October 2020
Newsletter
Facebook: Plymouth Teaching Alliance - PTSA Twitter: @PlymouthTSA @OracyProject
Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 785891 Address: PTSA, Douglass House, Plymouth PL3 6NP
Welcome to the October Issue, inside we have information on School Direct and Apprenticeships for 2021-22, TSSW partnership updates, a free Swim England opportunity and a large range of professional development.
PTSA SCHOOL DIRECT AND APPRENTICESHIP 2021-22
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School Direct and Apprenticeship recruitment will open for 2021-22 on 13th October. PTSA will be recruiting for School
Direct Primary and Secondary (various subjects) and also for the Apprenticeship route into teaching (Primary, Secondary and
Special Schools).
If you currently have a support staff member who has an undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) and who you would like to
support with an apprenticeship into teaching please get into contact with us so we can support the application and interview
process. If you are also interested in an apprentice but don’t have a person in mind, please still register your interest and we
can ensure you are part of the interview process for candidates.
School Direct areas for recruitment include:
● General Primary
● Primary with Mathematics
● Secondary English
● Secondary Mathematics
● Secondary Biology
● Secondary Chemistry
● Secondary Physics
● Secondary Geography
● Secondary History
● Secondary Religious Education
● Secondary Physical Education
● Secondary Art & Design
Please note that Secondary Apprenticeships could be available in other subject areas as well.
WE ARE READING
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Ruth is reading …
Memorable Teaching: leveraging memory to build deep and durable learning in the classroom.
Peps Mccrea is Dean of Learning Design at Ambition Institute, teacher educator and author and
this neat offering organises and stitches together the best available evidence around memory
and learning into 9 actionable principles. Principles that Peps intends for us to leverage to
improve both our own understanding and impact in the classroom.
The focus is on building deep, powerful, durable learning which in turn makes your students
independent and confident. It is succinct, concise and although rich in research and evidence
easy to read, process and then dip back into. If you have read around memory and the
implications of memory science on learning, you will appreciate the reflections Peps poses and
the actionable steps you can apply to your practice with immediate effect. Bridging the knowing
- doing gap by relying on simple routines executed with frequency.
“Without an understanding of human cognitive architecture, instruction is blind” Sweller
Donna is reading …
I find all issues of this publication from the Chartered College of Teaching very interesting and
informative. However, more so now than ever, it is really important that we make choices for
school practice based on the best evidence and research available, to make ‘meaningful, striking
enhancements to the efficiency, effectiveness and success of our teaching and of children’s
learning.’ If you haven’t read this yet, there are a great range of primary and secondary
examples of how such research and thinking has been adapted to successful classroom practice.
In particular, Neil Mercer and James Mannion’s article on teaching listening as the gateway to
understanding was particularly relevant as we all return to school in such difficult
circumstances. With online lessons and home learning from March, recovery conversations are
important for not only pupils’ learning but wellbeing as well. Mercer and Mannion share that although we spend 45% of our
time listening, it historically receives the least attention by teachers, which they attribute to the fact that listening is
‘invisible, it leaves no paper trail and cannot be detected or recorded in the way that speaking can.’ From research to
strategies to use in the classroom, this should be a really important consideration for teachers and leaders. We know from
independent evaluation of the Plymouth Oracy Project that good Oracy skills (speaking and listening) can significantly raise
attainment, attendance, behaviour and well being and that ‘schools are the only second chance for some children to have a
rich language experience. If they are not getting it in school, they are not getting it.’
TSSW Update
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Dear Colleagues,
New Teaching School Hub and Teaching Schools South West
In this joint letter from Ruth Woodhouse (Strategic Lead for Plymouth Teaching School Alliance) and Roger Pope (Chair of
Teaching Schools South West), we would like to formally introduce the new Teaching School Hub in the context of the
Teaching School South West partnership.
In January 2020 Kingsbridge Community College was designated by the Department for Education as a 'Teaching School Hub’,
one of six nationally. The Teaching School Hub has a DfE assigned area covering Plymouth, West Devon, South Hams,
Teignbridge, Exeter and Torbay. Your school is one of the 317 schools that sits within the designated area.
TSSW is a partnership organisation that includes the new Hub, the Kingsbridge Research School, six Teaching School Alliances,
MATs/ Schools and local Curriculum Hubs. Put together it represents considerable collective expertise and reach across the
designated area and will be a powerful support to schools.
