Fairfields Teaching School Alliance Prospectus March—September 2015 Working in partnership with … Northamptonshire County Council Teaching School Karen Lewis (Headteacher) writes … Welcome to our second prospectus since our Alliance re-launch last October. It is not glossy, it is not corporate, it is not full of off-the-shelf, one-size fits all national training packages. It is, instead, full of training and school to school support opportunities which you, our Alliance members, have asked us to organise. We see ourselves as a “cottage industry” teaching school, responding to local need, drawing upon the considerable resources and expertise in our 48 Alliance member schools and using our extensive range of wider local and regional contacts. We do not run our Alliance on the basis of “here is what we are offering, we hope it is what you want, take it or leave it”. Rather, because you have paid your membership fee, we take the opposite approach … “tell us what you want and we will sort it”. So we are pleased that so many of the new training and support opportunities in this prospectus are in response to your requests. The prospectus is split into three sections : Activities exclusive to Alliance members (we call them “free” as a shorthand, but what we mean is that you have already paid for them as part of your membership fee). Watch out for yellow label emails. Activities in our Universal offer to all schools (charged, but usually at a 20% discount to Alliance members) . Watch out for green label emails. A running theme which you will notice when leafing through this prospectus is “partnership”. We are proud that the vast majority of activities in our Universal Offer are run in partnership with other teaching schools, the University of Northampton or NCC. On our own we cannot be all things to all people and our emphasis in our Alliance, as you would expect, is very much on vulnerable learners, inclusion and special educational needs. So by extending our reach and running joint programmes in the true spirit of cooperation, we can be much more effective. We are also being innovative. Consequently, this prospectus offers you news of our sign-up to the School Improvement Exchange web-resource—a central depository for Alliance Schools to outline what they are good at and what they need—in essence, a “dating agency” for school improvement. Also, our Teaching and Learning Seminars have got off the ground over the last few weeks and we are already receiving hugely positive feedback from those schools who have chosen to participate. This ground-breaking model of school improvement—which gets right into the classroom—is something about which we feel very passionate and we are enormously grateful to Sally Manz for taking up the challenge of making the programme live. We hope that there is something in this prospectus for everyone. If there isn’t—you must tell us—we are committed to ensuring you gain the maximum possible benefit from your Fairfields Teaching School Alliance membership over the next few months and into the future. Karen Lewis Exclusive to Alliance Members (1) The majority of activities in this prospectus are exclusive to Alliance members and offered as part of your membership fee. They are CPD and school to school support opportunities that you have asked for and we have been very pleased to organise them on your behalf. Look out for our distinctive yellow label emails giving you regular updates and further information on Alliance member only activities. New New YOUR MOST CHALLENGING LEARNERS TA TRAINING Thursday 21st May 2015 4.00pm-5.45pm or Thursday 25th June 2015 4.00pm-5.45pm SUPPORTING STRUGGLING LEARNERS IN THE CLASSROOM (NOT IN THE CORRIDOR) Venue : Fairfields School, Northampton Wednesday 20th May 2015 1.00pm—3.00pm or Exclusive and free to Alliance members Tuesday 23rd June 2015 1.00pm—3.00pm or Wednesday 16th September 2015 1.00pm-3.00pm You know that pupil in your school who is significantly more challenging than any other pupil … the one who maybe parents, governors (and even your staff) are pushing you to exclude … the one who may be saddled with that perjorative label ADHD … What do you do with them? Venue : The Gateway School, Tiffield Exclusive and free to Alliance members Our Leading SENCos take your TAs through some strategies for engaging pupils in small group teaching, mixed ability and otherwise, including quick and easy Assessment for Learning Book via : [email protected] Book via : [email protected] 01604 777890 01604 777890 WHAT COMES BEFORE READING? New By popular request ... New Wednesday 3rd June 2015 4.00pm-5.45pm HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS : CONSTRUCTING OR REFINING YOUR PROVISION MAP Venue : Fairfields School, Northampton Monday 8th June 2015 1.00pm—3.00pm or Exclusive and free to Alliance members