CASL Communiqué
December 2015
Strategic Development Update
Since I first mentioned it at the Autumn
Conferences a lot of work has been done on
the CASL Accountability Framework and a task
group has been formed with representatives
from PHA, CASH, the LA, the dioceses,
governance, the University of Cumbria, the
Teaching Schools, MATs, EYFS and the LASLs.
Our first meeting will be held on 26 January
when we will formulate the consultation
document which will be presented at the
Spring Term LASL conferences in March.
Following the feedback from those
conferences the task group will meet again to
discuss what you said and to finalise the
framework which will then be presented at
the CASL conference in the summer term,
ready for implementation in September 2016.
It is really exciting work and it will enable us
to really show and measure the impact of the
brilliant work which is going on in school to
school support and in embedding the selfimproving education system across Cumbria.
www.cumbriaalliance.org.uk
Dates for your diary
LASL & CASL CONFERENCES
14 March LASL North Conference
at Rheged
15 March LASL West Conference
at Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite
21 March LASL South Conference
at Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
14 June
CASL Conference
at Carlisle Racecourse
Due to the popularity of the conferences we ask that
you send a maximum of 2 delegates per organisation.
Please do make sure your school and the
governing body are represented at the
consultation sessions in the spring term so
that the task group knows the views of
everyone involved.
Liz Moffatt
Strategic Development Officer
Merry Christmas from all at CASL
LASL WEST  News from your area
 LASL West Update
 LASL West English Group
Welcome to the LASL West, since the last CASL
Communique, I am delighted to be elected as Chair for the
next two academic years. I also have the privilege of
working with Simon Jackson as LASL West Vice Chair.
LASL West is co-ordinating the improvement of English across the
county at both primary and secondary stages. Since September, a
primary English group has been established and Primary SLEs
from each LASL are part of the steering group alongside Rachel
Laverack, General Advisor for the West and Vicki Hepburn-Fish,
Chair. The secondary English group has been established for over
twelve months and again has representation from each LASL and
working with Rachel Laverack and Simon Jackson, Vice Chair of
LASL West.
Thank you to the communication cluster leads and the
representatives at LASL West who are all working very
hard to strengthen the self-improving education system
for Cumbria. It has been exciting to hear about all the
excellent practice in our schools and the support you have
given each other across the cluster in West LASL.
Each cluster has been asked to elect a vice chair to ensure
that all LASL meetings are well attended and that no
schools feel that they are not represented and are missing
all the information. This term I have introduced a LASL
newsletter which is aimed at helping strengthen the
communication to all schools.
 LASL Conferences
Thank you to everyone who attended the LASL West
Conference at Castle Inn, near Keswick in October. It was
well received and some key topics shared.
 Approx 85 delegates: both HT and Governors
 Topics were very relevant, including Ofsted and Prevent
training.
 Receptive to hear about a co-ordinated approach to
‘better places for learning’.
 Governors keen to develop cluster working.
 Develop clerks working in clusters.
 CASL booklet is very informative.
The next LASL and CASL conference dates for 2016 are:
Spring LASL West 15th March 2016
at the Castle Inn, near Keswick
Summer CASL Conference 14th June 2016
at Carlisle Racecourse
Primary activities include:
 Delivering the new assessment expectations at Key Stage 1
and Key Stage 2 for clusters led by Rachel Laverack and
English SLEs.
 Case studies of effective practice in common areas such as
subject leadership, improving boys’ writing and developing
reading across the school. Once these have been finalised
they will be available on the CASL website.
 Training event led by Gary Wilson aimed at raising boys’
achievement in association with Oxford University Press on
2nd February 2016.
Secondary activities include:
 Subject Leader meetings
 Developing peer to peer support working at Subject Leader
level
 Effective CPD opportunities for English for Cumbria.
English Subject Leader Meeting – 1 December 2015
(North Lakes Hotel)
31 out of 37 Cumbrian secondary schools were represented
at the English Subject Leader meeting on 1 December. This
provided an excellent opportunity for CPD and networking.
93% of evaluation responses rated the event as either
‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. Sessions included:
 Update on changes to assessment in English at KS1 and KS2
 Update from area networks including focus on assessing
without levels
 Effective transition strategies in English between KS2 and KS3
 Developing good practice at KS3 and strategies for stretching
the more able
 Peter Thomas – Teaching the nineteenth century novel at KS4
Dates for future English Subject Leader meetings are as follows:
16th March 9.30am – 4pm, North Lakes Hotel, Penrith
30th June 9.30am – 4pm, Roundthorn Country House Hotel,
Penrith.
 Early Years
The Early years teams is currently working closely with
the Ellen Teaching School Alliance to support schools who
would like to extend their age range and support two
year olds in their provision.
There is a consultation process happening with the
suggested increase in Nursery hours to 30 hours from
September 2017. School may have received an audit as
the County Council will need to look carefully at
availability of places.
 Post 16
The CASL post 16 group has now been co-ordinated and
the group are currently working through a process to
ensure that all parties are represented. The group are
working with representation from each LASL area
alongside the senior advisor who has responsibility for
post 16.
 Peer to Peer Update
The majority of schools are now working effectively in a
peer to peer in LASL West. It is pleasing to see so many
reports now on the new CASL format and feedback has
been positive about the process and support guidance
that has been sent to all schools.