Plymouth Teaching School Alliance (PTSA) is a Strategic Partner in Teaching
Schools South West – please see the table below for the extended list of partners:
Teaching School Alliance Partners MAT and School
Partners
Curriculum Hub
Partners
o Dartmoor TSA
o Exeter Consortium TSA
o Plymouth TSA
o South West TSA
o South West Specialist Schools Teaching
Alliance
o Torbay TSA
o Colyton Grammar School
o Ernesettle Community School
o High View School
o Ivybridge Community College
o Learning Academy Partnership
o Marine Academy Primary
o Mayflower Academy
o Ted Wragg MAT
o CODE Maths Hub
o Cornerstone English Hub
o Ilsham English Hub
o Devon Science Partnership
o Exeter Maths School
o Jurassic Maths Hub
o St James Languages Hub
o West Country Computing Hub
PTSA, as part of TSSW, will be responsible for supporting the remit of a Teaching School Hub and additional support that
schools decide they may need. The Hub remit is set by the DfE and includes:
CPD (supporting delivery of DfE, EEF and Curriculum Hub Offers)
● Initial Teacher Training
● Early Career Framework: roll-out of this programme for NQTs and NQTs from September 2021
● Appropriate Body: providing high quality AB service for NQTs
● NPQs: supporting roll-out of new specialist NPQs from September2021
Since January, PTSA has actively contributed to the development of our initial offers for CPD, School Improvement and
specific support for schools during the COVID-19 recovery phase. You can find links to more information about these, the Hub
and TSSW in the table below.
Teaching School Hub
Prospectus
Overview of our partnership model and offers Link HERE
TSSW Website Provides wide range of information about TS Hub and wider TSSW offer Link HERE
TSSW Strategic Partners Details of the strategic partners, including contact addresses Link HERE
CPD Offer
Over 115 courses and programmes supporting teachers, leaders, Governors and
support staff with a career-wide offer
Link HERE
NPQs Offer Through our partner, Leading Schools South West Link HERE
COVID-19 Support Offer Focused on EdTech, Mental Health and Well-Being, Disadvantaged Pupils and Staff Link HERE
Contact Us If you would like to get in touch with us you can email us here. [email protected]
Finally, in the new school year we will hold a series of Engagement Events with our partners across the designated area so
that we can learn more about your priorities. Our schools working together are best placed collectively to identify our needs,
and collaboratively to meet them.
Let’s create the future together.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Ruth Woodhouse Roger Pope
Free Swim England Places
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Support Teacher and Teacher of School Swimming Accredited Professional Development - FREE OPPORTUNITY (Fully funded
by PTSA)
This training programme has been specially developed to help school teachers, HLTAs and Teaching Assistants gain the right
skills and knowledge to deliver quality school swimming lessons to meet national curriculum requirements. PTSA has access
to 8 free places. Please email [email protected] as soon as possible to register interest for one of these free places.
PTSA Primary Subject Hubs - - - -
Please note that all of these sessions are FREE OF CHARGE to all schools. Booking is essential as
there is a maximum number of delegates who are able to log in to each virtual session.
Hub Date Overview Hosted by
Time Venue Booking Link
Early Years Tuesday 13th October 2020
How we can meaningfully support children’s well-being as they return to schools and settings
Phil Armstrong (Early Excellence)
4.00 - 5.00pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/eyfs-wellbeing-virtual-twilight-session/
RE Wednesday 14th October 2020
Developing RE through international links and use of Tier Two Vocabulary
Katie Freeman Donna Briggs
4.00 - 5.15pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/re-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020
Science Tuesday 3rd November 2020
Working Scientifically Charlotte Sluman Georgie Brunning
4.00 - 5.30pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/science-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
Oracy Tuesday 10th November 2020
Oracy and PSHE, SMSC and Pupil Wellbeing
Jasmin Arkison & Lyn Chamberlain
4.00 - 5.00pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/oracy-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
RE Thursday 12th November 2020
‘Worldviews’ and how this will impact our teaching of RE
Ed Pawson 4.00 - 5.00pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/re-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2-2020/
Geography Monday 16th November 2020
Assessing Geography - What does assessment and progression look like? Are You Ofsted Ready?
David Weatherly
4.00 - 5.30pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/geography-open-hub-meeting-assessing-geography-with-david-weatherly/
Computing Monday 16th November 2020
Developing strategies for remote learning. Sharing of good practice and updates
Ed Carr 4.00 - 5.00pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/computing-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
Maths Tuesday 17th November 2020
Planning for intervention post Covid-19
Andy Tynemouth
TBC Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/primary-maths-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
English Thursday 3rd December 2020
Somerset Literacy Network delivering current updates in English with a focus on closing the gap
Somerset Literacy Network
TBC Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/english-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
PE Thursday 15th October 2020
(1)PE Premium- updates to spending requirements including the revised details from covid-19. (2)Ofsted recap (3)Teachers- sharing of recent CPD. (4)Looking ahead
Annette Codner
3.45 - 4.30pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/pe-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
Languages Thursday 19th November 2020
Action Planning and Moving On
Jo Hensman
4.00 - 5.00pm
Virtual https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/primary-languages-open-hub-meeting-autumn-term-2020/
Please find PTSA’s full CPLD offer here.
