Massage in Schools

We are organising training for the second SBC cohort of the Massage in Schools programme.

It has strong, evidence-based outcomes including reductions in negative physical touch behaviours and is widely used across Scotland and the rest of the world.

Feedback from schools in the Borders already using this in session 2024 – 25 has been very positive. Please see attached and below.↓

Target Audience: Pupil Support / Support for Learning /ASN / Nurture staff iws

Training Dates: It will be delivered over two days on Fri 19th and Mon 22nd of September 2025. Attendance at both days is required. Dougie Mirfin, the trainer, is looking at a way he can condense input on Friday 19th. .

Venue: Council Headquarters

TO BOOK – sign up via Business World

Attendees will be expected to deliver this program in schools and will be licensed to deliver this program for life after completion of the course.

Potential attendees should be aware that the training does involve direct, positive, physical contact before they agree to attend or participate

This programme can be delivered

  • for targeted groups
  • as a modelled whole class offer. In this instance the class teacher will be expected to continue with delivery after the programme has been delivered to their class.

There are 20 places so we can offer two places per cluster.

Find out more:

See attached and via link below.

https://misascotland.org.uk/

Scottish Borders Teacher Feedback:

P1/2 Teacher

‘The massage within P1/2 has been very beneficial for the children. They love doing it, very motivated and engaged, they are very respectful of each other and show great listening. The massage helps to regulate and relax the children. I have been doing it after break everyday and I feel my maths lessons are much more settled. I would like to do it after lunch as well but at the moment the timetable is a bit hectic. I plan to move things about to allow me to do it 2 times a day.’

Primary 2/3 Teacher

‘Massage worked really well with Primary 2/3. They all looked forward to massage on a Monday and loved taking part. I had two pupils who did not want to take part at the beginning of the block. After watching their peers for a few weeks, they decided to join in and I feel these children are the ones that have benefitted the most. They never liked anyone in their personal space but because massage is focused on giving consent, I think the children like that they are in control and can say stop if they don’t like it.

I have started introducing massage at the start of Circle time as it calms them down and relaxes them ready for a quiet activity. I have used it a couple of time after break time to bring them back down after a busy playtime outside. They are all now better at listening and doing the massage with their partner. At the beginning of the block, they were a bit excitable and I didn’t think it was very relaxing for them. However, now that they know all the moves and they know what to expect it is having a positive impact. After massage they are ready to learn, their listening is better and they stay engaged with the learning task longer’

Coaching for Success

Booking for the next cohort is now open!!!

Please register your interest via Business World.

 

Coaching for Success Programme Aims

Enhanced capability and desire to:

  • engage in self-evaluation and personal reflection and learning
  • coach in a way that enables higher levels of performance
  • enable others to be more accountable for their role and responsibilities
  • truly listen and to empathise with another person’s view
  • give and receive effective behavioural feedback
  • reflect on ways in which relevant literature has informed thinking and practice
  • greater confidence and commitment to engage in self development and learning and to contribute to others personal development

All sessions will be held at Inspire, Tweedbank:

Session Date
1 24/09/2025 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
2 08/10/2025 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
3 05/11/2025 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
4 10/12/2025 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
5 21/01/2026 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
6 04/02/2026 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
7 11/03/2026 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm
8 01/04/2026 Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm

 

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

Apple Learning Coach

As an ALC, teacher leaders will:

  • Act as a coach and mentor to educators using the iPad and other digital tools
  • Support staff to develop their teaching practices using digital technologies.
  • Develop and lead professional learning within your school or cluster.

 To become an ALC, candidates must complete the certified ALC programme:

  • Self-paced online modules (Units 1–6) and reflective portfolio
  • Two days of virtual workshops led by Apple Professional Learning Specialists
  • Final Coaching Portfolio, including a Coaching Action Plan tailored to your setting.
  • Total CLPL is up to 43.5 hours.

To be considered for the ALC programme, candidates must:

  • Have Apple Teacher recognition
  • Be willing to coach at least one educator in a primary, secondary, or local authority setting
  • Have HT / leadership approval

To find out more or apply: coaching

  1. Attend a virtual info session (optional but recommended)
  2. Gain approval from HT / leadership
  3. Apply online > Apply to Apple Learning Coach – Apple Education Community

 

Celebrating the learning, Inspiring the future: the RAiSE legacy 

Our online RAiSE Expo event – Celebrating the Learning, Inspiring the Future: The RAiSE Legacy is now LIVE!!

We celebrated in person on 21st May but if you couldn’t join us this will hopefully make up for it. This features our keynote speakers, a showcase of the RAiSE journey from its inception, and opportunities to connect with the RAiSE team and key partners to inspire future learning.

Join this anytime learning by clicking the link below, you will then be directed to and able to explore the following pages:

  • Welcome and keynote speeches 
  • RAiSE timeline – a look back at when each local authority took part in the programme
  • Event workshops – opportunity to take part in professional learning and find out more about making connections with STEM partners
  • RAiSE resources – links to a plethora of STEM resources for primary practitioners to support high quality learning and teaching of STEM
  • RAiSE stories – examples of STEM practice across RAiSE local authorities.
  • RAiSE daily STEM challenges – a range of STEM themed daily challenges for learners

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stemnation/celebrating-the-learning-inspiring-the-future-the-raise-legacy/

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:

Join the meeting now

Community as a Superpower: Celebrating schools working with refugee families

Wednesday, 18 June

Community as a Superpower:Celebrating schools working with refugee families

This webinar showcases how schools actively promote a sense of belonging for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.

The theme of Refugee Week 2025 is “Community as a Superpower” and in this webinar a panel of speakers will share their experiences and reflections around how schools and other settings are helping to nurture communities in which refuge-seeking learners feel a real sense of belonging.

Speakers from Schools of Sanctuary, Warwickshire Local Authority and a secondary school will consider practical examples of how they have achieved meaningful social inclusion, and will share their recommendations for other schools welcoming refugee and asylum-seeking learners.

After a short presentation from each of the panelists, Radha Chakraborty, Director of Trustees at The Bell Foundation, will pose questions from the audience to each of the speakers. If you would like to ask a question around social inclusion, please email webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.

Host: Radha Chakraborty, Director of Trustees at The Bell Foundation.

Panel: 

  • Megan Greenwood, School Coordinator, City of Sanctuary UK;
  • Nikki Ajibade, EAL Senior Lead, Warwickshire’s EMTAS Team;
  • Claudia Lopez, EAL Raising Achievement Coordinator, Saint Gabriel’s College, Lambeth.

Who should register for the webinar?

  • School leaders, including those responsible for EAL and inclusion;
  • EAL Coordinators, or those responsible for EAL in their school;
  • Pastoral leads and Year leaders.

Why you should register for this webinar:

  • One-hour intensive session with Q&A
  • Access to session recording;
  • First to hear about future webinars and how to sign up.

If you have any questions that specifically relate to the webinar topic, which you would like answered during the live session, please send them to: webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.

Community as a Superpower:Celebrating schools working with refugee families Tickets, Wed 18 Jun 2025 at 16:00 | Eventbrite