Teaching School Alliances are also beginning to discuss
key areas of school improvement across their alliances
and provide collective school improvement and CPD
across their alliances.
 Cluster Updates
At every LASL meeting there will be an opportunity for
each communication cluster lead to share best practice
from the schools in their cluster.
All new Headteachers will be contacted to offer support
with organising a professional partner to work with.
Ideally the support will come from an experienced
Headteacher within the cluster.
LASL newsletter will be produced after every LASL
meeting to ensure that all key points are shared with
clusters and schools across LASL west. Contact
communication cluster leads for this information.
 Teaching School Updates
The three West Teaching School Alliances work very closely
together and are part of the LASL strategy group. They play a
significant role in supporting school improvement across the
West. All teaching Schools are keen to work closely with more
schools. Please contact the teaching school directors for more
information:
 Western lakes Teaching School Alliance
Please contact Lynne Brownrigg
lynnebrownrigg@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
 West Coast Teaching School Alliance
Please contact Vicki Hepburn-Fish
head@victoria-inf-workington.cumbria.sch.uk
 Ellen Teaching School Alliance
Please contact Karen Louden
head@grasslot.cumbria.sch.uk
All TSA in the West LASL have produced a newsletter about their
work and this has been shared with the CCLs to disseminate to
their clusters.
The three TSA are organising CPD events and sharing resources
more effectively.
The three TSA met with Steph Ward to plan support for pupil
premium in the West. This was in response to significant gap of
pupil premium children’s outcomes in the West and specifically
Allerdale. PP conference planned to promote pp plan and train
pupil premium leads for every cluster.
 LASL West
Vicki Hepburn-Fish
Lasl Chair
westlaslchair@cumbriaallinace.org.uk
Simon Jackson
Vice chair
westlaslvicechair@cumbriaalliance.org.uk
Johnathan Johnson
Western heads rep
j.johnson@netherhall.cumbria.sch.uk
Richard Cox
LA Senior
richard.cox@cumbria.gov.uk
Sue Leigh
Governor support Manager
sue.leigh@cumbria.gov.uk
Sarah Peck
NLG West
sarahfpeck@aol.com
Lynne Brownrigg
WLTSA
lynnebrownrigg@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Karen Louden
Ellen TSA
head@grasslot.cumbria.sch.uk
Tina Beddoe
Ellen TSA
head@maryport-inf-cumbria.sch.uk
Teri Eyre
Diocese rep
teyre@btinternet.com
Shaun Monaghan
Whitehaven CCL
head@jericho.cumbria.sch.uk
David Fasham
Cockermouth CCL
head@dean.cumbria.sch.uk
Frances Edmondson
Workington CCL
f.edmondson@derwentvale.cumbria.sch.uk
Nicky Corfield
Solway plain & Wigton CCL
nickycorfield@wiggonby.cumbria.sch.uk
Ralf Smits
Keswick CCL
adminborrowdale@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Steven Herbert
Clegheads CCL
office@montreal.cumbria.sch.uk
Sue Temple
Uni of Cumbria
sue.temple@cumbria.sch.uk
Tom Ryan
Catholic Diocese
tr@stjosephs.cumbria.sch.uk
Yvonne Craig
Maryport CCL
admin@ewanrigg.cumbria.sch.uk
Andy May
Silloth CLL
admin@bothel.cumbria.sch.uk
Gillian Temple
Special Schools CLL
gillian.temple@mayfield.cumbria.sch.uk
Pauline Webster
Millom CCL
head@milliom-inf.cumbria.sch.uk
Danny Braithwaite
Post 16 rep

News from our Teaching Schools
ELLEN Teaching School Alliance
Lead School –Grasslot Infant School
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) School Direct
 Primary ITT through CPTT
 3-7 Pathway underway to the trainee teachers and
schools with EYFS are offering placements in Nursery
and Reception. Currently 5 trainees have signed up to
do this course. Lectures to start after October half
term.
 25 new CPTT trainees for Primary
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT)
 4 NQTs have been registered with Ellen TSA for Primary
 Tina Beddoe is the lead for NQTs inthe alliance.
CPD/Leadership Development
Ellen Teaching School Alliance offers bespoke training
packages these are:
Leading Outside the Classroom
A leadership course aimed at experienced and successful
primary school class teachers who are ready for the
challenge of working beyond their own classroom. They are
teachers who are ready to contribute to the improved
performance of their own school as well as schools in their
wider community.
Maths and Literacy Leader meetings
Termly meetings include training, subject specific updates
and support for all Maths and Literacy Leaders.
Learning Network Meetings
Working with Early Excellence in Huddersfield to set up
Learning Network meetings for Early Years Co-ordinators,
staff and Headteachers these will take place termly and
will include update and any relevant information.
Early Years Cluster project - High Quality Indoor provision
5 days training for 2 practitioners,2 x Yi day school based
support and £1,300 of equipment.