Wednesday 24th June 2015 1.00pm—3.00pm or Tuesday 28th April 2015 4.00pm-5.45pm or Thursday 9th July 2015 1.00pm-3.00pm Venue : Sunley Conference Centre Northampton There are 13 pre-requisite cognitive skills which pupils need in order to learn to read (or count). Beneath these, there are a multitude of earlier developmental skills which build towards these cognitive skills (pre-pre -skills, if you like!) Most children develop these prerequisite cognitive skills in early years (that is what the EYFS curriculum is for) … but what if they don’t? Bring your provision map on your laptop. Our expert team of Leading SENcos will lead you through the mysteries of hyperlinking and costing your map for High Needs Funding applications. Limited to 12 places per session. Book via : [email protected] Book via : [email protected] 01604 777890 01604 777890 Exclusive and free to Alliance members Exclusive to Alliance Members (2) The majority of activities in this prospectus are exclusive to Alliance members and offered as part of your membership fee. They are CPD and school to school support opportunities that you have asked for and we have been very pleased to organise them on your behalf. Look out for our distinctive yellow label emails giving you regular updates and further information on Alliance member only activities. New New GROW YOUR OWN TEACHERS OFSTED READY Monday 27th April 2015 4.00pm-5.45pm or Waiting for the call? Venue : Fairfields School, Northampton Want to know their latest thinking? Exclusive and free to Alliance members SUMMER TERM DATE TBA 4.00pm –5.30pm Do you have someone in your school, with a degree and at least 3 years working experience (not necessarily in education) who you would like to train and retain as a teacher? (Or could you host such a person). If so, School Direct salaried route is for you. Or … could you host a trainee on School Direct tuition only route (supernumerary to your staffing team?) We run School Direct in very successful partnership with the University of Derby. In June, we need to put in our bid for places for 2016-2017. Come to this meeting and find out how to get involved Watch out for flyer Venue : Fairfields School, Northampton Exclusive and free to Alliance members At these twice-yearly meetings, two Ofsted inspectors in our Alliance take you through latest news about the Ofsted inspection criteria. What is the current agenda? What are Ofsted currently looking for? How best can you prepare for a smooth-running inspection? Book via : [email protected] 01604 777890 Book via : [email protected] New SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT EXCHANGE In Partnership with the School Development Support Agency, Leicester City An online resource exclusively for Alliance Schools. A central depository for Alliance Schools to outline what they are good at and what they need—in essence, a “dating agency” for school improvement. Sign-up details available end of March. Watch out for a yellow label email with further details. AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP Next meeting : Monday 2nd March 2015 1.00pm Venue : Headlands Primary School A regular forum for all teachers in our Alliance who are interested learning more about how best to teach and organise provision for pupils with ASD. The group meets to discuss all aspects of managing children’s needs with ASD to include the curriculum, therapies, sensory resources, communication approaches and transition as well as support that is available to parents. The group sets its own agenda and discusses resources, approaches and programmes that have been of use. The focus for the next meeting is moderating profiles. Book via : Alison Dolan (SENCo at Kingsthorpe Grove) [email protected] 01604 714674. Exclusive to Alliance Members (3) The majority of activities in this prospectus are exclusive to Alliance members and offered as part of your membership fee. They are CPD and school to school support opportunities that you have asked for and we have been very pleased to organise them on your behalf. Look out for our distinctive yellow label emails giving you regular updates and further information on Alliance member only activities. DYSLEXIA GETTING THE BEST FROM COACHING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP One day course for teachers Next meeting : Wed 17th June 4.00pm-6.00pm Venue : University of Northampton Exclusive and free to Alliance members This is a forum for teachers in our Alliance who are teaching pupils with dyslexia or who just want to gain more insight and expertise in this area in oder to develop their practice. The intention is that the agenda will be varied and , at some meetings , we will call upon contributions from different experts in the field. This group is jointly chaired by Lesley Tobin (Leading SENCo : Thrapston