Interdisciplinary learning

Published 11/09/2026.  Last updated 16/09/2026

Interdisciplinary Learning is a planned curriculum experience that brings disciplines together in one coherent programme or project. The different disciplines plan and execute as one. These disciplines might fall within one curricular area (e.g. languages, the sciences) or between several curricular areas. IDL enables children and young people to :

  • learn new knowledge or skills, and develop new understanding of concepts;  
  • draw on prior knowledge, understanding and skills;  
  • transfer and apply that collective knowledge to finding solutions or connecting to other areas of learning

It can be :

  • an approach to curriculum design through curriculum integration 
  • a methodology which develops learners’ ability to connect, investigate, inquire, question and reflect to build their conceptual understanding and align to real world application. 
  • a piece of learning which requires teams with two or more fields of knowledge to integrate in order to produce an interdisciplinary outcome which is greater than the sum of its parts 

The programme aims to support practitioners with their understanding of : 

  • why Scotland’s curriculum has IDL as a key curriculum context 
  • what we mean by IDL through a developmentally informed lens 
  • how we create and facilitate high quality IDL in a 3-18 concept-based curriculum 
  • the programme will do this by exploring IDL as a curriculum design decision, a learning design approach and also as an outcome of learning

Feedback from year 2025/26 has informed this iteration of the professional learning.  As a pilot programme 2026/27, we will continue to iterate the content and materials in response to feedback from the participant cohort.

The IDL programme builds on national priorities including the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, National Improvement Framework, and wider Education Scotland professional learning.

The Interdisciplinary Learning programme is designed for practitioners across Scotland at all stages of their career who want to strengthen their understanding and application of IDL in practice.   

This includes practitioners working in: 

  • primary and secondary schools 
  • early years settings 
  • additional support for learning (ASN) 
  • Community Learning and Development 

The programme is suited to those who: 

  • want to strengthen their understanding of IDL
  • are committed to plan and implement learning which takes learning beyond the scope of a single curriculum area or subject
  • are motivated to understand a range of evidence informed models to help scaffold IDL
  • want to build confidence in applying these models in practice
  • want to take a more inquiring stance in their own practice
  • want to take a more inquiring stance of their own practice
  • want to seek improvement of experiences for children and young people 

You do not need to hold a formal leadership role to participate, but you should be willing to engage actively in professional dialogue and apply your learning in your own context.

To successfully complete the programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all core in-person and online sessions 
  • engage in professional reading and self-directed learning between sessions 
  • complete reflective tasks relating to their own practice 
  • apply learning within their own context 

Participants who complete the required elements will receive a certificate of completion from Education Scotland. 

Throughout the programme, you will: 

  • engage with research and evidence on high-quality interdisciplinary learning 
  • deepen your understanding of how your pedagogical stance informs learners experiences 
  • explore some practical approaches to curriculum making 
  • explore practical approaches to curriculum connections 
  • collaborate with peers from across Scotland 
  • contribute to a national professional learning community 

How the programme is facilitated

The IDL programme uses a blended approach to learning, combining live online learning, self-directed learning and in person sessions. 

The programme is delivered through a blend of:

  • a face to face session as part of a national cohort 
  • live online sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams
  • collaborative learning and professional dialogue
  • a national sharing and celebration event at the conclusion of the programme. 

By completing this programme, you will:

  • deepen your understanding of how your pedagogical stance and curriculum decisions influence the learning experience 
  • deepen your understanding of high-quality IDL and its impact on learners in a concept based curriculum 
  • strengthen your ability to see connections and integrate elements of curriculum 
  • build confidence in evaluating and adapting your practice 
  • contribute to improvements in curriculum, learning, teaching and assessment within your context 
  • develop an action plan or identified next steps for ongoing professional learning. 

Participants who submit their reflective tasks will also receive a certificate of completion. 

The programme is built in phases and attendance at all planned sessions is mandatory.

