1a. Wellbeing 2, Find Your Strength "Leading Others”: The Wellbeing We Create By the Stories We Tell - Gael Simpson
Every leader tells stories, about themselves, their teams and what is possible. Those stories influence culture, wellbeing, performance and belonging more than we often realise.
In this reflective and thought-provoking session, Gael invites leaders to explore how their beliefs, behaviours and everyday conversations shape the environments in which people work. Through personal insight, practical reflection and leadership experience across education and health, participants will consider how authentic leadership creates psychologically safe, resilient and high-performing teams.
The session encourages leaders to look beyond processes and performance, recognising that the wellbeing of a team is created in the moments between people, the conversations, expectations, boundaries and examples that leaders set every day.
Participants will explore:
- The personal stories and assumptions that influence leadership behaviours.
- How leaders shape organisational wellbeing through culture and connection.
- Building trust, resilience and psychological safety across diverse teams.
- Leading with authenticity, compassion and courage while maintaining high standards.
Participants will leave with renewed self-awareness, practical leadership tools and a deeper understanding of how the leader they choose to become directly influences the wellbeing and resilience of those they lead.
1b. Wellbeing 1, Find Your Strength “Leading Yourself”: Building Resilience Through Movement, Mindset and Recovery - Gael Simpson
Resilience isn't about asking people to simply cope with increasing pressure, it's about creating the conditions where people can perform, recover and flourish.
In this interactive workshop, Gael explores how movement, mindset and recovery form the foundations of sustainable wellbeing at work. Drawing on research, leadership experience and real-life stories, participants will discover practical strategies that strengthen resilience, improve energy and reduce the impact of stress in demanding workplaces.
Taking a holistic approach and considering the connection between our physical, emotional and psychological health, delegates will leave with simple, evidence-informed techniques they can use immediately to support themselves and others.
Participants will explore:
- Why resilience is built through everyday habits rather than extraordinary moments.
- How movement can improve wellbeing, focus and emotional regulation.
- Practical approaches to managing stress, protecting energy and prioritising recovery.
- Small changes that create healthier individuals, stronger teams and more resilient schools.
This workshop is ideal for leaders looking to move beyond wellbeing awareness and towards creating healthier, more sustainable ways of working.
About Gael:
With over 15 years of leadership experience across education (teacher, HT and QIO), and health, I bring a wealth of expertise in mentoring, coaching, and empowering individuals and groups to improve their wellbeing and personal outcomes. My values are grounded in integrity, authenticity, and a person-centred approach, principles that guide every session, programme, and interaction.
Before launching my own business, I served as Lead Specialist in Wellbeing & Growth at NHS Grampian, leading transformative workforce initiatives for over 17,000 staff, with a focus on wellbeing, personal development, and skills-based learning.
Previously, as Quality Improvement Manager with Aberdeen City Council, I led multi-agency projects to enhance health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes, earning local and national recognition for leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
Recognised through awards such as Head Teacher of the Year (Pride of Aberdeen Awards) and finalist for Leading Collaboration (Aberdeen Star Awards), I bring a proven record of inspiring others, strengthening communities, and making a meaningful difference to the people I support.
2. CIC – The latest & feedback
This session will share the latest CIC progress and will provide an opportunity for members to feedback directly to the Education Scotland team about the experience of engaging with materials already shared with the system.
3. Evidence informed practice - Jennifer Hunter, Education Endowment Foundation Scotland
Join the EEF team to explore evidence informed practice through their new Scottish initiative, Education Evidence Scotland. Alongside their Research Evidence Champions, learn more about this new hub for research evidence and the flagship guidance the 'Making a Difference' guide. This session will focus on how you can engage with research evidence to enhance decision making processes and what this looks like in current Scottish practice.
4. Managing and Responding to Challenging Pupil Behaviour - AHDS Area officers
This session will:
- Offer advice on how best to protect your wellbeing and that of your staff/ other pupils.
- Explore health & safety issues/concerns & the importance of risk assessments.
- Reinforce the importance of evidence gathering, recording, and de-briefing.
- Offer practical advice on managing and responding to challenging pupil behaviour.
(This session has been devised with a focus on mainstream settings but will be relevant for both mainstream and ASN settings.)