South Essex Teaching School Alliance

MARCH NEWSLETTER
PARTNERSHIP BOARD
Since the last newsletter we have welcomed another 15 schools to the Alliance: Barons Court Primary School & Nursery Chalkwell Hall Infant School Eastwood Primary School & Nursery Futures Community College Grove Wood Primary School Hamstel Infant School & Nursery Leigh Infant School Priory School & The Renown Richmond Avenue Primary School St Georges Catholic Primary School St Helens Catholic Primary School Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Southend High School for Boys Thorpedene Primary School Cecil Jones College We are delighted that we have increased our membership to over 50 organisations in a very short space of time. It is important that SETSA is structured in a way which reflects this rapid growth to ensure that we maximise communication, remain efficient and remain effective for all our members. We continue to work with you to agree a structure which will meet the needs of the organisation and ensure all parties have an opportunity to benefit from the opportunities that arise throughout the year. and administrator for the Southend base and looking forward to opening in September.

Myscience ITT Courses

As part of the MyScience Pilot Project it is pleasing to note that 3 days of Science will be delivered to the present cohort of Primary ITT Students. This will enhance their knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence in delivering Primary Science lessons. The dates are 15 May, 14 June and 9th July.

Secondary
So far over 45 potential trainees have been interviewed and 22 offers for training places have so far been made. Many thanks need to go to schools who have allowed applicants to teach their students and to coordinators who have given their time to the interview process. It is the involvement of colleagues which has made our selection process so thorough. It is pleasing to note that our procedures are being held up as a model of good practice by the Teaching Agency. Our allocation of places in Art, PE, English, Music and History are full. Unfortunately we have yet to offer a Maths place and have vacancies in Chemistry (2), Physics (4), Geography (1), MFL (1) and RS (1). The ITT coordinators from partner schools have been working together along with Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) to devise a programme which complies with all the requirements of the CCCU PGCE but with tailor made elements to suit Southends needs. Southend is very lucky in the high level of expertise amongst the ITT coordinators, which should translate into an exciting and innovative programme of training.

INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING UPDATE

Primary
We are delighted with the responses from Southend schools. The vast majority of schools in the area have now agreed to work with us and those who have not done so should complete the partnership agreements circulated this week. We are now almost fully recruited for Southend with a very strong cohort so we will be asking schools for the number of trainees they can take towards the end of this term. The base at Darlinghurst is secured, we are currently recruiting a programme leader

SCHOOL-TO-SCHOOL SUPPORT

School Leadership for a Self-improving System

In November 2012, the National College held a seminar in Nottingham with influential school leaders, policy makers, government officials and other stakeholders to consider the progress towards achieving a selfimproving education system in England.

Some quotes from the paper produced as a result of this seminar are as follows: The best leaders are working to build robust partnerships between schools so that teachers learn from and with each other; and capacity is shared so that pupil outcomes are improved. Some schools gain significantly from the enhanced continuing professional development (CPD), the sharing of expertise and peer evaluation and challenge that comes from working with other schools The self-improving system does not yet exist at a national level. However, there are small sub systems, largely built around teaching school alliances, chains and federations, proving that it is possible The full document can be accessed on the National College Website http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk (Title: School leadership for a self-improving system: seminar report) System Leadership is central to Southend-on-Seas overall vision of a self-improving system, where the Local Authority, South Essex Teaching School Alliance, schools, academies and childrens centres take collective responsibility for leading, co-ordinating and delivering sustainable school improvement. This area is developing on a number of fronts: NLG, NLE, LLE, SLE, AST (shortly to be replaced by Teaching & Learning Practitioner - TLP) and Executive Headship Programme. This work will be carried out jointly by the LA and SETSA. All work will be commissioned by SETSA. The LA will act as broker and deploy leaders according to need and demand. SETSA will provide the Quality Assurance. Further details can be obtained on the SETSA website www.setsa.info

We are looking for leaders in the following areas: Primary: Literacy, Maths, Phonics, Science Secondary: English, Maths, Science All Through: School Business Management and Financial Management. Details of how to apply are on the NCSL Website: https://www.nationalcollege.org.uk (Applications are nd invited from 1st May 2013 -22 May 2013). If you have a teacher that you are keen to support through this process and you want to discuss this in more detail then please contact David Struthers on 01702 509365 or email st-david.struthers@whsg.info.