Part 1: Introduction and launch (online 90mins) 

Monday 2 November or Wednesday 4 November 2026 (choose one date only) 

Time: 3.30pm to 5.00pm 

This will be an online session to introduce you to the programme and ensure you can navigate the professional learning materials 

Part 2: Self-directed professional learning activities 

Two PLAs (What and Why of IDL) 

Time: November 2026 to February 2027 

Participants engage in the professional learning activities on ‘why?’ and ‘what?’ of IDL   

Part 3 : Online touchpoint (online 90 mins) 

Monday 1 February or Wednesday 3 February 2027 (Choose one date only) 

Time: 3.30pm to 5.00pm 

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their reflections with colleagues, ask clarifying questions and prepare for the full day in- person practical workshop on the ‘how?’ of IDL. 

Part 4 : Practical Workshop (in person - full day) 

North, West and East (One date only - venues to be confirmed) 

Professional Learning Workshop on the How of IDL 

Timing : Monday 01 March, Wednesday 3 March or  Friday 5 March 2027 

Participants will engage in a practical workshop to support their planning, methods and strategies for IDL.   

Part 5: Application in learning setting (ongoing) 

Taking your plans and bringing them to life in your setting 

Timing : February to Late May 2027 

Participants will apply their learning in their own setting.  Whilst it is expected that participants will take an inquiring stance,  there is no expectation of a full professional inquiry. 

Part 6: Programme celebration event (online - symposium style) 

Part 6 will be an online symposium in June 2027 between 2.30pm to 18.00pm sharing and celebrating practice and a programme evaluation.

Participants are expected to: 

  • commit to all phases of the programme consisting of in-person and online sessions with the support of their line manager  
  • engage in self-directed reflection and professional reading  
  • critically reflect on their current practice, including completing reflective tasks 
  • engage in professional dialogue within their setting and/or learning community 
  • collaborate with peers as part of a national professional learning network 
  • apply learning in their own context through identified changes to practice 
  • ensure access to a reliable device with a camera and microphone, internet connection and the ability to access online platforms such as Microsoft Teams. 

The Education Scotland Code of Conduct supports respectful, inclusive and professional engagement across all programme activities. It should be read by all participants before attending Part 1.

Before applying:

  • you must be able to attend all phases of the programme 
  • you must have approval from your Headteacher (or line manager) to be released on the dates above before applying 
  • you should understand the commitment required for a national programme 

Applications for the Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) pilot programme will open on week beginning 14 September 2026.

Participant criteria 

The IDL programme is designed to support practitioners in strengthening their practice and deepening their understanding of high quality IDL across a range of educational contexts and settings. As a pilot programme, it also offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to its ongoing development 

To ensure participants can fully engage and benefit from the experience, applicants should meet the following criteria: 

Professional experience

Applicants should have completed at least one full year of teaching or educational practice prior to applying. 

Commitment to development

Participants should be motivated to reflect on and enhance their own approaches and practice of IDL. 

Willingness to contribute

As this is a pilot programme, participants are expected to actively provide feedback and will be invited to help shape the future design and direction of the programme. 

Eligibility

This programme is open to practitioners working in Early Years settings, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Additional Support Needs and Community Learning and Development education. 

Selection approach 

As places on the programme are limited, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced and representative cohort. This may include considering the distribution of participants across different sectors and settings to support a rich and diverse learning experience. 

We are also committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of the selection process, we will take steps to support participation from individuals with protected characteristics and may reserve places to help ensure these voices are meaningfully represented within the programme. 

To apply you should: 

  • discuss your participation with your Headteacher (or line manager) and secure approval for release on all programme dates 
  • confirm your availability for all core sessions 
  • complete the application form when the link goes live on week beginning 14 September 2026

Key information 

Applications open on Monday 14 September 2026. The application deadline is Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Places are limited. A balanced national cohort will be selected across sectors and roles 

As this is a Scottish Government funded programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all identified sessions 
  • fully engage in programme activity 
  • contribute to evaluation and feedback 

For application queries, please contact CIC support.

