September 2026 - Issue 15
Issue 15 - Friday 25 September 2026
Introduction
Welcome from co-chairs
Another week, another newsletter! There is quite a lot going on at the moment so another newsletter is finding its’ way to your email inbox. Hope that the start of the term is going well for everyone.
The main news this week is surrounding the ECSDN awards – there is a big drum roll moment this week regarding our special guest master of ceremonies. It is very exciting! What we need now though is for you to nominate people – we won’t have an awards ceremony without the people to award to. Please therefore see the link within this newsletter to start your nominations – you have until 9th October
Wishing you a fabulous weekend!
Tanya and Aaron
Tanya and Aaron
ECSDN Awards - 2027
Announcing the ECSDN Awards Master of Ceremonies!
Exciting news! The legendary Konnie Huq is set to host the ECSDN Awards 2027. Join us to celebrate excellence, impact, and inspiration. Stay tuned for more details! #ECSDNAwards2027 #KonnieHuq
Ready to make your move? Explore all available award categories and check out the full criteria here.
The nomination portal is officially open! Submit your entries today right here.
New GPC ’26 Lecturer Resources Now Available!
Dear Colleagues,
We are delighted to share that a new collection of Graduate Practitioner Competency (GPC) Lecturer Resources is now available via the ECSDN website.
These resources can be accessed from the ECSDN homepage by navigating to:
Graduate Practitioner Competencies (in the drop down side menu) → GPC ’26 Lecturer Resources (directly on the page near the top).
Alternatively, you can access the resources directly here:
The resource bank brings together a range of exemplars generously shared by network member universities, including practical examples of:
GPC workbooks and student tracking materials
Placement and mentor handbooks
Placement documentation and induction materials
Tutor observation forms
Evidence mapping examples
Student experience agreements
Examples of developing evidence portfolios
As we continue our transition to the revised 2026 Graduate Practitioner Competencies, please note that some examples refer to the previous GPC framework, while others reflect the new GPCs. We have chosen to include both sets of materials because they provide valuable illustrations of different approaches being used across the sector. We ask colleagues to bear this crossover in mind during the current transition period.
Importantly, these resources are provided as exemplars only. They are intended to inspire ideas, stimulate discussion, and support curriculum development. There is no expectation that universities should replicate or adopt these approaches directly. Each institution must ensure that any adaptations align with its own policies, procedures, quality assurance processes, and university regulations.
We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all of the universities that have generously shared their resources with the network. With special thanks to:
 | University of Northampton |
 | Oxford Brookes University |
 | The University of Gloucestershire |
 | Lincoln Bishop University |
If you do have any questions or queries, please do reach out to the network:
Many Thanks,
Sam Hoyes and Verity Campbell-Barr
A Fair Start for Every Child - Strategy Document (Start Strong, 2026)
Start Strong has launched its core strategy to ensure every baby and young child in the UK has a good early childhood, aiming to end entrenched inequalities from pregnancy up to age five. Recent data reveals deep disparities across the nation, showing that 27% of UK children live in poverty, development gaps by age 5 continue to widen, and systemic challenges like poor housing and inadequate parental support disproportionately affect families. To transform systems and properly back parents, Start Strong is focusing its efforts on three interconnected levels:
1) changing the story by shifting public mindsets around early childhood.
2) mobilising a broad movement by bringing together families and communities.
3) supporting bold action to encourage governments to invest in long-term infrastructure and effective local services.
Looking ahead, the initiative will feature upcoming narrative change research and a National Citizens' Assembly in Autumn 2026 to help shape a shared national vision. You can visit startstrong.org.uk to join the movement.
Leadership Updates and Welcomes at the ECSDN
We are thrilled to announce several exciting leadership updates across our strategy groups, welcoming new faces to key roles while celebrating members stepping into broader network-wide responsibilities.
Sustainability Strategy Group
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Emma Ransome (Birmingham City University) as the new Vice Chair of the Sustainability Strategy Group, joining Kerrie Lee. Emma brings extensive experience in higher education, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead for Teaching and Learning, with research expertise spanning sustainability in higher education, educational equity, and curriculum innovation.
Emma kindly steps into the Vice Chair position previously held by Dr. Angela Scollan, who has moved into a new and vital leadership role as Deputy Chair of the ECSDN.
Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy Group
We are also excited to welcome Dr. Zoe Lewis (also from Birmingham City University), who has kindly stepped into the Vice Chair role on the Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy Group. Zoe is a Senior Lecturer in Early Years and leads the undergraduate Early Childhood Studies course. Her academic work focuses heavily on early childhood education, creative pedagogies, and outdoor learning environments.
Zoe takes over the position vacated by Dr. Eva Mikuska. We extend our deepest gratitude to Angela and Eva for their years of dedicated service and leadership to the Sustainability and Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy groups respectively.
Please join us in congratulating Emma, Zoe, and Angela on their new roles, and thanking our outgoing vice chairs for their invaluable contributions!
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