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Website: www.durhamteachingschools.org.uk
Email: information@durhamteachingschools.org.uk
Welcome to the Durham Teaching School Alliance
Issue 12 January 2016
Values and Mission:
The Durham Teaching Schools Alliance aims to inspire learning for all through: support and
collaboration, reflection and enquiry, sharing and dissemination, access to expertise and nurturing
talent. Together we can shape the future of learning in Durham by: improving teaching, developing
leaders, raising achievement and promoting positive attitudes to learning.
The Durham Teaching School Alliance is a Cohort 3 teaching school alliance.
Alliance Schools: The following schools have signed a Memorandum of Understanding underlining
their commitment to the teaching school alliance and partnership working.
Aclet Close Nursery School, Bowburn Infant and Nursery School, Crook Nursery School, Tudhoe Moor
Nursery School, Lumley Infant and Nursery School, Cockton Hill Junior School, Esh Winning Primary
School, West Cornforth Primary School, North Park Primary School, Timothy Hackworth Primary
School, Chilton Primary School, Ludworth Primary School, Peases West Primary School, Langley Moor
Primary School, St Michael’s CE Primary School, Burnopfield Primary School, St Helens Primary
School, St Mary’s RC Primary School, Evergreen Primary School, Vane Road Primary School, Deaf Hill
Primary School, Shotley Bridge Infant School, Cockton Hill Infant School, Staindrop CE Primary School,
Escomb Primary School, Woodhouse Community Primary School, Fishburn Primary School, Langley
Park Primary School, Consett Infant School, Etherley Lane Primary School, Moorside Primary School,
Blessed John Duckett RC Primary School, Horndale Infant and Nursery School, Sugar Hill Primary
School, Oakley Cross Primary School and Nursery Unit, St Anne’s CE Primary School, Kirk Merrington
Primary School, Durham Gilesgate Primary School, Easington Colliery Primary School, Wheatley Hill
Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary (South Moor), Gainford CE Primary School, Lumley Junior
School, Catchgate Primary School, Ingleton CE Primary School, Copeland Road Primary School.
King James 1 Academy, Wolsingham School, The Oaks Secondary School, Seaham School of
Technology, St John’s School and Sixth Form College and Greenfield Community College (52)
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What does the Durham Teaching School Alliance offer?
1. School to School Support
2. Opportunities for CPD
3. Succession Planning
4. Research and Development
5. Initial Teacher Training
6. Access to Specialist Leaders in Education, SLEs, and National Leaders in Education, NLEs.
System Leaders- National Leaders of Education (NLEs), National Leaders of Governance (NLGs),
Local Leaders of Education (LLEs), Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs)
Name/Designation
NLEs
Mrs L. George
Mrs L. Patterson
Mrs F. Gowland
Mrs A. Lupton
NLG
Mr J. Buckham
LLEs
Mr D. Brown
Mrs S. Taylor
Mr S. Whelerton
Mr D. Eason
SLEs
Mrs E. Sturrock
Mrs L.Cooper
Miss R. Stanhope
Mrs K.Costello
Mrs K.A.Lee
Mrs J. Crosby
Mrs C. Speight
Mrs J. Madgwick
Mrs K. Lee
Mrs R. Newbold
Mr P. Robertson
School
Prince Bishops Community Primary School
Etherley Lane Nursery School
Our Lady and St Thomas RC Primary School
Crook Primary School
Prince Bishops Primary School
Ramshaw Primary & St Chads RC Primary
Burnopfield Primary School
Staindrop CE Primary School
Fishburn Primary School
Ramshaw Primary School, English
Sunnybrow Primary School, Maths
Burnside Primary School, Attendance
Vane Road Primary School, ICT
Prince Bishops Primary School, ITT
Ludworth Primary School, EYFS
Langley Park Primary School, EYFS
Etherley Lane Nursery School, EYFS
Hartside Primary School, SBM
Glendene Arts Academy, Behaviour
St John’s School & 6th Form, MFL
To find out more about system leaders and how they can help your school contact Joe Sonnenfeld
Teaching School Audit
The Durham Teaching School Alliance offers a wide range of services to schools and settings across
Durham. We work collaboratively with Durham Education Development Services and other strategic
partners to provide good quality, low cost training and support to schools and settings. We would
like to know what you want for the staff and governors at your school in terms of: school to school
support, succession planning, and professional development. At the end of this letter you will find a
simple audit proforma. Please take just 5 minutes out of your busy schedule to complete and return
the template to me.(perhaps you could spend 5 minutes during a staff meeting or leadership
meeting) Deadline for returns: Tuesday 19th January 2016.