If applications are closed and you would like to be notified about future cohorts or related professional learning opportunities, please join our professional learning community.
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Interdisciplinary learning

Published 11/09/2026.  Last updated 16/09/2026

Interdisciplinary Learning is a planned curriculum experience that brings disciplines together in one coherent programme or project. The different disciplines plan and execute as one. These disciplines might fall within one curricular area (e.g. languages, the sciences) or between several curricular areas. IDL enables children and young people to :

  • learn new knowledge or skills, and develop new understanding of concepts;  
  • draw on prior knowledge, understanding and skills;  
  • transfer and apply that collective knowledge to finding solutions or connecting to other areas of learning

It can be :

  • an approach to curriculum design through curriculum integration 
  • a methodology which develops learners’ ability to connect, investigate, inquire, question and reflect to build their conceptual understanding and align to real world application. 
  • a piece of learning which requires teams with two or more fields of knowledge to integrate in order to produce an interdisciplinary outcome which is greater than the sum of its parts 

The programme aims to support practitioners with their understanding of : 

  • why Scotland’s curriculum has IDL as a key curriculum context 
  • what we mean by IDL through a developmentally informed lens 
  • how we create and facilitate high quality IDL in a 3-18 concept-based curriculum 
  • the programme will do this by exploring IDL as a curriculum design decision, a learning design approach and also as an outcome of learning

Feedback from year 2025/26 has informed this iteration of the professional learning.  As a pilot programme 2026/27, we will continue to iterate the content and materials in response to feedback from the participant cohort.

The IDL programme builds on national priorities including the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, National Improvement Framework, and wider Education Scotland professional learning.

The Interdisciplinary Learning programme is designed for practitioners across Scotland at all stages of their career who want to strengthen their understanding and application of IDL in practice.   

This includes practitioners working in: 

  • primary and secondary schools 
  • early years settings 
  • additional support for learning (ASN) 
  • Community Learning and Development 

The programme is suited to those who: 

  • want to strengthen their understanding of IDL
  • are committed to plan and implement learning which takes learning beyond the scope of a single curriculum area or subject
  • are motivated to understand a range of evidence informed models to help scaffold IDL
  • want to build confidence in applying these models in practice
  • want to take a more inquiring stance in their own practice
  • want to take a more inquiring stance of their own practice
  • want to seek improvement of experiences for children and young people 

You do not need to hold a formal leadership role to participate, but you should be willing to engage actively in professional dialogue and apply your learning in your own context.

To successfully complete the programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all core in-person and online sessions 
  • engage in professional reading and self-directed learning between sessions 
  • complete reflective tasks relating to their own practice 
  • apply learning within their own context 

Participants who complete the required elements will receive a certificate of completion from Education Scotland. 

Throughout the programme, you will: 

  • engage with research and evidence on high-quality interdisciplinary learning 
  • deepen your understanding of how your pedagogical stance informs learners experiences 
  • explore some practical approaches to curriculum making 
  • explore practical approaches to curriculum connections 
  • collaborate with peers from across Scotland 
  • contribute to a national professional learning community 

How the programme is facilitated

The IDL programme uses a blended approach to learning, combining live online learning, self-directed learning and in person sessions. 

The programme is delivered through a blend of:

  • a face to face session as part of a national cohort 
  • live online sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams
  • collaborative learning and professional dialogue
  • a national sharing and celebration event at the conclusion of the programme. 

By completing this programme, you will:

  • deepen your understanding of how your pedagogical stance and curriculum decisions influence the learning experience 
  • deepen your understanding of high-quality IDL and its impact on learners in a concept based curriculum 
  • strengthen your ability to see connections and integrate elements of curriculum 
  • build confidence in evaluating and adapting your practice 
  • contribute to improvements in curriculum, learning, teaching and assessment within your context 
  • develop an action plan or identified next steps for ongoing professional learning. 

Participants who submit their reflective tasks will also receive a certificate of completion. 

The programme is built in phases and attendance at all planned sessions is mandatory.

