NEWSLETTER 2 | November 2015

What can be found inside? Welcome to the first Teaching Alliance Newsletter  Bid successes  RQT news and feedback from of the new academic year presentation evening wanted to write to you at the beginning of  ‘Powerful Communicators’ Early Years the second year in the life of the Taunton programme updates I Teaching Alliance to signpost important Train To Teach 'Get  Introduction to Caroline Oestreich, our information, celebrate what has been new Alliance Research Leader Into Teaching' achieved so far and to thank you in advance  Teacher Subject Specialism Training for your active commitment. The Alliance is Wednesday 27th January 2016 5-7:30pm Programme only as strong as the sum of its parts! Heathfield Community School, TA2 8PD  Introduction to the new Subject Network leaders and associated ‘Think Tank’ events This year we have had two new schools joining Registration for this Train to Teach event  Teaching School Collaboration the Alliance with unique challenges capturing is free, and by attending you can get all  Subject Knowledge Enhancement the diversity of need within . On your questions about teaching and teacher Programme for Primary Maths behalf of our membership we warmly welcome training in England answered. The event is  A summary of our Vision and Strategic goals both in and for graduates, career changers and final- Dulverton Middle and Community School to year undergraduates who are interested in Upcoming Inspiring Leadership events 2015 the Alliance. starting a career in teaching. To book your place for any of the events below please email Every year seems to be a challenging one at the Visit the Train To Teach website to [email protected] with moment and the Teaching Alliance is working book your place and visit our website your name and school or organisation. Booking with you all to provide the necessary support, for more information is first come first served and closes one week training opportunities and collaborative ways before the event. For more information on of working you need in order to add value to each event please turn to page 3. your work. We are delighted with our recent new and effective ways of providing support bid successes and are determined that it for schools in need. For me, it is essential that Tuesday 8th December 4-6pm is possible to provide high quality training self-evaluation is sharp, focused and timely “The Poverty of Aspiration Myth” opportunities, to be delivered locally, with so that actions have impact to ensure schools Presented by Eleanor Bernades and Dr Sam high rates of engagement and participation continue an upward trend of improvement Baars, LKM all at low cost. To this end we thank the Head over time. The work of the Challenge Partner Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre Teacher Associations, the Local Authority, Hub alongside the Teaching School will be the Bath and Wells Diocese and the Taunton key in providing training and opportunity to Thursday 4th February 4-6pm Community Learning Partnership for their develop these skills at all leadership levels. Title to be announced recent sponsorship of the well-attended Presented by Sir David Carter, Regional “Making Sense of Change” event, the feedback Finally, to keep up to date please visit the Schools Commissioner South West of which was very positive. Teaching School website regularly and follow Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre our Facebook page and Twitter feed. The Regional Schools Commissioner is clear Future topics include: that Teaching School Alliance’s core work now  Character Education: Taught and Caught will be in school-to-school support and school  Seizing the Agenda improvement work and as such I am exploring  Presentations by Sir David Carter and Sue Rogers

Other teaching schools in Somerset If there are any topics that you are Wessex Teaching School www.wessexteachingschool.co.uk interested in seeing then please email The Partnership Teaching School www.thepartnershipteachingschool.com [email protected] with your suggestion

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 Taunton Teaching Alliance Vision and Strategic School improvement Goals 2015-18 grants for school-to-