Leadership Development
Leading Outside the Classroom course developed in
partnerships with CEL
Strategic Partners
Grasslot Infant School
Karen Loudon
Maryport Infant School
Tina Beddoe
Netherton Infant School
Lynn Millinqton
Ellenborough and
Ewanriaa Infant School
Wendy Kendal
CPTT
Neil Rutledqe
Alliance Partners
Ewanriaa Junior School
Yvonne Craig
Maryport Junior School
Hilda Beqqs
Crosscanonby St John's Primary Steven Mitchell Hill
Dearham Primary School
Sam Kidd
Our Lady & St Patrick’s Primary
Jacqueline Hampson
Silloth Primary
Rachel lnqrams
Richmond Hill Primary
Helen Ford
Broughton Moor Primary
Peter Dawson
Specialist Leaders of Education
ELLEN Teaching School recruited 4 SLEs. 2 of the SLEs have
attended the CASL West Conference and will be attending
the Queen Katherine Teaching School Conference. Ellen
SLEs:
Name
School
Expertise
Lisa Dempster
Netherton Infant School
Phonics
Amy Barclay
Grasslot Infant School
EYFS
Jayne Brown
Maryport Infant School
EYFS
Rebeckah
Maryport Infant School
Morrison
Research and Development
EYFS
 Closing the gap through Numicon with Pupil Premium
children. The project has been completed and the
practice and principles from this research has been
shared with other partners through maths co-ordinators
group.
 2 year olds - partnership working with other agencies to
complete the 2 year old check and also to develop 2
year old provision in Maryport.
Governance
Annual report was given to governors.
Succession Planning and talent management
Ellen TSA is fully involved in: CASL strategy, CASL, LASL
strategy LASL
School to School support
An early years SLE has been deployed to work with two
schools.
Next Steps
 To evaluate and strengthen 2 year old provision in
Maryport.
 Broaden the compliment of SLEs to include KS2 SLEs
 Lead professionals in Pupil Premium
 Support new Headteachers inthe partnership
West Coast Teaching School Alliance
Review against action plan 2015-2016
Initial Teacher Training (ITT)/ School Direct








Primary ITT is operating through CPTT
% who are employed
Contract: 39%
Regular supply: 49%
Jobs outside teaching: 6%
Non QTS: 6%
Contract: 21, Regular supply: 21
33 Trainees in 2014/ 2015 have now passed with 58%
grade A and 36% grade B.
 Building learning power is going to be run again for the
new trainees.
2015-2016
 25 new CPTT trainees for Primary
 New Early Years aspect of the course has been introduced
to the trainee teachers and schools with EYFS are offering
placements in Nursery and Reception.
 New mentor training for EYFS teachers.
Recruitment 2016/ 2017
 Applications open 27/10/15. Plan first interviews for end
of November.
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT)
 West Coast and West Lakes Teaching Schools have been
working very closely together using experienced staff and
SLEs to develop an ‘NQT Toolkit’. The hand book has been
taken by Nick Hepburn-Fish to every NQT and a meeting
has taken place with all mentors to set the expectation for
their induction year.
 A new NQT hand book has been produced collectively with
the West Teaching Schools. This is a comprehensive
handbook that shares the expectation for the schools /
mentors and NQTs.
 6 NQTs have been registered with the WCTSA for Primary.
 Nick Hepburn-Fish from Hensingham Primary School is
now the lead for NQTs in the alliance. Email
nickhepburnfish@hensingham.cumbria.sch.uk for any
enquiries.
RQT
 This year we will continue a primary RQT group through
CPTT.
 The Teaching School council have funded two places for
RQTs in every alliance. RQTs have been registered and
both successfully completed their training.
Governance
 Governors update can be presented to Governing body.
 CPD - Leading beyond the school embraces Governors to
play an active role in the programme.
CPD/ Leadership Development
 WCTSA lead is part of the CASL CPD county wide group
that co-ordinates CPD across all Teaching School Alliances
and CASL partners to ensure a strategic approach. The
West Coast also offers bespoke training packages and this
has included the following:
 Building Learning Power level 1
 Building Learning Power level 2
 Leading a learning powered school
 Teaching Assistant Building Learning Power
 Research test and learn project “Does using Building
Learning Power alongside teaching maths calculation
improve learning outcomes?”
 North Yorkshire County Council Collaboration and
federations
 Through CASL and disseminated through LASL we are
carrying out a ‘collaborative approach to CPD/ leadership
development and succession planning for leadership’
audit.
 West Coast Teaching School Alliance is offering table tops
at the Innovation Teaching, Learning, and assessment
conference on 11th November at QKS. We are delighted to
share practice from both Primary and Secondary Schools in
the alliance.
 West Coast Teaching School Alliance has presented at a
North West Conference on Building learning power.
Leadership Development 2014-2015
 Successfully in partnership with CEL/ WCTSA/ WLTSA and
Manchester university Middle leadership training.
 Successfully in partnership with CEL/ WCTSA/ WLTSA and
Manchester university Senior leadership training.
 In partnership with CEL/ WCTSA/ WLTSA and Manchester
Metropolitan University we are offering ‘Leading Beyond
the School’ 2015/2016
 In partnership with CEL/ WCTSA/ WLTSA and Manchester
metropolitan university we are offering ‘Leading Beyond
the School’ 2015/2016
Succession planning and talent management
WCTSA is fully involved in:
CASL strategy; CASL; LASL Strategy; LASL; English CASL group
for Primary; Cumbria TSA; West Coast Teaching Schools
 The CASL English primary group is chaired by the lead of
the Teaching School Alliance and we have involved SLEs
within the WCTSA and county wide.
 LASL to audit good practice in English across the clusters
and collate information to support the development of the
English group’s needs.
 SLEs are being used to provide the SCITT- CPTT training for
future teachers.
