DLITE in Highland - student teachers graduate using distance learning programme

3rd July 2016

Photograph of DLITE in Highland - student teachers graduate using distance learning programme

Eleven Highland students graduated as teachers (Saturday 25 June 2016) through the University of Aberdeen in partnership with The Highland Council following an eighteen month distance learning PGDE (Primary) Programme.

The Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education (DLITE) PGDE Primary Programme is completing its second session in June 2016, seeing these students enter their Probation year in Highland schools this August.

Another eight students began the third phase of DLITE in January this year, and will qualify in June 2017.

The strong partnership between the Local Authority and the University of Aberdeen has created DLITE, with opportunities for local people to train to become teachers via distance learning techniques, while remaining in their home towns and current employment.

Bill Alexander, Highland Council's Director of Care and Learning said: "Highland Council is working with its partner authorities in the north to address the shortage of teachers affecting us all. Our partnership with the University of Aberdeen and the creation of DLITE is a very successful way in which we can enhance the profession, by opening doors to people with talent who have a passion for teaching and working with young people."

While the majority of study time occurs through online learning, there are also regular face to face sessions with current Highland practitioners sharing their expertise in subjects such as Literacy, Numeracy, Child Protection, Health and Wellbeing, PE, Smartboards and Blogging through Network Days. Students have also benefitted from days at the University with their Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City student colleagues. The DLITE model follows the same PGDE Primary Programme provided for full time students studying at the University.

Dr Yvonne Bain, Deputy Head of School (Strategic Planning) at the University of Aberdeen said: "DLITE PGDE students are doing incredibly well showing great perseverance and resilience, juggling the many commitments of family life, work and the demands of an intensive part-time study programme to successfully gain the PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education) award to become teachers in Highland.

“The University of Aberdeen is keen to continue building on the positive partnership with Highland Council in order to retain and develop opportunities for teacher education through initiatives like DLITE."

Students who graduated this weekend were: Louise Chisholm from (Ballachullish), Nicola Cope (Barbaraville), Beth Fuller, Roddy Jamieson, Melanie McKay (Inverness), Yvonne Stoddart (Kirkhill, Inverness), Jess MacLennan (Broadford), Siobhan Millar (Invergordon), Sara Riach (Boat of Garten), Ann Stewart (Invergarry) and Catriona Smith (Alness).

For further information on the DLITE Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) visit the University of Aberdeen website at: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/education/partnerships/dlite-pgde-664.php

PHOTO
DLITE PGDE Primary Graduates June 2016 at Highland Council's Headquarters, Inverness (ltor) Bill Alexander Director of Care & Learning, Jessica MacLennan, Siobhan Millar, Yvonne Stoddart, Elizabeth Fuller, Sara Riach, Roddie Jamieson, Ann Stewart, Melanie McKay, Nicola Cope, Catriona Smith and Louise Chisholm.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.  

23/10/2026 : Local Authority

Trading Standards warns of Council Tax refund scam emails

The Highland Council has received reports from customers who have been sent emails containing links to claim an alleged Council Tax refund.   The emails appear to be from a sender describing themselves as the "Council Revenue Authority" team.  

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.