elow you can find a summary of the school support BVision and Strategic Goals for the he Teaching School has been Taunton Teaching Alliance for 2015-18. If you Tsuccessful for the second year would like a more in depth look at our plans running in securing funding to support for the next three years, you can find them on school improvement at the West our website. Strategic Goals - 2015-2018 Somerset Community College and the  To have clear structures in place with Taunton Academy. In addition to the Vision regard to Governance, Leadership £40,000 that was secured last year a The Taunton Teaching School Alliance: and Management, Accountability and further £25,000 has been secured this Performance of the Teaching School in year, which will be used to support the  Identifies outstanding leadership, teaching relation to the National KPIs. delivery of focused plans using Teaching and learning within the partnership and uses School Alliance expertise. this expertise strategically to raise standards  To have identified key strategic partners of achievement across the Alliance and to collaborate with and to have formalised NCTL reported that they “received a large succession plan for the future. working arrangements with them in pursuit of number of applications for funding, far jointly agreed aims with regard to Leadership more than we have been able to fund, and  Works collaboratively and strategically with Professional Development, CPD and Research have prioritised funding to those schools a range of ITT providers to ensure a constant and Development so as to have a coherent most in need of support.” flow of trainee teachers into Alliance schools and collaborative offer across Somerset. and beyond. Teacher Subject Specialism Training  To have evaluated current ITT provision The Teaching School, in conjunction with  Plays an integral role in promoting and and enter into strategic partnerships that the Blue School, Wells has been successful supporting innovation, identifying and ensure growth in the number and quality in Round 1 bids to provide training for nurturing talent in its mission to raise of teachers trained in TTSA schools in both non-specialist teachers of Maths and standards across the Alliance. Primary and Secondary Phases. Roles and Physics securing £45,000 to design Subject responsibilities to be agreed through service Knowledge Enhancement programmes.  Offers and provides outstanding opportunities level agreements. The purpose of this training is: for leadership development and professional learning for Alliance members.  To have grown membership of the TTSA annually  To improve the Maths and Physics and incrementally building capacity across the subject knowledge of non-specialist  Is “outward facing” and always seeking to region for distributed delivery of programmes teachers by offering school-led teacher learn from the best. and activities either through aspiring teaching subject specialism training opportunities. schools or other “good” schools. This includes non-specialist teachers  Is at the forefront of enabling system who could potentially teach Maths or improvement through networking,  To have devised a communication and Physics in addition to their main subject collaboration and through the services that it marketing strategy that is both inclusive and teachers who want to retrain as provides, finding new and innovative ways to and cross phase, ensuring that there is Maths or Physics teachers. achieve this. full participation from Alliance members and that they understand the remit of the  To provide greater support to teachers  Seeks to build capacity for system Teaching School and how best it can support wishing to return to the profession improvement by empowering schools to them in their work. through access to subject specialism become delivery agents, through both training courses delegation, distributed leadership and  To have developed Teaching School effective resource management. commercial activity, having a business plan This programme was launched in July and which balances income and expenditures has 18 teachers on the Maths training  Seeks to build strategic partnerships in order achieving financial sustainability. course and 9 on the Physics training to add value to its “offer” and to ensure course. Special thanks go to Rachel Fraser, there is no duplication of work, dovetailing  To have an agreed strategic plan for the Deputy Head teacher at The Blue School in with other local networks and local provision of an outstanding professional training Wells and her staff who have done such an improvement initiatives. facility dedicated to the work of the TTSA. excellent job in leading this programme.

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 “Making Sense of Change” Character Education: n Wednesday 16th SAPHTO, SAHSP, Somerset County Council and Taught and Caught Oand Thursday 17th the Taunton Learning Partnership. September, Taunton Teaching Tuesday 3rd May Alliance hosted the first two Over the two events, around 130 delegates events in the Inspiring Leadership Programme attended from a variety of 29 schools, om Harrison is the Director of Development “Making Sense of Change”, one for Primary organisations and advisors and were both Tat the Jubilee Centre for Character and schools and one for Secondary schools. Both well received with many attendees saying Virtues and leads on all the applied research sessions were led by Bill Watkin, Operational the sessions were informative, inspiring and projects – working with schools, colleges, Director for SSAT, and focused on capturing encapsulated well all the factors that are employers, voluntary sector organisations education policy for the next five years looking currently affecting the educational landscape. and policy makers across Britain as well as at issues such as childcare, free schools and internationally. academies, tuition fees and the definition If you would like to see the presentations that of ‘coasting’ schools. These events were were delivered across the two nights, please His specialist interests are character and sponsored by Diocese of Bath & Wells, SASH, visit our News Blog page on the website. virtue ethics, youth social action, citizenship, community development and volunteering. He has published extensively in these areas as well as developing resources and training programmes for schools and other organisations.

Tom was the academic lead on the Character Education MOOC and Module Lead for the Children as Citizens course on the BA Education course. Tom is a regular speaker on character education at academic and practice-based events in Britain as well as internationally.

