Central course programme for teachers and school leaders

Why not join other schools on one of our central CPD courses for teachers and leaders? Enjoy inspiring presentations in comfortable, high quality venues. Engage in well designed and thought provoking activities. Take away electronic materials and resources for use in school. Participate in professional dialogue and debate. Have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and action plan. All of our training courses focus on practical solutions, recognise the needs of busy teachers and leaders, and represent value for money.

DEVELOPING NON-FICTION WRITING - 2 day course 2019

This course considers what needs to be in place for pupils to flourish in non-fiction writing. How can we harness research findings to our advantage in the classroom? What are the typical barriers pupils and teachers face, and how can we overcome these?

 

2 day course with online platform & supporting resources.

  • How do we ensure that non-fiction writing becomes increasingly sophisticated across KS1 and KS2? How do we ensure that recounts are more challenging in Year 3 than in Year 4? What should non-fiction writing look like in Year 5 in order to support pupils to achieve the expected standard and greater depth in Year 6? What does progression look like?

    What are the sentence level techniques that teachers should focus on in different types of writing? What resources will pupils find most useful? How can we engage pupils in collaborative writing?

    The session covers: recounts, instruction writing, information texts, writing to persuade, and book reviews.

    "Fantastic mix of activities in order to understand how they would work in school.  Fantastic trainer who has excellent subject knowledge and made training purposeful.”
    “Excellent resources to take away.  I’m looking forward to sharing all the ideas with the rest of the school.”
    “Lovely atmosphere created by Vicky – I felt confident to share.  A fantastic day, I feel really inspired.”
    “It was brilliant – best course I’ve been on in a long time.”

    TWO DAY COURSE Thursday 14th February 2019 & Thursday 21st March, 9.15am-3.45pm. Lunch is provided. Participants recieve supporting resources and access to an online learning platform. Book now by returning the form below via email or post. £390 for the first delegate, £300 for second and subsequent delegates from the same school. Course code: MF1. This course is held at Weetwood Hall, Headingley, Leeds. (Please note prices are excluding VAT.)


    Download flyer and booking form
 
METACOGNITION - 1 day course 26th February 2019

This course provides a practical approach to developing metacognition across the school, particularly in KS2: metacognition in problem solving and mathematics, metacognition as a key component to developing reading comprehension, metacognition in developing independence, the role of metacognition in developing deeper thinking and its link to cross-curricula learning, and using metacognition to improve academic outcomes and close attainment gaps.  Return to school with resources and materials to drive forward developments.

 

Covered across the course are a number of themes:

  • Understanding the role metacognition plays in pupil progress and how pupils can become more effective and efficient learners.
  • Increasing teacher understanding of how to develop metacognition in the classroom.
  • Using metacognition to help pupils think and think more deeply.
  • Metacognition in problem solving, mathematics and reading.
  • Using metacognition to enable pupils to become more independent in selecting and using strategies, tools and routines for different types of learning.
  • How to create learners who are highly reflective and capable of taking charge of their own learning; pupils who engage in self-monitoring and self-correcting, including their ability to articulate their learning, formulate their own questions and learn from errors and mistakes. Equip pupils with the capacity to ask themselves critical questions as they learn such as ‘what am I trying to achieve?’, ‘where should I start?’ and ‘what has worked well today?’

“Useful resources and excellent activities that I have been able to use in twilight training sessions in school.  Really enjoyed the training.  Vicky is a generous and engaging course leader.”
“Really practical resources.  Lots of activities to take back for immediate and long-term action.”
“The whole course was outstanding.”
“Lots of ideas to develop metacognition across the school.  Excellent small group. I’m even more enthusiastic to complete my own research.”

This is a full day course (9.15am-3.45pm) Tuesday 26th February 2019. Lunch is provided. Participants recieve supporting resources and access to an online learning platform. Book now by returning the form below via email or post. £195 for the first delegate, £175 for second and subsequent delegates from the same school. Course code: MC01. This course is held at Weetwood Hall, Headingley, Leeds.


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YEAR 3 AND 4 WRITING - 2 DAY COURSE 8th March and 8th MaY 2019

Year 3 and 4 are often a hinge point for learners as they become explorers of writing.  It is critical that pupils expand their skills and at the same time embed a firm understanding of the techniques they are adding to their toolkit.  A shaky lower Key Stage 2 causes immense problems for teachers in later years as they try to unpick pupil misconceptions, deal with partially learned techniques and inaccurate writing.  Year 3 and 4 are also an important time for developing pupil confidence, which we know is essential for pupils to make good progress.  We want to create talented, self-assured writers who can turn their hand to a range of writing tasks; pupils who love writing and are proud of their creations. 

 

 

 

 

Course coverage:

  • Planning and sequencing lessons - developing units of work that build skills and embed techniques.
  • Developing teacher knowledge of grammar and sentence level development in Year 3 & 4.
  • Linking writing – writing and reading; writing in the wider curriculum; experience writing.
  • Meeting the needs of a wide range of pupils: developing lessons which meet the needs of disadvantaged pupils; supporting struggling learners; tackling difficulties with imagination and content; addressing typical difficulties EAL pupils face; motivating young writers.
  • Greater depth writing in Year 3 and 4.
  • Improving the impact of teacher feedback.

“Fantastic trainer – very inspirational and knowledgeable” ; “Excellent variety of resources and ideas that I can’t wait to try out in school.” ; “Lots of practical ideas.  Great illustrations of how to really embed learning.”;  “Fabulous resources, good themes for group discussions, lots of opportunities to share ideas and a variety of leaning tools.”

