03 AUTUMN 2016

SBH TEACHING SCHOOL NEWS

Focus on

Specialist Leaders of Education

Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) SLE Taster Event – Thursday are outstanding middle or senior 1st December – 4.00-5.45pm leaders who offer their skills and We will be hosting an event for teachers to support to teachers or departments Welcome to the Autumn come along and find out more about the edition of our Teaching in other schools. SLEs have an role of an SLE and the application process. opportunity to develop their skills and There will an opportunity to meet a range

School newsletter. teaching portfolio by experiencing of SLEs and hear about their experiences. This promises to be, yet again, a different school environments, Do come along and join us! very busy and exciting year. We have problem solving, developing innovative already seen the launch of well- practice and implementing strategies subscribed training and support and systems that will benefit both SLE Vacancies 2017 programmes to cater for the needs their own school and schools within of teachers from initial teacher their alliance. Assessment/Feedback training through to headship! Our SLE recruitment and core training ICT programmes are also proving popular, Applying to be a SLE Geography so do contact us if you are interested History in finding out more about these. We are currently recruiting for a number Closing the Gap of SLEs in a range of specialisms. In order We are developing very productive to apply for a SLE post you must have at SEN networks with First and Middle last two years experience and excellent Schools and are always keen to hear Behaviour and Discipline knowledge in your chosen field of expertise. of any area or specific focus where Art You will also have a minimum of two years you would appreciate support. experience in a leadership role within a Music school or academy. Drama

As part of your application you will need PE

to demonstrate how you have led within

your specialist area and evidence of the

impact this has had in your own school or For further information on applying for across a group of schools. You must have an SLE post or to register for the SLE a commitment to outreach work and the Taster Event, email teachingschool@ capacity to undertake this work with the Pam Taylor | Teaching School Director southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk. support of your Headteacher.

You can find us on Twitter @sbhteachschool so please follow us www.sbhteachingschool.org.uk School Direct – Introducing the Class of 2016-17!

The School Direct programme at South High Teaching School continues to go from strength to strength and we have welcomed eighteen School Direct Trainees this year in both Primary and Secondary placements. St Johns C of E Middle School are leading on the Primary course and we have placements in our community of local schools including Charford, Millfields and First Schools and , St Johns and St Bedes Middle Schools. The trainees have all got off to a great start and meet every week at the Teaching School for Professional Studies sessions and are supported by their mentors in their placements schools. By providing high quality training and support for our trainee teachers we hope to be able to provide the next generation of outstanding teaching professionals for our community of local schools and support high quality teacher recruitment for the future.

Interested in Teaching? – We are now recruiting for 2017! School Direct Open Morning – 27th January – 10:00am-12:30pm This free event is open to anyone who is interested in training to become a Primary or Secondary school teacher. This session will: • Guide you through the routes into teaching • Let you know what is involved in the training process • Offer you the opportunity to speak to course leaders and current trainees To book your place, or if you want to find out more, contact The School Direct Open Morning in September was Ann Rickard – [email protected] buzzing with prospective candidates. or go to www.sbhteachingschool.org.uk.

02 inspire // issue 03 SOUTH BROMSGROVE HIGH TEACHING SCHOOL // NEWS School Direct Profile

MEET ELIZABETH – SCHOOL DIRECT TRAINEE

Supporting First Thinking of a career change? After working as a Teaching Assistant in a secondary Schools with Drama school, Elizabeth decided to take the next step and apply to train as a Secondary Biology teacher through School Direct at South Bromsgrove High Teaching School. South has long enjoyed a very strong reputation in Drama and the Performing Arts. We are currently re-applying for our fifth Artsmark award (this time, working towards Platinum, the Why did you choose the School Direct Route highest level). As part of this process, and in our capacity as a into teaching? Teaching School, we have been looking to extend our support I wanted ‘on the job’ training from the very start and to colleagues in other schools. to understand how teaching works from the inside.

Most recently, through discussions with our partner First What part of the training has had most Schools, we identified a need for support with the delivery impact on you? of drama and, to that end, we organised a range of events Watching many different teachers and their different with a focus in particular on Year 4. approaches to teaching. This gives you a few ideas to try Chris Sugars, Head of Drama, ran two twilight training sessions but also shows you how not all great teachers are teaching for a large audience comprising every member staff from the same way. There are many ways you can interact Charford, Millfields and Blackwell First Schools. In the first with the students in your class and many ways you can session, observed by the First School teachers, he worked demonstrate certain ideas but there isn’t just one correct practically with thirty Year 4 pupils on a range of activities based way to do this. around a theme of ‘The Deep Dark Wood’ and fairy stories. This was followed up by a second twilight session where Chris What aspects of school life have you enjoyed? guided first school staff through a range of principles and I have enjoyed getting to know the students both inside activities to assist them in structuring drama schemes. We will and outside of lessons. The Duke of Edinburgh expedition be continuing our collaborative work with the first schools in was a great way to interact with the students in a less formal the new school year, with a follow-up session for staff. setting and find out a bit more about them as a person.

