Pedagogy in Practice (PiP)

Published 10/06/2026.  Last updated 26/08/2026

The national Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) prototype programme promotes high-quality pedagogy as a core professional skill, empowering practitioners to critically reflect on and strengthen their pedagogical approaches in everyday practice. 

The Pedagogy in Practice programme aims to support practitioners across Scotland to develop a deep understanding of themselves as professionals and of the contexts in which they work. It aims to empower them to make effective, evidence-informed pedagogical decisions that respond to the needs of the learners, apply these decisions confidently in practice and lead improvements in learning, teaching and assessment. 

Co-designed with a range of partners, including Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), primary, secondary, additional support for learning and community learning and development practitioners across Scottish education. The Pedagogy in Practice programme builds on national priorities including the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, National Improvement Framework, and wider Education Scotland professional learning. 

The Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) programme is being delivered as a prototype national programme for academic year 2026 to 2027. This means we are working collaboratively with participants to test, refine and improve the content, structure and delivery model. Feedback from this cohort will directly inform future iterations. 

The Pedagogy in Practice programme is designed for practitioners across Scotland at all stages of their career who want to strengthen their understanding and application of pedagogy in practice.

This includes practitioners working in: 

  • ELC settings
  • primary and secondary schools
  • additional support for learning

The programme is suited to those who: 

  • want to strengthen their understanding of pedagogy
  • are interested in critically reflecting on their pedagogical style, including the values, beliefs and experiences that shape their practice
  • seek to improve learning, teaching and assessment
  • want to develop confidence in using evidence-informed approaches
  • are committed to equity and closing gaps in learning
  • are motivated to apply learning in practice and contribute to improvement in their setting

You do not need to hold a formal leadership role to participate but you should be willing to engage actively in professional dialogue and apply your learning in your own context.

To successfully complete the programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all core in-person and online sessions 
  • engage in professional reading and self-directed learning between sessions 
  • complete reflective tasks linked to their pedagogical practice 
  • apply learning within their own context 

Participants who complete the required elements will receive a certificate of completion from Education Scotland. 

Throughout the programme, you will: 

  • engage with research and evidence on high-quality pedagogy 
  • deepen your understanding of your professional identity, values and beliefs 
  • explore practical approaches to improving learning and teaching 
  • collaborate with peers from across Scotland 
  • contribute to a national professional learning community 

The PiP programme uses a blended learning approach, combining in-person sessions, live online learning and self-directed activities. 

The programme is delivered through a blend of: 

  • face to face sessions as part of a national cohort 
  • live online sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams 
  • collaborative learning and professional dialogue 
  • a national sharing and celebration event at the conclusion of the programme

The programme is built across 3 phases. Attendance at all planned sessions is mandatory: 

Phase 1: The gateway session  

A full day, in-person session exploring the foundations of effective pedagogy. Participants will engage with research and consider how pedagogy can be enacted across different settings. 

Phase 2: The building blocks 

Participants will engage in a series of 5 online sessions exploring:  

  • differentiation and adaptive teaching 
  • pace and challenge 
  • dialogue and feedback 
  • questioning 
  • metacognition 

Phase 3: Subject and context specific pedagogy 

This phase is self-directed and focused on individual next steps. Participants will engage with existing Education Scotland resources tailored to their context. Over time, this offer will expand to support the ‘how’ of The Curriculum Improvement Cycle. 

Final recall day 

The programme concludes with an in-person mandatory day for: 

  • sharing practice 
  • collaborative reflection 
  • programme evaluation 
  • celebration of learning 

Participant expectations

Participants are expected to: 

  • commit to all three phases of the programme consisting of in-person and online sessions with the support of their line manager  
  • engage in self-directed reflection and professional reading  
  • critically reflect on their own pedagogical practice, including completing reflective tasks 
  • engage in professional dialogue within their setting and/or learning community 
  • collaborate with peers as part of a national professional learning network 
  • apply learning in their own context through identified changes to practice 
  • ensure access to a reliable device with a camera and microphone, internet connection and the ability to access online platforms such as Microsoft Teams

The Education Scotland Code of Conduct for Professional Learning events supports respectful, inclusive and professional engagement across all programme activities. It should be read by all participants before attending the Phase 1 gateway session.

The Pedagogy in Practice programme will run over September 2026 to June 2027.

Gateway Days: face-to-face, mandatory

Date: Tuesday 22 September (Glasgow) or Thursday 24 September (Dundee)
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm

Building Blocks Sessions: Online, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Session 1: Wednesday 11 November 2026 or Thursday 12 November 2026
Session 2: Wednesday 13 January 2027 or Thursday 14 January 2027
Session 3: Wednesday 17 February 2027 or Thursday 18 February 2027
Session 4: Wednesday 17 March 2027 or Thursday 18 March 2027
Session 5: Wednesday 21 April 2027 or Thursday 22 April 2027

Sharing event: In Person, 10:00am to 3:30pm

Glasgow: Wednesday 9 June 2027 or
Dundee: Wednesday 16 June 2027

Applications for the Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) prototype programme will open on 20 August 2026.

