We’re delighted to share CDN’s highlights of 2025!

As we wave goodbye to 2025, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate a year of achievements, innovation, and collaboration across Scotland’s colleges.

From the launch of #YourCDN and our refreshed website, to new developments like Elevate LT, the expansion of CDN LearnOnline, and our continued focus on equality, inclusion, and the changing learner, this year has shown the creativity and commitment at the heart of our sector.

We strengthened national collaboration through our strategic networks and CoP's, focus groups, and research activity — including the Researcher Development Programme and the publication of CAIRN Issue 4. Alongside this, we supported colleagues to lead with confidence through our Management and Leadership Programmes and celebrated excellence at the CDN College Awards, our biggest Awards yet.

At CDN, we remain committed to equipping colleges, staff, boards, and students with the skills, connections, and insights to transform practice and elevate learner success.

This is #YourCDN: supporting every college, every staff member, every step of the way.

And finally, as 2025 ends and after a quarter of a century’s service to CDN and its predecessor organisations, we wish a warm farewell to Marian McMorland as she leaves CDN for a hugely well-deserved retirement. Marian’s contribution to the work of CDN and her support for our college and sector networks and partners is immeasurable and I know many of you will join us in wishing Marian all the best for the future. We’ll all dearly miss Marian.



Thank you for being part of our community. Enjoy your well-deserved Festive break — we look forward to working with you in 2026!

Warm regards,

Marie Hendry

Chief Executive, CDN

The Changing Learner

CDN launched the Changing Learner Programme, expanding on the successful Trauma-Informed College Programme to provide even stronger support for Scotland’s colleges.

The refreshed programme introduces new pillars — Promoting Positive Behaviours, Culture and Community, and Staff Wellbeing — offering a holistic approach to understanding and responding to the needs of today’s learners, while supporting staff to create positive, inclusive learning environments.

Discover the Changing Learner Programme here.

#EqualityMatters Digest

Each month, the #EqualityMatters Digest puts equality, diversity, and inclusion firmly in the spotlight, offering bite-sized insights, practical actions, and useful resources. In 2025, topics ranged from Neurodiversity and Allyship to Tackling Poverty and more — helping colleagues embed EDI in everyday practice.

The January 2026 edition shines a light on Inclusive Learning Environments, featuring guidance on using TransEdu resources and research to strengthen support for trans and gender-diverse learners.

View all Digests here

February – Showcasing College Pride

Marketing and Communications Conference

Held at Fife College, this year’s Marketing and Communications Conference brought colleagues from across the sector together for a lively day of fresh ideas, practical learning, and networking. Sessions explored the latest trends in digital engagement, campaign storytelling, and student recruitment, with speakers sharing real examples of what’s working in colleges right now.

Read the event recap here

Next conference: 17 February 2026, New College Lanarkshire. Register here

Tackling Gender-Based Violence

In March, CDN and Colleges Scotland proudly launched the findings of our sector-wide survey report, Colleges’ Approach to Tackling Gender-based Violence and Harassment.

Since January 2023, we have worked together to understand how colleges across Scotland are addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment. The report shares key findings and provides essential recommendations to strengthen prevention, response, and support for learners and staff.

Discover more in blog post here

Celebrating Neurodiversity in Action

For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, CDN’s EDI Strategic Network highlighted inspiring stories and resources from Ayrshire College and West College Scotland.

View the campaign and podcasts here

Generative AI Series – Back by Popular Demand

Following its sell-out success, the Generative AI Series returned in May to give educators, support staff, and leaders hands-on experience with AI tools like ChatGPT. The series explored practical applications in teaching, learning, and assessment, helping participants integrate AI effectively into their day-to-day practice while considering ethical and critical perspectives.

Whether you’re new to AI or looking to build on your existing skills, these sessions offer flexible, real-world strategies to enhance learning and teaching across Scotland’s colleges.

The next series kicks off in January 2026. Find out more here

Strategic Networks and Communities of Practice

At CDN, we are committed to helping college staff collaborate, share best practices, and enhance their work both within their own colleges and across the wider tertiary sector.

Through strong Strategic Networks and Communities of Practice (CoPs), we drive continuous improvement and innovation, helping institutions stay responsive and effective in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Discover Strategic Networks and Communities of Practice here

Supporting College Boards

CDN’s Governance Development Programme offers board members induction, training, and guidance to build skills, evaluate effectiveness, and strengthen governance. Training is available via CDN LearnOnline, and you can read CDN's Gordon Hunt’s latest blog, Supporting College Boards, to find out more.

We are also delighted to launch the newly updated Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges, a core reference for anyone involved in college governance and mandatory for boards receiving SFC funding.

Choose College Success

From 14 July to 22 August 2025, the CDN Marketing and Communications Network led the national #ChooseCollege campaign, celebrating the incredible impact of Scotland’s colleges and inspiring future students to explore the wide range of opportunities on offer.