Primary) and Mary Doveston (University of Northampton). Book via : [email protected] Friday 6th March 2015 9.00am –3.30pm Venue : Fairfields School, Northampton Exclusive and free to Alliance members Led by Lesley Elder (SLE) and Sharon Pancoust (SLE) – both of whom are fully trained coaches in education. Maximum of two delegates per Alliance School. Book via : [email protected] 01604 777890 This course will be repeated in the summer term, if there is sufficient demand. FACILITATED VISITS LIFE WITHOUT LEVELS There is a wealth of expertise across the 48 schools in our Alliance and sometimes the best way of tapping into that is going to have a look. Facilitated exchange visits (not necessarily looking at the same thing) can be a really powerful professional development opportunity and very often can have an immediate impact back in the classroom. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP Eventually, when we have the School Improvement Exchange website all set up, it will be easy for our Alliance Schools to sort these out for themselves. However, for the time being, Michael Thompson (Teaching Schools Manager) is pleased to act as “air traffic control”. If you would like Michael to facilitate a visit, please email : [email protected] Thursday 4th June 2015 4.15pm-5.45pm Venue : Upton Meadows Primary School Exclusive and free to Alliance members 13 of our Alliance Schools met in November. We shared our thinking on assessing progress in relation to the new curriculum. We decided to go away and “do stuff”. Then get back together in June. Please come and share what your school is thinking/developing. New joiners from our Alliance Schools extremely welcome. Book via : [email protected] 01604 777890 Exclusive to Alliance Members (4) Not in PDET package This page is devoted to our Teaching and Learning Seminars - an innovative programme, which is also a research project with the University of Derby. As you will see from the feedback below, the programme has got off to an excellent start. Schools send three teachers (a senior leader, an aspiring leader, a teacher) to their seminar and bring along their “teaching and learning challenge”. This is very much a pilot project and this first round of seminars (spring and summer terms) allows us the opportunity to find out how these will work best … some seminars have been put together based on “common themes”, others based on “disparate themes”. However your seminar is structured, the intention is that your delegates will leave the seminar with a definite mini-action plan and way forward with the challenge you have brought to the table, having had the opportunity to share that in a non-compromising, professional environment. Our Teaching and Learning Seminars are facilitated by Sally Manz of Integritas Learning. TEACHING AND LEARNING SEMINARS It was really good to have time out of school to reflect, be challenged in our thinking and have the opportunity to discuss with Sally. The biggest impact for me has been the way the seeds that were sown at the seminar have prompted further thinking about our challenge in directions I wasn’t expecting, so thank you. Shelly Bramble: Headteacher : Bugbrooke Primary A growth mindset An exploration and a discussion A maze not a road A safe space A professional support network A voyage of discovery An agreed outcome Measurable impact on learning, pupils, leaders and teachers My three colleagues found the session very useful – and feel that they have come away equipped with a strategy to move forward with our challenge. All three – the SLT member, middle leader and less experienced teacher were buzzing with enthusiasm on arrival back to school. They said the session was “brilliant”. My SLT member felt that the facilitation was incredibly strong – he felt that the session had actually been extremely valuable and exemplary coaching on all levels. Every contribution felt valued, and they found it to be a very positive experience to work with two schools we don’t usually work with. I wish I had gone too! Lorraine Schofield : Headteacher : Wootton Primary School It is still not too late to get involved this academic year. Contact [email protected] The teaching and learning seminar was really useful for my staff. Mainly because it gave us high quality thinking time and the opportunity to make some strategic decision making. It was also good to share ideas and suggestions with others. It will be valuable to catch up later on when some of the action plan has been worked upon. I am also looking forward to welcoming Sally to the school (on her follow up visit) so that we can use her expertise! Sue Gardner : Headteacher : Upton Meadows Primary School It was really useful for us – gave my colleagues and me a chance to reflect on what we do, and how we can improve on this. It was also great to speak