News
Be the change with online safety
February 07 2017
So it’s Safer Internet Day again and the theme is “Be the change: unite for a better internet”.
But what does this important annual event mean to you as an educationalist?
There are two ways that schools look at it generally. It is either a big tick in the box for ‘doing’ their online safety input for the year, or it is just one part of a whole organisation approach towards online safety and safeguarding in your school or MAT.
Ready for life
January 13 2017
What first steps can primary heads take to set up a strategy that will help pupils develop the life skills they need for success? Colin McLean and Dr Andy Hodgkinson share some advice.
Yemen appeal
January 05 2017
As we start the new year afresh having spent quality time with our families, we are very aware that there are many in need around the world. With the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen devastating families, we have responded to the DEC's appeal for donations to provide food, water and supplies. The £500 Best Practice Network generated was matched and gift-aided through the Big Give's Christmas Challenge to make a total of £1,125.
Professional development in the early years by Maureen Lee
November 25 2016
I have been thinking again recently about how to provide the most valuable and enriching approaches to professional development in the early years. This was sparked by a visit with our EYITT tutors to Early Excellence in London where we were welcomed so warmly and had the opportunity to see and discuss many inspiring arrangements of equipment and resources for the early years.
Sue is HLTA of the Year 2016
November 25 2016
The fourth annual Higher Level Teaching Assistant of the Year awards were crowned with a national ceremony in Westminster this week.
Lincolnshire Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Sue Brown - the East Midlands region winner - was awarded the Outstanding HLTA of the Year title. She was presented with a trophy and a framed certificate by MP Andrew Mitchell.
Outstanding HLTA of the Year Award 2015
November 24 2016
Nine regional winners enjoyed a tour of Parliament to celebrate their achievement, followed by the presentation ceremony. Dean Boyce from Best Practice Network welcomed the HLTAs, and guests included Professor Richard Rose (HLTA National Assessment Partnership), Brian Tytherleigh (NCTL), Zenta Henkhuzens (DfE) and Nic Daykin (Member of Parliament and Shadow Schools Minister).
Crisis at Christmas
November 23 2016
Best Practice Network work has again this year helped to support Crisis at Christmas by sponsoring 20 places. This will provide 20 homeless people with hot meals including Christmas dinner, a chance to shower and get clean clothes, a health check and information about Crisis’ year round services for training and support.
Let’s take some of the complexity out of school improvement
October 18 2016
It’s time that policy makers and some parts of the media took the time to understand the drivers of school performance. Organisational structures continue to remain a focus - the latest example is grammar schools, but we have had countless other attempts over the years to pretend that structure is what drives improvement.
Best Practice Network bids successfully
October 14 2016
Best Practice Network has successfully secured three contracts from the National College of School Leadership to deliver training on Leadership - Equality and Diversity.
The courses will take place primarily in Newham with an additional two programmes in Havering and will involve 20 female and ethnic minority leaders in each course. Best Practice Network will be working with local teaching schools to deliver the courses with Gill McMillan Associates delivering the coaching element.