All PL events are open to members and non members.
SLS Professional Learning Programme 2024/2025
SLS is the key provider of professional learning for school leaders across Scotland.
Following on from a highly successful programme in the previous academic year, our programme for this session will again reflect the needs of members with regards to current educational issues. It will draw on the skills and experiences of current school leaders, as well as having input from our expanding network of partners. The full programme is available to view on our website with regular updates being sent to members through the Professional Learning Newsletter and emails from our General Secretary.
The professional learning programme has been expanded to include opportunities for networking through our newly established professional reading group, Pressing Pause. Dates for all session are shown in our professional learning calendar.
We are delighted to share with colleagues the dates of our Business Manager Forum meetings. This is an opportunity for Business Managers, and those doing similar roles, to meet up with a view to sharing ideas and exploring possible creative solutions to common challenges.
Our programme is co-ordinated by Allyson Dobson, Professional Learning Co-ordinator.
allyson.dobson@sls-scotland.org.uk
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ACTION A PURCHASE ORDER FROM YOUR SCHOOL OFFICE ON MAKING YOUR RESERVATION.
IF NO PURCHASE ORDER RECEIVED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
Join us at this fast-paced, exciting session as we hear from schools that have made changes to their curriculum offers to meet the needs of their learners.
What changes did they make? Why did they make those changes? What impact have the changes made to the young people? What partners were involved in the curriculum improvements made by the schools?
We will hear from senior leaders at Rosehill High School, East Lothian, a school that opened in August 2023 and has focused on building their BGE curriculum. Also joining us at the event will be staff from Dalkeith High School, Midlothian, a school that has expanded their senior phase curriculum to include learning experiences that meet the needs of all learners. We will also share information about the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA) from staff who lead this initiative. To conclude the session, we will hear from Fi Milligan-Rennie, Head of Education at Screen Scotland, about the draft Film and Screen Curriculum for Scotland.
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Outward Bound Centre, Loch Eil
Join Outward Bound for an immersive experience of learning and adventure in the wild. This 24-hour event gives a flavour of how Outward Bound’s unique approach to learning and self-discovery can impact young people immediately and long-term into their futures.
Come prepared ready to step out of your own comfort zone by thinking differently, challenging your own approach to learning and immersing yourself in wild.
This event is free and open to members and non-members. Limited to two staff members per school.
Learn more and book: https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/free-taster-course
Following on from an extremely successful event held in May 24, we are delighted to be working once again in partnership with BTS Spark as we offer another full day, in-person, Leader as Coach workshop.
School leaders are increasingly aware of the power of coaching and how they can use coaching to build the capacity of others, but sometimes it can seem hard to get coaching right, particularly when the leader is used to being the problem-solver and decision-maker, or when the person being coached is resistant to help.
This Leader as Coach workshop is designed for school leaders who would like to develop their skills and confidence as a coach, empower their team and have a bigger impact in less time. The workshop will include practical tools and frameworks for holding coaching conversations, and participants will have the opportunity to practise and receive feedback on their coaching skills.
Workshop objectives
This workshop will be delivered by professional leadership coach and facilitator Jean Crawford. Jean has coached well over a thousand leaders across education, public and corporate sectors, and holds a particular passion to support others to optimise their personal effectiveness and fulfillment.
This event is suitable for all school leaders and is open to both members and non-members. Early booking is advised.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
Our first three sessions will focus on High Challenge, Low Threat by Mary Myatt. Further sessions will be shaped by participants.
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
Our Business Managers Forum meetings provide colleagues with an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues who do similar roles in schools around the country. In this space, discussions can be held openly and freely about the many associated challenges of such roles with a view to finding support and possible creative solutions.
The dates of the sessions are timed to take place prior to meetings of the Executive/Council. This will allow the Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council to gather the views of Business Manager members prior to attending those meetings, thus ensuring a strong voice for those who carry out such vital roles in our schools.
Our dates for 24-25 are:
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by Paula O’ Neill, Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council, and Allyson Dobson, Professional Learning Coordinator. Please register for each individual session.
Business Manager Forum events are free to join.
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
Please note: There is now a Business Managers Whatsapp Group set up to allow for the sharing of ideas. Please contact Allyson Dobson allyson.dobson@sls-scotland.org.uk, Professional Learning Coordinator if you would like more information.
Join us at this session as we hear from colleagues across Scotland about how they are supporting equity in their schools.
We are delighted to be joined by:
Andrena Waghorn - Headteacher at Craigie High School, Dundee
Avril McNeill - Headteacher at Glenrothes High School, Fife
Ruth McFarlane - Levenmouth High School, Fife
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
Our Business Managers Forum meetings provide colleagues with an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues who do similar roles in schools around the country. In this space, discussions can be held openly and freely about the many associated challenges of such roles with a view to finding support and possible creative solutions.
The dates of the sessions are timed to take place prior to meetings of the Executive/Council. This will allow the Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council to gather the views of Business Manager members prior to attending those meetings, thus ensuring a strong voice for those who carry out such vital roles in our schools.
Our dates for 24-25 are:
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by Paula O’ Neill, Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council, and Allyson Dobson, Professional Learning Coordinator. Please register for each individual session.
Business Manager Forum events are free to join.
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
Please note: There is now a Business Managers Whatsapp Group set up to allow for the sharing of ideas. Please contact Allyson Dobson allyson.dobson@sls-scotland.org.uk, Professional Learning Coordinator if you would like more information.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
Our Business Managers Forum meetings provide colleagues with an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues who do similar roles in schools around the country. In this space, discussions can be held openly and freely about the many associated challenges of such roles with a view to finding support and possible creative solutions.
The dates of the sessions are timed to take place prior to meetings of the Executive/Council. This will allow the Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council to gather the views of Business Manager members prior to attending those meetings, thus ensuring a strong voice for those who carry out such vital roles in our schools.
Our dates for 24-25 are:
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by Paula O’ Neill, Business Manager Representative on Executive/Council, and Allyson Dobson, Professional Learning Coordinator. Please register for each individual session.
Business Manager Forum events are free to join.
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
Please note: There is now a Business Managers Whatsapp Group set up to allow for the sharing of ideas. Please contact Allyson Dobson allyson.dobson@sls-scotland.org.uk, Professional Learning Coordinator if you would like more information.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
How can I find out information about the pension I am likely to receive? When can I retire? How can I make best use of other pension benefits from previous/future employment beyond the teaching profession?
It is never too early to find out about your pension benefits.
Join us at this session led by Quilter Financial Services, one of our Business Partners, as they help you to understand the Scottish Teachers Pension Scheme operated by Scottish Public Pension Agency (SPPA).
This event is suitable for all school leaders who are members of the Scottish Teachers Pension Scheme.
Please note that we will be offering a Planning for Retirement seminar in May 2025 in addition to this event.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
To register for this event please CLICK HERE for further info.
This event is FREE to all SLS members
Pressing pause: A professional reading group for leaders at all levels to explore the big ideas that help us to make small changes.
One barrier that we frequently cite in terms of our professional learning is 'time'. We can't create more time, but we can consider carefully how we use it, including placing value on taking some of it to pause and reflect.
On a monthly basis, we will be allocating short, manageable chunks of professional reading with a strong focus on the incremental gains we can make in our leadership practice. We will explore key themes, highlight provocations, and provide a space for collaboration with other school leaders.
And even if you don't manage to finish the homework, you will still be welcomed into the session, and hopefully get plenty out of it!
All sessions will be online via Teams webinar and will be hosted by members of the Professional Learning Steering Group. Please register for each individual session.
