Quality enhancement of learning for staff
We believe that staff development has an essential part to play in the development of a culture of high quality and continuous improvement in every college and university.
Development agencies
We contribute to the support of two key development agencies:
- Scotland's Colleges for the college sector; and
- the Higher Education Academy for the university sector.
College sector
We contract with Scotland's Colleges to provide various services to support quality enhancement of learning and teaching, including:
- preparing and assisting the sector to contribute to the economic and social needs of Scotland;
- serving the ambitions of Scotland's learners and the demands of Scotland's employers; and
- enhancing the sector's national and international reputation.
The relationship between Scotland's Colleges and the SFC is governed by an annual funding agreement.
We also support the Professional Learning and Development Forum (PLDF) Scotland.
The PLDF promotes a culture of professionalism and appropriate learning opportunities for all college sector staff with the ultimate aim of enhancing the student learning experience. SFC is represented on this group which also draws membership form across Scotland's colleges as well as other stakeholder bodies.
University sector
SFC contributes funding to the Higher Education Academy which was set up in 2004 with funding from all UK HE funding councils. The Academy Scotland supports staff in enhancing the quality of their learning and teaching by providing a range of services developed to recognise and support Scotland's distinctive higher education system, including:
- supporting the professional development of individual staff;
- supporting institutions;
- supporting communities of practice through our Subject Centres; and
- contributing to national policy.
The Academy Scotland, based in Edinburgh, receive an annual letter of guidance from SFC which outlines specific priorities for Scotland's universities.