early years
John Muir Award – alternative programmes
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
Free trees, workshops and CPD from the Tree Council
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
The Theory and Practice of Nurture
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.
Leading the How of Change
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.
Leading Professional Learning programme from Education Scotland
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 5th November 2024 10am – 4pm
- Online self-directed learning through website
- Touchpoint (online): Wednesday 26th February 2025 4pm – 6pm
- Professional Learning Exchange Summit: Wednesday 28th 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 11th October.
Become and Apple Teacher – Support Session
Come along to our Apple Teacher support session, either in person or online, for help to become an Apple Teacher. We can support you at every stage of your Apple Teacher journey, from getting started, to completing that last badge. Please register your interest with the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/b26nzq6Wc4
Introduction to Framing and Framing Care Experience Session
We are delighted to be emailing to invite you to an Introduction to Framing and Framing Care Experience Session which Each and Every Child are delivering in Scottish Borders during Care Experienced Week next month. The training session will take place on Wednesday 23rd October, 1pm – 4pm in the Roxburgh Suite at Scottish Borders Council Headquarters. (Please see attached flyer for more details.)
This session is for carers, members of the multi-agency children and young people’s workforce and comms teams. Please share the flyer with other colleagues and teams you think may be interested in this session.
You can book a place on Eventbrite using the following link: CEW24: Introduction to Framing and Framing Care Experience Tickets, Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
You will then be sent out the joining instructions for the session. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The Promise Team
How We Create Change for Children – Conference
Conference 2024: How we create change for children – Rights Respecting Schools Award (unicef.org.uk)
The online event will explore school leadership within the framework of child rights education, aimed specifically at school leaders and those leading RRSA work in their setting.
The half day event will take place on 3 October from 930 to 1230.
Agenda
9:30 – Welcome: with Martin Russell, Programme Director RRSA
9:45 to 10:25 – Leading Change for Children: Find out how the RRSA creates change for children. In this session we will explore our theory of change, a methodology that outlines how we create change for children across the UK through child rights education. With Research, Evaluation and Participation Manager, Charlotte Fielder, teacher and RRSA Lead at Colgrave Primary School Nelson Ganeshwaran and RRSA Professional Adviser Steven Kidd.
10:30 to 11:10 – Child Rights Leadership for Today’s Challenges: with Dr Kulvarn Atwal. This session will explore the major challenges facing school and education leaders today and how incorporating children’s rights into management, policy, teaching and learning can help address these issues.
11:15 to 12:15– Leaders in Conversation: Join us to hear leaders in education from local authorities, and secondary, primary and trusts school settings across the UK talk about the successes and challenges in their roles and the place of children’s rights and RRSA within the educational landscape.
12:20 – Closing remarks
About this event
This year we will come together on October 3 to explore how we create change for children through child rights education. We will celebrate our shared journey to embed children’s rights into school life and to celebrate the work we do each day to empower children and young people through their rights.
The conference is open to teachers and other staff from schools already involved in RRSA but will be particularly relevant for those working in a leadership roles or those leading RRSA work in their setting. It is also suitable for those as well as those looking to find out more about the programme and professionals in the field of rights-based education.
The conference will be held on 3 October 2024. It will be running from 09:30 – 12:30 (UK time). Attendees can join for the whole event or only attend slots of their choice. Please check the website for more details on speakers and the full timetable. The programme is subject to change.
The conference will be run as a Microsoft Teams Live event. Attendees can participate via live Q&A chat function with speakers and UNICEF UK RRSA staff available on the call to respond.
For any questions please contact rrsa@unicef.org.uk.
Speakers
Nelson Ganeshwaran – Nelson Ganeshwaran is an Assistant Headteacher in East London, where he holds several key roles including Designated Safeguarding Lead, Behaviour Lead, Wellbeing and Senior Mental Health Lead, SEN Phase Leader, and Rights Respecting Schools Lead. With over a decade of teaching experience, Nelson has demonstrated a commitment to both educational excellence and the holistic development of students. His career includes a notable two-year tenure as Key Stage 2 Lead and Curriculum Lead at an international school in Shanghai, China. Nelson embarked on his journey with his current school in 2014, initiating its path towards becoming a Rights Respecting School. The school is now on the cusp of achieving reaccreditation as a Gold Rights Respecting School. In 2022, Nelson completed a Master’s degree in Education and Leadership, with his dissertation exploring the links between behaviour and oracy, and highlighting the significance of the child’s voice in the educational process.
Dr Kulvarn Atwal – Dr. Kulvarn Atwal has spent his entire career teaching and leading in East London schools, and is currently Executive Head Learning Leader of two large primary schools. He has been a Head Teacher of three different schools and his first action in each school he has led is to become a UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School. His doctoral thesis investigated the factors that impact upon teacher engagement in professional learning in schools. His findings were published in 2019 in his first book, ‘The Thinking School’ and he has just released his second book, ‘The Thinking Teacher’.
Rukhsana Ahmed – I have worked in Manchester for over 25 years. I was born and raised in Longsight and so have a deep understanding of the needs and wants of our local community. I also lead three local children centres and a daycare provision. I sit on a number of influential boards, including Manchester Start Well and the GM School Readiness Board. We started our RRSA journey a number of years ago, and are proud to be a Gold Rights Respecting School. It has enabled our children to find their voices, shape our school, not accept injustice and be loud, clear and very proud.
Rebcca Wheelan – Rebecca is Deputy CEO for Horizons Specialist Academy Trust. Prior to taking on the role of Deputy CEO, Rebecca had two successful headships, the most recent being the Principal of Abbey Hill Academy, a secondary school for young people with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Previous to that Rebecca was the Principal of Green Gates Primary Academy, a school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. Having worked with children and young people with a range of needs across a range of school phases, Rebecca is passionate about ensuring that all children and young people achieve their full potential. Rebecca has seen the impact of taking a whole school approach to putting children’s rights at the heart of school policy and practice and for that reason has encouraged all schools within the Trust to become a Rights Respecting School.
Education Scotland – Coaching in Education
Coaching has far reaching benefits and is an approach which can have a significant impact on how we learn within Scottish education.
Whether you are new to coaching or have previous experience and skills, this introduction will support you to engage with our Coaching in Education online professional learning resource.
- what makes you curious about coaching as educators
- how can you get started on your coaching learning or how can you continue to build your practice and support the learning of others
- how to engage with the online learning resources to build your coaching practice, knowledge and skills
- Scotland’s national approach to coaching in education
- The Coaching in Education online professional learning resource is open to educators in all sectors and at all levels.
Click here for more information and be sure to sign up soon as registrations close at 6pm on Sunday 22nd September. If you can’t attend this session, there will be a further opportunity to attend on Tuesday 28th January 2025, 4pm – 5.30pm.