with colleagues from other schools, who gave us some great ideas which we hopefully reciprocated. Really good to get some quality time to consider a problem and start to reach a solution. Yvonne Watts : Headteacher : Guilsborough Primary School Universal Offer to all schools (1) Our universal offer is our traded CPD and School to School support for all schools. Alliance Schools have a 20% discount on most aspects of the Universal Offer. (Activities marked with an “x” are those for which the discount does not apply). Look out for our distinctive green label emails giving you regular updates and further information on activities in our universal offer ANNUAL INCLUSION CONFERENCE Offered in partnership with NCC The Science of Learning X Friday 13th November 2015 INCLUSION NETWORK MEETINGS Offered in partnership with NCC 5th May : Northampton Saints -always 4.00pm-6.00pm 7th May Kettering Conference Centre Marriott Hotel, Northampton 30th June Kettering Conference Centre For all SENCos + senior leaders + multi-professionals. 2nd July : Northampton Saints £220.00 per delegate (No member discount)* £50.00 non-members. £40.00 members “If teaching is an art, then learning is a science” What is really happening in children’s brains as they learn and develop and how can we optimise conditions for learning? Is it really just chemistry and electricity going on in there? Our SENCos across the County will already be familiar with these half-termly events. This has been, for several years, the Local Authority’s main forum for communicating relevant information to SENCos and offering generic training to them in their important role. Fairfields Teaching School Alliance is now organising these meetings on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council, otherwise nothing about them has changed. National keynote speakers To book, email [email protected] To book, email [email protected] NEWLY QUALIFIED TEACHER PROGRAMME OUTSTANDING TEACHER PROGRAMME Offered in partnership with SWAN Teaching School Alliance and Northampton School for Boys Offered in partnership with Woodland View Primary School Monday 9th March : Time Management 8 week course (not consecutive weeks) Starts 28th April 2015 Monday 20th April : Meeting the Needs of All Learners Northampton venues. £615.00 for full course (Fairfields School 4.00pm-5.45pm) Free to Alliance Members This has been a very successful and well attended programme which was organised very quickly last October to ensure all primary NQTs in the County were on a suitable programme. We fully intend to run the programme again next academic year. Contact [email protected] for further information about next year’s programme. X Led by Lesley Elder and Katie Hicklin – both of whom are Olevi-trained OTP coaches. Please contact Lesley Elder for full details [email protected] 01604 714777 Universal Offer to all schools (2) Our universal offer is our traded CPD and School to School support for all schools. Alliance Schools have a 20% discount on most aspects of the Universal Offer. (Activities marked with an “x” are those for which the discount does not apply). Look out for our distinctive green label emails giving you regular updates and further information on activities in our universal offer SENCO ACCREDITATION SEN GOVERNOR TRAINING Offered in partnership with NCC and The University of Northampton 18th March, 8th July, 14th Oct , 20th Jan (2016) Riverside House, Northampton 6.30pm—8.30pm Fairfields Teaching School Alliance continues to contribute to planning, coordination and teaching of this nationally accredited course. Cohort 7 (40 course members) of the National Award for SEN Coordination are currently half way through the programme. The new SEN Code of Practice states that SENCos must be accredited via this programme within 3 years of being appointed. Recruitment for cohort 8 will open in June 2015 For more information, please contact: [email protected] to apply or telephone Hayley Brown on 01604 893015 Discussion points for SEN Governors to have with SENCos - based on the questions Ofsted would now ask Overview of the SEN Code of Practice as it impacts upon schools Activities/discussion relating to accurate identification of SEN (as it is now defined in the Code of Practice) An overview of provision mapping and clarification about latest guidance on use of individual education plans Booking via : [email protected] SPECIALIST SEN SUPPORT SEN DATA DEVELOPMENT GROUP Within our Alliance we have special schools and SEN units with specific expertise in supporting schools in meeting the needs of vulnerable learners, including pupils with special educational needs. Schools are able to access outreach and inreach advice to support whole-school provision for pupils with autism, communication difficulties, dyslexia and alternative communication