Professionals working in Scotland’s education sector are being recognised for excellence in professional learning through a new GTCS awards programme
A national awards ceremony was held by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) last night (Thursday 21 September), at the Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor. Scottish broadcaster and drummer Dougie Vipond Chaired the event, which brought together teachers and other professionals working in the education sector across Scotland. The awards ceremony, a first for GTCS, recognised and celebrated the professional learning and commitment of these individuals and organisations.
GTCS Chief Executive and Registrar, Ken Muir, said:
“The schools, organisations and learning communities recognised at the awards ceremony have shown real commitment to professional learning. This learning has the power to transform the thinking and practice of teaching practitioners and, importantly, the lives of children and young people in our schools and education settings.
“Engaging in professional learning is part of ongoing teacher professionalism and through sharing and using this learning teachers can make a real difference. That is why professional learning sits at the heart of the Professional Standards. Congratulations and well done to all of our award winners.”
The Excellence in Professional Learning Award for Schools and Learning Communities was presented to:
- St Ninian’s High School, East Dunbartonshire
- Windygoul Primary School, East Lothian
- The Fife Pedagogy Team, Fife
- The North Ayrshire Professional Learning Academy, North Ayrshire
Councillor Mohrag Fischer, Education Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Committee, congratulated St Ninian’s High School on its success. She said: “This is a tremendous achievement by an ambitious and forward thinking school where everyone is committed to continued improvement.
“From the top down, everyone at this award-winning school is always seeking out ways to improve the learning experience of its young people. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved and recognise the hard work and commitment involved in achieving this latest landmark success.”
Headteacher Paul McLaughlin added, "High quality learning and teaching is what St Ninian's High School is all about and the whole school community works hard to ensure that all our pupils are given every assistance they need to achieve their potential.
“We are delighted to have achieved this prestigious Excellence in Professional Learning Award which recognises the efforts made to ensure that our young people are fully prepared for life in the 21st century."
Fiona Robertson, Head of Education at East Lothian Council, said:
“On behalf of East Lothian Council, I would like to congratulate everyone at Windygoul Primary School. This award is a real credit to all the pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff, and the wider school community. This recognition is well deserved, and I hope that other schools are encouraged and inspired to follow their example.”
Carrie Lindsay, Executive Director at Fife Council, said: "We are delighted that The Pedagogy Team in Fife is being recognised for the innovative work that they undertake on a daily basis. Their work developing literacy and numeracy skills in schools, particularly in our areas of greatest disadvantage, has shown some very positive results. The approach taken by the team is to work alongside teachers and pupil support assistants in schools to help support changes in their practice, leading to better outcomes for our children and young people. "
Follow us on Twitter @EDCouncil(link is external) or like us on Facebook(link is external) for the latest updates.