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Friday 4th April 2025
9am – 1pm
Culloden-Balloch Church
Wellside Rd, Balloch,
Inverness IV2 7GS
Use the QR code above to
book or CLICK HERE
Our Speakers – more confirmed shortly
Click on the hotspots for further information
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Actions, emotions and words – getting it right for all of our children
Siân Neil is the Senior Education Officer (SEO) for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) at Education Scotland, the national agency for promoting quality improvement in education. As an SEO Sian leads the organisation’s capacity building work for all parts of the ELC sector.
Siân has almost 40 years experience in ELC. She has worked within a local authority, supporting delivery and improvement in ELC and for 15 years as head in various early learning and childcare settings, working with children aged 0-5 and their families in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Scotland. Throughout her career she has worked closely with community learning and development, social work, health services and other partners.
Siân’s ambition is to make a difference by ensuring that all young children and young people, and their families, have access to the best possible educational opportunities in order to reduce inequity in educational outcomes and improve attainment for all.
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Presentation title: ‘The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock’
James’ ‘happy place’ at work is the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) setting. In deciding the title for his presentation, The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, James drew on his experience as Quality Improvement Officer for the Northern Alliance where he led the development of Emerging Literacy in ELC settings and schools across the north of Scotland. This role confirmed the need for firm foundations in the early years, for the now and for the future.
Currently the head teacher of Cawdor Early Learning and Childcare and Cawdor Primary School,and co-author of the recently published book, ‘Emerging Literacy: Unlocking Instruction for Every Child’, James’ presentation will explore early literacy and mathematics, reflecting on how Cawdor weave together theory, the environment, the role of the adult, the curriculum, National expectations, and documenting children’s learning, to develop an approach which is improving children’s development, learning, and wellbeing.
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Chris has over 20 years of experience in Children’s Services and is currently the owner and manager at FossoPLAY Outdoor Nursery. He was previously the GIRFEC Coordinator for Education in Fife and is a strong advocate for rights based practice within the early years
Siân Neil
Senior Education Officer for Early Learning and Childcare
Education Scotland
James Cook
Head Teacher
Cawdor Primary and ELC
Chris McConnell
Owner/Manager
FossoPLAY Outdoor Nursery
How to find us
Public Transport
Buses
- From Inverness Bus Station in the centre of the town, take the number 5 bus to Balloch
- After about 20 minutes, the bus turns right into the village
- Get off at the first stop and walk up towards the COOP shop
- Take the first lane on your left and after about 50 yards you will see the church on your right
Taxi
Inverness Taxis
01463 222222
Capital Taxis Inverness
01463 808080
A2B Taxis Inverness
01463 807060
By Road
A9 from the south/north
Come of the A9 following the signs for NAIRN and Airport (A96).
Stay on the A96 for 5 miles
Turn Right at Sign for BALLOCH (Barn Church Road)
Take first right
Church is approx 400yds on the right.
There is ample car parking
FURTHER INFORMATION
We will provide a delegate contact list on the day for networking purposes. There will be photography and recording of some aspects of the event for social media – please call our office on 01463 222569 if you wish to opt out of this.