needs (Alliance schools 20% discount). Group manual handling training and MIDAS minibus driving training is also available via this route. In partnership with NCC Contact : [email protected] The well established cross-County SEN Data Development Group has representation from all special schools and larger SEN Units. Previously coordinated and chaired by NCC, the group is now overseen by Fairfields Teaching School Alliance, but still working in close partenership with NCC. The County’s access to the CASPA Progress Evaluation programme continues to be jointly coordinated by FTSA and NCC. The SEN Data Development Group is currently pioneering some innovative work on “Life Without Levels … Beyond P8” Our team of LLEs, SLEs and Leading SENcos As a Teaching School, we can commission, on your behalf, the support of Local Leaders in Education, Specialist Leaders in Education and (unique to our Teaching School) Leading SENCos. Interesting word … “commission” … because (again unique among teaching schools) we don’t take it! Although we act as “air traffic control” for our Alliance Schools in fielding your requests, negotiating with you what you may need, and identifying an LLE, SLE or Leading SENCo who may be best placed to support you, it is a direct school to school charge. If you are one of our Alliance Schools, we don’t add a commissioning charge. (Why should we? It’s not much work on our part and we already have your membership fee). So … please do make use of our talented team LLEs : Lorraine Schofield (Wootton Primary), Yvonne Watts (Guilsborough Primary), Chris Scanlan (The Bliss Charity School) SLES : Sharon Pancoust : Literacy (Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School), Nicola Parker : Literacy (Billing Brook School), Tracey Elder : Maths (The Gateway School), Hayley Ilsley : Maths (Billing Brook School) Lesley Elder : SEN (Fairfields School), Gary Avery : Computing (Spring Lane ) Leading SENCOs [* denotes also SLEs] : Heidi Redman* (Little Harrowden Primary), Rachel Creamer* (St Mary’s, Burton Latimer), Margaret Turnbull* (Chiltern Primary), Caroline Farmer* (Abbey Primary), Lesley Tobin* (Thrapston Primary), Sally Humphrey (Roade Primary), Karen Smith (Rothwell Infants), Vanessa Tear (Preston Hedges Primary) Karen Jeffs (Croyland Primary School) Adam Drake (The Parker E-Act Academy). There is a 20% discount on SLE and Leading SENCo support for Alliance Schools. (No discount on LLE support) SLE and Leading SENCo support is £50.00 an hour for non-Alliance Schools, £40.00 an hour for Alliance Schools. To enquire about support from an LLE, SLE or Leading SENco, please contact Michael Thompson : 07467957922 : [email protected] APTGO WHOLE SCHOOL SEN REVIEWS Our Leading SENCo team have been trained to carry out AptGo whole school SEN reviews. The AptGo school effectiveness review materials are produced by the Eastern Leadership Centre, who accredit school improvement professionals to carry out the whole school assessment. Feedback from schools on the usefulness of this process , which is fully referenced to the current Ofsted framework, is extremely positive. AptGo assessments are priced per size of school—please ask your Leading SENCo for further details or contact [email protected] Universal Offer to all schools Our universal offer is our traded CPD and School to School support for all schools. Alliance Schools have a 20% discount on most aspects of the Universal Offer. (Activities marked with an “x” are those for which the discount does not apply). Look out for our distinctive green label emails giving you regular updates and further information on activities in our universal offer NEWLY APPOINTED HEADTEACHER DOWNS SYNDROME SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMME Monday 20th April 4.00 – 5.00pm East Hunsbury Primary School In partnership with Inspire Teaching School and NCC Next sessions Friday 6th March 2015 1.30pm –4.00pm Coaching in School Friday 24th April 1.30pm-4.00pm Your most challenging learners This programme will run again in 2015-2016 for all newly-appointed headteachers across the County. IMPROVING TEACHER PROGRAMME FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS East Hunsbury Primary School—one of our Alliance Schools—have been running a support group for practitioners who are supporting pupils with Down Syndrome in mainstream settings for some time now. Everyone is welcome! The group is an informal opportunity to get together, share expertise and discuss possible solutions to problems you may be facing. There is no charge and you do not have to attend both dates. The group is led by a teacher experienced in working with children with Down Syndrome. Please contact Lucy Ingman : [email protected] NEWLY QUALIFIED TEACHER PROGRAMME (Special Schools) Based on the familiar Improving Teacher Programme