THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 1
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NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2021 - ISSUE 46
Should the school day be extended?
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Will they? Won’t they? The question of whether the school day will be extended is in danger of turning into a political hot potato. Matthew Kleiner-Mann Ivy Learning Trust
After months of speculation that it was likely to be a key pillar of the education recovery plan, it was thrown into doubt following the government’s longawaited funding announcement and the subsequent resignation of its catch-up tsar Sir Kevan Collins. However, the Department for Education has indicated that a review on time spent in school will be included in the next stage of the recovery plan, suggesting that the proposal hasn’t been taken off the table for good. Evidence on the effectiveness of extending the school day is mixed, according to the Chartered College of Teaching. It looked at a wealth of global research which found that increased instruction time can improve achievement, but it
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was dependent on other factors such as quality of instruction and classroom environment. ATTAINMENT GAP Earlier this year, the government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities recommended that the school day be extended to help disadvantaged children succeed. Those in favour argue that children need more time at school to make up for the significant face-to-face learning they’ve missed. It would also help tackle the widening attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and Sir Kevan has previously said that the extended day would need to be compulsory to reach all pupils. The benefits go beyond the academic.
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After being cooped up inside for months, having more time to socialise with friends and take part in extracurricular activities could improve children’s mental health and teach them important life skills. The sticking point for critics is that quality is better than quantity. Spending more time doing something doesn’t automatically make us better at it if we’re not engaged or inspired. There are logistical challenges too. Is it reasonable to expect teachers to increase their hours or will we rely on after-school clubs? If it’s the latter, the provision of these varies enormously, so how will we ensure they are consistent in quality? Is it fair to tell children they have to stay later? Reception and Year 1 pupils are already exhausted at the end of the day, so a one size fits all policy on hours that might work in a secondary school wouldn’t in a primary. Even parents don’t seem to be on board – a YouGov poll for The Times found that 60 per cent opposed extending hours. However, we don’t need to look far to see a successful model of a longer school day. Private schools have been doing it for years and they extend their daily timetables by including a rich variety of extracurricular activities.
FUNDING This is the critical factor. A longer day shouldn’t be about cramming in as much maths and phonics as possible, it should be about providing children with more opportunities and making the day less rushed, so they have the headspace for their learning to sink in. By all means, let’s have a longer day but let’s do it properly – with the appropriate funding, collaboration and infrastructure. Let’s talk to private schools and learn from their already well-established provision. Let’s ensure we have the highest quality after school clubs run by professionals. Let’s take drama pupils to the theatre and arts pupils to a gallery. Let’s bring back competitive sports which has all but completely vanished from state primaries. Let’s make sure that every child leaves Year 6 able to swim. If we can prioritise quality over quantity and use this as an opportunity to really rethink the school day, then we could achieve something amazing in education. Matthew Kleiner-Mann is Leader of the Ivy Learning Trust, a family of ten primary schools in Enfield and Hertfordshire.
The purpose is for children to gain skills and knowledge to grow in confidence and grasp opportunities in the future.
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This article has been shared by a valued client of The Education Space. If you would like to share a piece that you have written, please contact us at newsletter@theeducationspace.co.uk
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5 Strategies to prevent teacher burnout “If you’re feeling emotional fatigue, isolation or a lack of motivation you could be heading for teacher burnout! Opogo’s education expert Simi Rai has written the article ‘5 Strategies to prevent teacher burnout’ to recognise the signs of burnout, act, and put yourself first.”
Simi Rai Opogo
As you unwind for summer, it is normal to feel exhausted and relieved. We’ve all had those days where we’ve contemplated calling in sick, and stayed in bed to avoid that unruly year 11 class. But when that feeling lingers, and you’re unable to face your most motivated class on a sunny day, you could be heading towards that dreadful burnout. What is teacher burnout? Burnout affects people in all professions. But for most teachers on a full schedule, working with pupils all day and fulfilling the various demands of the organisation creates stress and emotional fatigue. Besides feeling overworked and underpaid, teachers can feel isolated and at times, demoralised. Not only does this affect their job performance, but also their mental and physical health. If left untreated, burnout drives teachers out of the profession. “Even when teachers are passionate, working in a very demanding environment leads to mental and physical fatigue that is hard to fight, affects one’s attitude, and makes
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it hard to work with students all day.” (Neufeldnov, 2014) What are the symptoms of teacher burnout? Emotional fatigue, isolation and a lack of motivation. 1. Emotional fatigue: you are likely to become easily frustrated, and irritable. You often complain and blame the pupils or organisation. 2. Isolation: you turn down invitations to social gatherings in your professional, and private life. You avoid communicating or socialising with your colleagues. 3. Lack of motivation: you lose interest in teaching, avoid trying anything new and pine for home-time. Recognising these symptoms is paramount for teacher retention.