Inspiring Leadership events coming up this term Eleanor his term we have some incredible topics Here are just some of the myths that will be Bernades for our Inspiring Leadership Programme, dispelled on the night: Poverty of T Aspiration Speaker all focusing on key issues that are affecting the 1 Aspirations are not the same as expectations educational landscape today. Details of all the dates and venues can be found on the front page. 2 There are no ‘high’ and ‘low’ aspirations

“Poverty of Aspiration Myth” 3 Aspirations are not stable over time Delivered by Eleanor Bernades and Dr Sam Dr. Sam Baars from LKMco, this session aims to dispel 4 Different aspirations are revealed in different Baars some of the myths associated with aspiration contexts Poverty of within young people. As a company, LKMco Aspiration Speaker believe “society should ensure all children and 5 Aspirations don’t just relate to jobs and young people receive the support they need education to make a fulfilling transition to adulthood. We work towards this belief by articulating a vision 6 The link between aspirations and attainment for a society which does so, inspiring a desire to flows both ways pursue it and enabling organisations to achieve Tom it.” By working directly with schools, teachers 7 Aspirations are not ‘lower’ in deprived areas Harrison Character Education and education and youth organisations, they or workless households Speaker carry out policy research in order to influence policy makers and work on the issues that help 8 Geographical differences go beyond deprivation to make a difference to young people.

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 ‘Powerful Communicators’ – an Early Years culture of enquiry to support development. training programme for settings in Taunton Project leader Sara Bright says, “It has been great to see practitioners developing their he DfE funded initiative to develop the developing their own practitioner enquiry. understanding of children’s communication and Tquality of Early Years Provision for the Practitioners have commented “I have found then reflecting on how they can develop their most disadvantaged children began in Taunton out things about a child I didn’t know before” provision to support children more effectively”. in the summer term 2015. The project aims to and “I hadn’t really studied non-verbal Interest in the project from school and settings develop practitioners understanding and so communication before and realised that not involved has been great and so the TTA improve the provision to support children’s children were communicating more than I will be looking at how to continue this work communication. Each cohort begins with a realised”. The second cohort of four schools beyond the end of the project in July 2016. taught element, which is a CACHE level 3 and 12 settings began in early September. accredited qualification. This gives practitioners Through this project the TTA has developed Sara Bright an understanding in typical speech, language links with the Bristol Early Years Teaching Project Co-ordinator and communication development and of consortium and each cohort will spend a day how important this is in a child’s overall in Bristol working with the teaching school development. It also explores ways to support to learn how they have developed their children who have SLC needs. Following this provision through their focus on practitioner Innovation, Research the practitioners develop their own enquiry lead enquiry. Lucy Driver, Head Teacher of St and Development based within their school or setting. Paul’s Nursery Children’s Centre and Teaching Schools, led a session for the leaders from the Leader appointed The first cohort of three schools and seven schools and settings who are undertaking the he TTA settings completed the taught element at role as mentor for the participants. This session recognises the end of the summer term and are now focused on understanding how to develop a T the importance of educational research as having the potential to directly impact on education, developing teaching and learning and improving outcomes for learners. The purpose of educational research is to develop theoretical knowledge, transform practice and provide evidence of “what works”. Collaboration through research allows professionals to share practice, knowledge and innovation, and create opportunities to make links and work in partnership in order to raise standards.

As a result of this, the TTA have appointed Caroline Oestreich, Deputy Head teacher and Head of Innovation at Selworthy School, as our new Research Leader.

After securing a Master’s in Education, she has recently embarked on a professional Doctorate in Education and has been fortunate enough to attend and deliver at a variety of conferences including in house training, Selworthy conferences, Somerset SCITT, BETT, Nacce and Communication Matters.

