News
Major changes to Ofsted inspections announced
June 15 2015
Sir Michael Wilshaw, HMI Chief Inspector, has today announced major changes to the way Ofted inspections will be carried out. From September a new short inspection model will be used for good schools and further education institutions once every three years. Sir Michael said:
“Make no mistake, this is a very different inspection model to what has gone before."
Read the full press release on the GOV.UK website.
Early Years Educator (EYE) article - Giving something back
June 04 2015
Maureen Lee, director of the Early Years programme at Best Practice Network, writes in Early Years Educator magazine about the experiences and challenges of recent EYITT trainees.
Candidates Jessica Bifani, Amy Gilder, Natalie Sahayek, Jane Byers and Tija Mason also reflect on their time as they near completion of the course, and programme leader Joe Brown provides additional insight.
Best Practice Network Selects Canvas as New Virtual Learning Environment
May 21 2015
Best Practice Network has selected the Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE) as its new learning platform and become the first European user of the Canvas Catalogue.
Nominations for HLTA of the Year 2015 now open
May 12 2015
The regional nominations for the South West and West Midlands are now open for HLTA of the Year 2015 so if you work with a HLTA (awarded their status by the TDA or HNAP) who delivers exceptional support and continues to meet all of the HLTA standards in their everyday work then please do nominate them.
BPN Employees raise money for Charity
April 20 2015
Early Years Director Maureen Lee recently completed the 14 mile Eye to Eye charity walk on March 22nd, which involved walking from Moorfields Eye hospital to the London Eye. Leadership Curriculum Programmes Manager Chris Ludlow has also recently partaken in a charitable event – The Big Sleep Out Bristol.
Early Years Experiences - EYITT case study - Lucinda Gardiner
March 24 2015
Early Years practitioner Lucinda Gardiner writes about her experience with the Early Years Initial Teacher Training course. She discusses what inspires her to pursue a career in teaching, how she has collaborated with peers to share ideas, and her journey since achieving Early Years Teacher Status.
£1 million to help schools recruit high-calibre governors
March 20 2015
More than £1 million to help schools across England recruit highly-skilled governors has been announced by Schools Minister Lord Nash.
The funding, provided by the Department for Education (DfE), will support a new partnership between SGOSS - Governors for Schools and the Education and Employers Taskforce, to recruit and place more high-calibre governors in schools.
Ofsted inspections - clarification for schools
March 17 2015
Ofsted have release a new document Ofsted inspections - clarification for schools that should help clear up some of the common myths that ass unnecessary workload and stress for schools.
Read alongside the School inspection handbook, it should highlight specific practices that are not required by Ofsted.
Early Years Experiences - EYITT case study - Cathy Nute
March 12 2015
Early Years practitioner Cathy Nute writes about her experience with the Early Years Initial Teacher Training course. She discusses how she started her career in early years teaching, her decision to persue Early Years Teacher Status, government funding and support from her tutor and setting, now she is halfway through the course.
National Apprenticeship Week
March 10 2015
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.