Part 1: Introduction and launch (online 90mins) 

Monday 2 November or Wednesday 4 November 2026 (choose one date only) 

Time: 3.30pm to 5.00pm 

This will be an online session to introduce you to the programme and ensure you can navigate the professional learning materials 

Part 2: Self-directed professional learning activities 

Two PLAs (What and Why of IDL) 

Time: November 2026 to February 2027 

Participants engage in the professional learning activities on ‘why?’ and ‘what?’ of IDL   

Part 3 : Online touchpoint (online 90 mins) 

Monday 1 February or Wednesday 3 February 2027 (Choose one date only) 

Time: 3.30pm to 5.00pm 

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their reflections with colleagues, ask clarifying questions and prepare for the full day in- person practical workshop on the ‘how?’ of IDL. 

Part 4 : Practical Workshop (in person - full day) 

North, West and East (One date only - venues to be confirmed) 

Professional Learning Workshop on the How of IDL 

Timing : Monday 01 March, Wednesday 3 March or  Friday 5 March 2027 

Participants will engage in a practical workshop to support their planning, methods and strategies for IDL.   

Part 5: Application in learning setting (ongoing) 

Taking your plans and bringing them to life in your setting 

Timing : February to Late May 2027 

Participants will apply their learning in their own setting.  Whilst it is expected that participants will take an inquiring stance,  there is no expectation of a full professional inquiry. 

Part 6: Programme celebration event (online - symposium style) 

Part 6 will be an online symposium in June 2027 between 2.30pm to 18.00pm sharing and celebrating practice and a programme evaluation.

Participants are expected to: 

  • commit to all phases of the programme consisting of in-person and online sessions with the support of their line manager  
  • engage in self-directed reflection and professional reading  
  • critically reflect on their current practice, including completing reflective tasks 
  • engage in professional dialogue within their setting and/or learning community 
  • collaborate with peers as part of a national professional learning network 
  • apply learning in their own context through identified changes to practice 
  • ensure access to a reliable device with a camera and microphone, internet connection and the ability to access online platforms such as Microsoft Teams. 

The Education Scotland Code of Conduct supports respectful, inclusive and professional engagement across all programme activities. It should be read by all participants before attending Part 1.

Before applying:

  • you must be able to attend all phases of the programme 
  • you must have approval from your Headteacher (or line manager) to be released on the dates above before applying 
  • you should understand the commitment required for a national programme 

Applications for the Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) pilot programme will open on week beginning 14 September 2026.

Participant criteria 

The IDL programme is designed to support practitioners in strengthening their practice and deepening their understanding of high quality IDL across a range of educational contexts and settings. As a pilot programme, it also offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to its ongoing development 

To ensure participants can fully engage and benefit from the experience, applicants should meet the following criteria: 

Professional experience

Applicants should have completed at least one full year of teaching or educational practice prior to applying. 

Commitment to development

Participants should be motivated to reflect on and enhance their own approaches and practice of IDL. 

Willingness to contribute

As this is a pilot programme, participants are expected to actively provide feedback and will be invited to help shape the future design and direction of the programme. 

Eligibility

This programme is open to practitioners working in Early Years settings, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Additional Support Needs and Community Learning and Development education. 

Selection approach 

As places on the programme are limited, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced and representative cohort. This may include considering the distribution of participants across different sectors and settings to support a rich and diverse learning experience. 

We are also committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of the selection process, we will take steps to support participation from individuals with protected characteristics and may reserve places to help ensure these voices are meaningfully represented within the programme. 

To apply you should: 

  • discuss your participation with your Headteacher (or line manager) and secure approval for release on all programme dates 
  • confirm your availability for all core sessions 
  • complete the application form when the link goes live on week beginning 14 September 2026

Key information 

Applications open on Monday 14 September 2026. The application deadline is Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Places are limited. A balanced national cohort will be selected across sectors and roles 

As this is a Scottish Government funded programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all identified sessions 
  • fully engage in programme activity 
  • contribute to evaluation and feedback 

For application queries, please contact CIC support.

If applications are closed and you would like to be notified about future cohorts or related professional learning opportunities, please join our professional learning community.
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