“Extremely useful course.  I have lots of practical things I can work on straight away and have direction as to what I am aiming for.”
“Excellent balance of information / research and practical activities.” 
“Brilliant. You continually inspire me to improve my CPD.”
“So many really good ideas that can be used in the classroom to address barriers to learning.  I feel I have a better understanding of the direction I need to take. The course has been excellent.”
“Vicky’s whole course was outstanding.”

The course is two full days- Friday 8th March 2019 and Wednesday 8th May 2019. 9.15pm-3.45pm. Lunch is provided on each of the days. Participants recieve supporting materials and access to an online learning platform. Book now by returning the form below via email or post. £390 for the first delegate, £300 for second and subsequent delegates from the same school. Course code: Y34W. This course is held at Weetwood Hall, Headingley, Leeds. (Please note prices are excluding VAT.)

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CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR SENIOR LEADERS - 2 DAY COURSE 2019

Decisions at senior leadership level need to be made regarding the rationale for the curriculum and developing a clear intent for how pupils will develop skills, knowledge and understanding throughout their time in school.  The underpinning curriculum philosophy and the nature of the school should be entwined, shaping decision making at all levels.  This is an opportunity to map out a vision for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Covered within course are a number of themes:

  • Current curriculum thinking and responding to the most recent Ofsted research publications.  Understanding the links between the curriculum and the quality of teaching and learning.
  • The role of SLT in the three strands of intent, implementation and impact.
  • Thinking outside the box – consideration for innovative ways of delivering the curriculum. 
  • How does the curriculum play a pivotal role in the ‘the character of the school’?  Developing a shared intent that is right for your pupils and your school and working with subject leaders to build a clear picture of what learning should look like in each key stage.
  • Ensuring the senior leadership team have an accurate handle on the current strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum.  Action planning – a short-term and long-term approach to development.
  • Practicalities and the ‘nitty gritty’ – turning a school vision into a structure colleagues can implement. 
  • The relationship of English and mathematics with the wider curriculum.
  • Ensuring equality of access to the curriculum for different pupil groups – implications and practice.
  • Financial implications of curriculum models, including staffing, resources and CPD.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for Friday – I am excited about getting my teeth into the curriculum and changing it for the better.”
“Fantastic trainer – very inspirational and knowledgeable.”
“Made me think outside the box!  Really engaging, useful training.”
“Superb day that will make a difference to the school.”
“It was great to have the whole team together.”

This course is two full days. The first date is Thursday 28th March, 9.15am - 3.45pm, followed by Monday 20th May 2019. Lunch is provided. Participants recieve supporting resources and access to an online learning platform. Book now by returning the form below via email or post. £390 for the first delegate, £300 for second and subsequent delegates from the same school. There is SPECIAL DISCOUNT for 4 colleagues £1200. Course code: SLTCurric. This course is held at Weetwood Hall, Headingley, North Leeds. (Please note prices are excluding VAT.)

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FOUNDATION SUBJECT LEADERSHIP- 2 DAY COURSE 2019

This course supports middle leaders to effectively lead their subject, with a particular focus on understanding the pivotal role the curriculum plays in shaping teaching and learning. Foundation subject leaders will build the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to drive forward developments in their subject on this two-day practical leadership course.

Vicky has a wealth of experience in delivering inspiring leadership training that has real impact in schools.  Headteacher comments: “I am delighted with the way the programme has developed my leaders…it will have a lasting impact on everyone who has been part of the course.” “I actually have had people asking me
if they could be considered because they can see the difference
in the teachers who have already completed it!”

Session coverage

  • Understanding why the curriculum is important and being aware of national updates, including the most recent publications from Ofsted.
  • Understanding the aims and objectives of the National Curriculum and the choices leaders need to make in shaping pupil learning.
  • Creating and sharing a vision for the subject and having a clear rationale for how the subject is delivered in each key stage. 
  • Mapping the delivery of content – including logical sequencing of units and ensuring progression in skills and knowledge.
  • Auditing the current position – identifying strengths and areas for development.
  • Creating a short-term and long-term action plan.
  • Turning the action plan into a reality – how do leaders drive forward improvements?
  • Ensuring there is equality of access to the curriculum for different pupil groups.
  • Working with other leaders to create an integrated pupil experience.
  • Considering how the impact of the curriculum is assessed and how assessment information is used to support learning.

 “Really informative and engaging sessions.  Great discussions with Vicky and leaders from other schools which have helped me to plan exact actions going forward.”
“Excellent guidance.  Very interesting and informative.  As always I’m leaving buzzing with ideas and a plan of action.”
“The resources really solidified the information and helped to drive all points home.  Vicky had some excellent advice and the examples really helped.”
“I am excited about the impact this can have!”
“Vicky made the training really enjoyable.”

Wednesday 1st May 2019 and Friday 7th June, 9.15am-3.45pm. Lunch is provided. Participants recieve supporting materials and access to an online learning platform. Book now by returning the form below via email or post. £390 for the first delegate, £300 for second and subsequent delegates from the same school. Course code: FSL1. This course is held at Weetwood Hall, Headingley, Leeds. (Please note prices are excluding VAT.)

Download flyer and booking form

 
 
If I would like ONE OF THE CENTRAL course delivered in my school...

The above courses can also be delivered in your school.
Prices do vary, please email sales@ictwand.com for a quote.

can you arrange a venue and catering for us?

If in Leeds, the answer to this usually 'yes'. I can source a local venue for approximately £40 per person. Refreshments and lunch can be provided. An off site venue can often be advantageous, particularly when working as senior leadership team or training with colleagues from more than one school. Please allow at least 6 weeks notice if you wish to book training with an external venue. Payment for external venues is non refundable and payable in advance of the event.

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