STEM blog: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2023/11/28/dont-miss-out-education-scotland-science-and-stem-events-programme/ and also our national STEM events calendar: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stemnation/events-calendar-2/

 

We’re very much looking forward to connecting with practitioners and teachers across Scotland over the coming months. Please email us at stem@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions.