On May 16^th between 1pm and 2.30pm an online panel discussion of key industry figures from the education community and organisations supporting young people will be discussing the social environment surrounding young people, what is impacting their mental health and what more can be done to support wellbeing in UK universities, colleges, and secondary schools.

Panel members will also be discussing challenges such as current gaps and solutions for wellbeing provision and what needs to change to ensure young people, teachers and caregivers have swift and reliable access to wellbeing support.

Panel members include:

• Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education (dependent upon parliamentary business)
• Elizabeth Milovidov, Senior Corporate Counsel, supporting The LEGO Group as a trusted leader in implementing and promoting digital child safety, rights, and well-being
• Hannah Kinsey, Head of Training and Service Design, YoungMinds
• Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Advocacy at The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
• Sara Gallagher, Head of Student Wellbeing Services, Bath Spa University
• Richard Krytowycz, Senior Clinical Development Manager, Health Assured

The panel discussion will of interest to primary and secondary schools, HE & FE establishments, including student unions, and accommodation providers, associations and charities involved in supporting young people in education, students, and their parents.

Reasons to join this event

• Listen to key industry influencers as they share their unique perspective on the wellbeing challenges experienced by young people and their support systems
• The panel will consider the importance of early intervention and how this can be achieved
• Discussion on how to unlock new opportunities for supporting young people’s wellbeing, as well as for those overseeing their welfare
• Join in the conversation and ask the panel your question

The event is being hosted by leading education specialist, Endsleigh, part of Howden, the global insurance group. Endsleigh has almost 60 years providing the education community with innovative solutions including providing mental health and wellbeing support for more than one million students.

You can register to attend and submit your question to the panel here.

The conference will take place Friday 28th June 2024, from 09:30 – 16:00 at Venue Manchester, The Panorama Suite, 11 Portland St, Manchester M1 3HU.

Organised by the team behind the annual Tes SEND Show in London, this conference has been developed in response to requests for local events in the North of England to help manage national issues, locally.

 The sessions will cover the full 0 – 25 age range and are aimed at:

• Headteachers
• Local Authority staff
• SENCOs and members of the SLT
• Governors
• Curriculum / Subject Leads
• Early Years Staff, Teaching Assistants and Support Staff
• Health and Social Care practitioners
• CEOs of Trusts

SEND and Alternative Provision are going to be hot topics in the run up to the General Election. This event will help you to:

• Engage with the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan and be part of the solution
• Be proactive in moving strategy and practice forward while retaining the best of what you already do
• Support the work of the change programme’s regional expert partnerships
• Find solutions that really work and seize the opportunity to positively influence outcomes
• Collaborate with local stakeholders to deliver local solutions and network with local peers

Children in classrooms right across the country are facing extraordinary challenges and staff need the right support and training to understand and respond appropriately to their needs. This is a key opportunity to hear from experts and learn from settings that are developing good practice.

Speakers include:

Liz Franey, Deputy Director, SEND Systems, Outcomes and Experiences Division, DfE

Janet Collins, Head of Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools, DfE

Ben Solly, Principal, Uppingham Community College, Rutland

Dr Geraldine Codina, Associate Professor of Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Disability (ISEND), University of Derby

To view the full programme and to register visit sendprovision.com

Early bird rate: £195 before 17^th May

Full rate: £245

This session marks the start of plans to help teachers develop their curriculums in collaboration with employers.

Equipping teachers with an understanding of what recruiting organisations look for is the first step to better shaping the learning of current and future generations and bridging the gap between schools and employment.

The Careers in the Curriculum Conference welcomed senior leaders at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, JCB and Ideagen as well as teachers from across East Midlands schools such as Bilborough College, Derby College and Chesterfield College to help ensure pupils are best prepared for the transition from education to work.

Taking place at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre, the collaboration between The East Midlands Institute of Technology and D2N2 LEP Careers Hub was the first of its kind and well received by the 45-plus teachers and 10 employers who attended.

Teaching staff told D2N2 that the event equipped them with a stronger knowledge of the skills directive of the region and gave them the confidence to adapt their teaching plans to address the skills demanded by employers in the working world.

CEO of D2N2, Will Morlidge, commented: “We have been delighted with the response from those who attended our inaugural event.