“Taking an occasional personal day to focus on your mental health will help you rejuvenate…”
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So, how do we prevent teacher burnout? 1. Aim for that work-life balance: I know, easier said than done, but avoid taking work home. Your to-do list will never be complete. That pile of marking will still be there the next day, so let it be. I’ve never met a teacher who has said, “I’m completely caught up,” because there is always more we can do. The important thing is to know when to stop. You can spend hours creating a glitzy PowerPoint, but the pupils won’t even remember it. However, they will remember your energy and zest in the classroom that day, so spend those hours on yourself instead! 2. Less is more: I spent my entire first year of teaching preparing flashy lessons, marking meticulously and painstakingly cutting up resources. What did I learn? I didn’t need any of these for an outstanding lesson. With a simple learning objective in mind and some targeted questioning, I could facilitate the most thought-provoking discussions. Minimise your lesson plans and let the pupils do the hard work! 3. Co-plan: When I first started teaching I noticed how the teachers in my department would plan the exact same lesson next to one another. Soon enough, we were sending lessons back and forth and then decided to co-plan. Each teacher was responsible for creating a week’s worth of lessons following the scheme of work for that year group. Not only did shared planning save us valuable time, it collaborated our ideas and allowed us to try different things with our classes. So, share good practice and co-plan!
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4. Use your time efficiently: I have worked in several staff rooms, some more sociable than others. The key is to find a free classroom and use every free period wisely. Create a lesson planning and marking timetable and stick to it. Schedule at least one free period for admin and try and get your photocopying done the week before. Socialise during break and lunch, but dedicate your free periods to the job – I promise it will get you in and out on the bell! 5. Put yourself first: the marking can wait; the planning can wait; the pupils can wait. It is totally okay to have an off lesson; your sanity is worth far more. Taking an occasional personal day to focus on your mental health will help you rejuvenate and teach better the next day, so don’t shy away. Schedule at least one fun activity during the week for yourself, and get some exercise – you need to have a life outside school. You are the priority! Don’t let the job consume you; you are an educator, a role model, and a leader, but above all, you are a person. Recognise the signs of burnout, act, and put yourself first!
Opogo is here to improve the professional and personal lives of educators. It is imperative that Opogo supports educator’s mental and physical wellbeing which is why we have collated a FREE centralised education resource of over 80 courses, 200+ articles, CPDbased webinars and the EdBook which is accessible here: The Online Staffroom. Your Community | Opogo
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Affordable Accommodation in Newham The Education Space works in partnership with Local Space, a Housing Association that prioritises applicants from St. Barts NHS Trust and Newham teachers. Local Space also welcomes applications from other keyworkers working in East London. To qualify, household income should be between £20,000 and £80,000. Keyworker properties are let on a 2-year fixed term and these are renewed as long as the person remains a keyworker and they adhere to the terms of their tenancy agreement with us. You can find out more about Local Space at their website: https://www.localspace.co.uk/apply-forkeyworker-housing/ Local Space have an online application form for teachers to register their interest: LocalSpace – Housing Application Form After submitting your application, one of Local Space’s Tenancy & Income Officers will contact you to discuss your requirements in more detail and also invite you to view properties as and when they become available. For further information contact Local Space on: 0208 221 4000.
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THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - NEWS
Property Ref 1. Hampton Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/ye3HoF6eEnMjNWuG6 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: 1st Floor Flat Rent: £197.51 per week Stand out features: self contained flat with shared communal garden Virtual tour
Description A One bedroom first floor self-contained flat in Hampton Road, E7 with double bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. The property has cooker, fridge freezer, washing machine, decorated and carpeting throughout. The area provides various excellent local transport links. These include a regular bus service, easy walking distance to Forest Gate station direct route to Stratford, Liverpool Street Station, Wanstead Park Station to North London, easy access to A12 and A406. The property is close to several local amenities including local shops, library, local GP surgery, nurseries and a short walking distance to Wanstead Park.
Property Ref 2. Selwyn Road, E13 - https://goo.gl/maps/WanMUwPivDiH5ZzT6 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: Basement Flat Rent: £195.03 per week Features: living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen with access to garden Virtual tour
Description A one bedroom basement self-contained flat in Selwyn Road, E13 with double bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. The property is supplied with white goods – cooker, fridge freezer and washing machine, decorated and carpeting/lino throughout. The area provides various excellent local transport links. These include a regular bus service, easy walking distance to Upton Park Underground station direct route to Central London. Please note that work is due to be carried out to clear the garden. The property is close to several local amenities including local shops, local GP surgery and a short walking distance to West Ham Park.
