The very first Scottish Learning Festival Online will open its virtual doors to the education community on Tuesday 21 September and with two weeks to go, over 3500 people have signed up to be part of the event.

Delegates who register for the event will have access to over 30 exhibitors and 101 inspiring sessions including four keynotes, 3 Critical Conversations, 6 sponsor sessions and 88 seminar sessions, all held in a brand new 3D virtual environment.

All of the sessions have been carefully developed around the theme ‘Renew, refresh, re-imagine. Learning from our experiences and looking to the future.’

Some of the highlights from the conference programme include:

Keynote sessions:

Opening keynote from Gayle Gorman, HM Chief Inspector and Chief Executive of Education Scotland, at 8.00 am on Tuesday 21 September
Each evening at 7.00-8.00 pm
Tuesday – Ms Shirley-Ann Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Wednesday – The International Council of Education Advisers
Thursday – The Rt. Hon. Stuart Lawrence

Critical Conversations

Hosted by Sarah Philps
Each evening 5.45 – 6.45 pm
Facilitated conversations with up to five different expert panel members each night. An opportunity to share valuable ideas and perspectives, inviting dialogue around the tough and complex questions that education in Scotland is facing right now. The sessions will be themed as follows: Tuesday – Curriculum; Wednesday – Empowerment/Agency; Thursday – Leadership.

Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Into the Future

Professor Ken Muir, University of West of Scotland
Tuesday 21 at 10.00 am
The OECD report on Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Into the Future presents challenges as well as opportunities for shaping the future of Scottish education. This session will allow participants to share their views and ideas on the kind of education system they want to see and how this can be achieved.

Equality and diversity in ELC practice

Dr Stella Louis, researcher and writer on effective early years practice
Tuesday 21 at 16.45
This session will examine and challenge educators' pedagogical practice, and values reflected in practice, through having conversations about stereotypes, unconscious bias and myths about people, culture and communities.

Leading for the Long Term

President and Vice President of ADES
Wednesday 22 at 8.00 am
A discussion around the longer term future for Scottish Education. Thinking will reference the implications of OECD Report and the Scottish Government’s reform agenda as well as ADES Towards a Vision 2025.

#GettingReadyforCOP26

Education Scotland staff
Wednesday 22 at 15.45
A session exploring key resources, activities and ideas to engage learners in climate education and Learning for Sustainability as Scotland prepares to host the UN COP26 Climate Summit in November.

Early Learning and Childcare - Gaelic Medium Education

Joan Esson, HMI, Education Scotland
Thursday 23 at 15.45
This session will focus on factors contributing to high-quality early learning and childcare in Gaelic Medium Education. We will share scrutiny findings, with practitioners and senior leaders sharing effective practice.

Social Constellations - The importance of networked professional learning

Stephanie Peat, Jill Burdett, James Cook, Kenny Drummond, Darren Leslie, Caroline MacFarlane, Laura McConnell, Blair Minchin and Hazel Pinner
Thursday 23 at 16.45
An opportunity for participants to network with other professionals across Scotland to share and discuss the big questions and ideas. Discussion forums will include topics such as inclusion, curriculum, high quality learning and teaching and active citizenship.

Register for SLF Online and secure your sessions today.