“The education and employment collaboration through the Careers in the Curriculum Conference is exciting and as a Careers Hub, we are keen to foster this approach with all skill sectors across the region.

“Moving forward, we will be organising more events like this, ensuring each sector of employment has representation, as well as involving the wider community such as parents and carers.”

The D2N2 Careers Hub is funded by the Department for Education and is one of forty-four skills infrastructure across the country.

It aims to connect employers to local young people and their training staff through a range of schemes and programmes for young people to benefit from.

The D2N2 Careers Hub works with 175 secondary schools inclusive of Further Education institutions, support centres and SEND schools.

It also collaborates with 75 primary schools as part of the Department for Education’s new pilot programme ‘Start Small Dream Big’.

Inclusion is a key priority of its work, with the local enterprise supporting all young people regardless of background and ability.

The Careers in the Curriculum event took place amid a pressing need to bridge the gap between organisations and educators.

The number of young people in employment from November 2023 to January 2024, was 163,000 less than it was before the pandemic, while the number of inactive young people was 378,000 above pre-pandemic levels.

Kerren Ratcliffe, Associate Director at Coca Cola was one of the representatives of large-scale employers in attendance.

She said: “The event was excellent and insightful. With the time constraints both employers and teachers have it is important to ensure that any time we do spend together is impactful and has scale.

“This event allowed teachers to ask questions, demystify the recruitment process and jointly consider ideas that will better support students in preparing for their next steps. We have some great actions coming out of the day and look forward to working on them.”

Aaron Denton who attended in his role as Director of Student Experience and Pastoral Support at Derby College added: “Derby College Group (DCG) was delighted to be involved in the inaugural D2N2’s Careers in the Curriculum Event.

“It gave us many opportunities to meet with employers and other education providers and discuss how we can enrich our lessons and create additional links to employment paths for our young people.

“We are passionate at DCG at helping young people get into the world of work, and this event gave us additional food for thought.

“And as a partner of The East Midlands Institute of Technology, such events help drive us towards our aim of delivering world-class, research-orientated and employer-led courses.”

Vicky Walsh (left) from Monk Fryston C of E Primary School will make the journey to Turku to join hundreds of other primary and secondary school teachers from all over Europe, who will share their most creative STEM ideas at stands, in workshops, and in highlight sessions.

She is one of 450 participants from more than 30 countries who will come together in August after they were specifically chosen because of their contribution to the subject of science within their own schools and trusts.

In addition to attending the event, as the leader of science teaching at Monk Fryston C of E School, Vicky will also host a stand at the 4-day international event showcasing one of the many projects she has delivered since securing a grant from the Ogden Trust that means she can dedicate half a day per week to improving the teaching of physics across the wider STAR Multi Academy Trust.

This includes the now annual Great Science Share event, which last year saw more than 160 children from nine Star Multi Academy Trust primary schools in Yorkshire come together to take part in a live debate to determine which is the greatest invention of all time.

Commenting on the festival Vicky Walsh said: “This is an exciting opportunity, and I am very proud and privileged to have been selected to attend the event and to have the opportunity to showcase the work that is taking place across the Trust to promote and enhance the learning of science.

“The grant has allowed me to really dedicate a significant amount of time to enhancing the science offering across the Trust, particularly focussing on the annual Great School Science Share events, as well as delivering additional physics training and termly meetings for all STARMAT schools.

“The results have been fantastic, and we have seen a real increase in the way that the children engage with their learning of physics. I now hope to share those learnings and look forward to also hearing what the other teachers have to say about their experiences.”

Rick Weights, the executive head teacher at Monk Fryston primary school said, “We are immensely proud of the work Vicky has already been doing to improve the physics and science education we offer our pupils.

“The honour of this invitation only demonstrates what we already knew – that she is becoming a pioneering figure in her field.”

The Ogden Trust is an organisation that supports schools, teachers, projects, and programmes that are committed to enhancing physics teaching and learning.

Star Multi Academy Trust is made up of eleven schools located across West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.

Established in 2018, the trust’s aim is to create outstanding education within its academies to enable every young person to realise their full potential.

