Returning to Teaching

This 10-week course is run fully online and all resources are available on Canvas, our online learning platform. We recommend setting aside 4-6 hours per week to fully engage with the course content, which is made up of pre-recorded videos, reading material and weekly discussion forum boards.

Please see below for an indication of the topics included in the course. Each new week starts on a Friday.

Each week has a specific theme and the discussion is based on this theme. Halfway through the course there is a catch-up week where you can either take a break or catch up on your studies and/or further your knowledge on a particular topic by using the course virtual library.

Please note, there are no scheduled sessions. However, we do offer 3 additional online live sessions which are recommended, but not compulsory. The dates of these will be available soon. Once a week opens, participants have access to its content for the duration of the course and can choose to study at times that suit them.

Week 0 - From Friday 27 February

Introduction to Returning to Teaching (RTT) and the landscape of education in Scotland

Week 1 - From Friday 6 March   Professional Values, Professional Standards, Learning for Sustainability, The National Attainment Challenge

Week 2 - From Friday 13 March Positive Relationships in School

Week 3 - From Friday 20 March   Curriculum for Excellence

Week 4  - From Friday 27 March    Planning for Curriculum for Excellence

Catch-up week - From Friday 3 April    Time to catch up on readings or engage in additional readings on the subject of your choice or even take a break

Week 5 - From Friday 10 April    Pedagogies for Learning, Teaching and Assessment

Week 6 - From Friday 17 April    Inclusive Pedagogies

Week 7 - From Friday 24 April    Pupil Voice, Partnerships with Parents and School Improvement

Week 8 - From Friday 1 May   Equality and Diversity

Week 9 - From Friday 8 May    Professional Learning Revisited

Week 10 - From Friday 15 May   Returning to Teaching; Some Practical Guidance and Support 

The course will be most relevant for:

• those wishing to return to teaching in Scotland after a period away from the profession
• those wishing to teach in Primary or Secondary schools in Scotland for the first time
• those who wish to engage with the course to support a Professional Update submission to the GTCS
• teachers in the independent sector to support a potential GTCS registration application

You must be a fully qualified teacher (qualifications obtained either in Scotland, the UK or abroad) and be eligible to register with the GTCS (General Teaching Council for Scotland) as this is a compulsory requirement to teach in Scotland. You should contact the GTCS directly before booking a place on the course if you are unsure.

Contact the GTCS

Learn more about the GTCS (General Teaching  Council for Scotland)

You do not need to have received your full registration before enrolling on the course but it is advisable to start the process as it can be a lengthy procedure. Please note that if you do not have teaching qualifications, this course is not suitable for you.