Scots Language Programme awarded GTCS Professional Recognition

The Open University (OU) in Scotland’s Scots Language and Culture Teacher Professional Learning Programme has been granted Professional Recognition in Teaching Scots Language and Culture by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). This accreditation highlights the programme’s quality and its contribution to professional development in Scotland’s education sector.

Recognising excellence in Scots education

The GTCS accreditation process concluded on 3 December 2024, with the programme receiving unconditional recognition for five years. The panel praised the initiative’s robust structure, practical application, and focus on supporting teachers to develop and share their learning with colleagues and students.

The GTCS panel said about the programme's accreditation:

“The coherent partnership between the practising teacher, the Open University and Education Scotland brings real benefit to the professional learning programme. The depth, passion and enthusiasm of the programme leaders supporting this came across strongly in the presentation and professional dialogue with the panel.”

Supporting Scotland’s teachers

The programme, created in partnership with Education Scotland, equips teachers with tools to incorporate Scots language and culture into their teaching. It combines reflective professional learning with practical applications, enabling teachers to plan, implement, and evaluate their approaches in real classroom settings.

It underscores the value of Scots language and culture in education and highlights the dedication of teachers who are enriching their classrooms with Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.”
Sylvia Warnecke, The Open University

Participants benefit from an accessible and flexible structure, with features such as recorded sessions, extended deadlines, and tailored support to fit around their professional and personal commitments. The programme’s nationwide reach has facilitated collaboration across diverse educational settings, fostering innovative approaches to teaching Scots language and culture.

A milestone for OU Scotland

Sylvia Warnecke, Senior Lecturer and Associate Head of School Students and Nations in the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, expressed her pride in the GTCS recognition and emphasized the programme’s importance:

“Receiving this professional recognition is a significant milestone. It underscores the value of Scots language and culture in education and highlights the dedication of teachers who are enriching their classrooms with Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.”

Recognised in the Scottish Parliament

The significance of the GTCS accreditation was also highlighted in the Scottish Parliament, where Emma Harper MSP lodged a motion, congratulating the OU on this achievement. The motion reads in part:

“The Parliament recognises and congratulates the Open University (OU) in Scotland on being officially awarded professional recognition by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) for its professional learning programme, Teaching Scots Language and Culture. The GTCS, which undertook a robust and thorough examination of the OU course, said that ‘The coherent partnership between the practising teacher, the Open University and Education Scotland brings real benefit to the professional learning programme.”

Building on success

This accreditation follows the programme’s recent win as Scots Education Project of the Year at the 2024 Scots Language Awards. The GTCS panel also made recommendations for future enhancements, including gathering more feedback from learners and communities, exploring opportunities for Masters-level accreditation, and expanding the programme’s impact across Scotland and beyond.

10 December 2024