The International Women’s Day visit saw a group of 30 pupils from Parrs Wood High School meet airport staff in the AeroZone educational facility before taking a tour of the new-look Terminal 2.

More than a dozen colleagues from a wide variety of roles took part in Q&As with the pupils, including women working in airport security, airfield operations, procurement, hospitality and community engagement, in addition to colleagues from partners DHL and Greater Manchester Police.

The pupils also had the chance to explore AeroZone’s interactive education zones and try their hand at some of the jobs they heard about.

In the afternoon, a Terminal 2 tour was led by Jane Daintith, the Head of Terminal Operations, who explained what goes into keeping a busy airport terminal running smoothly and outlined the improvement work taking place as part of the airport’s £1.3bn transformation programme.

Marcella M’Rabety, Head of Education, Skills and Employment, Manchester Airports Group, said: “It was a privilege to welcome Parrs Wood High School pupils to the airport for the day and offer some insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available at a major travel hub such as this one. This is all part of our vision to empower women to seek out the roles and careers that they want to go for, while ensuring that those careers are accessible for all and that we provide a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

The Schools & Academies Show makes its highly anticipated return to ExCeL London on the 1st of May, presenting not just one, but three co-located events. This bi-annual event provides a pivotal platform where the education community can collaboratively prepare for the dynamic changes ahead.

Presenting EdTech Innovate, The School Estates Summit and The SEND Conference. Each co-located event opens doors to fresh opportunities, enabling visitors to connect and collaborate in a larger exhibition space with leading education suppliers. These suppliers empower school leaders to enhance school performance and elevate outcomes for all pupils.

The #SAAShow team have been working hard to bring together the sector’s most decorated and influential speakers to share their knowledge, expertise, and best practice guidance on how schools, academies and MATs can overcome some of the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

Each speaker, dedicated to their respected craft across the education sector will lead in either a keynote session, live debate or discussion, or tailored workshop, ensuring visitors feel empowered, inspired, and ready to implement key techniques, guidance, and resources at the forefront of their institution.

With a keen focus on the evolving educational landscape, staff recruitment and retention, budget balancing, stakeholder engagement, and more, we’ve diligently worked to ensure our show covers the most pressing issues currently facing schools.

Don’t miss out on the chance to join the education community for what promises to be their most impactful show yet.

Register FREE* today to join thousands school and MAT leaders looking to learn and find the best solutions to better their teaching and learning outcomes. Be part of this transformative experience shaping the future of education!

For more information and to register, visit their website: https://hubs.la/Q02m24Vj0

*Please note, registration is FREE for Schools, MATs, Academies, Colleges, Universities, Charities, Not-for-Profits, Local and Central Government and the wider Public Sector.

Following their incredible efforts in collecting more than 12,000 pieces of litter from beaches and parks during the summer, pupils from Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay seeded more than 6,000 bulbs and 20 trees on Craig Road, Old Colwyn.

In partnership with Conwy’s Community Development Officer, volunteers from Man Coed VM Ltd, Creating Enterprise, Cartefi Conwy and Ysgol Swn-y-Don, groups from Year 7 upwards completed the task in just a matter of hours and even collected several bags of rubbish on the walk back to school!

Wellbeing Officer Abbie Johnson (pictured) has been leading on a series of programmes to support learners in and out of the classroom, focused on health, inclusivity, and the environment.

“My role is to work with the children so they can reach their potential and become the best they can be, both academically and socially,” said Abbie.

“We are outdoors helping to clean up and conserve the local area, but also holding interventions in numeracy and literacy to give extra support in those areas, and promoting exercise, healthy living, and mindfulness.

“The students have really taken ownership of these schemes, they are from different backgrounds, and different ages and genders, so everyone gets a voice.”

A new Uniform Recycling System will be introduced in the coming year, ensuring pupils can collect jumpers, skirts, trousers, and other items for free, and Abbie has started a new Thursday cookery class, fully funded so learners go home with a hot meal.

For further information on Ysgol Eirias visit: www.eirias.co.uk

Cat Scutt MBE, Deputy CEO, Education and Research at the Chartered College of Teaching, brings a range of sector-wide expertise to the NASBTT Board. A former English teacher, Cat’s roles have since focused on supporting teacher development both online and through face-to-face activities, with a particular emphasis on development using digital technology, through collaboration and by engagement with research and evidence. She has worked as a teacher and advisor in the state and independent sector, as well as in corporate learning and development. Cat leads the Chartered College’s work around teacher development and certification, including the Chartered Teacher programme, and its research activities and publications, including its award-winning Impact journal.

