News
MATD Programme Seminar
The Multi Agency Team Development programme (MATD) is a new and dynamic programme commissioned by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) to support the implementation of the Every Child Matters agenda. This innovative programme has the potential to promote deep and profound learning, to transform practice in multi agency teams and thereby have an impact on the well being of every child.
Multi Agency work can be challenging, and invariably involves change. Best Practice feel that true and sustainable change is not just about more of the same and doing existing things better but rather a transformation into a different form.
To help promote this programme we will be holding an all day seminar at the Holiday Inn Taunton M5 Jct 25 on the 23rd September 2008. We will be talking with some of the people who were on the pilot and using elements of the programme such as forum theatre by professional actors to help show how effective this programme can be in bringing about change in the way that teams think and act.
If you would like to attend please register your interest by emailing matd@bestpracticenet.co.uk or by calling 0117 920 9205.
Plymouth's HLTA celebration
Tuesday 29th April was a special day for 113 special members of the Plymouth schools' workforce. The venue was the Guildhall, an appropriately special place to celebrate the success of these very special people who have demonstrated their strong commitment to the learning and progress of the children and young people they support.
Every one of the 113 received an HLTA certificate from the Director of Children's Services, Bronwen Lacy and Councillor Grant Monahan. Their achievements were publicly noted with accolades for their contribution to broadening the perspectives of Plymouth's young people - helping them to see what they can achieve in the world.
There were also special awards for the first person in Plymouth to gain HLTA status - Debra Weeks, Weston Mill Primary - and the 100th Margaret Apps, North Prospect Community Primary, and Dorothy Braganza, the Ridgeway School. Because there were two assessments on the same day, the decision was made to identify two people for the award. This decision reflects Plymouth Local Authority's fair approach where everyone is valued for the contribution they make.
The celebration evening was a really positive event and demonstrated to the proud attendees that they were much valued by their Local Authority.
EYPS International Visit
Building on our expertise in the Teachers International Development Programme, we are planning to send groups of ten early years practitioners to observe good practice and exchange knowledge with early years settings in Scandinavia, with a focus on outdoor education. The itinerary would include school visits organised by a local host, an introduction to the early years system, time to talk to teachers and some time for sightseeing.
If you would like to attend, please register your interest as soon as possible by emailing eyps@bestpracticenet.co.uk.
EYFS - A closer look at Learning and Development with Marion Dowling
Some of you were able to come along to our conference with Marion Dowling in Bristol last September. As this was so successful at bringing together people from all over England, we have asked Marion to work with us again, this time in Birmingham. She will be taking a different theme this time concentrating on the commitments in Learning and Development, looking especially at Play and Exploration, and Creativity and Critical Thinking.
If you would like to attend, please register your interest as soon as possible by emailing eyps@bestpracticenet.co.uk. Once your place has been confirmed, send a cheque for £40 per ticket made payable to Best Practice Network Ltd, together with the names of attendees to EYPS, Best Practice Network, 111 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6AX.
Early Years Professional Status Registrations for September 2008
Best Practice Network are now accepting registrations for EYPS pathways commencing in September 2008 in the West Midlands, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. Download and complete the candidate registration form to confirm eligibility and reserve your place.
ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Leadership Mentoring
Best Practice Network are now accepting applications for their new ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Leadership Mentoring programme which will commence in May 2008. Designed for those who are working to meet the need for effective leadership in organisations, this qualification will provide key knowledge and understanding and the opportunity to develop practical skills within the workplace. For more information, please contact Julie Dollin at juliedollin@bestpracticenet.co.uk
Dates and locations for Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Management and Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching for Team Leaders and First Line Managers are available on request.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The introduction of the new Early Years Foundation Stage in September 2008 means that all settings are busily preparing for this change. All settings who work with 0-5 year olds will be expected to plan and assess through the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This new curriculum combines the Birth to Three framework and the Foundation Stage.
The EYFS promotes a child centred approach to learning and helps to ensure continuity in learning from Birth to Five.