Peer to eer
 Within the TSA the three secondary heads began a triad of
peer to peer last year.
 Seven primary schools in the TSA work together and hold
‘Aspire’ meetings where we look at common ‘hot topics’.
There are two triads for the schools and one other school
is involved under the ‘cluster peer to peer’.
School to school support
 WCTSA is a strategic partner in the LASL strategy group
which the TS Lead chairs as Chair of LASL West.
 WCTSA successfully secured £15,000 to support a local
Primary School. A LLE/SLEs have been deployed since
January 2015.
 WCTSA successfully secured funding of £10,000 to a Junior
School.
 NLE for the WCTSA co-ordinates and brokers the support in
conjunction with the LASL strategy.
 Currently we have three SLEs deployed through CPD and
support for other schools.
SLE Specialist leader in Education
 In March the WCTSA and WCTSA recruited SLEs.
 The TS lead supported the Ellen TSA to recruit SLEs for their
first time and to ensure the QA model was supported.
 SLE recruitment will now be through the TSA and based on
the needs of the TSA. Marketing and promotion of the SLE
role will not be funded as in previous years. The Cumbria
TSA network is co-ordinating the recruitment times to
ensure that it does not become competitive.
Research and Development
 Closing the gap test and learn - research design module.
Five schools have been involved in a closing the gap
research project in partnership with TLO. The aim was to
find out if “Does using Building Learning Power alongside
teaching maths calculation improve learning outcomes?”
See poster. The WCTSA was funded £5,000 to carry out this
work.
 Since 2013/14 and 2014/15 the WCTSA has been involved
in a two year test and learn project with ‘Achievement for
All.’ This looks at intervention to support families of
disadvantaged children and SEND.
 The WCTSA funded Netherhall, Dearham and Flimby
Primary School to carry out a project and produce a case
study to support transition.
Leading beyond the TSA
 Attended International conference ‘Inspiring leadership’ in
June to gain a greater understanding of system leadership
across the world.
 Attended school-led system conference in October 2015.
 CASL - Ofsted training with HMI, September 2015.
Next steps
 Develop the WCTSA website
 Update the MOU with clear strategic and alliance partners.
 Share the vision ‘Aspire to lead, aspire to learn’ that every
pupil in our schools receives a good education.
 Strengthen the Governors in supporting the new Ofsted
changes/ cluster Governor working within the WCTSA.
 Link closely with LASL strategy to ensure schools have equal
access to the right support and through a co-ordinated
approach.
 Link WCTSA action plan to the CASL/LASL plan.
West Coast Teaching School Alliance
Strategic Partners
Victoria Infant & Nursery School
Vicki Hepburn-Fish
(Chair)
Victoria Junior School
Pauline Robertson
Jericho Primary School
Shaun Monaghan
St James Infant School
Jill Eaton
Hensingham Primary School
Nick Hepburn-Fish
Flimby primary School
Jacqui Wilson
Seaton Junior School
Amanda Dickinson
Bransty Primary School
Joanne Fearon
St Joseph’s Catholic High School
Tom Ryan
West lakes Academy
Vanessa Ray
Netherhall Secondary School
Johnathan Johnson
CPTT Cumbria Primary Teacher
Training
Neil Rutledge
CEL Centre for Educational
Leadership
Brendan Murden / David
Sibbit
Alliance Partners
Distington Community Primary School
Angela Quirk
St Patrick’s Primary School
Cheryl Slack
Wreay Primary School
Clare Render
Holme St Cuthbert School
Lynn Carini
WCTSA SLEs
Name
School
Expertise
Lindsay Walker
Dearham
MFL
Kirsty Barton
Dearham
EYFS, SEN
Emma Ivison
Dearham
English
Laura Todhunter
Westfield
Literacy, IT, NQT
Carl Barnes
Victoria Infant &
Nursery
Assessment,
Curriculum
Christine Humble
Victoria Infant &
Nursery
NQT
Stuart Robertson
Victoria Infant &
Nursery
ICT
Tony Clayton
Victoria Junior
English
Rebecca Lewis
Victoria Junior
MFL
Craig Hodgson
Victoria Junior
Maths
Grant Townson
Northside Primary
Curriculum
Kerri Newton
Victoria Infant &
Nursery
Behaviour/
curriculum
Louise Payton
St Patricks Primary
Workington
English
Mandy Hyland
Hensingham Primary Phonics
Western Lakes Teaching School Alliance
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) / School Direct
 Secondary ITT Operational Group meet half termly – remit
now includes NQT
 WLTSA common evaluation form is now used to evaluate and
improve Secondary School Direct conferences and training
 Secondary ITT Mentor Training and Development includes
monthly update, joint observations and face-to-facetraining
 Primary ITT through CPTT (School Direct and Core)
 University of Cumbria Collaborative Programmes –
comprehensive Annual Evaluatory Report is available
(reporting on WLTSA delivery in 2014/15)
 School Direct Action Plan 2015-16 produced following the
review of programme operation in 2014/15
 Mentoring and support for Assessment Only route
established and staff in place – this will provide guidance to
support future AO candidates in WLTSA schools
 Engagement with new schools/mentors joining the alliance
Leadership andDevelopment
 CEL Middle Leader Programme validated by
WLTSA/WCTSA/CEL Manchester Metropolitan University
 CEL Senior Leader Programme validated by
WLTSA/WCTSA/CEL Manchester Metropolitan University
 CEL Senior Leading beyond the School Programme
validated by WLTSA/WCTSA/CEL Manchester
Metropolitan University. This is a new Training programme
which will be available this academic year.