Damilola Dauda is Head of Operations at the Teacher Development Trust (TDT). She joined TDT in 2021 as Delivery Partner Manager, beginning her new role overseeing the operational delivery of TDT NPQs and other offers last March. Damilola’s career in education started with teaching summer school to primary school children in Nigeria as a teenager, before gaining a teaching English as a foreign language qualification and then becoming a qualified teacher via the PGCE route. She spent six years as a secondary Maths teacher in an inner-city school in London and then two years teaching abroad in Peru.

Jo Anderson, SCITT Programme Director at Wildern Partnership SCITT, has 25 years’ experience in education and has held roles as ITT Programme Director for ten years, External Moderator and more recently DfE ITT Market Associate. She is a secondary MFL specialist and over the years has taught primary MFL, secondary ICT and computing, and has led early career development in a variety of settings.

Keith Ford, Programme Manager at Somerset SCITT, has been a primary education class teacher, middle leader, senior leader and Headteacher of both a small rural school and large primary school, including autism centre. Across his career spanning 25 years he has always supported ITT and ITE. Keith has been a governor of various primary and secondary schools alongside his professional roles, giving him an understanding of the strategic importance as well as the accountability of governance.

Kikelomo Agunbiade, a Research and Training Consultant, trained as a science teacher through the Teach First scheme and has worked for a number of education charities and teacher training organisations. Her roles have included leading the DfE-funded Researchers in Schools niche ITT route, North London Manager for Teach First and running CPD for Teaching Schools, Heads, middle and senior leaders for SSAT. She currently provides education consultancy services including training on race and diversity, education and market research (qualitative and quantitative) and strategy development.

Stephanie Rodgers is Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Assessment at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School. Her senior leadership responsibilities have included the set up and leadership of Astra SCITT in Buckinghamshire which has been through the ITE Ofsted inspection process in both 2018 as a new SCITT, and in 2023 under the current ITE Inspection Framework. Stephanie led the reaccreditation process for Astra SCITT as part of the ITT Market Review and the formation of Astra Teaching School Hub, and is now also an Ofsted inspector for ITE.

The appointments follow the arrivals of business and finance specialists Alison O’Dornan and Sidikat Taiwo in the past 18 months, and new Chair of Trustees Anna Richards last November.

Anna said: “We are delighted to welcome our new Trustees who bring such a wealth of experience in ITT, education and commercial professionals to NASBTT. The diversity of our Board is now truly reflective of our membership, and together we look forward to reviewing, shaping and supporting NASBTT’s strategic direction.”

NASBTT Executive Director Emma Hollis added: “I would like to formally and warmly welcome our new Trustees. Damilola, Kikelomo, Cat, Keith, Stephanie and Jo joined us for their first meetings earlier this month and we are really excited to be working with them as we, and the ITT sector, enter a new phase moving into 2024-25.”

Next week (28th and 29th November), NASBTT is holding its online Annual Conference 2023 Mind the Gap, sponsored by MOSAIC. Speakers include DfE, Foundation for Education Development, nasen, National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), Ofsted, TDT and a number of SCITTs, HEIs, and Teaching School Hubs.

Kids Country, an education programme for children from across the East of England and managed by the East of England Agricultural Society, took their popular Autumn Apples half-day workshop into Folksworth C of E Primary School, Kirkstone House School and Bellbird Primary School, to help more children have a better understanding of the field-to-fork journey of their food, and using that information to learn to make good consumer and health choices.

At Folksworth C of E Primary School, near Peterborough, headteacher Michelle Norbury said: “The practical activities combined with the way information is shared makes it enjoyable for children, but they are still learning. The event linked to the curriculum through food and nutrition too.”

Emily Lang, Year 5 teacher at The Bellbird Primary, Cambridge, said: “The children loved it and learned so much. Apples have become very popular in our class!” The event complemented some of our science and PSHE curriculum too.”

