Bluecoat EYTC
Annual Conference
Friday 8th May 2015
9:15am - 4:00pm
“Praxis - turning theory into practice to make a
meaningful difference”
We are delighted to announce our third Teaching Centre Annual Conference
Delegates are invited from the south west and beyond to:
 Discover how action research, locally, nationally and internationally impacts on early years pedagogy
 Engage in dialogue with both academic researchers and practitioner researchers about the impact of research on quality of
provision and children’s outcomes
 Participate in informative workshops including the benefits of learning outdoors, provision for two year olds and collaborative
practitioner research.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
< Dr. Margy Whalley
has managed multi-disciplinary early years services in Brazil, Papua New Guinea and
England and was the founding Head of the Pen Green Centre for Under 5’s and their families and has worked there since
1983. She has an MA in Community Education and completed a PhD which focused on Leadership in Integrated Centres.
Whilst on secondment to the Open University she wrote course materials for parents wanting to increase their
knowledge and understanding of child development. She is currently both Director of the Children’s Centre and Director
of the Research, Development and Training Base at the Pen Green Centre and is involved in research, training and
consultancy work.
Professor Sue Rogers >
(PhD, PGCE (Early Years), BA (Hons), Professor of Early Years Education) is Head of the
Department of Early Years and Primary Education at the Institute of Education in London and contributes to a range of courses
including the B.Ed and MA Early Years Education. Research interests include early childhood pedagogy and the early years of
primary schooling, school starting age and play pedagogy. Recent research projects have looked at outdoor pedagogy in
Foundation Stage & Year 1 Classes (ESRC), Role Play in Reception Classes (ESRC) and student & practitioner perspectives on the
Early Years Foundation Stage.
< Philip Waters
Philip Waters is Director of ‘I Love Nature’, a training and consultancy company in Cornwall, a
doctoral student at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, and Play
Project Co-ordinator at the Eden Project, Cornwall. With an interest in children’s fiction and a career of over 18 years
working in various children’s environments, Phil’s research brings together play, narrative and nature within a visual
methodological framework that aims to critically develop a form of praxis called ‘narrative journey’. He is a keen writer,
film-maker and story-maker, and enjoys bringing these elements together in his research with children.
JUST A FEW TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR PREVIOUS CONFERENCES...
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Both workshops were informative and eye opening. I took away inspiration from the lifelong learning
Very well organised with lots of professional dialogue
The whole day was inspirational - very refreshing.
Best course I’ve ever been on - very inspiring!
I enjoyed listening to the key note speakers. It was great to see how the EYFS could be applied in KS1.
Food for thought - really interesting. I will return to school more confident and inspired!
Bluecoat Early Years Teaching Centre . Borough Road . Great Torrington . EX38 7NU
Telephone: 01805 622333 Fax: 01805 624608 Email: [email protected]
Visit our website: www.bluecoat-eytc.org
Follow us on Twitter @BluecoatEYTC
PROGRAMME
From 8:45am
Tea, coffee and muffins on arrival
9:15am - 9:30am
Welcome & Introductions
Kate Tucker
9:30am - 10:15am
Keynote Speech
Practitioners as Action Researchers
Dr. Margy Whalley
10:20am - 11:05am
Keynote Speech
Professional Enquiry in the Early Years: Impact on Pedagogy
Professor Sue Rogers
11:05am - 11:30am
Break and Transition to Morning Workshop
11:30am - 12:30pm
Workshops Option 1 - See Details Below
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm - 2:15pm
Keynote Speech
Cameras, Kids and Playing Out! Practice-based research exploring
children’s playing and learning outside in natural environments
2:15pm - 2:30pm
Transition to Afternoon Workshop - Tea & coffee available
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Workshops Option 2 - See Below
Please use booking form to select
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Evaluations, Summary and Close
Kate Tucker
4:00pm
Tours of the school/centre & professional library are available at 4:00pm Please indicate whether you would
like a tour on arrival. There will also be the opportunity for professional dialogue with Senior Leaders around
Early Years Leadership in the Hall.
Please use booking form to select
Philip Waters
DETAILS OF WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOP A
WORKSHOP B
WORKSHOP C
WORKSHOP D
“In search of the Giant’s
underpants! Storying landscapes
for children’s nature-based play
experiences”
“Developing a framework of
adult pedagogic strategies with
the under 3s”
“Collaborative Practitioner
Research in Outdoor Learning in
Early Years settings”
“Play & Exploring: Improving
Learning Outcomes Through
Action Research”
Led by Philip Waters
Led by Tracy Gallagher
Led by Valerie Huggins
This fun and practical workshop
explores how stories can be used
to engage children in connecting
to the natural world. It looks at
how narrative can be placed in
the landscape as a way of enticing
children
to
explore
their
surroundings using the Narrative
Journey method. It looks at the
practical and theoretical aspects
of what it means to go on a
'quest', and how practitioners can
create their own journey, epic or
mini, days or hours, miles or
metres... You might not find the
giant's underpants, but you'll
have fun looking for them!
In the workshop we will introduce
a two year research in practice
project in which we developed a
framework of Adult Pedagogic
Strategies with a particular focus
on engaging children under three
years of age and observing,
supporting and extending their
learning and development.
Valerie is an Associate Head of the
Plymouth Institute of Education at
Plymouth University. She is an
experienced
Lecturer
in
Early
Childhood Studies, with a lead role in
Early Years teacher education &
professional studies.
A joint project with Bluecoat EYTC &
the Institute of Education”
The project involved parents and
early years practitioners analysing
video observations of adult-child
interactions. This project built on
substantive research project
undertaken form 1997-1999
where the focus was on working
with three to five year olds. The
Pen Green Pedagogical Strategies
Framework was developed to
support continuing professional
development for staff where
video observations of practice are
made to inform peer-peer
dialogue
and
pedagogical
discussion.
In this workshop I will introduce
models
of
collaborative
practitioner research, drawing
upon current theory and my
experience working with a group
of practitioners in Torbay. We will
share ideas about researching
aspects of outdoor learning,
identify potential topics of
interest to you and consider the
practicalities of undertaking
research in a collaborative way.
Led by Professor Sue Rogers &
Kate Tucker
This year Bluecoat EYTC, working
in collaboration with Professor
Sue Rogers, has involved a
number of settings throughout
Devon in action research projects
based on ‘play and exploring’.
In this workshop some of the
practitioners involved will share
their projects. Using photos and
film they will present their
research questions, along with
their findings thus far, and the
impact of this piece of work on
their everyday practice. Sue
Rogers will discuss how a similar
network of research can be
established
in
learning
communities and will answer
questions arising.
BOOKING FORM
Event Title
“Praxis - turning theory into practice to make a meaningful difference” Annual Conference
Date(s) of Course
Friday 8th May 2015
Name of Delegate
Job Title
Organisation
& Address
Contact Number
Email
Dietary Requirements
Other Requirements
WORKSHOPS - OPTION 1
1st
WORKSHOPS - OPTION 2
2nd
1st
Choice Choice
2nd
Choice Choice
Workshop Selections
Workshop A (Philip Waters)