but customised for teachers in special schools. In partnership with the University of Northampton and Maplefields Teaching School More details of this programme, which will commence in Autumn Term 2015, will be available in our next prospectus on July. Feedback from special school based attendees to our general NQT programme this year suggested that a more bespoke programme for newly qualified teachers working in special schools might be welcome. Look out, also, for green label emails. This programme is currently This programme is currently in development in development Grow your own teachers !!! School Direct School-based Initial Teacher Training Your opportunity to become involved. In partnership with the University of Derby, … We run School Direct PGCE (Salaried Route) … You employ the teacher as part of your staffing complement (on unqualified teacher rate) … they train while doing the job for a year as a classroom teacher in your school. (You need to factor in that you lose them 2 days per fortnight for the University based training [in Northampton, not in Derby] and you lose them for 5 weeks in Jan/Feb when they go on an alternative placement). But they are your teacher at the end of the programme, already up to speed with your school. You may already have someone in mind! We run School Direct PGCE (Tuition Only Route)… you have the student for the same length of time but they are supernumerary to your staffing complement. They are introduced more gradually to full time teaching. You have no commitment to keeping them at the end of the year but, if they have done well and you have a vacancy, that often happens as, again, you know them and they know your school! SO HOW CAN MY SCHOOL GET INVOLVED IN 2015-2016? SO HOW CAN MY SCHOOL GET INVOLVED IN 2016-2017? By offering a base placement to a tuitiononly route candidate By offering a Spring Term second placement in January 2016 to a tuition-only route candidate (we try to do swops between base placement schools but sometimes, because of geography, we need to turn to a wider group of schools. By taking advantage of a great professional development opportunity … and offering the expertise of your senior middle leaders to teach on the programme (next year, the Alliance is taking more responsibility for teaching the curriculum content elements of the programme) OK, this is crystal ball gazing … but if you think you might be able to offer a salaried route place from September 2016, we would be delighted to hear from you by end of May this year. (You do not have to have your own candidate in mind—salaried route is very popular and attracts the best applicants, so you can help us interview and, together, we can find one for you). We need to know this early because we need to bid for places from the National College (who allocate them) in June. For a conversation about School Direct and how you can help, please contact Michael Thompson : 07467957922 : [email protected] Little Harrowden Primary School Lyncrest Primary School Old Stratford Primary School Pattishall Primary School Roade Primary School FAIRFIELDS TEACHING SCHOOL ALLIANCE. Rothwell Infant School Spring Lane Primary School Strategic Partners Billing Brook School Bliss Charity School Greenfields Specialist School for Communication Preston Hedges Primary School The Gateway School The Good Shepherd Primary School Thrapston Primary School Upton Meadows Primary School Whitehills Primary School Whitehills Nursery School Wootton Primary School West Haddon Primary School Alliance Members : Secondary Schools Alliance Members - The Parker E-Act Academy Primary Schools Abbey Primary School All Saints Primary School Blisworth Primary School Brooklands Farm Primary School Bugbrooke Primary School Byfeld Primary School Chiltern Primary School Clipston and Creaton Primary School Collingtree CEVA School Cosgrove Primary School Cottingham Primary School Croyland Primary School Denfield Park Primary School East Hunsbury Primary School Guilsborough Primary School Hazel Leys Primary School Headlands Primary School Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School Kislingbury Primary School Alliance Members : Special Schools Hospital and Outreach Education Kings Meadow School Maplefields Academy Northgate School Peterborough Diocese Academy Trust Academies Barby Church of England Primary School Braunston Church of England Primary School Great Addington Church of England Primary School Loddington Church of England Primary School Milton Parochial Primary School Ringstead Church of England Primary School Ryhall Church of England Academy St Andrews Church of England Primary School (Kettering) St Barnabas Church of England School St James Church of England Primary School Staverton Church of England Primary School
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