New Maths Hub for Ashdown area
Come to the meeting and meet the lead and link with the main Maths Hub for Sussex. This will provide information on what is happening with this Hub and other Maths Hubs around the country, and will demonstrate how it will support you and your school.
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Crowborough Schools can create and set up a satellite Hub so that we can work together locally, meet regularly, create CPD for Maths coordinators and enable each school to host a meeting. We can look at innovative and new ways to help pupils engage with Maths.
There will be a FREE raffle
At the meeting we will...... •
Find out what is involved in being a Maths Hub and what we will undertake as a satellite group
By Peter Chaste •
Plan future meeting dates and determine which schools will host these meetings
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Consider CPD and speakers; sessions for the meetings
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Hear ideas from each coordinator on what practices they currently are using and if these can be shared
Create a network where resources, links and documents can be accessed by all involved
Every maths coordinator will receive a FREE goodie bag
Each maths coordinator will receive a discount voucher to purchase maths equipment There will be cake! We are keen to ensure that everyone can attend and would be grateful if you would confirm your attendance by e mailing yhouston@ ashdown.e-sussex.sch.uk or call her mobile on 07770 347616.
Get trained to learn in the forest This is aimed at individuals with little or no experience of working in the outdoors, and aims to build knowledge and confidence in the safe use of equipment and tools. Archimedes staff will introduce basic woodland skills, and individuals will be required to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the flora and fauna in a woodland area. The course will allow participants to look at using the outdoor environment as a tool to facilitate different learning styles and to develop personal skills such as confidence and self-esteem. Course Duration: 3 days Portfolio Completion will take place during the course and be handed in on the last day
Forest School Level 1 units
UNIT 1: Basic Forest Schools Practical Skills Learning Outcomes Recognise risk at Forest School Recognise how Forest School can impact on the woodland environment Safely carry out a range of practical tasks in a woodland setting UNIT 2: Introduction to Learning and Development at Forest Schools Learning Outcomes Recognise how Forest Schools can support an individual’s learning and development Identify appropriate experiences that support learning and development at Forest Schools Participate in Forest Schools and understand ways of supporting the Forest Schools Practitioner To book contact
Course Cost: £405 per person.
yhouston@ashdown.e-sussex.sch.
For more information on any of the stories in this edition, please contact yolanda at yhouston@ashdown.e-sussez.sch.uk
Establishing a children’s university
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new venture seeks to enrich and expand every child’s learning with new opportunities both locally and worldwide.Ashdown Primary is establishing a Children’s University for its students and hopes to expand this to neighbouring schools.
The Children’s University (CU) aims to promote social mobility by providing access to high quality out-ofschool hours Learning Activities to children aged 7 to 14, engaging the wider communities as Learning Destination partners in this process. At the heart of our work is our ambition to raise aspiration, boost achievement and foster a love of learning. An important principle of the Children’s University is that participation is voluntary and it is intentionally something other than school – with a different feel, different activities and often taking part in a different location. Alongside our work with 7 to 14 year olds we have extended our reach to 5 and 6 year olds where involvement requires a degree of demonstrable active engagement by parents, carers and the wider family: the concept of volunteering to this younger age group is clearly very different to that of the older children and a greater degree of grown up guidance and support will be needed. The ultimate testament to the effectiveness of the Children’s University is that, with an expanding Child Membership, we know that children are motivated to give up their time to attend and with the comments and recommendations of parents, teachers, learning providers and the children themselves, we know they are engaged and inspired too. The Children’s University is an International critically-acclaimed charity which encourages all children aged 5 to 14 years to try new experiences, develop new interests and acquire new skills through participation in
By Heather Dace
innovative and creative Learning Activities outside of the school day. Learning Activities are designed to: •
raise aspiration, self-esteem & confidence
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encourage curiosity and a love of learning
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enhance motivation and build resilience
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introduce new life experiences
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offer progression in learning and personal skills development
With a network of 90 National CU centres and a growing International network in South Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, together with plans to extend our work to China and Tasmania, we are working within local communities to encourage all children, but particularly those who need it most, to participate, voluntarily, in a variety of Learning Activities, delivered by our Learning Destination partners. Consecutive independent evaluations of the work of the Children’s University has been undertaken by ‘Leadership for Learning – The Cambridge Network’ led by Professor John MacBeath of the University of Cambridge in partnership with Fischer Family Trust. These evaluations recognise that’Children’s University pupils attend better by virtue of the activities which enhance their school experience … achieve better by virtue of renewed self-confidence in their own potential … enjoy learning more because they extend their repertoire of interests and see learning in a new light.’
Six pen madness The Education Secretary has reportedly slammed “ridiculous” rules concerning the colour of pens teachers use to mark pupils’ work. Nicky Morgan has criticised a complex system whereby teachers use up to six different coloured pens when marking. Her criticism follows evidence that teachers in primary schools spend up to 10 hours a week marking as the Department for Education published new recommendations to help ease workload issues. Some teachers use pink ink when they want to make critical comments regarding pupil’s answers rather than red because it is seen as an “aggressive” colour. Other teachers use purple, blue or the more “positive” green ink. Nicky Morgan to protect faith schools from secular campaigns The system is believed to have been inspired by an Ofsted guide on marking which was issued in 2011 but withdrawn last year. However, a source close to Morgan told the Sunday Times: “The notion that we expect books to be marked in a particular colour of ink is ridiculous.” Michael Parsons, a teacher at Roath Park Primary School in Cardiff, said his institution uses the system of colour pens.
For more information on any of the stories in this edition, please contact yolanda at yhouston@ashdown.e-sussez.sch.uk