Workshop A (Philip Waters)


Please select your 1st and 2nd
choice for each workshop session
Workshop B (Tracy Gallagher)


Workshop B (Tracy Gallagher)


Workshop C (Valerie Huggins)


Workshop C (Valerie Huggins)


Workshop D (Sue Rogers & Kate Tucker)


Workshop D (Sue Rogers & Kate Tucker)


Workshops will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment
Cost of Course
Payment
£145 per delegate
 I enclose a cheque for the cost of the
 Please invoice for the cost of training.
training. Cheques to be made payable to
Devon County Council
Purchase Order Number (compulsory):
…………………………………………..
Invoice Address
How did you find out about this event?
Have you previously attended training with us? If
so, please give details
CANCELLATION POLICY: Please note that we have a 2 week cancellation policy in place. Any cancellations made within two
weeks of the training date will be subject to a 50% charge of the total cost of booking. Any cancellations made within 48 hours
of the training date, or non-attendance without notice will subject to the total cost of the booking. Cancellations must be
made by email/in writing as shown below. Please return the completed booking form to the address/email shown below as
Bluecoat Early Years Teaching Centre . Borough Road . Great Torrington . EX38 7NU
Telephone: 01805 622333 Fax: 01805 624608 Email: [email protected]
Visit our website: www.bluecoat-eytc.org
Follow us on Twitter @BluecoatEYTC