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NEWS from Trafford Teaching School Alliance
ISSUE 2 SPRING 2016
In This Issue:
POSITIVE
RESPONSES:
THANK YOU TO
68
TRAFFORD
SCHOOLS
PLUS...
The latest dates and details for the latest
inspirational courses and programmes
Inspire to Aspire

Overwhelmingly positive
response to our TTSA
School visits
A
HUGE and heartfelt THANK
YOU to everybody for the
warm and positive response
to the TTSA School Visits we have
been making since November
2015. We have now completed
68 school visits and have received
overwhelming support.
This has been a key priority for TTSA
– developing an intelligence and
understanding of our current picture.
It has been a true privilege to spend
time in our Trafford schools; Infant,
Nursery, Junior, Primary and Special.
It reaffirmed our belief that Trafford
truly is an outstanding place to be a
teacher and a school leader as well as
for our pupils.
We have been gathering
information in order to determine
our next steps and plan future
programmes and support – CPD,
Initial Teacher Training, Leadership
and Development.
As a result, we have met with Trafford
School Improvement Service to begin
creating our joint CPD Programme
for Sept 2016; this will be largely
based upon headteacher requests
and the gaps in CPD that have been
identified including Subject Leader
and Year Group networks, Middle
Leader and RQT training, annual
Leadership sessions around Appraisal
(Performance Management) Reviews,
Coaching and Mentoring. We are
very excited about facilitating
greater moderation opportunities
and potentially working together
to create our own Local Authority
exemplar portfolios to support
schools in the assessment processes.
We already have Specialist Leaders
of Education within our Trafford
schools (in English, Maths, SEN)
and many other staff clearly have
great potential to become SLEs in
the future. From Sept 2016 TTSA
will start looking at the process of
creating our own SLEs to deploy
across Trafford schools – staff in your
school may well become these SLEs,
supporting and sharing expertise,
growing as middle and senior leaders
and bringing back a plethora of ideas
to your own school.
One of the greatest benefits to
these School Visits has been getting
to know you better and unpicking
your thoughts and suggestions for
the direction of TTSA. The direct
work and impact of TTSA will grow
because of the collective desire to
work together.
New
Headteacher
Induction
Programme
The whirlwind of Headship continues.
Reflecting on the previous 6 months,
I realise how the support from others
is crucial – family, friends, advisors,
colleagues.
TTSA Headteacher Induction
Programme has been an invaluable
part of this process.
99
It has given me the opportunity to
get a real insight into the excellent
provision available in other
Trafford schools
99
Opportunity to share the
experiences and listen to the
advice of Trafford’s established
Headteachers
99
Enabled me to get to know other
Headteachers in Trafford
99
To share challenges and successes
99
To network and make links
The list goes on!
I have found the honesty and support
of the experienced Headteachers to be
invaluable and the induction visits are
always relevant, timely and incredibly
useful in developing me on this new,
exciting journey.
Looking forward to the next meeting!!
At the time of writing, new
Headteacher’s have had the
opportunity for two schoolbased
visits this term. In
January, they were welcomed
to Old Trafford where Judith
Stott focused on ‘Managing
the pressures of headship’.
The second visit to Tyntesfield
focused on ‘Leading Change’
with a specific focus on
leading teaching and learning.
Reflections
AS
HAVING REACHED THE marvellous
IT WAS A real privilege to contribute to the
milestone of a term and a half as a
TTSA Headteacher Induction Programme
new Headteacher, I can now take
recently. The theme was “Managing the
stock: the school is still standing; the
Pressures of Headship, and NAHT support”.
staff
Reflections
and children continue to work
The list of topics we discussed could look
very hard; we are all in one piece!
rather dull – matters such as personnel
procedures, managing absence, and
conditions of service tend not to be the
inspiring parts of the role that led people
into headship. However, they are crucial but
a bit like housework – usually invisible unless
not done properly!
These are areas of the role that are often new
to people taking up headship, and it can be
easy to feel overwhelmed and inadequate.
We tend to only think about them when
things are going wrong, which is not a good
time to find out that your procedures have
gaps in them! It is always good to have an
opportunity to discuss with colleagues,
to find out that you are not alone, and to
identify good sources of information and
support.
We had a lively and interesting discussion,
based on the assumption that as heads we
should “Hope for the best, plan for the worst”.
We explored strategies to help us feel in
control, and how to avoid feeling ambushed
by circumstances. The new headteachers
at the session really chewed over some of
the tricky issues they may face, sharing
experiences of both problems and solutions.
As you would expect me to say, the NAHT
is one of the best sources of support any
school leader can have; check the website
for information, or talk to one of the local
contacts. We are there to help!
Tyntesfield visit
In February, several
Trafford Headteachers
visited Tyntesfield as part
of TTSA’s Headteacher
Induction Programme.
The focus for the visit
was ‘Leading Change’
and I talked through
the journey that our
school has been on,
over the past eight
years, in developing our
Teaching and Learning
Policy. After a tour
of school, valuable
discussions followed
covering a wide range
of leadership priorities
that included leading
change, challenging
learning, governance and
A NEW Headteacher, the
induction visits organised by
TTSA have been invaluable.
