‘I think the PLA’s this year and the reading group sessions have been enriching with respect to pedagogy and raising awareness of very important ideas.’ – SASB Teacher, June 2018
Initiatives such as schools’ Professional Reading Groups are an ‘essential component of the nature of the profession.’ – John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (SASB launch event, 2 February, 2021)
AIMS
- The aim of the Professional Reading group is to provide a time and place for staff wishing to engage with colleagues in order to ‘stimulate their thinking and professional knowledge and to ensure that their practice is critically informed and up-to-date’. (GTCS).
- The group not only promotes professional reading and further reflective practice but also provides those coming along with an additional opportunity to enhance their professional learning.
- It is a great way to catch up with colleagues from across the school in an informal setting.
- It is something you can drop in and out of and then come back to or a session you can attend regularly.
What will the group be reading?
The group chooses short texts on relevant topics such as reports, excerpts from books, articles etc. Details of the selected text will be made available to all staff so it is just a case of printing a copy, reading it and coming along to the meeting. We’re always looking for suggestions for reading material, so please feel free to suggest something you think would be of interest and would generate discussion.
Where does this fit in with what the GTCS is asking us to do through Professional Update/the Professional Learning Framework?
Examples of professional learning activities provided by the GTCS include:
- Professional dialogue with colleagues, other professionals, parents, and learners
- Focused professional reading and research
- Leading or engaging in practitioner enquiry/action research
- Critical analysis of reading, learning and impact on professional practice
From GTCS – Professional Learning
Therefore, the opportunity to meet regularly and informally with colleagues from across the school, to discuss a range of short texts, is something that will help ensure we are the ‘enquiring professionals’ the GTCS ask all teachers to be.
For further details on the group, please contact Kenny Slowey or Susan Brownlie
SESSION 2023-2024
Wednesday 22 May 2024 3:10-4:00pm (venue TBC)
All welcome
We’ll be discussing an extract from “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness”, published in March 2024, written by the Social Psychologist, Jonathan Haidt.
Professional Reading Group article May 2024
associated 7-minute video clip
Wednesday 17 January 2024 3:10-4:00pm (School Library)
All welcome
The first Staff Professional Reading Group this session will meet after school on the 17th of January to discuss chapter 8 of Dr Rowena Arshad’s book “Social Justice Re-Examined”. The chapter is entitled “Educate and act for antiracism”.
Social Justice article PRG Nov 23
Our discussion of the chapter follows on from the visit in November from Primary Head Teacher, Clare Harker, who is the co-author of the chapter.
Dr Arshad’s book is aimed at supporting teachers working in an increasingly diverse society. It offers honest discussions about what are seen as difficult or controversial issues, providing ideas and approaches for the classroom; to navigate concepts and value differences, to help bring about constructive change.
Dr Arshad is a champion for equality and multiculturalism. She is the first minority ethnic person to be appointed Head of Moray House School for Education and was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to race equality in Scotland and a CBE for services to equality and education in 2019.
SESSION 2022-2023
Wednesday 19 April 2023 3:15-4:15pm (School Library)
All welcome
The Professional Reading Group who will be discussing Dr Roisin Coll’s journal article ‘Hospitality to difference’ (link below).
Hospitality to difference: LGBT, religious education and the Catholic school
Dr Coll is currently Director of the St Andrew’s Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education. The Foundation is central to the work of the University and is responsible for providing teachers for Catholic schools across Scotland. Working in close partnership with the Scottish Government, the General Teaching Council of Scotland and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, she has an oversight of the education of all aspiring Catholic teachers across the country. Roisin is also the author of a range of articles, book chapters and a book on the discipline of Religious Education in the Catholic school sector.
SESSION 2020-2021
Date: Wednesday 16 June 2021 – Professional Reading Group
3:10-4:00pm Google Meet
Education Scotland’s Engaging parents and families – A toolkit for practitioners (2019)
Section 2 – Why involve parents? – pages 7-11
Section 3 – Involving all parents – pages 3-11 (please note, there are a number of reflective questions as part of the content which might be worth considering as you read. The ones we’ll specifically refer to in the discussion, if time allows, are the following ones at the bottom of page 11):
Reflective Questions (Section 3, page 11)
What are the barriers and challenges to parental involvement and parental engagement in your ELC setting or school?
What changes can be made to overcome the barriers and challenges?
How can your community partners help you to overcome the barriers and challenges to parental involvement and parental engagement?
Do you have a ‘support directory’ of community partners that could help you overcome barriers and challenges?
How have other ELC settings or schools in your cluster, local authority, regional improvement collaborative overcome barriers and challenges to parental involvement and parental engagement?
