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
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IF NO PURCHASE ORDER RECEIVED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
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:
This event will focus on the different approaches being taken to support equity in each school, particularly with limited available resources.
The session will address the following:
Glenrothes High School will share their approach to the use of the Cost of the School Day Toolkit to support young people in their community. In particular, we will hear about how the school poverty-proofs schools events and how the school supports families in poverty over the holidays, particularly where there are mental health, alcohol and domestic abuse issues.
Levenmouth Academy will share an approach of ‘unconditional regard’ for all young people and families. They will share their approach of focusing on the universal supports available to all young people and will discuss how families in very challenging circumstances are supported via genuine equity and not charity.
Craigie High School will share their use of data (pre and post pandemic) to set up outreach and home-community zones involving pupils and parents with mental health issues.
The three schools will provide good examples of how they do things differently to challenge the system, and thereby enhance the life chances of their young people.
This event is suitable for all school leaders and is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending: £40
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.
Are you considering applying for Headteacher posts? Are you ready for Headship?
Join us at this event at which we will hear from colleagues who have recently made the move into Headship talk about their experiences.
The event will be based around key questions that most people considering applying for Headteacher posts are likely to ask themselves:
This event is suitable for any colleague considering applying for Headteacher posts, in the short or longer term.
We would also like to extend an invitation to newly appointed Headteachers who would like to use this event as an opportunity to build networks with colleagues across the country.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending: £40
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.
Are you considering applying for Depute Headteacher (DHT) posts? Are you ready to be a DHT?
Join us at this event at which we will hear from colleagues who have recently made the move to a DHT role talk about their experiences.
The event will be based around key questions that most people considering applying for DHT posts are likely to ask themselves:
This event is suitable for any colleague considering applying for DHT posts, in the short or longer term.
We would also like to extend an invitation to newly appointed DHTs who would like to use this event as an opportunity to build networks with colleagues across the country.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending: £40
We are delighted to be joined once again by Lewis Paterson, Professional Insight Advisor at Scottish Government, and are very grateful to him for finding time in his very busy diary to lead this session.
Following on from the release of the updated Insight data, including National Benchmarks and Leaver Destinations data, join us as we hear from Lewis who will take us through what school leaders can learn from this data.
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending: £40
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.
