|
As we bid farewell to 2024 and all look forward to a well-deserved festive break, here at CDN we’re looking back at the year past and the key activities in support of the development of colleges, their staff, boards, and students throughout 2024.
It’s been another challenging year for the sector, however the commitment, resilience, innovation and impact of Scotland’s colleges is abundantly clear and was demonstrated in the submissions to the 25th Annual CDN College Awards.
Here at CDN, we’re proud to support Scotland’s colleges in their ambitions. Our focus has remained steadfast: equipping colleges and their teams with the knowledge and skills to transform their practice, showcase their exceptional work, and elevate student achievement.
We hope you’ve had the chance to engage with us and benefit from CDN programmes, networks and courses over the past year.
We look forward to working with you in 2025!
| |
|
'Ideation Illuminations' Campaign
Launched in January, our 'Ideation Illuminations' LinkedIn series was designed exclusively for college staff to spark creative thinking. Each week, we shared bite-sized techniques and approaches to help staff approach course design and delivery with fresh perspectives.
Discover Ideation Illuminations here
| |
|
#LoveScotlandsColleges Campaign Success!
To celebrate the innovation and best practices across Scotland’s colleges, the CDN Marketing and Communications Network launched the #LoveScotlandsColleges campaign on 12 February 2024.
Over five days, we encouraged college staff, politicians, businesses, and local communities to get involved on social media using #LoveScotlandsColleges. The campaign generated over 3 million impressions!
| |
|
CDN Workforce Survey Launch
In February, we also launched the latest Bi-annual CDN Workforce Survey to gather national insights on the Scottish college sector’s training and development needs.
With 1,577 responses, the survey revealed strong demand for training in areas like AI, behaviour management, staff wellbeing, and digital capabilities, while also highlighting barriers to training.
Read the report here.
| |
|
Delivery Agreements
CDN has been visiting college senior teams right across the country to better understand their priorities and needs going forward as part of our new Delivery Agreement process. To date, we have drafted 17 agreements with colleges, and a further 5 in the pipeline. Some key priorities for colleges include:
- Support for staff development across understanding the changing learner, supporting positive behaviours, trauma-informed practice and mental health & wellbeing
- Training on the practical use of AI
- Support for learning & teaching staff to develop their practice
- Support for first line and new managers to better understand the environment colleges operate in.
- Leadership, management, change management and team development training
- Governance development
In response to this, CDN is developing a range of support packages for colleges and has recently launched the Insights & Innovations Hub, The Changing Learner Programme, and the Introduction to AI series. More programmes will be launched in the new year.
| |
|
Big College Open Week 21-28 March
This year, colleges across Scotland united for the second Big College Open Week (#BigCOW), running from 21-28 March. The week showcased the diverse offerings and opportunities available at colleges, raising awareness through exciting activities and open day events. The campaign was a great success, boosting awareness and increasing footfall at college events.
| |
|
Re-launch of the CAIRN Journal
In April, we re-launched the CDN CAIRN (College Action Inquiry Research Network) journal, featuring research papers, thought pieces, and articles focused on Scottish colleges.
Aimed at educators, researchers, leaders, and managers, the journal provides a practitioner-oriented platform for advancing scholarship and knowledge exchange.
The latest issue of the CAIRN Journal was released in November.
View news story and Issue 2 here.
| |
|
CDN's Leadership Programmes
In May, we launched a new cohort of CDN’s Leadership Programmes, including the Emerging Leaders, Strategic Leadership, and Executive Leadership programmes. These are designed to help you lead with confidence and advance your career, from aspiring managers to senior executive development.
Leadership Programmes Success
CDN continues to run successful leadership development pathway, with 84 participants enrolled in programs across all levels - from pre-management to executive training - throughout 2024.
Angela Pignatelli, Vice Principal Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, South Lanarkshire College shares her experience:
"The Executive Leadership Series provides valuable time with leaders who excel in their field, offering new insights, knowledge exchange and discussion to help participants grow and thrive. I would have no hesitation in recommending this development as it is both visionary but with practical application.”
Colin McMurray, Vice Principal of Business and Innovation, Forth Valley College shares his experience:
“The Executive Leadership Series was more than just a professional development programme. It was an immersive experience that offered practical tools, fostered deep connections, and transformed the way I view leadership.”