If you would like to discuss similar training opportunities What does an average day involve? in your school, please contact Chris Sugars Getting in early to make sure you have everything you need [email protected] or for your lessons that day. Possibly doing some last minute [email protected]. printing! I don’t stop all day. In between lessons I am marking, chasing up students and planning future lessons.

Have you had any bursaries to support you during your training? I received the government bursary for teacher training as well as taking a grant along with my student loan to support my outgoings throughout the year.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about training to be a teacher? Make sure you are 100% sure about what the job entails and you are prepared for the amount of work that comes along with it. It is a very rewarding job but it’s not easy and you will be tested at busy times of the year, as well as being tested by some of the students! Make sure you’re organised and never be afraid to ask for help. The staff will be more than happy to help you!

You can find us on Twitter @sbhteachschool so please follow us www.sbhteachingschool.org.uk 03 Career Progression – Training Programmes to Support You

The teaching school has continued to develop its training Developing the Recently Qualified programmes for teachers in every stage of their careers, from NQTs to those moving into leadership roles or taking on more Teacher Programme responsibilities. This year we have a new RQT Programme and have This programme is designed to develop and build upon the skills continued to develop the NQT and Middle Leader Programmes that RQTs have gained in their NQT years, this RQT programme which are proving very popular with schools in the region. gives teachers the opportunity to reflect on their practice, develop their skills further and support them in their first years of teaching. The programme is new to the teaching school this year and NQT Induction and Training Programme includes the following sessions: In its second year NQT Programme cohort has grown and we • Achieving Personal and Professional Goals now have 40 NQTs and their mentors joining us for the training • Building Positive Relationships sessions. The programme includes two mentor training • How can Coaching develop your teaching? sessions and five NQT sessions covering the following themes: • Caring for the Whole Child – The wider picture • NQT Conference – ‘What Lies Ahead’ • Driving your own CPD • Cornerstones of Teaching • Not Making the Grade – them not you! • Climate for Learning

• Tracking Progress Middle Leader Programme • NQT Conference – ‘Moving on Up’ This programme has grown hugely in popularity with delegates and we have a record breaking cohort this year! The programme offers a series of practical sessions to support teaching staff in Middle Leadership, including:

• Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

• Teaching & Learning, CPD and Research

• Managing People and Leading Effectively • Leading a Department/Faculty/Key Stage • Middle Leadership Protocols • Pastoral Roles, SEN and Networking

“You have helped me find qualities that I never

knew I had. This course has also given me ideas

of how I can bring the best out in my team.” “This made me feel really positive about teaching and that it is all achievable! Lots of Middle Leader Delegate Feedback tips and ideas that I can use straight-away.” For booking information and details on any of the NQT Delegate Feedback programmes visit www.sbhteachingschool.org.uk or email [email protected].

Pupil Premium Conference

Worcestershire and Herefordshire Teaching Schools came together to hold a Pupil Premium conference in October. Sponsored by WEN and Babcock Education this event brought together teaching professionals from across the Closing the gap and Pupil Premium experts in national 04/10/2016 Pupil Premium Conference research, mental health and an award winning Headteacher West Midlands | 2016

Making a real difference in supporting disadvantaged pupils #ppwestmids

Keynote Speaker – Hear the ‘Active Be inspired by an Understand why mental with examples of best practice from across the UK. Professor Steve Higgins will Ingredients for award-winning school health is crucial to supporting outline the research evidence Success’ for evidence and their approach to disadvantaged students on how schools are using pupil based strategies pupil premium premium effectively and which approaches have been identified to tackle disadvantage

Headline In Partnership Supported Sponsor with By

Presented by /Herefordshire Teaching Schools Follow Up Seminar – 16th February 2017 To follow up this event, we holding a Pupil Premium Seminar at South Bromsgrove High to bring together colleagues from local first, middle and high schools to further discuss the issue of ‘Closing the Gap’ and to share experiences, thoughts and strategies. To reserve your place on this event email In Partnership Supported with By [email protected].

04 inspire // issue 03 SOUTH BROMSGROVE HIGH TEACHING SCHOOL // NEWS