ISSUE 46 - PREPARING CHILDREN FOR A WORLD THAT DOESN’T YET EXIST
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THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - NEWS
Property Ref 3. Hampton Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/sR6PgR1EpjesW9rC7 Details • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: Ground Floor Flat Rent: £196.36 per week Features: self -contained flat with living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, shared communal garden • Virtual tour Description A One bedroom first floor self-contained flat in Hampton Road, E7 with double bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. The property has a cooker, fridge freezer, washing machine, decorated and carpeting throughout. The area provides various excellent local transport links. These include a regular bus service, easy walking distance to Forest Gate station direct route to Stratford, Liverpool Street Station, Wanstead Park Station to North London, easy access to A12 and A406.
Property Ref 4. Hampton Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/1ahdUNr4cf2TTjry6 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: Ground Floor Flat Rent: £201.86 per week Stand out features: self-contained flat with shared communal garden Virtual tour
To express an interest contact Claire Singh on info@localspace.co.uk or 020 8221 4000 quoting property reference number and address if you wish to arrange a viewing at the property.
Property Ref 5. Tower Hamlets Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/hxiyY4X4UratatiN7 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: First Floor Flat Rent: £205.58 per week Stand out features: self-contained flat with communal car park Virtual tour
To express an interest contact Jennifer Dyal on info@localspace.co.uk or 020 8221 4000 quoting property reference number and address if you wish to arrange a viewing at the property.
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Property Ref 6. Tower Hamlets Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/hxiyY4X4UratatiN7 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: Second Floor Flat Rent: £196.57 per week Stand out features: self-contained flat with communal car park Virtual tour
To express an interest contact Jennifer Dyal on info@localspace.co.uk or 020 8221 4000 quoting property reference number and address if you wish to arrange a viewing at the property.
Property Ref 7. Woodgrange Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/LH5X8tZiyKGVgL9S9 Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: Second Floor Flat over shop Rent: £196.57 per week Stand out features: self-contained flat Virtual tour
To express an interest contact Kenny Taylor on info@localspace.co.uk or 020 8221 4000 quoting property reference number and address if you wish to arrange a viewing at the property.
Property Ref 8. Norwich Road, E7 - https://goo.gl/maps/pji2x1Be6t2kSop4A Details • • • • •
Number of bedrooms: One Bedroom Accommodation type: First Floor Studio Flat Rent: £133.43 per week Stand out features: bathroom, kitchen, communal garden Virtual tour
To express an interest contact Kenny Taylor on info@localspace.co.uk or 020 8221 4000 quoting property reference number and address if you wish to arrange a viewing at the property.
If you wish to refuse these properties, please let the officer know details of your reasons for refusal for each property. Failure to respond to this notification will be viewed as a refusal. If you no longer require accommodation from Local Space, please let us know and we will remove your details from our list.
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THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - NEWS
Headlines from the Community Click news heading to read full story
1 TES Covid contacts: What schools need to know for next week
2 DFE School governance update
3 EDUCATION BUSINESS Better mental health support for young people
4 SCHOOLS WEEK National Food Strategy: The recommendations for schools
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THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - TRAINING
TRAINING COURSE SPOTLIGHTS Blended Paediatric First Aid About
Date
Venue
This course Blended Paediatric First Aid has been designed in line with Ofsted requirements for early years this 2 day course is for those who might have to identify and manage emergency situations or manage minor everyday occurrences when looking after children (defined as up to puberty).
12th October 2021
One day online training followed by one day at Francis House.
Time
Cost
09:30 – 16:30
£193 (plus VAT) per person for members, £203 (plus VAT) for non-members.
First Aid at Work Requalification (Refresher) About
Date
Venue
The First Aid at Work Requalification (Refresher) QA Level 3 (RQF) Course is specifically designed to allow first aiders to renew their first aid at work qualification when their certificate is due to expire. This 2 day course updates the first aid skills for people who need to renew their existing statutory 3 day first aid at work certificate and whose existing certificate is still valid.
21st September 2021
Francis House, 760 Barking Road, Plaistow, London, E13 9PJ
Time
Cost
09:00-16:30
£218 (plus VAT) per person for members, £228 (plus VAT) for non-members.
training@theeducationspace.co.uk
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020 8249 6900
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THE EDUCATION SPACE - NEWSLETTER - VACANCIES
VACANCIES Explore our full range of vacancies. Email your job to: adverts@theeducationspace.co.uk
ISSUE 46 - PREPARING CHILDREN FOR A WORLD THAT DOESN’T YET EXIST
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School Admin Officer Employer
Grange Primary School
Salary
£25,137.00
Location
Grange Primary School
Hours
36 hours per week.
