The Leading Professional Learning (LPL) programme empowers anyone to cultivate a strong culture of professional learning within their stage, department, school, setting, cluster, or local authority, regardless of whether they hold a formal leadership position. This programme equips participants with the knowledge and skills to drive professional growth, helping to embed effective practices and foster a collective, continuously improving learning environment for all educators.

To successfully complete the programme, participants need to attend all 3 mandatory online sessions (a maximum of 11.5 hours) and submit a Professional Learning Action Plan. We provide a template to guide your strategic thinking for this action plan.

You will gain a deep understanding of Scotland's national professional learning model and explore the powerful concept of collective efficacy. The programme encourages critical reflection on what truly makes professional learning transformative and provides access to a dedicated self-evaluation tool. Beyond the learning, you will join a strong community through interactions with alumni and a vibrant professional learning community of practice.

The LPL programme is facilitated online and designed with flexible learning approaches to suit your needs.

Here's how you will engage:

• Core Day Online: You'll participate in a full day online session with educators from across Scotland, setting the foundation for your programme journey.
• Professional Learning Activities (PLAs): You'll engage in anytime, self-directed learning by completing two PLAs with the option of completing a third. These activities consist of professional reading and reflection and are designed to deepen your understanding and application of key concepts. You'll need an account on our website to access these.
• Optional Drop in Surgeries: You will have the opportunity to attend optional online surgery sessions specifically designed for reflecting on the PLAs and the Professional Learning Action Plan, offering a chance for deeper discussion and support.
• Touchpoint Online: Participate in one online session designed to keep you updated, provide access to professional learning resources, and offer direct support with your Professional Learning Action Plan. This is also a great opportunity to connect with the programme team and fellow participants.
• Collaborative Community space: You will gain access to a dedicated online community within our internal programme page on the Education Scotland website. This collaboration space is for respectful discussions, idea sharing, and connecting with peers in professional learning or networks; by participating, you agree to follow the guidelines that ensure a positive and inclusive experience for everyone.
• Professional Learning Online Exchange Summit: The programme culminates in this online summit, where you will have the chance to celebrate and share your Professional Learning Action Plans as you lead a culture of professional learning.

This blended approach ensures you receive both structured input from the facilitators and the flexibility to learn at your own pace, while connecting with a supportive network of colleagues.

Before reviewing the key dates please take a moment to consider the following commitments essential for your successful participation:

• I have considered the nature of this professional learning programme and confirm my commitment.
• I have discussed this with my line manager as a next step in my professional learning.
• I understand that as a participant in a Scottish Government funded programme, I am expected to attend sessions detailed below. I understand that failure to do so will incur unnecessary expense to Education Scotland, potentially impacting future programming and events.

September 2025 – February 2026

Core Day: Tuesday 23 September, 9:30am to 4pm

Optional Drop-in Surgery: Tuesday 4 November, 4pm to 5pm

Touchpoint Session: Thursday 27 November, 4pm to 6pm

Optional Drop-in Surgery: Thursday 29 January 4pm to 5pm

Exchange Event: Tuesday 24 February, 1pm to 4pm

'The opportunity to be part of the LPL Programme was one of the best professional learning I have experienced in my 26 years of teaching. The structure and content allowed me to develop my facilitation of professional learning to create meaningful, exciting and impactful programmes for my school. It should be essential for educational professionals at all levels.
(Jenny MacKay, Head Teacher, Sorn Primary School)

The Leading Professional Learning Programme has been a hugely enriching experience. The opportunity to explore up to date research whilst implementing changes to my own practice has been invaluable. That this implementation of change has happened, with the ongoing collaborative support of both Education Scotland and my peers from across the country, has meant that I have been able to reflect on the development of my own practice as a leader of learning with expert insight from a range of professional contexts. The blend of online modules and Teams meetings gave me autonomy to complete the course at a pace that complimented my work. I am unequivocally a better leader for having attended this course.
(Patrick Fisher, Principal Teacher, Leader of Learning, Glasgow's Improvement Challenge)

The Leading Professional Learning programme has been a transformative experience. It has not only deepened my understanding of professional learning but also equipped me with the tools to lead meaningful change. I look forward to continuing this journey and fostering a strong culture of professional learning.
(Julie MacDonald, ASN Teacher, St. Joseph’s P.S. Inverness) Read Julie’s blog

The form will be open to apply from Monday 18 August 2025 to Friday 5 September 2025.

Applying for the LPL programme is a straightforward, step-by-step process.

Fill in the online application form.