Succession Planning and talent management (reference
CPD/Leadership section)
 WLTSA fully engages with CASL (representing TSAs across
the county) and LASL
 WLTSA attends Cumbria’s TSA and BBCL Meetings WLTSA staff are reps for CPD group and ITT group
 WLTSA has increased the number of NQT registrations
School to School Support
 WLTSA continues to submit applications for funding for S2S
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT)
 NQT/Mentor Handbook produced collaboratively with the
West Cumbrian TSAs. This handbook and paperwork is
available to NQT’s/Mentors once they have registered with
a teaching school in West Cumbria (The paperwork is also
available as PDFs on the website)
 11 Primary/21 Secondary NQTs registered with WLTSA
September 2015
 Primary NQT/RQT CPD Programme in place for the third year
 Countywide NQT Mentor training – led by WLTSA
 Secondary NQT CPD and support network to include
twilights and conferences
and broker support to schools as appropriate in liaison
with CASL and TSAs
 S2S grant success - £ 7,500 was received to support a
secondary school. Action Plan requested from the
Headteacher, identifying actions/costings closely linked to
the SIP
 WLTSA has a range of SLE’s in place aligned with the CASL
protocols from September 2015
 Some requests have been made for additional non-SLE
support
Specialist Teachers in Education (SLEs)
 In March 2015 , the West Cumbrian TSA’s conducted joint
Recently Qualified Teachers (RQT)
 Secondary RQT development group established
 Enquiry-based programme for RQT’S from September
(reference R&D) – piloted in 3 Secondary schools
 TS Council Targeted funding for RQT Training Programme – 2
RQT’s / registered. 1 completed the training
CPD/Leadership Development
 WLTSA – member of the CCPD Group – contributing to
county wide CPD Traded Services CPD Directory as well as
bespoke training that has been identified within the TS
 WLTSA initiated the collaborative approach to
CPD/Leadership planning document (to be disseminated via
CASL)
 WLTSA schools’ contribute to BBCL conference providing
primary and secondary themed workshops
recruitment
 SLE Programme is currently under review. The future of
specialist leaders in education is still being determined as
part of the broader picture. Marketing and promotion is
the responsibility of teaching schools locally. There is no
specific SLE Grant funding available. This information was
provided in the Teaching Schools Newsletter September
2015.
SLE NAME
SCHOOL
EXPERTISE
Katy Birks
Cockermouth School
English
Lisa Borrowdale
Frizington Primary
Early Years
Abby Deeks
West Lakes Academy
English
Barry Simpson
West Lakes Academy
Science
Samantha Simpson
Keswick School
English
Graham Wigginton
Solway School
SEN
Gayle Wilkinson
St Patrick's Catholic
Primary
West Lakes Academy
Primary
Chris Williams
MFL
Western Lakes Teaching School Alliance
Lead School
Research andDevelopment
Bridekirk and Dovenby
School
 Barry Hymer Conference, July 2015 was very successful as a
stimulus for AR. Two conference sessions were provided and
numerous requests for follow-up
 RQT AR Projects established in 3 secondary schools- Keswick/
St.Benedict’s / Ullswater Community College
Governance
 WLTSA power point available for GBs
 Encourage COGs to become National Leaders in
Education/NCTL-The National Leaders in Governance round
is now open and closes on 6th November
 CPD- CEL ‘Leading beyond the School’ – embracing
Governors of schools to play an active part in the programme
Connecting with the wider community
 3 September 2015 – WLTSA /Ellen School provided an
information desk at the ‘Student AssertionWorkshop’ –
Energus,Lillyhall Focus – ITT/School Direct – ‘Potential
Teachers Recruitment
Helen Tinnion, Headteacher
Strategic Partners
St Patricks School ( Primary ) Emma Jackson, Headteacher
Mayfield School ( Special )
Gillian Temple, Headteacher
Cockermouth School
( Secondary & Lead School
for School Direct )
Dr Rob Petrie,Headteacher
Keswick School ( Secondary) Simon Jackson,Headteacher
University ofCumbria
Alliance Partners
(with regard to NQT Registration 2015-2016 )
Primary
Bransty School
Broughton School
Bassenthwaite School
Eaglesfield Paddle Primary Academy
Montreal School
St Joseph’s Frizington
 WLTSA will be supporting INSPIRA Event at Cockermouth
School 6th October 2015 for the second year. Theme ‘World
ofWork’-The aims of the day:
Secondary
 Improve students’ understanding of the world of work
 Improve students’ understanding of the skills needed to
St Joseph’s Catholic HighSchool
make people employable
 Improve knowledge and understanding of the range of
jobs in the labour market
 Enthuse students to achieve potential and aim as high
as possible in their aspirations
 CASL – Ofsted training with HMI – September 2015 ‘The New
Ofsted Framework’
Netherhall School
Solway Community Technology College
Ullswater Community College
West Lakes Academy
Whitehaven Academy
Workington Academy
St Benedicts RC High School
Lynne CBrownrigg
Director of WLTSA
Ruth Buxton
Initial Teacher Training
Coordinator WLTSA
Sarah Thurrell
Administrator WLTSA
Dawn Boyes
Company Secretary
Other priorities
 Attendance at Cumbria’s regional conferences and meetings
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have been, and will continue to be, a high priority.
