Concrew Training

One of the biggest challenges facing organisations, teachers and trainers in delivering Grade 1 ‘outstanding’ lessons and training sessions, is lack of time. Time to plan and prepare learning is essential – but at always at a premium – consequently most lessons and training sessions have to be developed quickly with minimal preparation and resources. This one-day workshop on #Outstanding-Teaching from #Concrew-Training reminds participants of what makes any teaching or training session outstanding, gives clarity on what Grade 1 lessons or training sessions typically look like and then considers how they need to be structured to ensure outstanding learning. The workshop then examines techniques, approaches and toolkits that enable teachers and trainers to develop and deliver outstanding learning sessions when preparation time is at a premium. Participants explore the importance of differentiation, pace and the need to maintain high levels of involvement, motivation and interest from

07 May 14 Day of Action calls for end of 'no-rights' casualisation culture in universities and colleges Millions of students taught by staff with few rights or facilities • 30% of college teachers and 17% of university teachers on zero-hours contracts • 67% of university researchers on temporary contracts Members of UCU across the UK are taking part in a day of action tomorrow to draw attention to the vast numbers of staff employed on zero-hours or other temporary contracts in universities and colleges. The union says the sector is overly reliant on casualised staff with millions of students taught every day by temporary teachers with little or no employment rights or job security. Freedom of Information requests by UCU found that, in 112 further education colleges, 30% of teaching staff were on zero-hours or similar contracts. More at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/7048

If you are intending to make a claim to an employment tribunal you must now notify Acas first. Acas will offer you the chance to use Early Conciliation - an opportunity to settle workplace disputes without going to court. There are a limited number of exemptions that may apply. Acas advice is always that it is best for employers and employees to resolve disputes as early as possible. Reaching a settlement through conciliation is quicker, cheaper and less stressful for all concerned than a tribunal hearing. More at: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4028

Some £10,000 worth of funding is to be made available to nine successful schools, enabling them to turn their ideas into free, easy-to-use packages that can be shared with other institutions. More at: http://www.teachingpersonnel.com/news/2014/5/6/funding-provided-for-new-assessment-methods/

The Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt MP yesterday claimed Labour’s new plans to introduce local oversight of schools would improve school performance. This follows the publication of a review on the topic by David Blunkett MP, former Secretary of State for Education and Employment under Tony Blair’s government. Data from Ofsted for December 2013 confirms 1.8 million children are in schools rated as satisfactory (re-labelled in 2012 as ‘requires improvement’ but labelled as ‘satisfactory’ in the data) or inadequate. More at: https://fullfact.org/education/how_many_children_under_peforming_schools-32046

The government has announced a review of initial teacher training courses, in a move that will highlight divisions between the education secretary and universities over how new teachers should be prepared for the classroom. The independent review, to be completed by the end of the year, will define effective practice, decide whether the current system delivers it and recommend improvements and ways to strengthen the "transparency" of courses More at: http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/may/01/gove-initial-teacher-training-courses-independent-review

This is an example that all employers should take note of ! More at: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/may/01/amazon-low-paid-workers-tuition-fees-construction-engineering-computer-science

But we want to do more, building on the success of the Priority School Building Programme. So today I am announcing that, as part of our capital expenditure over the next spending review period from 2015 to 2021, we will fund a second phase of the Priority School Building Programme, with a value of around £2 billion. Read the full announcement at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-spending

As I have said this is a very exciting and important time to be involved in education. Huge change is taking place enabling us not just to unlock the power of education to change lives but also to convert the school system into a genuinely school-led system, not run by central or local bureaucrats but by school leaders themselves who must be the best people to drive it forward. Read the full transcript at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/lord-nash-speaks-about-unlocking-the-power-of-academies

To end the divide between vocational and academic. It’s a false divide: only rigour in both will help our young people. And to end the divide between training and work. It’s a dangerous divide: only responsiveness will help people get jobs, and help employers grow. And if we can do that - think of what’s possible. What livery companies may come in the future, no one can say. But I hope that if we’re in this hall in 10, or 20 or 30 years, we’re still talking about the success stories of this decade - of a time when we ended the divides that have held us back. Read the full speech at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/matthew-hancock-speaks-about-improving-vocational-education