Education Scotland podcast

The Learning Conversations: Shaping life chances in the early years with Lucy Morton

In this episode of The Learning Conversations Gillian Hamilton discusses shaping life chances in the early years with Lucy Morton, Scotland Development Lead, from the Parent-Infant Foundation. The Parent-Infant Foundation supports the development, growth and quality of specialised parent-infant relationship teams.
 
This is the last episode of The Learning Conversations for the time being as Gillian Hamilton has now left the organisation. Education Scotland is changing and we’ll be pausing The Learning Conversations for now to work on new and engaging content. Watch this space!
 
 

PISA 2025 - in depth

Join us, as we explore from a Scottish perspective, one of the world's largest educational research studies ‒ the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
This podcast takes a deep dive into PISA to provide a background to the assessment, how it works, why it is important, and why more than 80 countries around the world take part in this study. In 2025, the assessment will focus on science but will also include questions on mathematics and reading. Through the perspective of the lead researcher for PISA in the Scottish Government and also Education Scotland, the video provides a valuable insight into the data provided by the PISA assessments and how the findings help to inform national policy and shape the future direction of learning in Scotland. Hear too from some of the classroom teachers who have worked with Education Scotland to develop a comprehensive support package for learners, parents and schools to help them prepare for their participation in the assessment.
This podcast is presented by TV presenter, speaker and writer, Dallas Campbell.
To access the full support package, including other related videos, visit Education Scotland’s website: https://education.gov.scot/resources/programme-for-international-student-assessment-2025/

Moray House School of Education and Sport, ITE Placement Programme within Edinburgh Council’s Family Learning Team

This podcast features Dr Gale Macleod, Senior Lecturer from Moray House School of Education and Sport and Mhairi McNeill, Development Officer (CLD – Adult & Family Learning), Edinburgh Council. They will be discussing their innovative ITE student placement programme which placed Moray House ITE students into Edinburgh Councils Family Learning Team. They highlight how this facilitated an increased understanding of parents and families and how students gained a deeper knowledge of different demographics, barriers to participation and strategies for increased parental engagement.

The Learning Conversations: Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)

 In this episode of The Learning Conversations - and our first episode back for the new academic year – Gillian Hamilton is joined by Olivia Brown and Abby Lints who are both members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. With work continuing in the education reform space, the trio discuss an array of topics including results day and the importance of including young people in the conversations around education.

Attendance Matters at Smithycroft Secondary School: Pupil

This podcast features a student and support worker from Smithycroft Secondary School in Glasgow. The pupil and staff talk about the strategies and support that were utilised to support students within the school community to increase school attendance, attainment and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Attendance Matters at Smithycroft Secondary School: Staff

This podcast features staff from Smithycroft Secondary School in Glasgow. Staff highlight effective practice from the Smithycroft school community who have successfully engaged parents and families in their attendance strategies to impact improved attendance at school.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Pilot Placement Programme: Students

This podcast features student teachers from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Initial Teacher Education Programme. They were involved in a pilot programme which placed student teachers in a Local Authority Family Learning Team. The students talked about their experiences of working with parents and families within a Family Learning setting and how that positively impacted their attitudes, confidence, and practice.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Pilot Placement Programme: Staff

This podcast features staff from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Initial Teacher Education Programme. They were involved in a pilot programme which placed student teachers in a Local Authority Family Learning Team. Staff talked about their experiences of working with Education Scotland Parents and Families Team and North Lanarkshire’s Family Learning Team to place their student teachers within and environment to support an increased understanding of parents and families and gain a deeper knowledge of different demographics.

Engaging Dad’s in their Child’s Learning and the Wider Life of the School Community

This podcast features staff from Abercromby Primary School in Clackmannanshire, and Parental Involvement and Engagement expert Diane Cherry. They are discussing their award-winning engaging Dads in Family Learning Programme with Education Scotland’s Parents and Families Team. Features of the podcast include their strategies for engagement, innovative practice and the impact on dads and their extended family.

Interview with Cathy Sexton, Chief Executive Officer for Fathers Network Scotland

This podcast features a discussion with Cathy Sexton, Chief Executive Officer for Fathers Network Scotland. In this podcast we will be delving into the work of Fathers Network Scotland, and how they are improving children's lives through the positive involvement of dads, father-figures & whole families.