Education Secretary has joined staff and
teachers to mark the formal launch of the Centre for Teaching
Excellence at the University of Glasgow.
The facility was established to help place Scotland at the
forefront of global teaching practice and will support research
and innovation within the profession. It is founded on the
substantial evidence about the critical role of the teacher in
improving outcomes for children and young people.
The Glasgow base will be complemented by a further two hubs at
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye (Gaelic education) and in Dumfries
(Rural and remote education and learning for sustainability).
There will be up to 40 secondment opportunities for teachers
across the country, to support the work of all three research
hubs.
The Centre has been developed in partnership with teachers and
professional associations as part of ongoing work to reform and
improve Scotland's education system.
Ms Gilruth said:
“I am determined to help improve learning and teaching across the
country to make sure Scotland's children and young people achieve
the best they possibly can.
“The launch of this centre of excellence is a significant step in
our education reform journey. It will work with teachers, to meet
their needs and help them deliver truly excellent learning and
teaching.
“This is why we worked in partnership with teachers and
professional associations to develop the Centre's objectives, to
put Scotland at the forefront of taking innovative research into
teaching practice.
“This facility provides an opportunity for teachers to come
together, collaborate and shape the future of Scottish
education.”
Margery McMahon, Professor of Educational Leadership at the
School of Education and Director of the Centre for Teaching
Excellence said:
“Through the Centre for Teaching Excellence, we are striving to
energise the system and support teachers through professional
learning approaches and high-quality, research-informed resources
and opportunities, to develop further their pedagogical
expertise, help to close the attainment gap and improve
educational outcomes for all children and young people.
“As hosts, it is our hope that we can further develop our
collaboration with teachers and educators, politicians and policy
makers to ensure that Scotland's education system is one that can
truly lead the future's local and global challenges.
“We are delighted to be leading this exciting and important
innovation that has real potential to transform how we do
education in Scotland.”
Background
The Centre, backed by £4 million of Government investment in
2025-26, will support teachers to engage with the best research
and evidence to improve their teaching practice. This will
include learning in relation to areas of priority identified by
teachers, stakeholders and what we know already from a number of
reports on Scottish education.
As well as the existing hubs in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Dumfries,
further hubs are to be established focussing on:
- Pedagogy to support attainment in diverse classrooms
- Innovation in pedagogy to enhance classroom practice
- Digital education and Artificial Intelligence in advancing
pedagogy