Additional Reading Material
Additional reading material, if you’d like to read more of the research around parental engagement, either before the PRG or after it, is available via the Staff Online PDLR:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sl/sasbstaffpdlr/parents-and-carers/
Date: Wednesday 3 March, 2021 – Professional Reading Group
3:10-4:00pm Google Meet
Discussion of the International Council of Education Advisers Report 2018-20, as recommended by John Swinney
https://www.gov.scot/publications/international-council-education-advisers-report-2018-2020/
Tuesday 2nd February, 2021 – Professional Reading Group launch event
Microsoft Teams 3:45-4:45pm
‘No more snow days’
The pandemic has changed the Scottish Education landscape forever. What opportunities and challenges are there on the road ahead?
St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School staff and friends in conversation with John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Mr Swinney’s ‘recommended read’ for our next Professional Reading Group discussion
International Council of Education Advisers Report 2018-20
https://www.gov.scot/publications/international-council-education-advisers-report-2018-2020/
SESSION 2019-2020
School Library, 3:10-4:00pm
Wednesday 11th March, 2020 – Professional Reading Group launch event
The group will be discussing the following article recommended by Ken Muir, Chief Executive of the GTCS.
For information, Ken’s other reading recommendations are listed on the PLA page with links to the materials.
PRG March 2020 Teachers Agents of Change
The article is also available online here:
In addition, if of interest for further/wider reading, here’s a link to Education Scotland’s range of draft guidance which aims to support an empowered education system (21.2.20).
SESSION 2018-2019
Date: Wednesday 15th May, 2019 – Professional Reading Group 3
Chapter 6 of Paul Dix’s book ‘When the Adults Change Everything Changes’ – a copy of this chapter is available from the All Staff Shared Area/Staff Resources/Professional Reading Group.
Additional article: ‘Positive Portobello’, also available from the PRG folder on the Shared Area.
Date: Wednesday 20th March, 2019 – Professional Reading Group 2
‘What works in promoting social and mental well-being in schools?’ suggested to us by Catriona Robb, Teaching Fellow in Children’s Mental Health, at the University of Strathclyde.
Venue: School Library 3:10-4:00pm
Date: Wednesday 21st November, 2018 – Professional Reading Group 1
Venue: School Library 3:10-4:00pm
We will be discussing the executive summary, key messages and conclusions and recommendations from this document (pages 3, 16-21)
As always all staff are welcome.
SESSION 2017-2018
If anyone’s looking to do some professional reading outwith the group, this list might be a good place to start:
Ten Books Every Teacher Should Read
Date: Wednesday 16th of May 2018
Representatives from WOSDEC will be facilitating our discussion. WOSDEC works to support educators throughout the West of Scotland to develop their skills in Global Citizenship, Learning for Sustainability and Rights-based Learning.
This session will be followed by a PLA on Wednesday 13th of June led by WOSDEC. This workshop will build on the initial Reading Group discussion and share approaches for exploring learner participation and different ways we can utilise the resources that are available.
How young people’s participation in school supports achievement and attainment
Published by the Children’s Commissioner in 2015, this document describes a research project which looked at the impact of participation and rights-based education on attainment in seven Scottish secondary schools. Available from:
https://www.cypcs.org.uk/ufiles/achievement-and-attainment.pdf
Sections to read – Executive Summary (p 1-4) and Section 4: Summary Discussions and Implications (p39-49).
Please note, feel free to read the whole publication if you want to, but the discussion on the 21st will focus on the above sections.
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library – PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Further reading
If you’d like to read more about this area, please see:
The introduction (pp4-16) of ‘Putting children at the centre: a practical guide to children’s participation’
Save the Children, online at https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/putting-children-centre-practical-guide-childrens-participation
One of the most accessible introductions to the idea of young people’s participation.
Young people’s participation in decision making in Scotland: attitudes and perceptions – research findings 8/2018
Wednesday 21 March 2018 – PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON THE 16TH OF MAY
Date: Wednesday 15 November 2017 (note change of date from the 25th of October)
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Theme: Literacy, empathy and wellbeing
Literacy PRG – Pinker article link
The second article to be discussed, on Literacy, Language and Wellbeing by Smith and Ellis, is available on the shared area from: Staff Resources – All Staff – Professional Reading Group.
Professional Learning Launch Event
This year’s Professional Learning Activities and Reading Group sessions started with a launch event on Wednesday 6th September, 2017.
Professor Kate Wall from the University of Strathclyde joined us to talk about the connection she sees between pupil voice and teachers’ professional learning.