PTSA Leadership and Teacher Professional Development - Spring 2021 (Face to Face) Leadership and Whole School Learning
The Science of Learning
Understand the Brain, Transform your Teaching Course Description
Our Science of Learning workshops teach staff and leaders how to help students use their brain effectively. By better understanding how the young brain works and the challenges they face, you will be better able to support them. The workshops look at a number of key areas including Memory, Motivation, Sleep, Organisation and Managing Stress.
This workshop will help Teachers and Leaders:
● Understand the young brain ● Help students navigate the school years ● Make better decisions under pressure ● With useful tips that can be used when teaching
Target Audience
This event is designed for teachers, school leaders and education providers.
Trainer
Bradley Busch is a chartered psychologist at InnerDrive. He is one of the leading experts on how psychological research can best help students and teachers improve how they think, learn and perform. Along with Edward Watson, he is the author of best-selling education books Release Your Inner Drive and The Science of Learning. Outside of education, he works with Premiership and international footballers as well as helping members of Team GB win medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Cost
● £100 for TSSW members ● £150 for all other delegates Venue: TBC
Date: Friday 15th January 2021
Time: 9.30 - 3.00pm
Booking link: https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/the-science-of-learning-understand-your-brain-transform-your-teaching
Leadership and Whole School Learning
Delivering Evidence-Informed CPD with WalkThrus
With Tom Sherrington Course Description
Teaching WalkThrus materials have been designed to provide a central set of connected resources to build your institution’s professional development. At the heart of WalkThrus is a selection of evidence-informed teaching strategies curated into six easy to use
sections: Behaviour and Relationships, Curriculum Planning, Explaining and Modelling, Questioning and Feedback, Practice and Retrieval: Building secure long-term memory and fluency and Mode B Teaching: Delivering a range of learning experiences to deepen and extend learning.
This professional development opportunity will focus on implementing instructional coaching to shift the focus from being good to getting better for all teachers.
Target Audience
This event is designed for CPD leads, T&L Leads, middle and senior leaders and education providers.
Trainer
Tom started out as a physics and maths teacher in the 1980s and has since worked in numerous schools of different kinds as a teacher and leader, gathering ideas and working with a fabulous range of teachers and students.
He began writing the popular blog teacherhead.com as a way of sharing ideas and, encouraged by the engagement from teachers, went on to publish The Learning Rainforest, Great Teaching in Real Classrooms and Rosenshine’s Principles in Action.
He works with schools and colleges providing support on curriculum, assessment and improving the quality of teaching and is a regular speaker and contributor to conferences and education festivals.
Cost
● £100 for TSSW members ● £150 for all other delegates
Venue: TBC Date: Wednesday 3rd February 2021 Time: 11.30 - 5.30 pm
Booking link: https://www.plymouthteachingschool.co.uk/events/delivering-evidence-informed-cpd-with-walkthrus-with-tom-sherrington/
Plymouth Marjon University has teamed up to develop a collaboration with other SW providers to offer additional support in light of the COVID-19 situation. We will be offering weekly evening ‘zoom’ sessions either for general ‘teacher chat/reflection/asking questions’ or focused on a specific topic relevant for NQTs. These will be facilitated by a member of the ITE team from Plymouth Marjon, Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth, UWE or Bath Spa. We will also be offering 1:1 zoom meetings if you would like to talk about something specific with someone outside your school. To see the session list, and to sign up, go to the NQT SW page here https://nqtsw.school.blog. You will also find here links to some useful pages that can support you over the coming weeks and months.
Please note that these sessions are not only for NQTs who are in post, but also there to support those of you still seeking your first post and you will also find links to employment and progressions sites on the webpage.
https://www.teachingschools-sw.org.uk/mental-wellbeing.html
TSSW Opportunities
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The 4Cs – creativity, culture, connection, community – are at the heart of Real Ideas’ recovery curriculum thinking.
Real Ideas’ aim is to outline the thinking and practical activity on offer and create communities of practice around the 4Cs to
support school leaders, subject coordinators and classroom teachers. That way we can work together to share learning and
build a body of evidence around the impact of the 4Cs on both recovery and curriculum.