The Kids Country team were supported by AMT Fresh Partnership, Co-operative Central England, Sustainable PECT, and a squad of tireless volunteers.

Sandra Lauridsen, education manager at the East of England Agricultural Society, commented: “At Kids Country we love to make everyday and accessible British-grown food exciting, and our Autumn Apples event does just that year after year. An apple a day really does help keep the doctor away through its nutritional benefits, so to help make them and how they are grown exciting to children is great!

“Thank you to our corporate sponsors and partners, as well as our tireless volunteers and farmers, for helping this event happen – we couldn’t do it without you!”

If you would like to be involved in any way in future Kids Country food and farming events, either as a school, corporate or individual volunteer, or to sponsor Kids Country to help more schools experience the hands-on and memorable learning that Kids Country offers, please contact slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk

To keep up to date with upcoming Kids Country events and the new 2023-24 academic year programme, you can also visit: https://www.eastofengland.org.uk/kids-country/ or follow the East of England Agricultural Society on Facebook, twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Last year the National Memorial Arboretum welcomed 296 learning visits, offering 12,750 students the opportunity to explore the 150-acres of memorials, gardens, and woodlands, helping young people to discover incredible stories of service and sacrifice. From interactive Explorer Days, to tailored tours of our grounds or participation in an Act of Remembrance, the inspiring landscape at the National Memorial Arboretum and multi-functional classroom spaces is a perfect setting for workshops and activities for students in Key Stages 2-4.

“Our specialist on-site learning team has developed a wide range of cross-curricular activities for learning groups to discover inspirational stories about the people who have served the Nation, each with specific learning outcomes,” explains Rachel Smith, Head of Learning and Participation at the Arboretum. “We offer students activities and workshops that use our 150-acre site, rich natural landscape, breathtaking memorials, and multi-functional classroom spaces to develop an understanding of Remembrance and explore other subjects including science, literacy, and geography. The Arboretum really is a truly inspirational place to visit with your class.”

Free activity days taking place at the Arboretum this academic year include:

• National Poetry Day, 5 October 2023 (KS3-4) – working with the Arboretum’s poet in residence, students will draw upon inspiration from the Arboretum as well as the year’s chosen theme of ‘Refuge’ to create their own poetry masterpiece
• RAF STEAM takeover day, 17 October 2023 (upper KS2) – the Royal Air Force youth engagement team returns to the Arboretum with three different STEAM activities
• Black History Month activity day, 19 October 2023 (KS3-4) – students can take part in a selection of participatory activities exploring the Arboretum’s new exhibitions, exploring inter-generational stories and experiences through textiles and audio
• Remembrance activity week, 6-10 November 2023 (KS2) – giving students the opportunity to reflect on those who have served their country through arts-based workshops at the Arboretum and in schools
• Holocaust Memorial Day activity day, 26 January 2024 (Upper KS2) – students take part in workshops to learn more about the Holocaust, visit memorials and explore the importance of Remembrance
• World Book Day, 7 March 2024 (reception and lower KS1) – using Julia Donaldson’s ‘Stick Man’ as inspiration, younger students can explore the Stick Man trail around the Arboretum grounds and use natural materials to make their own stick characters
• International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024 (Years 6 and 7) – Students learn about some remarkable women by delving into the stories behind the memorials. Hands-on workshops and engaging discussions explore the attributes and aptitudes that defined these women and enabled them to identify their own skills and qualities.
• Earth Day, 22 April 2024 (KS2) – students discover the importance of protecting the natural world, create seedballs and bug hotels to increase biodiversity on their own green spaces
• Teaching Remembrance days, 2-3 July 2024 (KS2&3) – Together with the Royal British Legion, students will take part in a series of interactive indoor and outdoor activities before ending the day with a collective Act of Remembrance.

The Arboretum’s school’s activity days are free. There is a cost for other facilitated activities with the learning team and bursaries are available to help with transport costs, thanks to the Arboretum’s involvement in ‘The Great British School Trip’ initiative.

To book a school trip call, teachers can call 01283 245133 or email education@thenma.org.uk.

For more information about the school activity days, visit https://www.thenma.org.uk/visit-us/plan-your-visit/visiting-for-learning-and-training/learning-activity-days