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Welcome to Joe Buckham National Leader of Govenance (NLG)
Governance Support
With the increased emphasis on the role of governors in the management of their schools the
government has introduced a support mechanism designed to provide a critical friend for governing
bodies. Whilst your local authority can provide backup, Durham Teaching Schools Alliance can
arrange for support to chairs of governors and their boards which is independent, impartial and
delivered by experienced governors with a track record of success.
National leaders of governance (NLGs) are highly effective chairs of governors who support chairs of
governors in other schools. You can contact an NLG through us if you want to improve the leadership
and performance of your school’s governing body. Durham Teaching Schools Alliance can provide
support from a number of NLGs from differing backgrounds, depending on the type and level of
support your governing body requires.
Typical activities include, but are not limited to:
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external reviews of governance
coaching and mentoring
reviewing the responsibilities of the governing body
action planning
supporting academy conversion
advising on reviewing headteacher performance
An NLG will work directly with your school’s chair of governors. Their support can include:
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phone calls
emails
face-to face meetings
attendance at governors meetings
The NLGs are very aware of the time commitment that governors already make and will try and
arrange contact to suit the school being supported, so the time can be spent across full or partial
days, during evenings or at weekends. Any possible costs will be negotiated between your school
and the Durham Teaching Schools Alliance and will depend on the type and level of support that you
require.
The Durham Teaching School Alliance has a directory of Lead Teachers
Lead Teachers are teachers whose practice is judged outstanding by their Headteacher and EDP. If
you have a member of staff whose practice is consistently good or outstanding we want to hear from
you. Simply download the application form from the website complete it and send it to me. I will
request a reference from school and your EDP. Names will be added to the data base which can be
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accessed by all schools. Teachers from across the County will then be able to visit your school. The
Lead Teacher role does not involve any outreach work.
If you currently have a Lead Teacher on the data base who is changing or has changed year groups
or left your school please let me know so that I can keep the data base up to date
The Durham Teaching School Alliance is looking for Lead Practitioners
Do you have support staff in your school whose practice is exceptional or innovative?
We are looking for: School Business Managers, TAs, HLTAs, Learning Mentors, Attendance Officers,
PSAs, Midday Supervisors, Caretakers…….. who are willing to share their practice with colleagues
from other schools. Please encourage them to apply to be a Lead Practitioner. The application
process is very simple. Application forms can be downloaded from the website.
Once completed you must endorse the application by providing a short reference and then return
the form to me. Lead Practitioners are not expected to engage in any outreach work. Please let me
know if you have a member of staff in the Lead Practitioner Directory and they leave your school
or change their role.
Initial Teacher Training 2016-17
The Durham Teaching School Alliance offers two School Direct Initial Teacher Training courses.
1. A general Primary Post Graduate Certificate in Education validated by the University of
Northumbria. On completion of this one year full time course trainees will be awarded Qualified
Teacher Status with 60 Master Level credits. Applications for this programme are made using the
UCAS website. Apply 1 opened on 27th October.
2. A Post Graduate Certificate in Education with Early Years Teacher Status. This is for graduates who
want to specialize in child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum 0-5 years.
On completion of this course trainees will be awarded Early Years Teacher Status.
To find out more about both of these courses please look on the teaching school website and/or
contact me.