The first webinar, focused on Creativity, takes place on 7 October and the featured panellists are Jacqui O'Hanlon, Director of
Education at the RSC and Nicky Morgan Director, Special Projects at ACE and member of the steering group for the Durham
Commission on Creativity in Education. Attendance is free and places can be booked here:
https://realideas.org/event/creativity-webinar-4c-communities-of-practice/
The next webinar, focused on Culture, takes place on 4 November and is bookable here:
https://realideas.org/event/culture-webinar-4c-communities-of-practice/
Each webinar is followed in subsequent weeks by online workshop sessions enabling interested teachers to practically apply
thinking to curriculum planning.
www.teachingschools-sw.org.uk | @teachingschsSW |
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Dear Secondary Colleagues
PTSA and TSSW are pleased to launch a Secondary Leadership Network.
The purpose of the Secondary Leadership Network is to develop a strong and eclectic network of Headteachers who enjoy:
· collaborating
· sharing ideas
· visiting high performing schools nationally
· discussing and debating ways to improve schools
· understanding the regional context
The programme is for established Secondary Headteachers from all career stages and includes all secondary school types and
all Ofsted ratings.
Please find attached the flyer that includes a booking link.
The programme is FREE for TSSW members.
A big thank you to Headteachers Tim Harris (Colyton Grammar School), Steve Margetts (Torquay Academy) and Tim
Rutherford (West Exe School) for developing this exciting programme.
Oxford University Press - - - - Great news! Schools can now apply for the DfE Catch Up Funding for any resources they require to support their teaching and learning, if you are trialling or would like to evaluate any of our resources, please do contact me at: [email protected]
Some of the OUP resources on the DfE recommended list include:
My Maths – Primary & Secondary Read Write Inc Floppy Phonics Kerboodle Primary
There are opportunities to apply for DfE Funding for NELI – Nuffield Early Language Intervention, take a look on how to register your interest before the closing date of 30th October 2020.
For our latest offers, contact your local OUP Consultant here
Secondary For more information on our NEW Kerbundles, and offers on revision and intervention resources, contact your local OUP Consultant here Webinars – Autumn 2020 Primary
James Clements - Register here Planning the Primary English Curriculum 6th October @4pm Bernie Westacott – Register here Implementing the new Mathematics Guidance for KS1 and KS2: Number and Place Value (NPV) 13th October @4pm
Secondary Aaron Wilkes – OUP in association with AQA – Register here Kenilworth Castle: Teaching the AQA Historic Environment for the 2021 examination Free webinar in association with AQA, designed to help prepare teachers (and students) for the Historic Environment of Elizabethan England: Kenilworth Castle 2021 examination. Examine key features of the site and explore strategies that will help students see the castle's relationship to historical events and developments. 8th October @4pm
Invitation to take part in research about Initial Teacher Training placements
Background The Department for Education (DfE) does regular research to find out how people use existing education services and what they need from new services and policies. In this research, we are aiming to understand what factors secondary schools consider when deciding whether or not to offer Initial Teacher Training (ITT) placements, and how we might adapt or introduce policy to improve school participation in ITT.
Who we want to speak to We’d like to speak to secondary school leaders (headteachers and deputy heads involved in making decisions about ITT) and ITT coordinators. We’re interested in talking to people from secondary schools which offer ITT placements every year as well as from those that only offer ITT placements occasionally or have never offered an ITT placement at all. It doesn’t matter which training routes the school offers placements for unless the school only offers salaried placements.
When is the research happening We are running research between 08:00 and 20:00 from Monday 28th September to mid October. If you’d like to take part we will ask you to suggest times that are convenient for you. We also understand that things often come up so please just let us know if you need to reschedule. We will also be doing further rounds of research so please do get in touch even if you’re not available on these dates.
The research session The session will last approximately 60 minutes and will be a one-to-one discussion with a researcher from the DfE via video call. Another member of staff working on the project may join the session to take notes. Taking part in the research is voluntary. You will be able to take a break or stop at any time without giving a reason.
We will take written notes and, if you consent, video record the interview which will help us to analyse what happened during the session. You will be able to withdraw your consent at any time. We will never use your name or other personal details that could identify you directly in the reporting of this research. DfE will store any research data we collect securely for up to 24 months. If we need to hold your information after this date we will ask you first.
Publishing the results DfE may make the results of the research public. The findings we make public will not contain any of your personal data or anything that could identify you such as audio or video clips. How to take part If you are interested in taking part please fill out this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
