Talking about poverty at school – new activities for Challenge Poverty Week

Do you know of any schools looking for something great to do this Challenge Poverty Week (7-13 October)?

We have a brand-new set of Cost of the School Day activities designed to get school communities thinking and talking about poverty . Your help to share them with the schools and teachers you work with would be really appreciated.

 Why we want to get everyone talking about poverty

Last year, over 5000 children and young people shared their views in the Cost of the School Day Big Question. They said that it’s important we talk more about poverty to help remove stigma and raise awareness of help that’s available at school – so that’s what we’re doing this Challenge Poverty Week.

Activities

We’ve got four Talking about Poverty activities to try out. Each activity works well on its own or as part of a set.

1. Talking to politicians and the government Work together to come up with a question or something you would like to tell politicians and the people in charge of education – we’ll pass everything along.
2. Talking to each other about costs at school Find out what other pupils in your school think about school costs and the help people can get with them. What are things like, and what could be better?
3. Talking to your headteacher Interview your headteacher to find out what your school is doing to challenge poverty, then work together to come up with a Cost of the School Day pledge for your school!
4. Talking to your school community Create some eye-catching posters to help everyone in your school community understand what support is on offer and how to access it.

All of these Challenge Poverty Week activities can be found on our website – please share this email throughout your networks.

If you would like to share this information on social media then please feel free to repost: https://x.com/CPAGScotland/status/1838543707022176592.

early years

Supported learning opportunities
Pre-recorded Core Input Training Session	Online follow up – Supported sessions		Play COP
A series of pre-recorded sessions for professional learning, to support teachers to take an enquiry-based approach to positive planned action to change in your classroom. These sessions are codesigned with colleagues across the Borders and include examples of practice across SBC. Opt in based on your own professional needs – timeline given fits in with focused follow up – supported sessions.	These sessions follow on from suggested timeline Core Input Training Sessions. EYTT colleagues facilitating group discussions for colleagues to support reflections and developments made through Core Input Training Session. Teachers signing up to watch the pre-recorded sessions will be required to attend these to ensure professional engagement and reflection.		An opportunity to connect with others, share practice and collaborate with teachers across the borders on various stages of their play journey. Focus led by practitioners.
Pre-recorded; available through Business World – date given on timeline is the date they should be accessed by to give time to engage with the follow up activity See below for full details of each available session.	Teams Online Meeting 4-5pm		In person – various locations across SBC to give opportunity to see Play classrooms in school. Dates: Term 2: Tuesday 26th November 2024 Term 3: Tuesday 4th February 2025 & Tuesday 25th March 2025 Term 4: Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Independent learning opportunities
SBC Play Pedagogy Toolkit Available at all times for all practitioners		Play for learning the #SBC Way (padlet.com)

 

Term	Core Input	Date	Delivery method
1	Play pedagogy session by Catriona Gill Education Scotland This session is designed specifically for those who are leading play pedagogy across primary schools	Friday 4th October	In person
1	Introduction to Play Pedagogy ·         What is play? ·         Why play? ·         Planning and developing Play Pedagogy through our Spaces, Experiences and Interactions	Please watch the pre-recorded session by week beginning 30th September
	Follow up session to Introduction to Play Pedagogy An opportunity to discuss the key messages from the core input session, share progress with the follow up activity and reflect on practice.	Tuesday 8th October	Online Teams
Term	Core Input	Date	Delivery method
2	Quality Learning environments ·       To understand the need for clearly defined learning spaces, indoors and outdoors, and to be able to recognise the key learning in each • ·       To recognise the key features which should be evident across all spaces ·       To become familiar with a range of audits to support self-evaluation	Please watch the pre-recorded session by week beginning 28th October	Pre-recorded
	Follow up session to Quality Learning Environments An opportunity to discuss the key messages from the core input session, share progress with the follow up activity and reflect on practice.	Tuesday 5th November	On Teams
3		Date	Delivery method
	Balance of the day/role of the adult ·       How to facilitate learning through play using a balanced approach	Please watch the pre-recorded session by w/b 13th January	Pre-recorded

early years

early years

early years

John Muir Award – alternative programmes

With the current stoppage on the John Muir Award, schools may be looking for alternative Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability based programmes for their pupils. The following may be of interest to all schools;

Join in Award Scheme – previously the Junior Award Scheme for Schools, this programme is an inclusive, stand-alone award, and an ideal foundation for progressing to other awards.

Junior Duke Award – similar format to, but not associated with, the Duke of Edinburgh award, but is targeted at younger pupils. Age relevant programmes for pupils from 3yrs – 13yrs old.

National Outdoor Learning Award – free OL specific programme with main themes of development of self, others and the environment.

