Heads of Junior Schools Conference

HEADS OF JUNIOR SCHOOLS’ CONFERENCE AT THE OXFORD SPIRES FOUR PILLARS HOTEL 15 TH AND 16 TH NOVEMBER 2013

“Creativity and Well-Being for School Leaders”

Friday, 15thth November

10.30 am Arrival, Coffee and Registration in the Martyrs Bar

11.00 am Welcome and Introduction by the Chairman: Tony Shrubsall, Headmaster of St John’s College Junior School, Southsea.

This and subsequent conference sessions are in the Becket and Cranmer Rooms (Cathedral Suite)

11.15 am Keynote Speaker: Nicola Powell “Creativity in the Primary Curriculum”

Nicola is the Founder and Director of Primary Matters. Nicola gained a degree in English & Education at Homerton College, Cambridge. She spent the next 12 years in primary schools, teaching Reception through to Year 6. Nicola then applied her experience and expertise for 10 years as a Literacy Consultant for West Sussex County Council before setting up her own independent education consultancy, Primary Matters, in 2004. Primary Matters inspires and empowers teachers to transform teaching and learning. The development work of Nicola and her team consistently has significant impact on standards, moving schools from satisfactory to good to outstanding and beyond outstanding. Her mission is to bring vibrant, contemporary and irresistible learning to children everywhere, through innovative and relational teaching.

Chaired by Tony Shrubsall

12.45 pm Lunch in the Main Restaurant (Deacons) and Hotel Check-in

2.15 pm Keynote Speaker: Dr David Whitebread “Self-regulation in the Early Years: supporting academic achievement and emotional well-being”

David Whitebread is a developmental cognitive psychologist and early years’ specialist. Before joining the Faculty of Education at Cambridge University, he taught in Primary schools, mainly in Leicestershire, for 12 years. His research interests are concerned with children's cognitive development and implications for early years and primary education. A particular focus has been the development of metacognitive awareness and strategic control in relation to a number of areas of learning. These have included children's problem solving and reasoning, mathematical strategies and road safety skills. Other interests include children learning through play, early years ICT, the education of the gifted and talented, children's drawings, and the application of cognitive neuroscience to education. His current particular focus is concerned with the early development of metacognition and self-regulation in very young children.

Chaired by Helen Lindenmayer, Head of Silcoates Sunny Hill House

3.45 pm Break

4.15 pm Coaching Circles

Chaired by Annette Roberts, Head of Kirkham Grammar Junior School

Delegates will choose one of these questions to discuss in a group (Coaching Circle) with the aim of learning off one another and sharing good practice. The discussion in each group will be facilitated by the General Secretary and members of the Committee.

1. What skills do we want our pupils to possess to give them the academic edge? 2. What constitutes a balanced curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2? Where does ICT/Computing fit into the picture? Are our pupils being disadvantaged in relation to their European counterparts by the way in which modern languages are presented and promoted within the curriculum in the UK? 3. Any good tips for managing change to bring about school improvement? 4. Getting Year 6 right - how should we be preparing our pupils for the transition to Senior School?

5.15 pm Leisure Break

7.15 pm Drinks Reception in the Deacons Lounge

7.45 pm Conference Dinner in the Cardinal Room Guest Speaker: Richard Palmer, Head of St Christopher School and Chairman of The Society of Heads

Saturday, 16th November

Breakfast in the main Restaurant

9.00 am Question Time – Ask your question and have your say. A perennial favourite! Chairman: Tony Shrubsall, Headmaster of St John’s College Junior School, Southsea Panel: Peter Bodkin, General Secretary of The Society of Heads Richard Palmer, Head of St Christopher School and Chairman of The Society of Heads Karen Williams, Head of Hull Collegiate Preparatory School

Question Organiser: Martin Hine, Head of St Joseph’s College Ipswich Junior School

10.00 am Break

10.15 am Keynote Speaker: David Boddy “Emotional Intelligence in Leadership” David was Head of St James Senior Boys’ School from 2004 to 2013 and he was Chairman of The Society of Heads in 2012/13. A former political press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, David then had a distinguished business career in public affairs and in management and training consultancy. He has pioneered a number of innovations in leadership for which he has achieved national recognition in both business and educational circles. His latest book: “Mind your Head – An Emotional Intelligence Guide for School Leaders” was published in September 2012.

Chaired by Adrian Boyer, Head of Silcoates Junior School

11.15am Members’ Session

12.00 noon Lunch in the Main Restaurant and Depart