The CPD team

Margaret Alcorn

Margaret has been national CPD Co-ordinator since May 2004. The CPD team aims to lead and support the development of world-class CPD for Scottish teachers. Currently her major area of interest within the team is in the development of leadership at all levels of our education system. 

Prior to this post, she was an English teacher in Edinburgh for 28 years in a variety of posts, and also served as CPD Co-ordinator for City of Edinburgh Education Department for a few years. 

She believes that CPD is important - for teachers, for the children and young people in our schools and for the future economic success of Scotland. Ambitious, excellent schools need teachers who have confidence and competence to deliver the new curriculum. High quality CPD can help achieve this, and she is proud to be in a position to contribute to this agenda.

Con Morris

Con has been a member of the CPD team since December 2005. 

Prior to joining the team, he taught geography and computing studies for more than 20 years, was seconded to the Faculty of Education, Strathclyde University, to help with staff development in IT and was training manager for a CPD company specialising in the delivery of online CPD in ICT. 

His key responsibility in the team is the CPD Scotland project, which aims to provide a one-stop shop for CPD in Scottish education and to encourage the use of Glow and other online tools in the management and delivery of CPD.

Jim Keegans

Jim joined the team from St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian where he was Depute Headteacher and, among other things, assumed responsibility for learning and teaching policy, raising attainment and co-ordination of CPD. 

Within the CPD team his main responsibility is as project manager of Flexible Routes to Headship. This pilot programme, funded by SEED, is designed to offer choice and flexibility for candidates as they progress towards achieving the Standard. 

As project manager, he is involved in developments relating to self-evaluation strategies, emotional intelligence and coaching, which are integral features of the project.

John Daffurn

John is a depute head teacher in Mearns Castle High School in East Renfrewshire. He is the school CPD Coordinator, serves on the Authority CPD Steering Group and worked with HMIe producing an Investors in People guide as part of the Self Evaluation series booklets.  He is currently on a 23 month secondment to the National CPD Team.  The major areas of his remit include developing a partnership with SCSSA, Coaching and Mentoring for Faculty Leaders and Coordinating the CPD Network.  He supports his team colleagues in other areas including Years 2-6, Curriculum for Excellence and the SEED Coaching and Mentoring initiative.