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 Recently Qualified Teachers (RQT) Leadership The initial Innovation, Research and Development Strategy is to set up research/ Project 2014-2015 learning communities based on the work n 2nd July 2015 the first RQT course Strong supportive relationships were developed of Dylan Williams to develop a “teacher- Opresented their year’s work in an within the groups, who had the additional researcher” ethos across the alliance in excellent celebration evening at the Tacchi- resource of a course mentor to turn to if preparation for discrete research and Morris Arts Centre. An invited audience needed, as well as a nominated school based development projects. from the education world including Frances tutor who attended the start of the course as Nicholson, Somerset County Council post well as the final presentation evening. The Caroline says, “I am thrilled to have been holder for Education, had a real treat as the success of the course was confirmed by the asked to develop research for the Taunton 13 participants all from a primary or special comments made in the participants final Teaching Alliance. This project aims to school in Taunton or Wellington, working evaluations, as well as by their head teachers, support and drive research and innovation in 5 collaborative groups, explained and with some of the key points being: across phases inclusive of all categories of illustrated their work over the last eight educational settings and has the potential months.  All felt that collaboration with another to further raise the profile of the was a major strength of the course Teaching Alliance as a leader in the field not All of the teachers taking part were in their and the chance to visit other schools and only locally but nationally. 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of teaching and had work in this way was invaluable. Many been identified by their schools as being good planned to continue this link into the next “I consider joint working as an important teachers with leadership potential. educational year and were keen to work this part of developing teaching and learning; way again in the future. constantly sharing ideas, providing and Over the previous academic year they had receiving support and ultimately developing worked on developing a project which  Most participants were hoping to continue better practice. Collaboration and team would impact on their own teaching and to develop what they had been working on work within the education system and with benefit their own schools but had done so by with their next class in 2015-16 and had other agencies is not only essential, but our working with teachers from sometimes very increased in confidence, teacher knowledge responsibility. We have a duty to work in different schools who were keen to work on and technical skills. They had proved to partnership with others to constantly better a similar educational area. This model, using themselves what they could do and the impact the educational provision for all learners.” an action research approach where they they could have on educational practice, both were also encouraged to read around their for themselves and in their schools. If you have any queries or are interested in subject area, proved very successful and the getting involved in educational research, work undertaken ranged over subjects such RQT Cohort 2 started in mid-October and a details will be available shortly on our as developing more independent learners, group of schools from Bridgwater, Taunton and website. improving fine motor skills and the impact the Wellington areas will develop their own set particularly on boys writing, peer mentoring of projects using the same successful model. and developing improved mental maths skills and the introduction of the Singaporean Barbara Berks maths approach. Course Mentor

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 Establishing Secondary Subject Networks in Somerset (SASH) omerset Challenge and The Taunton  Assessment post National Curriculum levels STeaching School Alliance are working together to support subject networks. Please  Opportunities to visit other schools / teams Coaching – see below for all of the appointed Subject establishing a Network Leaders along with contact details.  Opportunities to agree standards / moderation sustainable model The networks are intended to be ‘for teachers, in your school by teachers’ and to provide a forum for  Preparing students for the new professional dialogue and sharing. Initial examinations – memory, recalling and hroughout the last term, seven local meetings of each subject network took place deploying knowledge secondary schools sent two teachers T before half-term and were well-attended with each to work alongside project leader Chris lively discussions about key issues. There were Each subject network leader will be contacting Moyse to help them develop a coaching some common themes that emerged across subject leaders and teams with dates and programme in their own school using the the six subjects: agendas for future meetings and to gather experiences of Heathfield Community a range of information such as which exam School. The course was a blend of  Preparing for new GCSE and A Level courses board is used. This information will be collated pedagogy and the practical, following the and shared. GROW model which is a solution-based  What does a new grade 5 or 7 or 9 “look approach to coaching. like”? Simon Faull Somerset Challenge Below are a few comments from some of the participants at the end of the course reflecting on its effectiveness.

I have really enjoyed the sessions and“ left feeling motivated and eager to implement new skills.”

Great course. The pedagogy behind “it was clear and inspiring, helping us see exactly how to use coaching.”

100% of participants rated pace, sense of purpose, materials, relevance and “ Subject Subject Leader Email pedagogical foundation as good or excellent.” English Helen Harper, Heathfield Community School [email protected] Maths Vicky Richardson, Heathfield Community School [email protected]

Excellent – inspiring and enjoyable. Science James Cuthbert, Heathfield Community School [email protected] Thank“ you! ” History James Thomson, [email protected] Geography Catherine Owen, King Alfred School [email protected] For more information about teacher or school development, please contact Tony Bloxham at MFL Pippa Davies, St Dunstan’s School [email protected] [email protected] Exciting and rewarding qualifications for Senior and Middle Leaders he NPQSL and NPQML programmes are essential and elective modules. Each essential Leading Schools South West as National Tdesigned for Senior and Middle Leaders module consists of 50 hours of blended College Licensee is recruiting for the next who are looking for excellent professional learning which involves face-to-face sessions round of NPQML and NPQSL programmes. development. with our expert facilitators and accredited So why not apply now? Further information coaches, online modules, independent and application forms will be on the Leading The programmes typically take up to one reading and reflection, and workplace learning Schools South West website from Monday 5th year to complete, during which you will study in your school. October and the closing date is Thursday 12th December – www.leadingschoolssouthwest.org.uk

