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This month, we’re pleased to spotlight Creating Safer Colleges: A Practical Toolkit to Strengthen College Responses to GBV and Harassment, newly published by CDN in partnership with Colleges Scotland. The toolkit provides practical guidance and expertise to support colleges in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment across the sector.
Developed with colleges, stakeholders, and specialist partners, it brings together evidence and good practice to strengthen prevention, response, and support. In a new blog, CDN’s Delivery and Engagement Partner Dr Gail Toms explores the importance of this resource Creating Safer Colleges: Strengthening Our Collective Response to Gender-Based Violence.
This month’s update also brings together key news, opportunities, and events across CDN, including the CDN Masterclass series, the CDN College Awards 2026, ongoing activity across STEP, and the latest edition of #EqualityMatters.
There’s a lot happening, and even more to get involved in. Take a moment to explore what’s new, connect with colleagues across the sector, and make the most of what #YourCDN has to offer.
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Creating Safer Colleges:
New toolkit launched to strengthen sector
response to GBV and harassment
CDN, in partnership with Colleges Scotland, has launched Creating Safer Colleges – a practical toolkit to support colleges in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment.
The resource brings together guidance, evidence, and specialist expertise to help create safe and inclusive environments for students and staff. It promotes consistent, trauma-informed approaches and offers clear advice on responding to disclosures, referral pathways, and examples of good practice.
Developed with colleges, student associations, and partners including Rape Crisis Scotland and White Ribbon Scotland, the toolkit supports a whole-college approach to tackling GBV across the sector.
Discover the toolkit here
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Preparing for Parliamentary Committees with Pinsent Masons
2 June OR 7 September 2026 | Edinburgh
CDN, in partnership with Colleges Scotland, is delighted to launch the latest sessions in its Masterclass series for college senior leaders and board members.
Preparing for Parliamentary Committees with Pinsent Masons will support participants to build confidence in giving evidence and understanding how parliamentary committees operate.
The session focuses on handling challenging questioning while maintaining clarity, composure and strong message discipline when representing an organisation.
A key feature is a realistic mock evidence exercise, where participants will face committee-style questioning from Pinsent Masons practitioners.
Choose your preferred date and book: 2 June | 7 September
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Apply for #YourCDN Leadership Programmes
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 CDN Leadership Programmes, designed to build leadership capability across colleges, universities and the wider education sector.
Expressions of interest are invited for the Executive Leadership Series, a high-impact programme for current and aspiring senior leaders, with a more detailed programme coming soon.
Our CMI-accredited Emerging Leaders Programme supports developing managers, while the Strategic Leaders Programme prepares senior managers for wider responsibility.
We’re also offering Coaching Skills for Managers Programme, helping leaders adopt a coaching approach to team development.
From emerging talent to experienced executives, #YourCDN offers progressive leadership development to meet the needs of today’s sector.
Discover more here
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CDN College Awards:
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Enter
The College Awards 2026, proudly delivered by CDN, are now open for entries.
These awards celebrate the talent, achievements and innovation of colleges, staff and learners across Scotland.
Key Dates:
- Entry deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 24 June 2026
- Awards ceremony: Thursday 3 December 2026 at Radisson Blu, Glasgow
The Awards also offer sponsorship opportunities for organisations looking to showcase their brand at the heart of the sector. Discover sponsorship opportunities here.
Building on the success of 2025, which saw a record number of submissions, this year promises to be even bigger.
Find out more and enter today.
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Tertiary sector comes together for collaboration and inclusion focus
This week, colleagues from across Scotland’s tertiary sector gathered at Glasgow Caledonian University for STEP Network event 8 and the fully booked 2026 STEP Conference.
STEP (Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme) is the national programme bringing colleges and universities together to enhance learning, teaching, the student experience, and staff development.
The Network Event brought together over 90 members for the final meeting of the academic year, with project updates and a LEGO® Serious Play workshop led by CDN’s Valerie Jackman, supporting reflection on collaboration and change.
The following day, more than 200 delegates attended the Stepping Over the Threshold: Belonging and Inclusion in Scotland’s Tertiary Sector conference, with keynotes from Robin Ince and Bethany Rose, lightning talks, and interactive workshops.
Together, both events highlighted strong cross-sector collaboration and a shared commitment to inclusive, supportive learner journeys.
Read news story here
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From reflection to FEAST: what’s next for Insights & Innovations
Over in the Insights & Innovations labs we’ve been ideating, going down rabbit holes and causing chaos (with more to come!).
In April, the wonderful Kerry Heathcote delivered the final RDP session of 25/26, sharing her research on Quiet Camaraderie. She created space for active reflection, encouraging us to notice the invisible connections that underpin our wellbeing. A fitting close to a year of sessions spanning assessment, post-digital learning, curiosity-led research and more. All sessions are available in our hub.
Looking ahead to 26/27, RDP is getting a makeover. Introducing FEAST (Fostering Experimentation, Agency, Skills & Transformation), a refreshed, more open space to explore, test and grow ideas collectively. No research project needed. Just bring your curiosity, playful energy (and your lunch!). Sign up here: I want to FEAST
And there’s more… from September, our Insights & Innovations work will become CDN Futures, with new programmes (including Futures Labs) on the horizon.
In the meantime, head over to LinkedIn for our Stories from the Future series, sharing hopeful glimpses of what change could look like by 2031.
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#EqualityMatters:
Putting Inclusion at the Heart of Your Work
Discover #EqualityMatters, CDN’s monthly digest supporting staff to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across colleges. Each edition links the UN SDGs to inclusive leadership, providing easy access to resources and events.
The June issue focuses on celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion, highlighting the importance of recognising and valuing our students.
View June Issue here.
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Hi everyone,
I hope you’re well and enjoying the brighter days.
We’re finalising our Strategic Plan for 2026–30, working closely with staff, our Board, colleges, and wider stakeholders to shape our future ambitions. To further support this, we have launched our Draft Strategy Consultation survey to CDN’s Strategic Networks and partners.Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. The final strategy will be launched in August.
In May, it was great to see so much activity across our Strategic Networks through the sector campaign Show Racism the Red Card, led by CDN’s EDI Strategic Network. The campaign raises awareness of racism and its impact, while supporting ongoing anti-racism work across Scotland’s colleges. Next month, as Scotland take their rightful place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, we’re excited to continue showcasing the great work of the college sector through our Strategic Networks with the launch of the College World Cup campaign, delivered with the Marketing and Communications Network — watch this space.
This month, our CDN Masterclasses, delivered with Colleges Scotland and expert partners, have begun and are offering valuable insights into strategic risk, governance, and political engagement. Please take a look at upcoming sessions Preparing for Parliamentary Committees with Pinsent Masons and register your place.
A final reminder that College Awards entries close on 24 June — don’t miss your chance to showcase the outstanding work taking place in colleges every day and celebrate the talent, achievement, and innovation of colleges, staff, and learners across Scotland.
As always, you can stay up to date via www.cdn.ac.uk, our social media channels, and newsletters.
Warm regards,
Marie Hendry
Chief Executive, CDN
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