Helen Philpott and Joe Ambrose from the Southwest Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) Team began the session with an update on the aims of the RISE programme and the potential for further partnership working. 

To Ofsted as a central marker of the educational landscape and a presentation from Southwest Senior His Majesty's Inspector, Tracey Reynolds on her insights into the Ofsted consultation process and feedback from the testing phase of the proposed reforms. We were grateful to seize the opportunity to ask questions and Tracey was keen to receive their feedback before the end of the consultation phase. One attendee usefully noted how the “Ofsted info will underpin changes to the subject review process.”

Sharing his experiences of the pilot testing phase of the proposed new Ofsted Framework, Director of Performance for the Ted Wragg Trust, Jon Lunn, helped attendees to gain a better understanding of how the potential changes may play out in their own school settings. 

We were then joined by Justin Coombes and Helen Arman from the AQA Executive Team, who shared information about the use of AI for diagnostic and formative data insight tools for schools and MATs, along with the potential strategy as we move towards digital exams.

Michelle Sullivan, R.E. Lead for the Blackdown Education Partnership and Somerset R.E. Advisor, provided updates into the changes to the statutory entitlement and requirements for the delivery of Religious Education. Michelle reminded us of the importance of raising the profile of World Views as a highly valuable subject for our young people. 

We then considered the impact of pupil mobility on the outcomes for our students, as Alan Blackburn, Director for School Performance for Blackdown Education Partnership, shared data to help us reflect on our own school transition practices. Alan also provided vital information for schools to ensure they complete the Key Stage 4 June data checking exercises with accuracy. 

Leaders were keen to learn about the SWIFT CPD offer for the next academic year from SWIFT Executive Director, Martin Smith with a programme of intentional professional development to support some of the real challenges for schools, including AI, School engagement/attendance, IT and more besides. Colleagues shared that many of the focus areas for upcoming SWIFT CPD aligned with their current school priorities, particularly in light of the key messages being shared by the Ofsted framework focus surrounding schools CPD offer to all staff, and its impact on improvement.
 
We thank all our speakers for their motivating presentations that provided a clearer understanding with up-to-date and relevant information on many of the burning issues of the day.
 
One attendee shared their humbling and honest insight on the pupil mobility that could speak for the whole event:

“It challenged my thinking on the impact of mobility on student outcomes which is a real issue we are wrestling with and what we can do to better support students.”
 
As ever, we look forward to supporting school leaders with our exciting and purposeful CPD offer this Summer Term.
 
Report by Tania Cox, Partner Director, Blackdown Education Partnership

Starting 2025 with good communication intentions, we are pleased to bring you the January UPDATE. 

Associate & Strategic Leader of Teaching & Research Schools (ESW) Roger Pope CBE rings in the news year with good news that scholarship funding is being repeated for Cohort 4b:

"For many schools and Trusts, they are a key outcome of annual progress and development discussions with an allowance of funding built into annual budgets. In short, they are becoming an entitlement for staff."
 
You can find more information and how to apply here

For our January interviewee, we find out more about working for Exam Board AQA from Justin Coombs, Executive Director of Assessment Technology.

If you are currently on parental leave, or you have colleagues in your school/Multi Academy Trust (MAT), we encourage you to read more about The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project’s (MTPT) FREE return to work workshops - with the next session coming up on Monday 3 February 2025.

Our Data Protection expert sponsor, SchoolPro TLC unpicks the recently updated Subject Access Request (SAR) Department for Education guidance. As former school teachers and leaders, they are standing by to help you.

Meanwhile with our other sponsors. Goosemoor Educatering share some festive food and 2024 visual highlights and do feel able to get in contact should you like to find out more about catering for your school/MAT and/or foodie nutritional input to your curriculum. 

Exeter Supply Partnership are ready for the new year to support your primary supply teaching needs with their ethical not-for-profit ethos and ONVU Learning are also ready to support you with their dynamic teaching and learning classroom tool. Intrigued? Click the UPDATE link below to find out more.

Welcome back! With our warmest wishes for a happy and hopeful 2025.