Being a primary head is a ‘very stressful and lonely job’ www.tes.com/magazine/new... @ahdscotland.bsky.social @emmaseith.bsky.social

For the first time in our association's history, we are looking to appoint a Deputy General Secretary. For more details: ahds.org.uk/news/recruit...

Yesterday, @ahdscotland.bsky.social was pleased to welcome Prof Margery McMahon to our Council Meeting, who shared updates on the new Centre for Teaching Excellence. A valuable discussion with plenty of helpful answers to our many questions. We look forward to the official launch event! #CfTE #AHDS

Our General Secretary is delighted to be representing AHDS at the @NASUWT national conference in Liverpool over the next couple of days. Thanks for the kind invitation.

@ahdscotland.bsky.social had a catch up with HMIe this week for valuable discussions on the recent LEA thematic reviews and other key issues. Thanks to Janie McManus, Patricia Watson, and Lesley McEwing for your time and insights!

There's just under 3 weeks left to enter the #voicebox2025 competition! Don’t miss your chance to submit your school’s funniest joke🎤

🏫 Open to all primary schools in Scotland
🗓️ Entry closes: 1 April 2025

Enter now by clicking the link: rcslt.org/scotland/voi...

A hard hitting report on ASN from Audit Scotland today: audit.scot/publications... The conclusions are a surprise to nobody working in schools. AHDS member surveys have consistently pinpointed the need for better resourcing of ASN as the no.1 issue amongst school leaders.

Recently stepped down from school leadership - retiring early or moving back to the classroom? Prof Moira Hulme form UWS would be keen to hear from you. Please consider getting in touch with her to help the system learn more about the reasons why.

In December Education Scotland published a Curriculum Improvement Cycle discussion paper called ‘Towards an Evolved Technical Framework.’

Sign up to theur webinar to learn more about this paper.

👉ow.ly/T6hT50UJrax

As the @ahdscotland.bsky.social Executive, we were delighted to surprise Greg Dempster with a few gifts to celebrate his incredible 20 years as General Secretary! A fantastic milestone for someone who has dedicated so much to supporting school leaders across Scotland. #20YearsOfLeadership

The @ahdscotland.bsky.social National Executive Committee is meeting for our Strategy Weekend, focusing on key priorities, strategy, and the issues that matter most to our members. Discussions include recent policies, workload, member support and the future of AHDS. #AHDS #Leadership

Education Scotland is looking to recruit new "Associates"

A range of positions are now available for those with a specialism in Additional Support Needs (ASN). ESAs will help support improvement activity across the Scottish education landscape

Apply now: ow.ly/65le50ULWaM

Our friends at SSERC have three digital publications: buff.ly/2MU0Yvo. They are always looking for articles written by external contributors. If you are interested in writing an article (particularly one about STEM learning in nursery, primary or ASN settings) then visit buff.ly/4gU5uYu

The mismatch between demand for additional support for learning in England and the resource available is mirrored in Scotland. Considerable increases in investment are required on both sides of the border www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A couple of upcoming events from the Scottish Women's Convention that our female members might want to consider attending:
Misogyny in Education, Sat 1st Feb, Glasgow - bit.ly/4eSrwZy
International Women's Day, Sat 8th Mar, Scottish Parliament - www.scottishwomensconvention.org/events/79-in...

The STEP conference in March offers a very full programme. AHDS members might want to take a look. David Cameron chairing, keynotes from Gillian Hamilton and Mark Priestley, varied workshops including AI and a wellbeing session with Claire Lavelle. steachersep.org.uk/conference-2025

As the 2025 school year gets off to a snowy start, a quick reminder to AHDS members that there are a range of 'Time to Think' sessions that you can attend from the warmth of your own home or office - www.ahds.org.uk/clpl