By Dr Paula Christie, Head of Delivery and Engagement at CDN
Over recent months, my work has focused on two major CDN programmes that are now being delivered sector-wide: The Changing Learner Programme and Elevate LT. In this blog, I share why these programmes were developed, how they are being received, and the impact they are already making across Scotland’s colleges.
The Changing Learner Programme
The Changing Learner Programme has been developed as an innovative approach to support colleges across Scotland to create positive and supportive learning environments for all learners. Evolving from our Trauma Informed Colleges programme, the new four-pillar Changing Learner offer equips college teams with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to foster inclusive, safe and supportive spaces.
Our four key pillars are:
• Promoting Positive Behaviour and Resolving Conflict
• The Trauma-Informed College
• Culture and Community
• Staff Wellbeing and Safeguarding
These pillars are deeply interconnected and grounded in trauma-informed values. Feedback from staff at all levels has been overwhelmingly positive. Colleagues have highlighted how the programme provides practical approaches and resources that address the very real challenges of complex learner behaviours and increasing support needs faced every day in our colleges.
Our workshops support both classroom delivery and the work of professional services teams, while the outputs from our diagnostic tools have proved particularly valuable for senior leaders shaping strategy and responding to the changing learner demographic.
The programme also aligns closely with TQEF, addressing enhancement needs identified in SEAPs, and strongly embraces the Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) Enhancement Theme of “Supporting Diverse Learner Journeys.” We are pleased to be co-managing STEP with our colleagues at QAA Scotland, and CDN’s Delivery Partners work closely with STEP project teams to progress activity and improve learner outcomes.
Elevate LT
Elevate LT has been designed and delivered in response to sector requests for enhanced support around Learning and Teaching. We were inspired by the excellent work of Dumfries and Galloway College, led by Phil Storrier and Mandy Wallace, who were early adopters of the Teaching How2 Platform for developing and supporting high-quality learning and teaching.
Building on their experience and working with Teaching How2, we developed a programme of scaffolded support that focuses on positive, developmental peer observations. Launched in September, the programme aims to:
• Support teams to access and embed teaching techniques through the digital Teaching How2 platform
• Strengthen understanding of where Professional Standards meet pedagogy
• Develop a cohort of Advanced Practitioners (APs) skilled in conducting supportive peer reviews using recognised coaching models
• Create a sector-wide network of Elevate LT APs to reflect on learning and share practice
• Embed evaluation as part of reflective and reflexive pedagogy
To date, we’ve delivered four training sessions in preparation for peer observations, which will take place by the end of January 2026. Our AP Collective will meet as a group for the first time in January 2026, marking a key milestone in the programme’s development.
Looking Ahead
Delivering both online and in person, it has been exciting and encouraging to meet so many colleagues committed to transforming practice. We’re delighted to see such strong uptake and cross-college representation on both The Changing Learner and Elevate LT programmes.
We look forward to continuing our engagement with colleagues and partners across the sector and beyond, ensuring that CDN’s enhancement activity remains meaningful, collaborative and impactful.