The campaign highlighted the vital role colleges play in education, skills development, communities, and the wider economy. Colleges across Scotland joined forces to share stories, showcase achievements, and encourage learners to take the next step in their education journey.

Over six weeks, the campaign reached 1 million young people through paid social, supported by national and local print, radio and digital activity, and generated a 129-fold increase in engagement with #ChooseCollege content.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make the campaign such a success!

Discover the campaign here

Elevate LT

CDN was delighted to launch Elevate LT, a funded professional learning programme with TeachingHOW2s to support and enhance teaching across Scotland’s colleges.

Running throughout 2025–26, the programme equips staff with practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and innovative techniques to create engaging, inclusive learning environments.

Elevate LT champions collaborative learning, with peer-supported activities and workshops that embed professional standards into everyday practice, helping staff build confidence, competence, and creativity.

Read Paula’s blog on its progress here.

CDN LearnOnline – Your Hub for Flexible Learning

CDN’s online learning hub launched two new courses and resources this August:

• Understanding Colleges Today (UCT) – an interactive introduction to Scotland’s colleges.
• Tertiary Self-Evaluation Toolkit (TSET) – supporting colleges and universities to develop self-evaluation and action plans.

Existing favourites continue to support professional growth:

• Teaching in Colleges Today (TiCT) – helping lecturers build core teaching skills and align with Professional Standards.
• PDA Teaching Practice in Scotland’s Colleges – self-study materials supporting the SCQF Level 9 PDA award and ongoing professional development.

View #YourCDN LearnOnline here

Management and Leadership Programmes – Developing Leaders Across Colleges

CDN’s Management and Leadership Programmes help colleagues lead with confidence at every career stage.

September saw the launch of the new Executive Leadership Series, alongside the popular CMI Emerging and CMI Strategic programmes, with participants highlighting real impact on their day-to-day work.

Our Coaching Skills for Managers Programme starts February 2026, equipping leaders with practical techniques to boost team and individual performance. Applications now open.

Researcher Development Programme: Highlights and What’s Next

Launched in September, CDN’s Researcher Development Programme (RDP) helps researchers build skills, confidence, and networks across Scotland’s colleges.

Highlights included showcases from UHI Inverness and Dr James Lamb on Postdigital Learning Spaces. All sessions are recorded on CDN LearnOnline.

The programme returns in January with ‘Write On!’ on 30 January 2026 and online sessions resume 25 February with Professor Tara Brabazon.

#YourCDN is Here!

Sharpen Your Skills, Spark Insights, and Stay Ahead

We were so delighted to launch our new campaign – #YourCDN – and especially our brand-new website!

Clearer, faster, and easier to use, it’s your hub for resources, events, and learning opportunities—truly making CDN #YourCDN.

The campaign also showcases how we support you and Scotland’s colleges: explore our short video, access CDN LearnOnline with on-demand CPD, courses, and toolkits, and browse our fantastic new brochure to plan your pathway and take the next step in your career.

Manosphere Event Recap

CDN’s Exploring the Manosphere online event attracted over 80 delegates from across Scotland’s colleges, sparking thought-provoking discussion on the influence of online masculinity spaces.

The session explored how these spaces can affect gender equality, student wellbeing, and approaches to violence prevention in tertiary education, providing practical insights for colleagues working in curriculum, student support, policy, and leadership.

Discover more in Gail’s blog post: Exploring the Manosphere: Reflections from CDN’s Event.

Stepping Up with STEP

Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) brings colleges and universities together to enhance the learner experience through collaboration and innovation. Jointly managed by CDN and QAA Scotland, STEP provides a space to share ideas, develop initiatives, and drive positive change across the sector.

The first STEP event of the 2025–26 academic year took place on 18 November at Fife College’s Dunfermline City Campus, welcoming over 80 students and colleagues for lively discussions and collaborative workshops.

Read news story here.

CDN College Awards 2025

Winners Announced!

The CDN College Awards, proudly supported by Title Sponsor SQA, took place on 4 December at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow, welcoming over 300 guests - our biggest Awards yet! With a record 199 submissions, the Awards celebrated the talent, skills, and achievements of colleges, staff, and learners across Scotland.

We were delighted to welcome back host Amy Irons and guest speaker Minister for Higher and Further Education, Ben Macpherson MSP, with outstanding entertainment from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, marking the 26th anniversary of the Awards.

Discover the winners and video highlights here.

CAIRN Journal, Issue 4 Out Now!

Issue 4 of the Colleges Action Inquiry Research Network (CAIRN) Journal is now live!

Hosted by CDN, the CAIRN Journal is a key platform for practitioner-led research across Scotland’s colleges. The latest issue highlights innovative practice and fresh insights from colleagues across the sector.

Read CAIRN Issue 4 here.

Here’s to 2026!

Thank you for being part of #YourCDN—

supporting every college,

every staff member,

every step of the way.

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