Having worked extensively in partnership with teachers, Professor Wall’s work focuses on the development of innovative pedagogies and research methodologies that facilitate effective talk about learning. She is interested in methodologies for gathering learners’ views on experiences, curriculum and learning and in generating knowledge of ethical practice for eliciting voice within a democratic community.
Professor Wall has made her presentation available to staff:
SESSION 2016-2017
Date: Wednesday 15 March 2017
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading – ‘2017 National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan for Scottish Education – Achieving Excellence and Equity’ (published December 2016)
Available here:
National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education
The NIF in a Nutshell – concise 2-page guide produced for parents by the National Parent Forum of Scotland
The NIF in a Nutshell guide
Date: Wednesday 23 November 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading – ‘What is Dialogic Teaching?/Teaching Approaches/Dialogic Teaching’
Available here:
Date: Wednesday 5 October 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading – ‘Do They Hear You?’ journal article on feedback strategies by John Hattie, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey (Educational Leadership, April 2016, pages 16-21)
UPDATE
Two other resources were discussed at the PRG:
David Didau’s blog post ‘Marking is an Act of Love’ from his blog ‘The Learning Spy’ and Victoria Hewett’s presentation ‘Marking with a Purpose’. Available here:
David Didau’s blog post
Another useful article on quality feedback is available here:
The Secret of Effective Feedback
Education Leadership, April 2016 (Dylan Wiliam
Date: Wednesday 7 September 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Launch – with guest ‘The Real David Cameron’ @realdcameron
David will be discussing ‘Leading the Creative School’ with a focus on assessment and attainment.
No set reading materials for this session but a recommendation from David is the Teaching & Learning Toolkit which is available from the Education Endowment Foundation website here:
Teaching & Learning Toolkit (Education Endowment Foundation)
David’s presentation
Further reading recommendations from David:
The Sutton Trust Teaching and Learning Toolkit
John Hattie – Visible Learning
You can ‘eborrow’ a downloaded copy of John Huttie’s Visible Learning for Teachers and Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn from the GTCS’
Leadership and Management Learning Centre (LMLC) on the GTCS site.
Log in to MyGTCS and click on resources to access the LMLC and search for Hattie’s books. Note, the original Visible Learning (2008) book doesn’t seem to be there.
GTCS Log-in
Chris Kilkenny on Poverty and Learning: Extract from Creative Conversation, 28th Oct 2015
(25mins 56)
#carconference with Chris Kilkenny
Ten challenges to overcome to become a truly creative school
School leaders striving for a creative environment face significant challenges today, as they balance the drive for creativity with meeting government standards. Following a 12 month series of debates at schools across the UK, new guidance on becoming a creative school has been produced by education experts Sir Tim Brighouse and David Cameron in partnership with Hays Education
To request a copy of the report visit TEN CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME TO BECOME A TRULY CREATIVE SCHOOL
or you can access it here:
Creative Curriculum podcast (David Cameron and Tim Brighouse)
Alan McLean – The Motivated School
Interchange journal article on differentiation – being tracked down
Education Endowment Foundation – Teaching & Learning Toolkit (strands/evaluation)
About David:
David’s experience stretches from leadership of children’s services at authority level to the classroom, from the development of national educational policy to its implementation in schools and takes in work at national and regional level in both Scotland and England.
The lead on Scotland’s Outdoors Education strategy, he was also involved in the devolved management of schools initiative and was a central player in Scotland’s challenging Curriculum for Excellence project. A highly entertaining and engaging speaker, he has worked across the UK with teachers, school leaders and governors and is currently chair of the York Education Partnership.
SESSION 2015-2016
Next meeting (meeting 5)
Date: Wednesday 8 June 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading material: The issues around Gender Balance
(Although 3 documents have been selected as below, to give a range, they aren’t lengthy)
Extra articles if you wish to do some further reading:
Next meeting (meeting 4)
Date: Wednesday 27 April 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading material: The Executive Summary for the Wood Report and the Career Education Standard for Developing the Young Workforce
Meeting 3
Date: Wednesday 2 March 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading Material: ‘National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education: Achieving Excellence and Equity’ – Scottish Government 2016
Meeting 2
Date: Wednesday 20 January 2016
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading Material: ‘Closing the Attainment Gap in Scottish Education’ – Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2014 (as recommended by Tony McDaid, Head of Education, Curriculum and Quality) – a link to the document can be found under the Launch Meeting details section below.
Launch Meeting details
Date: Monday 7 December 2015
Time: 3:10pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Library
Reading Material: ‘Closing the Attainment Gap in Scottish Education’ – Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2014 (as recommended by Tony McDaid, Head of Education, Curriculum and Quality)
Thanks to everyone who came along.
Full report:
Summary:
JRF – Closing the Attainment Gap – Summary