Closing Date
01/08/2021 23:59
Reference
Pri/21/157960
Link to Vacancy http://ats-npw.jgp.co.uk/vacancies/157960 Required for September 2021 The Governors wish to appoint an experienced, highly motivated, enthusiastic School Admin Officer, to help ‘Grow the seeds for life long learning’. This is an excellent opportunity for an Admin Officer with experience to join our school. You must be a motivated and committed individual who can easily deal with ad hoc duties. Grange was judged Good in its last Ofsted inspection (November 2017) Grange Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We value and celebrate the cultural diversity of our school community and seek to promote equality of opportunity for all applicants. We need an admin officer who: • Has successful experience of providing secretarial and administrative support • Ensures the provision of general office and reception services • Is motivated and determined • Is profecient in using SIMS and Microsoft Office • Ensures that accurate record of attendance and dinners are kept • Is highly organised and has the ability to prioritise workload • Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Will work effectively as part of a team and communicate well with pupils, colleagues, parents/carers and other professionals If you are passionate about working in a school to support the administration duties that goes with delivering good quality of education for all, then Grange is the place for you. Grange is a one form entry primary school situated in Plaistow. We have easy access to an underground station and have a free car park. Please contact Mrs Z Ahktar on 020 7476 5146 for further details. Closing date: Sunday 1st August 2021 Shortlisting: 2nd August 2021 Interviews: WC 2nd August 2021 Contract: Term to Perm Please apply online. For technical difficulties, please contact the Support Team 020 7427 8250. For further information about the role, please contact the school directly.
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Central Finance Officer Employer
Newham Partnership Working
Salary
Scale 5 pt 12 £25,127 fte to pt 15 £26,520 fte
Location
The Learning in Harmony Trust
Hours
36 hours per week.
Closing Date
30/07/2021 09:00
Reference
Fin/21/157809
Link to Vacancy http://ats-npw.jgp.co.uk/vacancies/157809 We are looking for: We are looking for a finance officer with skills to share across the Trust. We are seeking a finance officer to join our Trust central team and provide our Trust schools with finance administration support. Your role will be varied including collecting, processing, recording, reconciling and reporting on financial information. You will have an eye for detail and come with at least 2 years of experience in a similar role. Ideally, you will have knowledge of PS Financials, however, the right candidate without knowledge of this system will be able to convince us that they are experienced enough in a similar role to be able to learn a new system quickly. In order to provide finance administration assistance to more than one school, you will have great time management skills, have initiative and the ability to organise your own work, be an effective and timely communicator and a great person to work with! Above all you will be flexible, adaptable and have the right level of IT skills required in order to meet the needs of the schools that you are supporting. Please tell us in your application how you meet the person specification which can be found in the job description document. The role is not necessarily 52 weeks per year, however, we are seeking someone that can work a minimum of 42 weeks per year. We can offer you: • The training that you need to be effective in your role • A friendly and values-driven team of colleagues • Access to a range of employee perks, such as our Perkbox discount scheme, giving you access to amazing discounts at many high street stores. • If you would like to reach out to us to discuss this role we would love to hear from you! Please ensure that your supporting statement explains how you meet the person specification outlined in the Job Description attached. Closing date Friday 30th July 2021 Interviews will be held in early August If you would like to discuss this opportunity with us we would like to hear from you• please contact Muna Whitaker, Finance Business Manager. For further information about the role, please contact the school directly.
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Lead Cleaner Employer
Gainsborough Primary School
Salary
9243.75 - 9411.25 (pro rata)
Location
Gainsborough Primary School
Hours
15 hours per week. 3:15pm to 6:15pm. 3:15pm to 6:15pm
Closing Date
19/07/2021 09:00
Reference
Pri/21/155920
Link to Vacancy http://ats-npw.jgp.co.uk/vacancies/155920 Salary: Scale 3 – £9243.75 - £9411.25 (pro rata) 15 hrs per week (3:15pm to 6:15pm Monday to Friday 52 weeks per year) 23 days holiday allowance to start with REQUIRED TO START SEPTEMBER 2021 Gainsborough Primary School is recruiting for a high quality, dynamic and flexible Lead Cleaner to support the school and the cleaning team. As a member of staff you will benefit from belonging to Gainsborough, as well as be part of a wider support network of schools. Gainsborough Primary School is part of Eko Trust, a Multi Academy Trust, currently made up of 7 schools across East London, Hackney and in Ipswich. At Eko Trust, every member of our community is empowered to learn, to be ambitious and to be resilient. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including DBS. Gainsborough Primary School and Eko Trust supports Equal Opportunities Employment. You will supervise a team of 3 cleaners and will be expected to clean all areas of the school building to a high standard. You are expected to have thorough cleaning knowledge and supervisory experience. Closing date: Monday 19th July 2021 For more information about the role please email Lauren Collins the Senior Administrator at• info@gainsborough.newham.sch.uk for further information. Please apply online. For technical difficulties, please contact the Support Team. For further information about the role, please contact the school directly.
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