Application Guidelines

Guidelines For Applying For In-service Courses Outwith The In-service Closure Days

• Teachers wishing to attend courses which involve time out of school or expenditure should complete a form ITA. If several teachers from one school plan to attend a course, a form ITB, which is a multiple application form, should be used. ITA and ITB forms are available in all schools.
  

• Headteachers must sign the ITA form, giving their permission for the teacher to attend the course. The ITA form should be forwarded to Rona Macdonald in the Education Development Centre (EDC), Stornoway, for approval by the Adviser with responsibility for staff development.

• Any travel requirements can be arranged by staff in the EDC. Accommodation arrangements should normally be made by the teacher.

• Most of the in-service budget is devolved to schools. It follows that this budget is the most likely source of funding for in-service courses. The smaller regional budget is used for funding courses which teachers are asked to attend as an Authority representative. Headteachers meetings are also supported from the regional budget.

• Postgraduate courses forming part of Continued Professional Development can also be part funded from the regional budget. This is to allow teachers in small schools, with small devolved budgets, to undertake distance learning courses with fees that could not be afforded by the school. A number of teachers are supported each year in this way and the typical pattern is for the regional budget, the devolved budget and the individual to share the cost. Teachers wishing to undertake postgraduate studies should complete an ITA form in the normal way.

• Comhairle policy is that all expenditure must demonstrate "best value". This policy will be applied to all applications for in-service. The result may involve negotiation regarding travel and other arrangements to ensure that resources are used most efficiently and effectively.