Teaching and Learning Practitioners

We are looking to introduce TLPs to replace the existing ASTs. We aim to appoint 7 for the academic year 201314. They will be available for 1 day per week throughout the year. Recruitment will take place in the next few weeks to enable schools to plan their timetables accordingly. Schools that lose their teacher for 1 day per week will be funded (similar to the arrangement used for ASTs). These appointments will be for the Academic Year 2013-14. We are looking for TLPs from the following areas: Primary: Maths, Literacy Secondary: Maths, English, Science All Through: SEN, MFL They will work with Classroom teachers on improving delivery of lessons, planning and developing resources.

IMPROVING TEACHERS PROGRAMME & OUTSTANDING TEACHERS PROGRAMME

We have so far trained 3 facilitators for these programmes: Helen Burns from SHSB, Charley Long from WHSG and Gail Fairfax from WHSG. They will be running their first Improving Teachers Programme in June & July for teachers from their home schools. They will then run a course in the Autumn Term for teachers from other schools within SETSA. We are now in the process of training up 3 more facilitators for this area. We are hoping to organise a course in the summer term and are looking for 3 teachers from primary schools to become facilitators.

Specialist Leader of Education

The SLE role focuses on building the leadership capacity of middle and senior leaders in other schools so that they can lead their own teams and improve practice within their own schools. We are keen to boost our number of SLEs. We have 3 at the moment but would like to increase this number to 10 in the next application round.

If you have got an outstanding teacher in your school who would be interested in becoming a facilitator please let us know: st-emma.emmerton@whsg.info.

TALENT MANAGEMENT AND SUCCESSION PLANNING

Deputy Heads Conference

Eight of our Deputy Heads attended a conference in th Thurrock on Thursday 28 February. This is the first in a series of events that we are organising in conjunction with Thurrock and Essex. The aim is to provide opportunities for leaders and future leaders to prepare for the next step up the promotion ladder. As part of this programme we are offering a 3 Day Aspiring Leaders Coaching and Mentoring course. This course will enable aspiring leaders to consider the place of coaching and mentoring in schools. Further courses will be advertised in due course.

The pupils have met once at WHSG where they spent the day working on their maths skills with their teachers, Ed Tsang and their Sixth Form Mentors. It was a highly successful day and will be repeated in April.

CPD

RE Body & Soul Conference

On 28 January SETSA hosted The Body & Soul RE Conference, presented by Fiona Moss from RE Today and Janet Dyson. This was a great success, with over 40 attending from 5 local Primary schools.
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TEACHERS PAY AND CONDITIONS BRIEFING

To help guide schools through the proposed changes to Teachers Pay & Conditions we have secured the services of Nikki Harris from Essex HR to lead a briefing on the proposals and the subsequent implications for schools. The briefing will be held at the Tickfield Centre on th Monday 15 April 2013 at 12.45 for a 1pm start. The session will finish at 3pm. To book your places please email st-emma.emmerton@whsg.info. This briefing is appropriate for Headteachers, SLT, Bursars and Business Managers.