Junior Rangers and Wildlife Champions – Junior Ranger award for 11-18yr olds, Wildlife Champion award aimed at 8-11yr olds

RSPB Wild Challenge – series of challenges based around experiencing nature, and helping nature

Keep Scotland Beautiful Eco Schools and Learning About Forests programmes – national programmes with good resources and support, including teacher training and examples of the awards in action

The Tree Council is looking for 70 new schools or youth groups to work with us this year to deliver a Young Tree Champions Trees and More Project, to make a difference to your young people and to the planet! We will provide free trees (fruit or hedgerow), a digital microscope camera, related educator training opportunities, online curriculum-linked resources and the chance for in-person workshops delivered by us and our partners.

• Find out all about it HERE.
• Join our webinar 4pm on 26 September to hear from educators who have first-hand experience of delivering tree-mendous projects to understand the benefits, considerations and also to ask questions.
• Applications close on 25 October and I would love to see your school or youth group apply.

If you have any further questions or would like a chat, please drop me an email on luisa.brown@treecouncil.org,uk

Glasgow City Council are again running The Theory and Practice of Nurture programme which runs over 6 sessions and will be held online.

The course covers:

• The development of nurturing approaches
• Attachment theory
• The 6 nurturing principles in practice
• The impact of trauma and adversity on brain development
• Boxall Profile training with books ‘the Boxall Profile’ and ‘beyond the Boxall’
• Information on the assignment which includes a child study and reflections on practice
• Running a nurture group
• Supporting neurodivergent pupils with nurturing approaches

Date	Start	Finish
13/11/2024	10:00	12:00
20/11/2024	13:00	15:00
27/11/2024	10:00	12:00
04/12/2024	10:00	12:00
11/12/2024	10:00	12:00
15/01/2025	10:00	12:00

This course is amazing value for money at £300 per person. This cost would have to be met by individual schools.

If you would like to attend or require further information please email CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk with your name, base school and email address.

Education Scotland are delighted to share with you that they have opened applications to Leading the How of Change: Facilitated learning for strategic leadership. This new programme builds on and replaces Excellence in Headship. Places on Leading the How of Change will be limited, so we recommend applying early to secure your space!

Here’s why we think you should consider applying for the Leading the How of Change programme in 24-25:

We’re coming to you!

We have taken on board feedback about accessibility of some of our in-person learning opportunities. So, for Leading the How of Change we are hitting the road and will be travelling to various locations across Scotland.

As a participant on Leading the How of Change you will be expected to attend one of the following core sessions:
Tuesday 29th October 2024, 10am – 4pm, Dundee Malmaison
Thursday 7th November 2024, 9.30am – 12pm, online via MS Teams
Tuesday 12th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Stirling Court
Tuesday 19th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Glasgow Radisson Blu
Tuesday 26th November 2024, 10am – 4pm, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue
Thursday 16th January 2025, 1.30pm – 4pm, online via MS Teams,
Tuesday 18th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Aberdeen Copthorne
Thursday 20th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Glasgow Radisson Blu
Tuesday 25th February 2025, 10am – 4pm, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue

The full day session you attend will enable you to network with other leaders from across Scotland to explore key conventions of leading change, informed by practical leadership experience and research-based thinking.

 

We have extended the programme to those who hold the Standard for Headship!

Leading the How of Change is open to headteachers and those who hold the Standard for Headship, but who may not yet be in a headteacher role.

We expect high demand for this programme. Places will be given on a first come first served basis. If we are over capacity at a particular venue, we may have to contact you to offer an alternative date or venue.

If you’d like to apply for this programme, click here for further information. The application form is found under the section ‘Applying and further information’.

 

Full Disclosure.

Places on Leading the How of Change are fully funded. We have invested in securing in-person venues for the learning days and we cannot recover costs incurred from cancelled or withdrawn applications.

If you have any questions regarding this programme, or would like a discussion about support please don’t hesitate to email us at edspll@educationscotland.gov.scot with LHoC in the subject line.

 

 

The Leading Professional Learning programme from Education Scotland is designed to support you in fostering a culture of transformational professional learning across your school, setting, cluster or local authority.

This for you if you lead professional learning in your school or setting (no need for formal senior leadership role) or your context (local authority, RIC or national organisation).

The programme focuses on increasing leadership of professional learning through a collective approach. Grounded in educational research and centred around our national model of professional learning, it offers a unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in designing and delivering professional learning.

 Key Dates:

• Induction core day (online): Tuesday 5^th November 2024 10am – 4pm
• Online self-directed learning through website
• Touchpoint (online): Wednesday 26^th February 2025 4pm – 6pm
• Professional Learning Exchange Summit: Wednesday 28^th May 2025 (Timings TBC)

To register or learn more, please visit: Leading professional learning programme | Programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland Applications close Friday 11^th October.