SLS Professional Learning Programme 2025/2026
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.
info@sls-scotland.org.uk
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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 25-26 are:
- Monday 25th August, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 27th October 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 16th February, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 11th May, 3.00-4.00pm
All sessions will take place online via Teams webinar. Please register for each individual session.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
Business Managers Forum 25.8.25 Register Here
Join us at this session led by Dr Pauline Stephen, Chief Executive and Registrar, The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland).
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Pauline will provide a brief overview of the work of GTC Scotland rooted in teaching standards, and share current data about registration numbers, the views of new teachers and those that have left the profession.
GTC Scotland improvement activity focused on the delivery of a new digital platform and changes to fitness to teach work will be highlighted.
Pauline will finish by sharing GTC Scotland’s ‘asks’ of politicians in the run up to next year’s elections. |
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending:
Members - Free
Non-members - £50
Join us at this event at which we will hear from a number of colleagues about innovative curricular practice involving collaboration with partners in industry and also with schools in the independent sector.
Collaborative projects discussed will include:
Skills for the Future
The City of Edinburgh Council, supported by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and other industry partners, including Education Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and Historic Environment Scotland, is spearheading a pilot National 5 qualification in Creative Industries Roof Slating. Five schools across Scotland this academic year participated offering students a term of a hands-on introduction to roofing. Greg McDowall Headteacher at Portobello High School, Edinburgh will discuss this groundbreaking initiative.
Sharing Innovation
Philip Ford, Director of Innovation at the High School of Glasgow and founder of START, an entrepreneurship initiative focussed on developing skills for the modern economy and Danni Cohen, Principal Teacher of Business, Education and Computing science at St Thomas Aquinas RC Secondary School will be explaining the benefits of the programme for all pupils who have taken part.
State and Independent schools working together
Perth Grammar and Strathallan schools work closely across a range of areas which have resulted in good outcomes for young people and the staff at the two schools. Fiona Robertson, Headteacher at Perth Grammar School and Mark Lauder, the Headmaster at Strathallan will highlight the opportunities for state and independent schools of cross sector collaboration.
This event is suitable for all school leaders and is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
The Centre for Teaching Excellence (CfTE) was established by Scottish Government as part of the education reform agenda. The aim of the CfTE is to enhance educational quality by supporting teachers to engage with research and evidence to improve their practice.
Hosted by the University of Glasgow, CfTE serves as a national hub for evidence-based teaching, professional development, and collaboration.
Join us at this session as we hear from Professor Aileen Kennedy, Joint Director at the Centre for Transformative Change in Schools (CenTCS), about the developments to date.
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
Learning from Insight
Thursday, 2nd October
4.00pm – 5.30pm
Virtual Event
Join us at this session led by Lewis Paterson, Professional Insight Advisor, Scottish Government.
Lewis will take us through the intricacies of the recently published Insight data. What can senior leaders take from the data published at this time? How can they use the data to support school improvement? How can middle leaders use the data to improve attainment and achievement for young people in their departments/faculties? How can Business Managers support school leaders to utilise the data?
This event is suitable for all school leaders.
This event is open to both members and non-members.
Cost of attending:
Members - £40
Non-members - £50
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 25-26 are:
- Monday 25th August, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 27th October 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 16th February, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 11th May, 3.00-4.00pm
All sessions will take place online via Teams webinar. Please register for each individual session.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
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 25-26 are:
- Monday 25th August, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 27th October 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 16th February, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 11th May, 3.00-4.00pm
All sessions will take place online via Teams webinar. Please register for each individual session.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.
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 25-26 are:
- Monday 25th August, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 27th October 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 16th February, 3.00-4.00pm
- Monday 11th May, 3.00-4.00pm
All sessions will take place online via Teams webinar. Please register for each individual session.
Cost of attending:
Members – Free
Non-members - £50
SLS encourages all Headteachers to support the release of their Business Managers to allow attendance at the events.