Before applying you must be able to:

  • attend all 3 phases of the programme
  • have approval from your Headteacher (or line manager) to be released on the dates above before applying
  • understand the commitment required for a national programme

Participant criteria

The Pedagogy in Practice programme is designed to support practitioners in strengthening their practice and deepening their understanding of effective pedagogy across a range of educational contexts and settings. As a prototype programme, it also offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to its ongoing development.

To ensure participants can fully engage and benefit from the experience, applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • applicants should have completed at least 1 full year of teaching or educational practice prior to applying
  • participants should be motivated to reflect on and enhance their own pedagogical practice
  • as this is a prototype programme, participants are expected to actively provide feedback and will be invited to help shape the future design and direction of the programme
  • this programme is open to practitioners working in ELC settings, Primary schools, Secondary schools and Additional Support Needs education

Selection approach

As places on the programme are limited, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced and representative cohort. This may include considering the distribution of participants across different sectors and settings to support a rich and diverse learning experience. 

We are also committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of the selection process, we will take steps to support participation from individuals with protected characteristics and may reserve places to help ensure these voices are meaningfully represented within the programme. 

How to apply

To apply for this programme:

  1. Discuss your participation with your headteacher (or line manager) and secure approval for release on all programme dates.
  2. Confirm your availability for all core sessions.
  3. Register for a place on the PiP programme

Application dates

Applications open: 20 August 2026

Application deadline: 4 September 2026

Places are limited. A balanced national cohort will be selected across sectors and roles.

Important information 

As this is a Scottish Government-funded programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all identified sessions
  • fully engage in programme activity
  • contribute to evaluation and feedback

Completing the programme

By completing this programme, you will:

  • deepen your understanding of your own practice and professional identity 
  • deepen your understanding of high-quality pedagogy and its impact on learners 
  • strengthen your ability to make informed pedagogical decisions 
  • build confidence in evaluating and adapting your practice 
  • contribute to improvements in learning, teaching and assessment within your context 
  • develop an action plan or identified next steps for ongoing professional learning

Participants who submit their reflective tasks will also receive a certificate of completion. 

Application queries

For application queries, please contact the CIC mailbox.

If applications are closed and you would like to be notified about future cohorts or related professional learning opportunities, please join our professional learning community.
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Pedagogy in Practice (PiP)

Published 10/06/2026.  Last updated 26/08/2026

The national Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) prototype programme promotes high-quality pedagogy as a core professional skill, empowering practitioners to critically reflect on and strengthen their pedagogical approaches in everyday practice. 

The Pedagogy in Practice programme aims to support practitioners across Scotland to develop a deep understanding of themselves as professionals and of the contexts in which they work. It aims to empower them to make effective, evidence-informed pedagogical decisions that respond to the needs of the learners, apply these decisions confidently in practice and lead improvements in learning, teaching and assessment. 

Co-designed with a range of partners, including Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), primary, secondary, additional support for learning and community learning and development practitioners across Scottish education. The Pedagogy in Practice programme builds on national priorities including the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, National Improvement Framework, and wider Education Scotland professional learning. 

The Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) programme is being delivered as a prototype national programme for academic year 2026 to 2027. This means we are working collaboratively with participants to test, refine and improve the content, structure and delivery model. Feedback from this cohort will directly inform future iterations. 

The Pedagogy in Practice programme is designed for practitioners across Scotland at all stages of their career who want to strengthen their understanding and application of pedagogy in practice.

This includes practitioners working in: 

  • ELC settings
  • primary and secondary schools
  • additional support for learning

The programme is suited to those who: 

  • want to strengthen their understanding of pedagogy
  • are interested in critically reflecting on their pedagogical style, including the values, beliefs and experiences that shape their practice
  • seek to improve learning, teaching and assessment
  • want to develop confidence in using evidence-informed approaches
  • are committed to equity and closing gaps in learning
  • are motivated to apply learning in practice and contribute to improvement in their setting

You do not need to hold a formal leadership role to participate but you should be willing to engage actively in professional dialogue and apply your learning in your own context.

To successfully complete the programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all core in-person and online sessions 
  • engage in professional reading and self-directed learning between sessions 
  • complete reflective tasks linked to their pedagogical practice 
  • apply learning within their own context 

Participants who complete the required elements will receive a certificate of completion from Education Scotland. 

Throughout the programme, you will: 

  • engage with research and evidence on high-quality pedagogy 
  • deepen your understanding of your professional identity, values and beliefs 
  • explore practical approaches to improving learning and teaching 
  • collaborate with peers from across Scotland 
  • contribute to a national professional learning community 

The PiP programme uses a blended learning approach, combining in-person sessions, live online learning and self-directed activities. 

