School News

At Morrison’s Academy, we believe that great teaching starts with great learning. Our teachers are lifelong learners, continually developing their expertise, sharing ideas and leading innovation both within and beyond the classroom.

We are proud to celebrate our Director of Digital Strategy, Pamela Boal, who has once again been invited to share her expertise at the Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) Conference, taking place on Saturday 29 November at the University of Stirling.

This high-profile, teacher-led event brings together computing science educators from across Scotland to collaborate, share practice and advance teaching across the sector. This marks Pamela’s third invitation to contribute to STACS which is a wonderful recognition of her growing leadership and advocacy in the field.

Pamela will lead a series of workshops on the day titled Teach So Brains Can Breathe: Practical Strategies for Neurodiverse Success in Computing Science. Drawing on her experience in the classroom, her work as a Guide Leader and her perspective as a parent of a neurodiverse daughter, she will share practical strategies that help educators reduce cognitive load, offer meaningful choice and create inclusive, supportive learning environments where every pupil can thrive.

“Computing science often attracts a high proportion of neurodiverse learners,” Pamela explains. “Understanding how to meet those learners’ needs through empathy, structure and flexibility is key to helping them succeed, not only academically but personally.”

Her sessions will offer a toolkit of ideas and top tips designed to help fellow teachers make their classrooms more inclusive and responsive to the needs of every learner.

This invitation is a powerful recognition of the advocacy work Pamela has led over the past year both in the classroom and through her wider professional network. She has been sharing insights on neurodiversity, inclusion and wellbeing through LinkedIn and education forums and her voice has become an influential one in Scotland’s computing science community.

While Pamela has spoken at academic conferences before, this event represents a special milestone as it blends her academic expertise with her pastoral passion, reflecting her commitment to the whole child and to inclusive teaching practice.

Pamela’s achievement embodies our school’s Teachers as Learners philosophy – the belief that teaching doesn’t stop with pupils and that teachers who continue to learn are better equipped to inspire, lead and grow. 

At Morrison’s Academy, professional development is embedded in everything we do. From our Teaching and Learning Toolkit and MA Learning Hub, to Learning Walks, Conference Days and our Pioneer Group, our culture of collaboration ensures that every teacher has opportunities to develop and share best practice.

As Pamela’s work shows, when teachers are empowered to pursue their professional passions, whether through conferences, classroom innovation or community leadership, the whole school benefits.

Following the STACS Conference, Pamela hopes to continue expanding her work in this area, with several exciting approaches for future projects and publications already underway. She remains committed to advocating for a more inclusive education system and to raising awareness of neurodiversity within computing science and beyond.

We are incredibly proud of Pamela’s achievement and the example she sets as a lifelong learner, innovator and advocate for inclusion. Her success highlights the power of continuous professional growth and the impact it has on our pupils, our staff and our wider community.