An informal network has been
formed by the Headteachers
that have attended these
induction visits and it is this
that has had the most impact
for me. We have formed new
professional friendships and
the support that is being
offered to each other has been
very beneficial. I know that
there is someone at the end
of a phone who is probably
sitting there thinking the
same as me, whom I can call
on and talk things through
and ask the daft questions!
We have been very privileged
to visit other schools with a
wide variety of contexts to
see these schools in action
and I know many of us have
‘magpied’ things we have seen
on these school visits. There
has been a focus for each
session which has enabled
us to think about our own
schools and contexts and how
our practices can be adapted
in light of these focussed
discussions. One visit, for
example, focused on school
systems and procedures and
I got back to school with a
list of things I need to look
at and check whether the
procedures in place in my
school are effective. There
have been a few things that
I have found out about and
managing headteacher
workload. I thoroughly
enjoyed welcoming
colleagues to our school
and appreciated the
opportunity to meet
with, share ideas, listen
to and learn from others.
Kylie Spark
Headteacher at
Tyntesfield Primary
which have made my ‘to
do’ list! Each focus has led
to an examination of the
effectiveness of what goes on
in my school so I can ensure
that my children get the
highest standards of teaching
and learning.
Another element of these
visits has been the discussions
around the table about
topics that we want to raise
ourselves. It has been very
supportive to know that
there are things happening
in school that we can all
relate to. We have had very
supportive discussions on
these issues, sharing how
we have dealt with things
in our own contexts - with
an experienced Headteacher
there offering their timely and
sound advice too!
As a new Head it has been
very important for me to be
part of a support network
and the TTSA has enabled this
to happen whilst providing
effective CPD at the same
time. I would recommend any
new Headteacher to join in
with an induction such as this
– you might not be able to get
to every meeting but the ones
you will get to will be of great
benefit to you!
Claire Walmsley
Headteacher at
Park Road Academy, Sale
Kirsten Lyde
Headteacher at Broadheath Primary
Judith Stott (Principal)
Old Trafford Community Academy
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NPQML & SL
DAY TWO OF our National Professional Qualification
programmes took place in January with 27 candidates
maintaining momentum on their NPQML (Middle
Leadership) and NPQSL (Senior Leadership)
development journeys. Leaders have been engaged in
stimulating and challenging debate whilst reflecting
how theory into practice works for them. A real
‘buzz’ is generated in these sessions from the tangible
atmosphere of ambition and enthusiasm. This is
stimulated as knowledge builds, skills and expertise
develop, and leadership behaviours ensure greater
capability and capacity in Trafford schools. NPQML and
NPQSL is proving to be fundamental in delivering our
vision for “Growing Our Own Teachers”.
Evaluations from candidates make particularly pleasing
reading, consistently highlighting the balance between
presentation, reflection and activities as a particular
strength of each course.
Candidates continue to supplement these face to face
sessions with the rigorous self-directed learning and
online modules.
Application for the September 2016 round of NPQML
and NPQSL training will be open in the Summer Term,
intent to apply for this next round is very strong, be
sure to book early!
A well paced,
interactive day –
enjoyable and
informative throughout
Partnership
Agreement
OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT was
presented to Headteachers on the 18th March
at Trafford’s Annual Residential Conference. The
aim of this twelve
month agreement
is to provide all
‘Partners’ with an
understanding of
how the work of
TTSA will be led
and managed.
The agreement
explains the
key roles and
responsibilities
of the Strategic
Board and Lead
Schools whilst
outlining how
the Board is
constructed
and key areas
of overview. The agreement also
clarifies criteria for being a ‘Strategic Partner’
or a ‘Partner’ and highlights the crucial roles
of both ‘Partners’ in the delivery of our vision.
Importantly schools have been made aware
that they can move between being a ‘Strategic
Partner’ and ‘Partner’ to meet capacity demands
as they arise in their schools.
To further promote TTSA’s inclusive vision
the Partnership Agreement acknowledges
that schools do not need to be a ‘Partner’ or
‘Strategic Partner’ to access training delivered
by the Alliance. However, it is important that
the collaborative approach and the sharing
of responsibilities are vital for the growth,
strength and sustainability of TTSA. All signed
agreements will be collected in by Easter,
enabling TTSA to plan more efficiently key areas
for delivery for the Summer Term and into
Academic Year 2016-2017.
Initial Teacher Training
(School Direct 2016)
THIS YEAR THE process for
generating School Direct places
has been capped by NCTL and
UCAS in an attempt to control
the numbers of new teacher
trainees across the country.
Unfortunately for many small
providers like TTSA this has
created a huge challenge
in recruitment. We had 4
confirmed trainees for Sept
2016 when the recruitment
controls kicked in; therefore
we will have a very small (but
wonderful) cohort commencing
the programme with us in our
first year.
Whilst we hoped to have a larger
number we are not alone in this
and are determined to make this
a positive and successful year
for the first TTSA School Direct
trainees. We are in the process
of designing the programme.