It is not always possible to release staff during the day so running a staff meeting in the evening or using online training can be cost effective and an efficient way to ensure all staff are trained in the new curriculum. Best Practice Network are therefore delighted to be working with Stepping Stones Training to develop online training units to support the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Stepping Stones Training provides practical and creative Early Years training to settings who work with the under 5s, and have a good reputation for tailoring training for individual settings to ensure that it is relevant and meaningful for all staff. For more information on this initiative and their range of face-to-face training sessions with early years specialists, please email info@steppingstonestraining.com
Key Stage 2 Raising Achievement
Best Practice Network were delighted to support Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council with their key priority of raising achievement at Key Stage 2. A tailored programme of 6 days of face-to-face training, complemented by online training and support materials, for 36 teaching assistants across 30 schools. Working collaboratively with the School Improvement and Primary Strategy support team to ensure consistency of approach, the programme develops participants understanding of teaching and learning using school-based tasks to help them deliver a more effective contribution to pupils learning. The programme also includes two days of mentor training focused on the HLTA standards to ensure that the participants' new skills become embedded and to help build further capacity.
Best Practice Network are able to provide a number of tailored HLTA programmes to meet specific local authority, school network or community needs. Please contact our HLTA team to find out more, email hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk
Update training on revised standards for existing HLTAs
A new blended programme for HLTAs consisting of a half day's face-to-face training followed by online quizzes and support materials has been launched to help existing HLTAs become familar with the 2007 standards and their relationship to the 2003 standards. The first event took place early this year in Solihull with more sessions planned across the West Midlands in the coming months, for more details please email hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk
BPN receives Commitment to Excellence Award
Best Practice Network's Commitment to Excellence in Education was publicly recognised in February with the presentation of the award to our team in Bristol.
Pictured from left to right: Chris Rippon, Sally Hadwick, Isabel Sibley, Maureen Lee, Carlo Bacchiocchi, Gillian Pennack and Helena Evans.
BPN joins EFQM
Best Practice Network believe, as EFQM do, that "the route to excellence is paved with continuous improvement, self assessment, good management practices and the discipline of planning." We look forward to working with colleagues in EQFM to further strengthen our CQI strategies, develop quality initiatives and best practice and hopefully ultimately achieve the European Quality Award.
Early Years Professional Status Gateways
Febuary is a busy month for those involved in the EYPS programme, as the 'Gateway Review of Skills' get underway across the South West, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. Around 90 BPN EYPS candidates are scheduled to take part this February in the half day activities consisting of personal interview; staffing interview; group exercise and written exercise. Each component is designed to address particular standards and provide assessors with confirming evidence that the candidate has demonstrated the required skills, knowledge and understanding.
Multi-Agency Team Development
Best Practice Network have been selected to deliver the Multi-Agency Team Development Programme for the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) across the West Midlands and South West regions. Maggie Farrar, Operational Director, ECM & Standards at NCSL, noted "multi-agency, cross-sector working is at the heart of the Every Child Matters (ECM) and Extended schools agenda", the College is committed "to working with leadership agencies across other sectors to overcome the hurdles to the deep and enthusiastic collaboration that will improve achievement and wellbeing for children".
Building on the success of the 2004-6 pilot programme, BPN facilitators will help teams of professionals drawn from the many different agencies and sectors working with children, young people and families to cut through the barriers of professional language, policies, protocols and help them develop the understanding and team behaviour that turns integrated working theory into practice.
"We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this exciting and challenging programme, we have a multitalented team of facilitators who are really enthusiastic about the programme and the impact it can have on work across the children's workforce" said Colin McLean BPN's Managing Director. For further information, please contact Programme Leader Vanessa Rowe at matd@bestpracticenet.co.uk
HLTA revised standards training for HLTA Assessors, Local Authorities and providers of preparation (PoPs)
In order to support the transition to the 2007 Standards for HLTA trainers, mentors and assessors across the West Midlands and South West, Best Practice Network have launched an online revised standards training programme. BPN assessors piloted the course during the first quarter of 2008, and it is has now been made available free of charge to PoPs or LAs in the SW or WM regions who would like to make use of it. Please contact hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk to arrange access.
Best Practice Network begins to Moodle!
In January, Best Practice Network launched a new range of online courses on its new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Nearly 100 assessors took part in the e-version of our revised HLTA standards training and our EYPS candidates were able to use the new system to access resources and support materials for their different pathways. By February, www.bestpracticenet.info had over 400 users and the number is still growing ...