The programme is delivered through a blend of: 

  • face to face sessions as part of a national cohort 
  • live online sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams 
  • collaborative learning and professional dialogue 
  • a national sharing and celebration event at the conclusion of the programme

The programme is built across 3 phases. Attendance at all planned sessions is mandatory: 

Phase 1: The gateway session  

A full day, in-person session exploring the foundations of effective pedagogy. Participants will engage with research and consider how pedagogy can be enacted across different settings. 

Phase 2: The building blocks 

Participants will engage in a series of 5 online sessions exploring:  

  • differentiation and adaptive teaching 
  • pace and challenge 
  • dialogue and feedback 
  • questioning 
  • metacognition 

Phase 3: Subject and context specific pedagogy 

This phase is self-directed and focused on individual next steps. Participants will engage with existing Education Scotland resources tailored to their context. Over time, this offer will expand to support the ‘how’ of The Curriculum Improvement Cycle. 

Final recall day 

The programme concludes with an in-person mandatory day for: 

  • sharing practice 
  • collaborative reflection 
  • programme evaluation 
  • celebration of learning 

Participant expectations

Participants are expected to: 

  • commit to all three phases of the programme consisting of in-person and online sessions with the support of their line manager  
  • engage in self-directed reflection and professional reading  
  • critically reflect on their own pedagogical practice, including completing reflective tasks 
  • engage in professional dialogue within their setting and/or learning community 
  • collaborate with peers as part of a national professional learning network 
  • apply learning in their own context through identified changes to practice 
  • ensure access to a reliable device with a camera and microphone, internet connection and the ability to access online platforms such as Microsoft Teams

The Education Scotland Code of Conduct for Professional Learning events supports respectful, inclusive and professional engagement across all programme activities. It should be read by all participants before attending the Phase 1 gateway session.

The Pedagogy in Practice programme will run over September 2026 to June 2027.

Gateway Days: face-to-face, mandatory

Date: Tuesday 22 September (Glasgow) or Thursday 24 September (Dundee)
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm

Building Blocks Sessions: Online, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Session 1: Wednesday 11 November 2026 or Thursday 12 November 2026
Session 2: Wednesday 13 January 2027 or Thursday 14 January 2027
Session 3: Wednesday 17 February 2027 or Thursday 18 February 2027
Session 4: Wednesday 17 March 2027 or Thursday 18 March 2027
Session 5: Wednesday 21 April 2027 or Thursday 22 April 2027

Sharing event: In Person, 10:00am to 3:30pm

Glasgow: Wednesday 9 June 2027 or
Dundee: Wednesday 16 June 2027

Applications for the Pedagogy in Practice (PiP) prototype programme will open on 20 August 2026.

Before applying you must be able to:

  • attend all 3 phases of the programme
  • have approval from your Headteacher (or line manager) to be released on the dates above before applying
  • understand the commitment required for a national programme

Participant criteria

The Pedagogy in Practice programme is designed to support practitioners in strengthening their practice and deepening their understanding of effective pedagogy across a range of educational contexts and settings. As a prototype programme, it also offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to its ongoing development.

To ensure participants can fully engage and benefit from the experience, applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • applicants should have completed at least 1 full year of teaching or educational practice prior to applying
  • participants should be motivated to reflect on and enhance their own pedagogical practice
  • as this is a prototype programme, participants are expected to actively provide feedback and will be invited to help shape the future design and direction of the programme
  • this programme is open to practitioners working in ELC settings, Primary schools, Secondary schools and Additional Support Needs education

Selection approach

As places on the programme are limited, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced and representative cohort. This may include considering the distribution of participants across different sectors and settings to support a rich and diverse learning experience. 

We are also committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of the selection process, we will take steps to support participation from individuals with protected characteristics and may reserve places to help ensure these voices are meaningfully represented within the programme. 

How to apply

To apply for this programme:

  1. Discuss your participation with your headteacher (or line manager) and secure approval for release on all programme dates.
  2. Confirm your availability for all core sessions.
  3. Register for a place on the PiP programme

Application dates

Applications open: 20 August 2026

Application deadline: 4 September 2026

Places are limited. A balanced national cohort will be selected across sectors and roles.

Important information 

As this is a Scottish Government-funded programme, participants are expected to: 

  • attend all identified sessions
  • fully engage in programme activity
  • contribute to evaluation and feedback

Completing the programme

By completing this programme, you will:

  • deepen your understanding of your own practice and professional identity 
  • deepen your understanding of high-quality pedagogy and its impact on learners 
  • strengthen your ability to make informed pedagogical decisions 
  • build confidence in evaluating and adapting your practice 
  • contribute to improvements in learning, teaching and assessment within your context 
  • develop an action plan or identified next steps for ongoing professional learning

Participants who submit their reflective tasks will also receive a certificate of completion. 

Application queries

For application queries, please contact the CIC mailbox.

If applications are closed and you would like to be notified about future cohorts or related professional learning opportunities, please join our professional learning community.
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