8th October 2015 – ‘School Improvement Seminar’
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Developing a Self-Improving Education System- Blackpool
Sixth Form College
20th October – School Led Conference, Manchester
 11th November 2015 – BBCL Teaching, Learning and
Innovation Conference at Queen Katherine School, Kendal
WLTSA Website
The website has been refreshed and WLTSA administrator is
engaging with social media to support marketing of School
Direct. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to share
experiences, successes and promote future events.
@WLTSACumbria
wltsaschooldirect
LASL NORTH  News from your area
 Progress and impact of activity on the
LASL North Plan
100% of universal schools are involved in robust peer reviews
which secure further improvement
 The vast majority of universal schools are involved in peer
reviews.
 Those that aren’t, are mainly conducting self-evaluation with
the support of an outside agency eg RLA.
 Supported schools- progress and
impact of work done
Several schools in the North LASL are now benefitting
from support from system leaders in other schools
whether this is brokered from the Teaching School or
from schools in the cluster. The impact of this work is
already being seen in both the receiving school and in
the school providing the support. This is system
leadership in action and is great to see!
 The 3 that we don’t know about are being contacted by the
Cluster Communication Lead.
 Schools are reporting that an outcome is a greater focus on
self-evaluation using the new Peer Review form.
 It is really encouraging to see an increase in the number of
good and outstanding schools at both primary and secondary
level over the last 18 months. Well done to all involved!
Robust quality assurance processes are established in all areas of
school improvement support work
 The LASL North Strategy Group is now established and all
partners are fully engaged.
 The LASL Chair and Senior GA are in regular communication
and developing an effective working relationship.
 Schools are becoming increasingly clear on LASL procedures
and expectations.
 Clusters are increasingly involved in the provision of school to
school support.
Disadvantaged Pupils Project to lead to rapid improvement and
impact on outcomes
 There were disappointing PP results for the county from
academic year 2014-15.
 However there is now a robust PP plan in place to tackle the
issues.
 All clusters are aware of the importance of PP work and are
developing their practice
 PP CPD is delivered through conferences and lectures at
undergraduate and post graduate level.
 Clusters are reviewing the support they can provide to schools
which are in need of support.
 Efforts are being made to place a PP reviewer in every cluster
in Cumbria.
 Feedback from the Conference
 65 delegates attended on the Friday afternoon
before half term. The date was unfortunate and it
did adversely affect numbers.
 The speakers were well received and several
requests for information from heads unable to
attend have been received.
 The Prevent duty talk was particularly well received
as well as the new Ofsted information.
LASL SOUTH  News from your area

Sunday Times Festival of Education 18 June 2015 at Wellington College, Berkshire
‘The Sunday Times Festival of Education brings
together the very best of education’s most
forward thinking advocates, practitioners of
change and policy makers.
This two day festival has become one of, if not
the leading forum for thought leadership, CPD
and debate in the Education sector.’
Keynote Speakers were:
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Nicky Morgan Secretary of State for Education
Piers Morgan Journalist
Carol Dweck Professor Stanford University
Sir Michael Wilshaw Her Majesty's Chief Inspector
Ofsted
Sir Ken Robinson Author
Vicky Beer National Teaching Schools Council
I was asked to speak, as part of a panel, with Kevan Collins
CEO, Education Endowment Fund around ‘My future, my
community – helping young people take positive social
action. Young people can transform themselves and their
communities through social action – what is education’s
role?’
The Prince’s Trust, who are very interested in our work in
school, and the work we have done to engage schools
across Furness in partnership work with the business sector,
invited me to be their guest speaker. This was an excellent
opportunity to share the work we are doing in Furness
schools and so I made my way to Berkshire. I talked about
the improving economic picture in the area and the
opportunities that will be available for our young people.
How we are wrapping our curriculum and learning
opportunities around the transferrable skills employers tell
us they are looking for and how closely these skills align to
high order learning skills and those skills required to carry
out successful youth social action. I talked about the Win Win nature of this work if we can shift our learning culture
to a true partnership with employers - a skilled future
workforce for employers and an enhanced curriculum offer
for schools. We know from our work, cross phase, that this
approach to purposeful and relevant learning engages even
the most disaffected youngsters and has a very real impact
on attainment outcomes.
I showed how our approach fits directly with the new Ofsted
Inspection Framework; teaching students explicitly how to
learn, working with employers to skill up young people,
creating a localised curriculum that is relevant for young
people. Through partnership with employers we can raise
awareness of career opportunities in the locality but more than
that, we can put young people directly into the world of work
thus breaking down barriers that limit future choices. I gave
the examples of a joint schools Children Leading Change
Project we recently led, involving around 250 pupils and also
about the Furness Future Leaders Academy taking place for 3
weeks during this Summer (primary students form 23 schools
working together with businesses to develop leadership skills)
in which we are no longer aiming to inspire and up skill future
employees but future CEOs and employers!
Kevan Collins fed back how impressed he was with our
innovative approach to solving local problems and that
although schools work with businesses across the country none
do so in a co-construction partnership model as ours. He also
commented on our commitment to shaping educational
culture as we have worked for about 8 yrs to develop this
model and support other schools; primary, secondary and FE,
to develop the practice. He is very eager to schools in Furness.
