FrontFoot News – March 2017

FrontFoot News – March 2017

These March 2017 FrontFoot news updates cover a range of educational areas of interest including matters of policy, media, research and statistics.  This report includes items about 2-tier GCSEs, more free schools, SEND, tracking of social media, writing assessments, careers, breakfast clubs and much more.  Click the links below to go to specific categories of interest; when there, the headings link to the full article. Continue reading “FrontFoot News – March 2017”

Reducing Teacher Workload

Reducing Teacher Workload Poster

Reducing Teacher Workload PosterReducing Teacher Workload

The Department for Education have provided an update on their policy towards reducing teacher workload.   Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, has issued the following letter introducing this:

Letter from Lord Nash

Dear Colleague,

REMOVING UNNECESSARY WORKLOAD FOR TEACHERS

We are committed to removing Continue reading “Reducing Teacher Workload”

FrontFoot News – January 2017

Front FootFrontFoot News – January 2017

These January 2017 FrontFoot news updates cover a range of educational areas of interest including matters of policy, media and research.  This report includes studies on young carers, news about term-time holidays and the new Ofsted chief and policy guidance on SEN funding, computer equipment and more.  Click the links below to go to specific categories of interest; when there, the headings link to the full article. Continue reading “FrontFoot News – January 2017”

tes – 2016 Highlights

tes – 2016 Highlights

The tes has compiled its’ six favourite stories from 2016 (tes subscription necessary to read full content):

  1. The Truth About Memory – how exactly does it work? Get this essential reading for revision season.”If you want to optimise learning, forget what you think you know about how the brain recalls information and discover how to apply the science of memory in your classroom.”
  2. Nine things every teacher should know: leading education academic, Dylan Wiliam, shares the essential information he wishes he’d had when he started out.”We have more evidence about what works in the classroom than ever before, but how much of that knowledge is in the hands of teachers? Educationalist Dylan Wiliam outlines the essential information he wishes he’d had when he started out in schools – gleaned from some of the world’s top academics.”
  3. Primary children choose 100 things they should do at school before the age of 11 (and there’s 100 more to tick off before they’re 16!). Do you agree?”Schools are not just places of academic learning, they are environments in which children learn valuable life lessons and where they experience the things that will shape them as adults. Teachers and parents alike have strong views on what these lessons and experiences should be, but what do the children themselves value?”
  4. Misconceptions and muddles – how the role of SENDCO is being undermined, underused, and underappreciated; and how that’s letting children with SEND down.”Misconceptions over the role, muddled policy and a lack of visibility on leadership teams for special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinators have led to the risk of our most vulnerable children being failed by mainstream schools, argues Nancy Gedge.”
  5. How do parents pick schools? This exclusive survey suggests that Ofsted ratings are not the most important factor…”A TES and Mumsnet survey has found that the most important factors for parents when choosing a school for their child were the school’s approach to education and how supportive the school was to its students.”
  6. Not all children are born equal – find out why we need an unequal approach to behaviour management to get equal outcomes.”…so why on earth are we trying to treat them equally? One headteacher argues that a ‘no-excuses’ approach to behaviour in schools is far from fair – it can actually be damaging for vulnerable children, whose situations demand they should be given more than one chance.”

MATs, the future of your school?

Herts for Learning - AssessmentMATs, the future of your school?

This conference, taking place at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield, on 28th February, explores MATs (Multi-Academy Trusts), and the choices available.   It is targeted at school leaders and governors who are looking for support and advice on how to secure the future of their school.

The conference, from Herts for Learning, will provide guidance for schools and academies that are currently working through the options available and are thinking of either establishing their own MAT or looking to join an existing MAT. This one‑day event, featuring Martin Post, Regional Schools Commissioner, as keynote speaker, will provide the opportunity to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option and to find out the support available. As a summary, this conference will equip leaders with the right amount of information to move forward and enable the right decisions to be made.

Book or find out more

It really helps you to grasp an understanding of the component parts that need to be considered in deciding which way to go.

To book a place at this important event, go to booking.hertsforlearning.co.uk and use the conference code 16SBM/042A.

Alternatively, please contact Jasmine Smith-Taylor for further information at:

Briefing Dates 2017

Briefing Dates 2017

Following on from the success of the joint Heads & Governors briefings in 2016 we are delighted to announce the dates for 2017.

The briefings will take place between 6pm – 8pm at Beales Hotel in Hatfield with one each in the Spring & Summer Term:

  • 15th March 2017, and
  • 21st June 2017.

Light refreshment will be available beforehand.  Please make a note of these dates in your diary.  Further details will be made available on our website in due course.

Updates & Reports October 2016

Updates & Reports October 2016

The following updates & reports have come to our attention in October 2016:

  • House of Lords debate on Grammar Schools & selection,
  • Teacher Workload & Professional Development,
  • Policy for Summer-born children delayed, 
  • Other News. 

House of Lords Debate

House of Lords debate moved by Baroness Andrews on the government’s proposals for the extension of grammar schools and selection in education: Continue reading “Updates & Reports October 2016”