Discover CDN's Leadership and Management Courses here.
| |
|
Effective and Inclusive Blended Learning: Research and Action Event
In June, we partnered with QAA Scotland, Education Scotland, and sparqs to host the Effective and Inclusive Blended Learning event, highlighting key insights from the report The Future of Learning and Teaching, which focused on digital and blended learning strategies.
In response, sector agencies are launching an online resource hub and workshops to support blended learning frameworks.
This event and report have deepened our understanding of blended learning’s role in education, paving the way for continued innovation.
Read 'The Future of Learning and Teaching' report here.
| |
|
#Choose College Campaign
In July, Scotland’s colleges united for the national #ChooseCollege campaign, promoting the value of colleges and encouraging prospective students to choose them. The campaign shared powerful videos, images, and case studies, highlighting how colleges support Scotland’s educational, economic, and community wellbeing. College staff and students were encouraged to join the movement on social media using #ChooseCollege.
Find out more about the campaign here.
| |
|
#EqualityMatters Refresh
We were excited to launch the refreshed #EqualityMatters digest. Now focusing on specific themes, this monthly digest offers key events, information, and resources to help practitioners embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across all activities.
Whether you’re in teaching, professional services, or leadership, the digest supports your development and professional practice in these essential areas.
View #EqualityMatters Digest here.
| |
Our Tertiary Future Conference
On 12 September, in partnership with QAA Scotland, we hosted the Our Tertiary Future Conference, which explored the evolving landscape of education in Scotland.
The event focused on Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF), the benefits of a tertiary, enhancement-led approach to quality, and sessions on the Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) and Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER).
Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for contributing to such a productive day of discussion and collaboration.
STEP
Together with our partner QAA, CDN co-delivers STEP, Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme, engaging staff and students in key projects. In November, we were delighted to launch the STEP website in partnership with QAA, and the first Discovery Day took place in early December.
Find out more about STEP here
| |
Researcher Development Programme
The CDN Researcher Development Programme kick started in October.
This programme follows a critical thinking and design thinking framework, exploring a variety of strategies, approaches, and methods to support research projects.
We invited anyone with a research project (related to TQFE or otherwise), those with ideas for new projects, mentors supporting others in their research, or anyone who simply loves researching to get involved.
Find out more about this exciting programme here.
| |
Celebrating Talent, Innovation, and Success at CDN College Awards
The CDN College Awards took place on Thursday, 14 November, at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow, with over 270 guests. We celebrated the talent, innovation, and success of Scotland’s colleges, staff, and students.
This year saw a record-breaking 163 submissions, showcasing the sector's ambition and excellence. Amy Irons hosted the event, and Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, highlighted the vital role colleges play in shaping Scotland’s future.
The evening featured 14 prestigious awards and entertainment from UHI Perth students, celebrating the diverse talent within Scotland’s colleges. This year also marked the 25th anniversary of the CDN College Awards.
A big thank you to our sponsors and congratulations to all the inspiring winners!
View the Winners here
| |
|
Key Events Driving Personal Growth and Sector Innovation
December kicked off with great energy and a busy end to the year, featuring sessions developed in direct response to your feedback and designed to develop and share best practice and collaboration and to fuel delegates' personal growth.
In partnership with QAA, CDN co-delivered the first Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) Discovery Day to 80 delegates at the Stirling Court Hotel on 4 December. STEP is a new collaborative initiative supporting Scotland’s tertiary sector in innovating quality enhancement. Learn more about STEP here.
On the same day, we also hosted two new online training sessions: The critically important area of Empowering Students: The Fight Against Sextortion and Human Trafficking and the hugely popular Unlocking the Power of Generative AI.
Then, on 5 December, in direct response to feedback from staff across colleges we delivered The Impact of Trauma on Students and the Importance of Supporting Ourselves.
We hope those who attended found these sessions valuable to both their professional and personal lives.
| |
|
Changing Learner Programme
We’re excited to launch the Changing Learner Programme, building on the success of our Trauma-Informed College Programme. This new initiative expands trauma-informed practices and introduces three new focus areas: Promoting Positive Behaviours and Resolving Conflict, Culture and Community, and Staff Wellbeing and Safeguarding.
These new areas are based on insights from CDN’s ongoing work and findings from our Changing Learner Report – read here. The programme includes valuable workshops designed to support colleges in tackling these challenges – find out more about the workshops here.
Learn more here: cdn.ac.uk/the-changing-learner/
| |
Did someone share this email with you? Sign up to receive more of our emails.
| | | | |