Continuing Professional Development
So far this academic year the Durham Teaching School Alliance has delivered the following training:
Read, Write, Inc (2 days)
Read, Write, Inc- Fresh Start (2 days)
HLTA Preparation (3 days) x 3 cohorts
Longer route, training programme for Teaching Assistants (5 days)
Speech and Language training for 0-3 year olds, longer route programme (10 sessions)
MA programme- ongoing (3 years part time)
KS2 SATs
Lunchtime Leadership
Viewpoints on Style
End of Year expectations in reading and writing
Still to come in 2016- look out for flyers or visit the website
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Too Young 2 be in school
Mindfulness for Leaders
An introduction to Letters and Sounds
How to get rid of the fear factor of using Spanish
NLP taster sessions
Making the most of your outdoor learning environment
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Mindful Leadership- Wednesday 20th January 2016
I have been working closely, for some time, with Zara Cordella who has been practising and
developing mindfulness therapy for over 20 years. We have put together a training package for
Headteachers/senior leaders called Mindful Leadership. The day is designed around helping senior
leaders to explore their values, beliefs and intentions and understand their own strengths and
weakness and the implications for the school and workforce. We will explore the difference between
fear, anxiety, stress and depression and learn how to be happier, healthier and more mindful. This
course is designed to improve self- awareness and school effectiveness. Please note this course does
not involve meditations, mantras or breathing exercises…
Conference for Deputy Headteachers and Senior Leaders- Thursday 19th May 2016
Following on from the success of the Deputy Headteacher’s Conference in June we are planning
another conference for senior leaders to take place in May 2016. Please put Thursday 19th May in
your diary. This conference will be held at Headlam Hall. The Key Note speaker will be John Carey.
John has been practicing Neuro Linguistic Programming, (NLP) and hypnotherapy, for many years.
John will help delegates to understand the power of words and beliefs and how to deal with the
challenges and pressures of leadership.
Professional Development Days
The Durham Teaching School Alliance can design and deliver a bespoke training day for your school.
Do you want teachers and teaching assistants at your school to receive a different input during a
training day? The Durham Teaching School Alliance can help to provide training for staff which
focuses on good value and quality. If you have a particular need in mind please contact me to discuss
how we can help.
HLTA Professional Development Event 2016- The science and language of learning
Dr Tom Robson will lead a training day for HLTAs on Thursday 19th May at the Northern Design
Centre, Gateshead, NE8 3DF. This event has been organised by HLTA North. The day will include
activities based around the exploration of motivation, inspiration, mindset, self awareness, team
working and much more. Tom is a great friend of the Durham Teaching School Alliance and I have no
hesitation in recommending him to you as an inspirational and motivational speaker and teacher.
For more details visit www.hltanorth.co.uk
Improving Attendance Workshop
Improving Attendance workshops have been running since 2013. Workshops are free of charge and
are open to Headteachers, teachers, Attendance Officers, Learning Mentors.. The workshops are led
by Rachel Stanhope, SLE for attendance, who is supported by LA personnel. The next workshops will
be held on Wednesday 3rd February at 2 p.m at Prince Bishops Primary School with the same content
repeated at Burnside Primary School on Wednesday 10th February at 2 p.m. These are drop in
sessions so there is no need to book. I would be grateful, however, if you could let me know if you
plan to attend Prince Bishops j.sonnenfeld200@durhamlearning.net and let Rachel know if you plan
to attend Burnside- r.stanhope200@durhamlearning.net so that we can organize refreshments and
materials.
Charges for CPD
The Durham Teaching School Alliance will always endeavour to keep its charges for CPD as low as
possible. Whenever we can we will pass on savings to you and keep you informed of funded places/
opportunities.
Charges for CPD will now be made directly to your school budget, (except for Academies),
following training events. You will not be sent an invoice unless you request one.
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Cancellation Fees:
If a member of your staff cannot attend a training event no charge will be made to your school
providing you give me a minimum of 5 working days notice. You will incur a cancellation fee (50% of
the cost of the course) if you withdraw from a course giving less than 5 days notice.
Your school will be charged the full cost for non- attendance without prior warning, unless there
are mitigating circumstances.
Confirmation of CPD:
All bookings for training are made by email. (this is simply to reduce/remove the possibility that a
message left with a member of staff is lost). Confirmation of places at training events are sent to all
schools within 24 hours of a booking. If you haven’t received confirmation within 24 hours please
send a reminder since your message has not reached the teaching school manager. The confirmation
is sent to the person making the booking or to the email address given by the school. A reminder is
sent to all schools a week to ten days before the training event. Please make sure that delegates
booked on courses from your schools receive the necessary information.
North East Teaching School Alliances (NETS)
There are now 42 teaching school alliances in the North of England. All of the teaching schools work
collaboratively to provide a wide range of services. We are currently developing a regional strategy
to strengthen our partnership. You may also like to look at the the NETs website
www.netsalliance.co.uk
And Schools North East website- www.schoolsnortheast.com
Jobs in Schools North East – created by schools for schools.
