LOCAL teachers are set to benefit from a new scheme that will give them more support in the classroom.

East Ayrshire Council has launched a new programme to help teachers and classroom assistants in primary and secondary schools to embedthe use of formative assessment to improve learning.

Entitled ‘Leading Learning: Improving Pedagogy’ the programme began with masterclasses in Kilmarnock and Cumnock hosted by the globally respected Professor Dylan Wiliam a globally respected academic and an authority on the use of assessment to improve education.

Dylan Wiliam is Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at University College London and has enjoyed working with many groups of teachers.

A range of class teachers, promoted teachers and classroom assistants from across the Council took part in the masterclasses and will follow the subsequent programme of professional learning.

Linda McAulay-Griffiths East Ayrshire Council’s Head of Education said: “I am delighted to formally launch our Improving pedagogy programme which focuses on developing the skills of our teachers and classroom assistants to lead learning in their own schools.

“This approach is in line with the Empowering Schools agenda and recognises the talented workforce we have in East Ayrshire and our commitment to ensuring that opportunities for leadership at all levels are maximised.

“We are honoured to be collaborating with Professor Wiliam and look forward to hearing the key messages from his research around focusing on those strategies that have the most impact on our learners.”