| National Education Trust Newsletter
September 2011
September Newsletter
Dear Friends of the National Education Trust
Happy New Academic Year!
Schools everywhere returning from the summer break have much to be proud of, judging by published successes in Year 6 national curriculum tests, Year 11s in their GCSEs and sixth-formers in their A Level results. Congratulations to pupils and their teachers and school leaders everywhere.
Into our sixth year, the National Education Trust is proud to claim that it is one of the UK's leading education 'do-tanks'. Our mission, as a fiercely independent charitable foundation, remains to promote excellent practice and innovation in schools and colleges. Please do contact Marc Rowland at the Trust (marc@nationaleducationtrust.net) if you have something you wish to share nationally, and perhaps host one of our Invitation Seminars. In the coming twelve months, we shall also continue to explore ways in which under-achievement can be addressed with impact, particularly the issue of stuttering literacy for too many children (please see www.mikebakereducation.co.uk for more information).
On a personal level, I shall be leading roadshows around the country on 'Sparkling Classrooms' (see below). Over the past few years I have observed over 7000 lessons in schools and colleges all over the world, this summer in monsoon Mumbai - that's a story in itself. I want to share with colleagues what I have learned that makes for great classrooms.
There are always system-wide challenges and changes, and I have shared my thinking on UK plc's direction of educational travel in my latest Edublog: Phylectic development.
You may or may not agree with the commentary.
All of us on the NET team, whether working with early years, schools and FE Colleges, academy providers or policy leaders, look forward to making our contribution to the many and varied outcomes of our children and young people.
Roy Blatchford |
Sparkling Classrooms
 This year NET will be running a series of 8 roadshows based in schools around the country. The aim is to share best classroom practice, linked to the new Teachers' Standards which come into effect in September 2012. The one-day workshops will be practical and offer an array of rich ideas which lead to outstanding classrooms. NET is pleased to announce that the roadshows are being run in association with Pearson publishers.
Please keep an eye on NET website for dates, starting in November and running through until June 2012.
Roy Blatchford and NET Associate Directors are also available to run in-service days for schools on Sparkling Classrooms.
The Sparkling Classrooms publication is now available for purchase - Sparkling Classrooms |
 Looking Ahead
We have a packed schedule of events and workshops for Autumn 2011 and beyond, a selection of which can be found below. Each event will have high quality speakers who focus on best practice in our classrooms and the programmes provide excellent opportunities for professional collaboration. You will receive an invitation to each of these events, but for more information please visit the events page of our website.
We look forward to seeing you.
- 'Curriculum Innovation through Art' at the National Gallery (rescheduled from 30 June) on 30 September 2011 - spaces still available
- 'Attracting, Training and Retaining the Best Teachers' at the Welcome Trust on October 5th - spaces still available
- Maths Counts! In the Isle of Wight on 6th October - spaces still available
- Values Education: Revoe Primary School, Blackpool - Wednesday 9 November 2011
- Early Years Matter. Our discussion, debate and development programme for Children's Centres is beginning in the North West, the South West and the Midlands
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 A NET hello.
We have welcomed a new member to the NET team. Louise Jackson has taken on the role of National Programmes Manager and brings to the role a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. Click here to read a little more about Louise and click here to read Louise's vision for Early Years.
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Children's Centre Research Road Trip
 During my internship I have mainly been focusing on research into what makes a great Children's Centre. I have spent hours trawling through Ofsted reports and the vast array of information already online in the form of forums and academic research but thought that, in the spirit of NET's focus on what works in practice and hearing from those at the coalface, a road trip was in order! Over the last couple of weeks I've been travelling to all corners of the country to visit 'Outstanding' Children's Centres who have kindly agreed to undergo my questioning.
The Road trip started off with a 4am start to catch a train to Newcastle. I was a little concerned when the whole trainload of people were told to change trains but apart from that, an incident involving a 'suspicious fatality' and an unreliable taxi driver; the British transport systems have served me well. Upon starting the first discussion my list of carefully prepared questions went out of the window and I decided to go with the flow. The centre was beautiful but it was the real understanding of the community and its needs as well as the optimal use of existing facilities including an unused caretaker's house which had been converted into a 'typical' home for supervised visits and safety demonstrations that really stood out.
My geordie Aunt and Uncle kindly kept me fed and watered and in the right place at the right time for the day: we enjoyed a costal lunch and a lunchtime tour of Newcastle before heading over to the other side of the city. At the next centre its foundations in the community really showed through as well it ethos of joy that underpins all the work the centre does. I went to sleep that night with my head buzzing from all the new things these discussion had given me to think about.
Another early start on my way to Cumbria involved Starbucks porridge and a rather rickety train taking me down the coast of England (absoloutely beautiful!) to a request stop (where you have to ask the conductor to stop the train), which was a new experience! I had a fantastic chat with the centre leader and the day care manager - it was great to see the drive towards improvement and expansion as well as hear about the specialist work they do on bereavement services.
After a bit of a break I continued my mission in Bristol, hearing about the fantastic dads work that the centre does and seeing their encouragement of children of different ages to mix. The next day I was in Suffolk visiting a cluster of very forward-thinking children's centres who were doing some fantastic work with Video Interaction Guidance as a targeted tool.
I am completing my road trip closer to home: London is my final stop. My colleagues noticed that all my road trip destinations so far were by the coast: 'is this just an excuse to visit the seaside?' they asked! I am now transcribing these valuable discussions - the travelling bit is so much more fun! But it's showing some really interesting emerging themes of what makes a great children's centre. Look out for a Counterblast on great practice in children's centres in the upcoming weeks!
Victoria Clayton, Intern
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Reading/ Literacy Matters
The new 2012 Ofsted Framework will place significant store by what primary and secondary schools are doing with promoting effective reading and literacy programmes. If you would like any support at your school, please contact director@nationaleducationtrust.net.
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NET Ambassadors Programme Launch
This month NET launches the NET Ambassadors programme: a network of former interns and staff members. It seeks to formally recognise the links which many former colleagues retain with NET and allows for networking between Ambassadors. The programme is part of NET's philosophy of grass-roots change and aims to contribute to the overall narrative of the organisation.
Being a NET Ambassador is seen as a prestigious reward for the contribution Ambassadors already make to NET. NET Ambassadors act as a soundboard for ideas as well as representing NET at events and spreading the word about the trust.
We have invited former colleagues and interns to be part of the programme - see the website for their biographies. If you are a former staff member or intern and wish to be involved please contact the NET office on office@nationaleducationtrust.net.
Victoria Clayton, Intern
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Roy Blatchford's EduBlog
The Trust's website is a centre point for debate about educational policy and practice. This blog features ideas and reflections which arise from our work, nationally and internationally.
Guest writers may appear from time to time, so if you have something to say let us know via comment@nationaleducationtrust.net
The early subjects covered include 'Why read?' and 'The outward facing school'. To read more please click here.
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EduWatch
The National Education Trust has also launched EduWatch to inform you of policy changes affecting classroom practice, and to showcase the most innovative practice that we've seen and heard about throughout the country. You can read the summer edition here.
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Please get involved whether by holding a seminar, attending one of our events, asking us to come into your school to act as a fresh pair of eyes (Blink) and help you to make it even better, or sending comments to comments@nationaleducationtrust.net. NET will be increasingly influential over the next few years and we need you to be part of that voice shaping the education service ahead.
The National Education Trust
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