Dear Colleague,
As fellow North East Head Teachers, Iain Veitch and I would like to invite you to support a new
regional initiative, created by schools for schools, that we hope has the potential to impact
enormously on some of the most pressing and urgent issues that we face as education professionals:
 the ever increasing strain on our diminishing budgets
 the difficulties we face in attracting and retaining the committed, high quality staff that our
students deserve.
To address these issues, SCHOOLS NorthEast’s Head Teacher Board and SBM Council have endorsed
the creation of jobsinschoolsnortheast.com - a new jobs board, owned and led by North East
schools. Supported by a regional schools-led board, this will deliver a unique and bespoke talent
attraction opportunity for North East schools. We would urge you to support this and ensure that we
can create something owned and controlled by our schools, for our schools, that will help to save us
money and attract and retain the best teaching recruits to North East schools. Where will we find
the people we need? School leaders have identified teacher recruitment and retention as one of the
most urgent and costly issues facing them. There has been a 28% increase in teaching jobs available
this year and the number of advertised jobs outweighs the number of potential candidates; this staff
shortage crisis is one that all indicators suggest will worsen over the next five years. North East
schools spend large sums each year advertising for staff, both teaching and support. They are
constantly telling us that the growing gap between demand and supply has placed an additional
burden on budgets as an increasing number of posts have to be re-advertised to find the right
candidates. Research indicates that the overwhelming majority of vacancies in North East schools are
filled by candidates from within our region, usually from those sub-areas geographically closest to
our school. Where will we find the money we need? Schools regionally and nationally are facing
extremely tough financial times as budgets are cut and ever greater demands are made of
diminishing resources.
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Surveys have revealed that nearly two thirds of schools are making 'significant' cuts or dipping into
reserves to stave off deficits, with a further four in five school leaders saying that budget cuts will
have a negative impact on standards. In the North East, our school leaders report an ever more
difficult drive to reduce unnecessary expenditure and focus it on where it really matters: on our
students and young people. IMAGINE THE FUTURE: 3 YEARS TIME, BACK IT - IT’S YOURS! North East
schools must work together to ensure that our region can attract and retain the best staff for our
schools, the staff that our young people need and deserve. In light of this, SCHOOLS NorthEast’s
Head Teacher Board and SBM Council have endorsed the creation of jobsinschoolsnortheast.com - a
new jobs board, owned and led by North East schools. This initiative will be supported by a regional
board and will deliver a unique and bespoke talent attraction opportunity for schools that will:
o Allow schools to showcase themselves as employers, to profile their establishments and to
promote incentives to potential candidates such as additional CPD;
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Act as a one-stop-shop for all recruitment opportunities within schools - teaching and support
staff;
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Deliver quality candidates from the widest regional talent pool;
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Save money for schools by offering cost effective solutions, reducing the need for national
advertising;
o Host news articles, blogs, initiatives, details of careers events and resources;
The new jobs board jobsinschoolsnortheast.com will be launched in January 2016 and support from
your school is essential to ensure this initiative is a success. And that the financial drain on
recruitment on schools in our region are reduced. Full details and registration form will be sent to
you soon. By actively supporting this initiative, your school will benefit from reaching a wider
audience of candidates applying for jobs within commuting distance, and, you will be collectively
contributing to retaining teaching talent within the region. Applications are invited from schools to
be part of the Regional Board which will manage this initiative and future service developments
around talent acquisition - if you would like to be involved, in the first instance please email
info@schoolsnortheast.com As fellow North East Head Teachers, we would urge you to support this
initiative and ensure that we create something truly unique for North East schools. If you have any
questions in connection with this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the SCHOOLS NorthEast
team.
John Hardy, Chair, SCHOOLS NorthEast,St John Vianney RC Primary School Head teacher
Iain Veitch, Vice Chair Head Teacher, Park View School.
Best wishes Joe Sonnenfeld- Durham Teaching School Alliance Manager
Please see the teaching school audit template on the following page
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Durham Teaching School Alliance Audit 2016-17
Name of School:
Name of Headteacher:
Contact email address:
Contact telephone number:
Please briefly describe below the kind of support/development that you would like from
the Durham Teaching School Alliance
School to school support
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Succession Planning
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Continuing Professional Development
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Further Comments:
Please return to Joe Sonnenfeld, Durham Teaching School Alliance Manager by Tuesday 19th
January 2016- j.sonnenfeld200@durhamlearning.net