The Prince’s Trust are also extremely interested in this
approach and how it can be effective as a model for schools to
work in partnership with their community, to develop youth
social action. I recently shared the thinking I have outlined at a
Prince’s Trust ’50 Inspirational Heads’ event and have, as a
result, been asked to be the Primary Chair for a Prince’s Trust
national Headteacher Advisory Group. I am also now sitting on
the Prince’s Trust Education Steering Group for the Step Up to
Serve Campaign (with DfE, Ofsted, Citizenship Foundation,
Action for Children, Whole Education, The Jubilee Centre etc
…lots of Movers and Shakers!)
Although I do worry a little about becoming distracted from my
day job, it is very important that schools in Furness have a
voice in national educational policy making circles and it is very
positive that the work we are doing here is thought to be
highly valuable.
Caroline Vernon
Headteacher at Victoria Academy

News from our Teaching Schools
The Queen Katherine Teaching School Alliance
It has been a busy start to the year and many thanks to everyone for their
contributions so far.
We welcome Furness Academy to the Teaching School Alliance and congratulate
Yarlside Primary Academy on their successful designation as a Teaching School. We
look forward to working together and enhancing the opportunities over in the
Furness area.
Initial Teacher Training
Trainee Teachers 2015/16
The trainees from last year are all settling in to their new teaching positions and we
look forward to hearing from them during the year. Sasha (Primary) and Peter
(Secondary) have already met the new trainees to share their experiences with them.
8 primary and 12 secondary trainees have started this year and early indications are
extremely positive about their potential to be high quality teachers.
The secondary cohort are the first South Cumbria SCITT cohort, where we accredit
the ITE element and are working in collaboration with the University of Cumbria for
the PGCE and subject pedagogy.
We welcome Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) to the South Cumbria SCITT
partnership and look forward to working with them this year.
Thank you in advance to all the teachers and schools who contribute to the high
quality training of our trainee teachers, it really is appreciated and wonderful to see
them develop into strong teachers.
Recruiting for 2016/17
The allocation methodology has changed this year, we have permission to recruit up
to 15 primary (including an early years and SEN) and up to 25 in Secondary (6 English,
6 mathematics, 3 physics, 3 chemistry, 3 geography, 2 history and 2 biology) for
16/17.
Newly Qualified Teachers
We have over 40 NQTs registered with the Appropriate Body, a number have
continued from last year as they are part time. This year we have extended the NQT+
training sessions which has been long established in Furness to the Kendal and
Dallam areas. These sessions are voluntary and free. We have extended the
invitation to any NQTs in the area, even if they are not registered with the QKTSA.
There will be two NQT conferences this year (November – Secondary morning and
open to all in the afternoon, February – Primary morning and open to all in the
afternoon).
School to School Support
We currently have 8 successful grant bids from the NCTL for school improvement;
five in the completion stages from last year and three new grants. All projects are
progressing well and the funding and opportunities to work with partner
headteachers and colleagues to access professional development has been
welcomed by the schools.
South LASL leads on behalf CASL on the priority of raising attainment and progress in
Mathematics Key Stages 2 and 4. One of our objectives was to apply for Maths Hub
Status for BBCL. At the end of last term we found out we were successful, with
Lancaster Royal Grammar School being the lead school.
South Lakes Federation
Teaching School Alliance
Peer Reviews & School to School
Support
We are pleased to welcome Helen Gaunt
to the South Lakes Federation and
Teaching School in a consultancy
capacity. Helen is a former Headteacher
and lead OFSTED inspector and will be
working with us for the equivalent of
three days per week to provide extra
capacity in relation to school
improvement and associated
professional development and training.
All schools within the alliance are
grouped in threes to conduct the annual
peer review. All reviews will be
completed by the end of the first week
in November. Three schools have opted
for an extended two day review
comprising data analysis, lesson
observations, interviews with Heads of
Dept/pastoral leads, meetings with
students and governors followed by a
full written report calibrating school selfevaluation judgements, identifying areas
for further improvement and, where
appropriate support from within the
partnership to address those priorities. A
further two day review for a fourth
school is scheduled for the Spring Term
2016. Two Deputy Heads have also been
involved in the process as part of their
on-going professional development.
Governor Training
30 Governors attended a training session
in September on the new OFSTED
framework with particular reference to
the role of governors in the process and
the types of question they are likely to
be asked.
ITE
We continue to work in partnership with
two neighbouring Teaching Schools to
develop our SCITT. For the current
Academic year we have recruited 12
trainees.
South Lakes Rural Partnership
Teaching School Alliance
New Alliance members
SLRP is delighted to welcome a number of new schools from
the Millom area into our Teaching School Alliance. Haverigg,
Thwaites, Captain Shaw’s Primary Schools, Black Combe Junior
and Millom Infants. There are now 34 primary schools in the
Teaching School Alliance with a further six secondary schools
part of the wider SLRP Alliance.
Peer Reviews & School to School Support
All Schools within the alliance are now grouped in nine clusters
of 3/4 to conduct peer reviews. The format of the report has
been adjusted to take account of the OFSTED requirements and
the increased emphasis on the performance of current cohorts
in the school rather than being based on historic data and end
of key stage performance. A new target setting language has
been agreed to take account of the move away from levels and
we have settled on a completion date of Christmas 2015 for all
peer reviews. In some instances schools have opted to
incorporate Headteacher performance management into the
process in consultation with their governing bodies. As in
previous years we will use the outcomes from the process to
determine CPD priorities for our partnership which we mainly
deliver through our networks. Reviews are also used to identify
priorities for SLE deployment.
