SWIFT UPDATE | ISSUE 34 | May 2025

It is a shorter week after the Bank Holiday, so every second counts this week.

Associate & Strategic Leader of Teaching & Research Schools (ESW) Roger Pope CBE introduces this May UPDATE issue with an invitation to consider what else is within your control to raise standards in the light of the recent report: “A system that empowers - the future of professional development” from the Institute for Public Policy Research and Ambition Institute.

"It seems to me impossible to do anything other than agree with these recommendations. Of course, they make sense. But Government can be slow to act, and has many calls on its funding."

Apropos, we will soon be launching our professional development offer for 2025 – 2026 with what we like to believe will be the best ever programme of excellent value courses and events, plus a greater range of exceptional national authors, experts and organisations.  

On that note of looking to the future, Partner Director, Blackdown Education Partnership, Tania Cox reports on the New Horizons Leadership Event last term. The South West RISE Team, Ofsted, AQA...delegates commended this was a fit for purpose session.

Director of Teaching School Hubs, Jen Knowles shares the positive decision for the new SWIFT Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) from September 2025 when we will be working with National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) as our Lead Provider. Change can bring exciting times!

If you are looking to be uplifted, you will enjoy the Interview with Sam Eyre, Head of CREATE Creative Arts Academy at Coombeshead Academy who reminds us of the very real value of creativity in the curriculum. If you are inspired, you can book your place on the South West Art Teacher's Conference on Friday 4 July 2025 here

There is some interesting thinking shared by Devon Research School - on angle problems - by Amarbeer Singh Gill, Assistant Director of Greenshaw Research School and teacher educator at Ambition Institute. For Teachers of Maths and thinkers, Amarbeer consider Why Sometimes the Best Goal is No Goal… Using Cognitive Load Theory to Support Maths Teaching. 

Our sponsor, SchoolPro TLC provides a checklist and further guidance on AI in schools that is worth a read and if you sign-up with them, you can benefit from dedicated support in this brave new world. 

Whilst our other sponsors share updates of their services to support you. The Educatering Team have been hosting cooking classes and themed days across all their schools to excite and expand pupils’ culinary knowledge and palettes. You can read about the conversation between Commercial VP of ONVU Learning, Matt Tiplin and CEO of Discovery Schools Academies Trust, Paul Stone who shares his insights into his Trust’s implementation of ONVU Learning's video capture technology in the classroom. 
 
And if you have yet to discover South West Education Jobs for your FREE advertising, it is time you did!
You can have a look here 
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Plus a reminder if you have yet to register for this year's SWIFT 2025 Summer Conference #SWIFTConf25 
We will be there. How about you? Join us and be part of the conversation and return to school revitalised.

It is all here for you and we wish you an edifying read.

SWIFT UPDATE | MAY 2025 | read here