It is important that all applicants are aware that Taunton Teaching Alliance the National College for Teaching and Learning Subject Knowlege Enhancement Programme for Maths (Primary) does not guarantee the award of financial scholarships towards NPQML and NPQSL. Delivered by Alex Parry, Primary Maths Lead Practitioner, Cabot Dates for your diary We very much hope that scholarships will Learning Federation. be available for this intake, albeit in smaller 13th November numbers, but that is not confirmed at this This course will help you to improve ------stage. Therefore, LSSW will work on the your subject knowledge of key 27th November mathmatical topics and develop an ------basis of ‘first come first served’ with the understanding of mastery pedagogy. 11th December proviso that the application has been fully It is recommended that schools send ------completed and electronically mailed to Zoe 15th January pairs of teachers to make the most of Nixon (email below) which will register its this programme. ------5th February time of arrival. Each session runs for 2 hours between ------1:15 - 3:15pm on Friday afternoons 4th March The programmes will commence in spring and training will be Taunton based. 2016 and you can contact Zoe Nixon, the LSSW Lead Administrator, for more Final Presentation Fractions Algebra 15th April information by emailing: Reasoning Problem Solving [email protected] or telephone on 01726 212870 If you wish to reserve places on the course then please email: [email protected] Cost of programme: Gwen Cavill £100 per school. Supply costs to be met by participating schools. LSSW Operational Director and Lead Facilitator

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015 annual Quality Assurance review. The QA review is a powerful, peer auditing process and involves a visit from a team of senior leaders and head teachers from other partner schools, led by an Ofsted- accredited inspector. Their role is to engage in a dialogue with the host school on evaluating the quality of education there and identifying where improvements could be made.

Schools within the Somerset Hub have encourages the pooling of our combined received QA reviews, finding them very knowledge and resources in order to address beneficial in identifying excellent practice hallenge Partners is a network of over areas for development, as identified by the as well as highlighting areas where C300 schools within local partnerships member schools. further progress can be made. The Hub called ‘Hubs’. The Somerset Hub shares the has hosted QA reviewer training, which vision and aims of Challenge Partners as a This year we will be working with a range of has established a group of leaders who whole, in that we believe that all schools can school departments and also addressing a are trained to carry out reviews at other improve through genuine collaboration and number of whole school and national priorities schools within the Challenge Partners skill sharing. such as the progress and attainment of boys, network, across the country. students eligible for the Pupil Premium and The Somerset Hub is currently made up of assessment without levels. Feedback from staff joining review teams Heathfield Community School, , at other schools has been very positive Sexey’s School and The Taunton Deane One of the key school improvement services indeed. One leader commented that Partnership College. The work of the Hub provided by Challenge Partners is the their review experience was ‘the best professional development I have had in my career and a huge privilege to be able “Better together” Access free and or heavily subsidised high to visit other schools in this capacity’. The 10 compelling reasons to join the Taunton 7 quality CPD, delivered locally by schools review also encourages leaders to share Teaching Alliance for schools developing our teachers and ideas, which can be taken back to the leaders for the future. reviewers own schools. A chance to play your part in a self 1 improving system, nurturing and celebrating Get involved in locally based subject Challenge Partners are also supporting the the talent you have in your schools. 8 networks, improving outcomes together. work of the Taunton Teaching Alliance in delivering a range of events covering topical Be a part of a co-ordinated recruitment Be part of a network that enables joint issues such as the new Ofsted inspection 2 drive ensuring new teachers are coming 9 practice development placing teaching framework and Multi Academy Trusts. to Somerset and filling your classrooms. professionals in the “driving seat.” If you would like any more information A chance to access, both directly and Why wouldn’t you? about Challenge Partners please go to 3 indirectly, grant awards through the 10 www.challengepartners.org Teaching School focussed on making a Are you interested in becoming a member of difference. the Taunton Teaching Alliance? Then please Karl Husband email [email protected] to find Assistant Head at Heathfield Community School Lead research and development to out more. 4 enable evidence based change across the Alliance and beyond. Heathfield Community School, School Road, Tony Bloxham Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8PD Director [email protected] Be part of a collaborative effort to solve 01823 414252 the “big education issues”. 5 www.tauntonteachingalliance.com Katherine Edwardes bTaunton Teaching Alliance Admin and Marketing Assistant Access latest best practice through the a@tauntonteaching [email protected] 6 Teaching School Council and National Teaching School Network.

NEWSLETTER 2 | november 2015