All Headteachers have approved our Quality Assurance
arrangements including an open invitation to senior/ general
advisers to attend meetings of our Executive Board to discuss
and evaluate completed reports in the spring and summer
terms.
In addition to the annual peer reviews which all schools
participate in, a number of schools have requested longer two
day visits incorporating lesson observations, book scrutiny,
meetings with subject leaders, students and governors. We are
able to deliver this as a costed service with monies used to
cover the cost of Headteacher deployments to conduct the
review and complete the written report. System leaders have
worked in partnership with the LA in one such review.
Impact - more rigorous self-review supports school
improvement (2 /34 schools currently not judged to be good
and improvements noted in both schools).
ITE
Our ITE strand will once again be led by Burton Morewood
School and we are currently in the process of recruiting for
2016 /2017. Last year we successfully trained 11 students and
we are updating our employment records for those trainees.
For cohort 1 trainees 90% secured full time employment within
six months of completing their training.
Yarlside Teaching School Alliance
After attending the National Induction Event in Nottingham
the action plan for Yarlside Teaching School Alliance (YTSA)
has now been completed and submitted to the Teaching
School Council. This terms priorities along with the nine
strategic partners is to; establish the Teaching School’s vision,
develop robust procedures for collecting data, appoint an
administrator and start the process of appointing SLEs.
Work has started in terms of prioritising CPD needs within
the Barrow and Furness area with a particular focus needed
within raising standards, preparing for changes to end of key
stage assessments and social issues.
The Teaching School has been well received within the area
with lots of interest from additional schools in becoming
strategic partners and alliance members.
 Closing the Gap for Children Looked
After: Successes and stubborn issues
The 2015 outcomes for Children Looked After (CLA) present a
very mixed picture with some big improvements and some
stubborn issues.
In the Early Years CLA 46% achieved a good level of
development, our best results ever and results also improved
in Key Stage 1. At Key Stage 5 our young people achieved
good results and seven young people have embarked on
degree courses, including one studying veterinary science.
Now, the stubborn issues. At Key Stage 4 results 5+ A*-C EM
rose from 8% in 2014 to 13% in 2015 but this gap remains
stubbornly wide. The target was 20% but several CLA
narrowly missed achieving a C in maths. This together with
the very low number making three levels progress in maths,
just 13% (five of 38 students) show that maths is a key issue.
This was also the case at Key Stage 2 where only 48%
achieved level 4+ in Maths compared to 70% in Reading. The
number making two levels progress was also low in 2015, just
62% made the expected level of progress.
The Virtual School governing body now has representation
from CASL and LASL and at our recent meeting it was
suggested that I attend LASL meetings in the Spring term
together the Achievement teachers from my team. The aim
will be to share successful strategies and also look at these
stubborn issues in the context of the current 2016 and 2017
cohorts in each LASL area and discuss how we can work
together to close the gap for this vulnerable group. I look
forward to this.
Bev Redfern
Virtual School Head

Maths Hub Comes to Cumbria
Cumbria and North Lancashire were the only areas
in England without a Maths Hub. However our
recent bid for Maths Hub Status for Cumbria and
North Lancashire has been successful.
Maths Hubs will enable and further develop:
Maths Hubs – Cumbria and North Lancashire
Key functions:
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Local picture:
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32 Maths Hubs across England, none in
Cumbria/North Lancashire
3 Maths Hubs in North West Region
Some project work provided by NW2 Maths Hub
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To do as well as best in the world
For all students to master mathematics
For all students to carry on study of mathematics to
age 18
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School Improvement – support for all schools to improve:
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The teaching of mathematics
The leadership of mathematics
The school’s mathematics curriculum
Mathematics Outcomes:
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Identify needs and agree strategic provision
Ensure provision of high impact specialist
mathematics support
Critically evaluate quality and impact
Main Hub Drivers:
Ambition:
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School-led subject system leadership
High impact collaboration and partnership
Innovation in teaching and teacher development
Effective use of specialised expertise and evidence
Lead School – Lancaster Royal Grammar School,
Chris Pyle
Senior Leader – Stephen Wilkinson, The Queen
Katherine Teaching School Alliance
Maths Lead – Alison Scott, Dowdales School
Six sub-hubs - CASL/LASL structure and other BBCL
areas
Strategic Group
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Above group
Secondary Head and Primary Head leads from each
sub-hub
Operation Groups
Improve levels of achievement
Increase levels of participation
Improve attitudes to learning
Closing the gaps between groups
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Operational Group lead by secondary/primary leads
for each sub-hub
Co-ordinate work groups
Report to Strategic Group
sub hub
LASL
West
sub hub
North
Lancashire
The BBCL Maths Hub Proposed Structure
Hub
Lead School LRGS
sub hub
Blackburn
with
Darwen
sub hub
LASL North
Senior leader QKS
Maths Lead Dowdales
School
sub hub
LASL
South
sub hub
Blackpool
W: www.cumbriaalliance.org.uk E: info@cumbriaalliance.org.uk T: 016977 45722
A: FAO CASL, William Howard School, Longtown Road, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 1A