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Exhibition partner

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SLF has something of interest for everyone who contributes to the learning and development of Scotland’s children and young people, whether in schools, community learning, health, social work or the voluntary sector.
Across the festival there are a range of opportunities for all those interested in early years education, all of which address the key theme of Creative Learning...Creative Thinking .
Creativity can mean different things to different people. For some it means being imaginative or inventive, taking risks or challenging convention. For others it is about original thinking or producing something new. As Curriculum for
Excellence is being implemented across Scotland, practitioners are developing their creative teaching and learning as well as nurturing creative skills in learners.
SLF offers delegates opportunities to learn more about the importance of creative skills for themselves and for their learners. By attending SLF practitioners will be able to develop skills and expertise to support creative learning and teaching through sharing information, highlighting innovation and showcasing best practice.
In addition to the professional learning opportunities available in the conference programme, SLF hosts a range of other opportunities where ideas, resources and successful approaches are shared.
l Education Showcase area highlighting innovative and exciting practice from Scotland’s Local Authorities l Local Authority Village where you can find out more about what’s happening across Scotland l Developing Global Citizens Village showcasing best practice in citizenship, sustainable development education, international education, games legacy and the work of the Confucius
Classrooms l Community Learning and Development Village, this area will showcase the work of the CLD sector and will be home to a number of organisations who
New will share resources and information to support CLD l SLF Extra on Glow, where you can start discussions before attending, share information and review anything that you missed
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Organised by
In addition to the Early Years seminars the exhibition offers delegates the opportunity to network and to see over 120 leading education suppliers.
Visitors can touch, test and compare the latest education solutions to help them engage their early years children, as well as receiving relevant advice and guidance designed to improve their teaching and learning.
Exhibition organised by
This central feature in the exhibition is home to the Education Scotland stand, the
Education Showcase presentation area and the Learning in Practice area .
A visit to the Scottish Education Village is a must for all SLF delegates as you will be able to find out more about the work of Education Scotland from our staff and through presentations on the stand.
The Education Showcase presentations and demonstrations from young people and practitioners of innovative teaching practice will provide ideas and inspiration.
Supported by
The Learning in Practice area is a must see feature, with the Local Authority
Village, the Developing Global Citizens stand and the Cultural Village, delegates can find out more about the local, national, international and cultural dimensions of SLF.
SLF is free to attend and is relevant to everyone involved in education, whether you are in school, community learning, health, social work or the voluntary sector, SLF has something of interest for you.
Use Priority Code 1204 to guarantee your place.
Due to demand for places and limited capacities pre-booking is essential, book early to guarantee a place at the sessions of your choice. To book your place visit the
SLF website: www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk
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Media Partner

Creativity in your corner – a practical session
Hazel Darwin-Edwards, Starcatchers Artist, Starcatchers
A practical session exploring an artist’s approach to supporting creative,
‘dramatic’ play in childcare settings; how can we inspire imaginative play? What techniques can we use to encourage child-led storytelling?
How can we celebrate moments of ‘theatre’ in play? Drawing on her experience of creating performances with and for early years audiences,
Starcatchers Artist Hazel Darwin-Edwards will share her ideas about creativity in a practical and fun workshop.
Leven Seminar Code L 2 A
Designing Creative Learning Journeys
Mary Pat MacConnell, Early Years Curriculum Development Officer,
Stirling Council
Central to this work is the empowering of learners of all ages, through creative thinking, reflecting on learning and making new connections. (in this context, with specific reference to Early Years)
This workshop will explore:
• The process of designing connected learning experiences that provide opportunities for open ended creative solutions
• Roles and responsibilities of the creative educator- creating and maintaining a collaborative learning community, modelling the attitudes and skills of a learner and aligning the experiences to
Stirling’s ‘Documentation Approach to Early Learning’ and Curriculum for Excellence
Leven Seminar Code L 2 B
Creating More for Families with Less
Jane Mason, Early Years Coordinator, Fife Education Service Early Years
Team
Janis Walker, Manager Pre-School Home Visiting Service, Fife Education
Service Early Years Team
The seminar will explain how Fife Early Years Team have developed the
Family Support in Fife initiative. Family Support workers develop local networks in partnership with a range of services to support children under 3 and their parents. The team work will share how, through their work within targeted areas, they develop parents’ confidence in both parenting and in developing improved outcomes for their children and themselves.
Leven Seminar Code L 2 D
Social Studies 3-18
David Gregory, HMI, Education Scotland
This session will:
• Focus on key messages coming out of the review of Social Studies
3-18. HMI made a series of visits to pre-school centres and schools across the country with a focus on the Social Studies. The review activities were informed by each pre-school centre’s and school’s account of themselves based on their own self-evaluation
• Invite participants to take part in group activities about the key messages and to engage in working out solutions to how we will address the areas for development outlined in the report
Katrine Seminar Code K2B
‘Developing Pupil Voice within a Participative School Culture’
Cathy McCulloch, Acting Editor – Primary BBC Scotland Learning
In Spring 2012, St Leonard’s Primary School, Dunfermline and national
Scottish charity Children’s Parliament formed a unique partnership to share understanding and practice in relation to the development of an effective pupil voice within the school.
This workshop will:
• Identify the drivers behind the pupil voice agenda
• Locate the work within Curriculum for Excellence and GIRFEC and other national priorities
• Explore the value of working within a children’s human rights framework
• Consider the approach and commitment required from the school
• Allow time for questions and discussion
Boisdale 2 Seminar Code B 2 E
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Learner voice and rights education
Helen Gardyne, Head Teacher, Ormiston Primary
The importance and relevancy of learner voice and rights education has been recognised by stakeholders at all levels. This seminar will present practical, school based exemplification as well as national strategies and initiative in this area, illustrating the impact on learners, whole school ethos and the wider community.
The session will be supported by practitioners and key partners showcasing the impact of learner voice and rights education at all levels.
Boisdale 2 Seminar Code B 2 F
Creative Approaches to Curriculum Delivery in Primary 1
Myra Struthers, Early Years Team Leader, Education Scotland
Mhairi Stratton, Acting Depute Head, Wallyford PS
The session will:
• Consider effective transitions from nursery into primary with a focus on continuity of teaching and learning
• Share the journey of Wallyford Primary School towards ensuring this – including their approach to research, self-evaluation and planning step change
• Focus on active learning approaches and shared pedagogies between nursery and Primary 1 staff
• Explore the vital role of parents and how we ensure their understanding of active learning and teaching approaches
Leven Seminar Code L 2 I
Unlocking Universal Musicality
Mary Pat MacConnell, Curriculum Development Officer, Stirling Council
This workshop will share the impact of Stirling Council’s 0-3 action research project which is being taken forward in partnership with ABC
Creative Music. Central to this work, is the desire to raise the profile of the importance and value of musical activity in the lives of very young children.
Aspects explored will include:
• the process of improvisation
• musical communication
• music health and wellbeing
• musical identities
• cultures and communities
• the ubiquitous importance of music
Leven Seminar Code L 2 G
Brucehill Tots Speak Scots – Literacy for Life Project
Lynn McCafferty, Head of Centre, Brucehill Early Education and Childcare
Centre
The seminar will share how the project successfully:
• Used the Scots language context and innovative approaches to meet the challenge of fully engaging parents in their child’s learning
• Made use of the local area to increase the impact of the home learning environment on children’s literacy skills
• Promoted effective talking and listening, reading together, having fun with words and sharing experiences through language across the wider context of literacy
Leven Seminar Code L 2 H
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