Welcome

Hello! And welcome to the final newsletter of this very busy half term - we do hope that you all manage to get some rest over the break.

We've been delighted to welcome a new cohort of ECTs and mentors to the Early Career Teacher programme, delivering five introductory conferences at the start of term. We're very excited to support this cohort through their induction period.

We also welcomed back our 2021 cohort of ECTs, delivering their final conference of the programme. Sarah Bird, who co-facilitated the conference, had this to say: "It was a real privilege to be able to meet with our year 2 Early Career Teachers over this term for their conference 3, looking at sustaining wellbeing and implementing change. ECTs will continue to develop their expertise over this year with their additional 5% reduction of timetable, and we have also been looking at how implementing change can not only increase expertise but also sustain their wellbeing in the longer term. This involves being kind to yourself - and a real success story is the ECT who instantly went home and treated herself to a bunch of beautiful flowers!"

Coming up next half term, we have ECT programme clinics for both cohorts, as well as kicking off our autumn cohorts of NPQH, NPQSL, NPQLT, AND NPQLTD, all delivered in partnership with the Teacher Development Trust (TDT). Phew!

We hope you all have a relaxing break - see you next half term.

Keep in touch

You can follow us on Twitter, sign up to receive this newsletter - or just drop us an email: julian-tsh@ndhs.org.uk.

Spotlight on... Work with us to facilitate NPQs

To support participants starting with us in spring 2023, we are looking for: 

• A co-facilitator on the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL), with experience in secondary education to complement our existing facilitator’s primary experience. 

• Coaches for the Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) to support headteachers in their first five years of headship (in partnership with Educate Norfolk). 

Why apply? 

Teaching School Hubs are a key part of the Department for Education’s recruitment and retention strategy, tasked with delivering a golden thread of high-quality, evidence-informed professional development. Help develop our region’s workforce. Unite schools to serve every child in our region, by applying best bets for improving outcomes. Experience training and support which will benefit you and your organisation.    

What kind of people we are looking for? 

• NPQ facilitators are outstanding leaders, with at least three years’ experience in a role relating to the qualification/programme for which they facilitate and assess. They also have strong knowledge of the evidence base underpinning common areas for school improvement.  

• Coaches on the Early Headship Coaching Offer are outstanding leaders with at least five years’ experience as headteachers, including experience of line managing assistant or deputy headteachers.  

Our facilitators and coaches have a commitment to system leadership work, the capacity to undertake such work, and have the full support of their employer (where applicable).

Find out more.

Focus on... BRAND NEW Assessment Academy

Offered in partnership with Evidence Based Education (EBE).

Assessment Academy: Assessment Essentials focuses specifically on ‘ what every teacher needs to know about assessment’. The ten-week course responds to clear and pressing problems identified by the Carter Review of Initial Teacher Training (“… assessment is the area where most improvement is required”). It represents the best of what we know about assessment direct to teachers in a manageable format, with no need for cover or travel.

The course follows a micro-lesson structure, designed to fit around the busy timetable of teachers and is a commitment of around 1.5 hours per week. It includes insight interviews with leading thinkers and practitioners - Dylan Wiliam, Daisy Christodoulou, John Hattie, Rob Coe and others - who will help teachers reflect on and develop their practice.

To complement the course, participants registering via their Teaching School Hub will also have four exclusive online webinars delivered by members of the EBE team.

How have teachers benefited from Assessment Essentials?

• Collaborative conversations: "It has been great to have conversations with a trusted colleague about new ways of assessing and helping our students improve. It has been invigorating as a professional as well to hear what other teachers are doing in the classroom."
• Interviews with expert practitioners: "The audio clips are just wonderful. It is really interesting and beneficial to hear the voices and experiences of different professionals. The voices and opinions were varied and this allowed me as the learner to think about my own experiences/opinions/thoughts."
• The online learning platform: "I really liked this course being online. Before enrolling I was worried I had to find time and travel to a local school each week. However, being an online course allowed me the freedom to fit it around my own schedule."
• Self-reflection: "I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I found myself reflecting immediately on my own practices as soon as I started the course which has been very helpful. Thank you."

Book your place.

Train to Teach in the East of England

Free virtual event - Wednesday 7 December 2022, 4.30-6pm