Teach Meet
The first Teach Meet Southend event will be taking th place at Blenheim Primary School on Tuesday 26 March, 4.30-6pm (refreshments at 4pm). Join this free CPD event to share teaching and learning ideas across phases from Early Years to Key Stage 3. There will be several presentations by teachers of areas of teaching or learning that have had an impact in the classroom. To book your place go to: http://www.carillonstrategic.co.uk/courses/info/teachm eet-southend-car1183

MATHS KS2 REVISION WORKSHOPS

A successful bid to the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Maths (NCETM) for 5000 has resulted in 6 primary schools (Leigh North Street, Chalkwell Hall Junior School, Fairways Primary, Thorpe Greenways, Earls Hall and Barons Court) undertaking a project led by Ed Tsang, AST Maths at WHSG. This project aims to ensure all students that have the potential to achieve level 6 in maths actually realise their potential. A group of sixth-form mathematicians from Westcliff High School for Girls have been trained as mentors to the cohort of mainly Year 6 pupils. A virtual learning platform has been set up.

CPD - MYSCIENCE PROJECT

This project is now underway. South Essex has a massive opportunity to secure funding for future years, to promote high quality CPD in STEM subjects: 26 March 2013 (Ref: EEC12031) Leading Professional Development in Science Education 25 April 2013 (Ref: EEC12019s) Practical Work in Physics Further details are available on the SETSA website: http://www.setsa.info/nslc-secondary-spring-sciencecpd-courses.html

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

reaffirmed belief in creativity and need for developing learners and thinkers, knowing that supporting teachers/practice are key. Explanation for why the improvement in teaching was essential A process for empowering teachers to improve their practice. an enjoyable speaker with motivational ideas and practical ways to implement them.

Royal Opera House Bridge Project

Following our research project into the provision of Arts in the SETSA schools we have been successful in securing funding to launch an Arts Ambassador Scheme. This will run across primary and secondary phases. The idea is similar to the Sports Ambassadors model and it is envisaged that if successful the schools will be able to develop a sustainable model where Arts Ambassadors can take a lead in determining the type of cultural experiences that are offered to the students in their own schools. If you would like to know more then check the website to look at the proposal in more detail or contact Emma st-emma.emmerton@whsg.info to express an interest in being part of this project.

If you want to find out more about Dylan visit his website at: www.dylanwiliam.net or follow him on Twitter at @dylanwiliam. We are delighted that he has agreed to come back next year and are finalising dates now.

Mick Waters Effective Teaching & Learning and how Teaching Alliances Can Help 2nd May 2013, 1.15-3.15pm Venue: WHSG
We are taking bookings for this now and places are limited to book your place please call Emma on 01702 509365 or email st-emma.emmerton@whsg.info. Alternatively you can book online via the SETSA website.

SEN Projects
There are now 2 SEN Projects underway. The first is looking at preparing SEN students for adulthood and challenging low expectations. The second is looking at developing expertise, knowledge and skills for mainstream teachers of pupils with a wide range of SEN challenges. The projects presently involve the St Christopher School, Bournemouth Park Primary, Chase High, Cecil Jones College and representatives from the Local Authority. If anyone wants to know more or become involved please contact st-david.struthers@whsg.info. We are looking for more primary schools in particular to be involved.

PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETINGS

The schedule of meetings for the Partnership Board for the rest of the academic year is as follows: Tuesday 19 March 2013 th Tuesday 14 May 2013 th Tuesday 9 July 2013 All meetings will be held at Westcliff High School for Girls. Breakfast will be provided at 7.45am for an 8am start.
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Teacher Research: live network

The second activity workshop will be running on March 13th 4:30pm 6:00pm @ Southend High School for Boys. This is facilitated by Dr Robin M. Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys and the topic is Research Design: Methods to Match our Questions. Contact at@shsb.org.uk to register your interest.

CONFERENCES CONTACT
The Dylan Wiliam Conference on 15 February was a huge success.
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David Struthers
Teaching School Manager

01702 509365
st-david.struthers@whsg.info

Here is just some of the feedback we received:

AfL was explained in a way that I can relate to my teaching and things that I know I concentrate on (develop) in class, and how I strive to always better myself, was made clearer.

Website: Twitter:

www.setsa.info
@EducateSouthend

If you have any articles you would like to submit for a future newsletter please email to st-emma.emmerton@whsg.info.