TTSA appreciate the many
offers of support in hosting SD
trainees (for long and short
placements) as well as offers to
deliver aspects of the CPD for the
trainees. We will be contacting
schools soon to firm up the
programme and develop our
2016 - 2017 School Direct Year
Planner.
ITP / OTP
FIVE TRAFFORD TEACHING Schools (including
TTSA) are once again collaborating to deliver
the Improving Teacher Programme (ITP) and
Outstanding Teacher Programme (OTP) in the
summer term. Places are still available on both
programmes, please see our website for further
details or contact us via email.
SEERIH
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH the Science
& Engineering Education Research
and Innovation Hub (SEERIH)
from the University of Manchester
continues to go from strength to
strength. Trafford Science Leaders
Innovation Cluster (SLIC) is well
into its exciting research journey,
focusing on enquiry-based learning
approaches.
More and more Trafford teachers
are accessing ‘Through the Science
Window’ training organised by
SEERIH. Feedback from these
opportunities is overwhelmingly
positive; this training is run following
the mantra ‘low cost, high quality’. 13
Schools have accessed this training
during the Spring Term.
We are really proud that our Termly
Science Leader training has now
started. A huge thank you must go
to Springfield Primary School in
Sale for hosting 21 Trafford Science
Leaders. The training encouraged
reflection on the range and use
of teacher questioning to develop
explanation skills. Exploration of the
use of interpretation as a skill and
ideas and activities for use in school
were developed. Feedback was highly
positive and included quotes such
as “Great to focus on how to achieve
more children-led enquiry, meet
other co-ordinators and gain food for
thought”.

Feedback from the Deputy Headteachers’
Induction Programme
DURING THE SPRING TERM, new deputies have had the
opportunity to visit Urmston Junior School and St. Mary’s,
Sale. At Urmston Juniors, Sarah talked about the school’s
journey over the past couple of years and how the leadership
team have led change, whilst at St. Mary’s the visit focused
on transition between Early Years and Key Stage 1.
St. Mary’s Visit
As part of the Deputy Induction Programme organised
by TTSA, several Deputies visited St. Mary’s CE
Primary School, Sale to gain a better understanding
about the transition from Early Years to Key Stage
1. Attendees started their tour by visiting two
“The induction sessions have
given us valuable opportunity
to get to know other deputies
and we both feel more confident
about contacting them to seek
advice in the future.”
parallel mixed year 1/2 classes. They examined the
planning and had opportunities to speak with and
observe the class. Many Deputies commented on the
confidence, independence and resilience the children
demonstrated.
Following the Key Stage 1 class visits I showed the
visitors the rest of the school; visiting Nursery through
to Year 6. Following a short respite and cake, the Key
Stage 1 Leader presented an overview of Transition
at St. Mary’s CE School, Sale. The Deputies were able
to reflect on their own schools and consider how this
might impact positively in their own settings.
Wayne Hitchcock
Headteacher at St. Mary’s, Sale
“I will definitely make use of the
contact details that have been
shared within the group. I won’t
be afraid to pick people’s brains
if there was an initiative I was
working on at school. Looking
forward to seeing them at the
DHT conference too.”
“I always enjoy going on a tour
of the school. It was particularly
useful to see first-hand, the
improvements that Sarah and
Simon had talked about earlier in
the session.”
“The Headteacher was
incredibly helpful and I think
the question and answer
session was particularly
useful. It is good to hear
from your colleagues and
be able to ask about the
context you are visiting
and how the deputy role
differs across schools. It was
particularly encouraging to
hear a ‘realistic’ view of the
role of the Deputy and how
important, and yet sometimes
challenging, it can be.”
Urmston Junior
School Visit
I was privileged to host a new deputies
meeting at Urmston Junior School. The focus
of our session was ‘Managing change’, which
in the current educational climate is certainly
on all of our agendas. One thing is certain in
education; things will always change when you
think that you have just got to grips with it.
We had a great turnout to the session
and it was lovely to meet deputies from
across the authority. Sharing our school’s
journey over the past four years, the role
of school leaders in managing change and
development, along with the issues and
opportunities that it presented, prompted
discussion about how the change in role
and / or school to be a deputy impacts
upon their practise, relationships with staff,
leadership responsibilities, decision making
and workload. We are very lucky to have
such professional, enthusiastic, energetic and
committed deputies in Trafford.
Conversations moved to the current changes
in schools: Assessment without Levels,
measuring pupil progress and plugging the
gap between the old and new curriculums.
The importance of working together, sharing
good practice, cluster groups, moderation
networks and professional support networks
was emphasised and welcomed.
Networking and communication links were
proactively created and acted upon and I hope
that they will form part of productive and
supportive future partnerships.
about
TTSA
Trafford Teaching School
Alliance is a multiple Teaching
School Alliance, placing
teaching, learning and pupil
achievement at the heart of
our work. The alliance is also
passionate about collaboration
and innovation and the
impact of effective research
and development on pupil
outcomes. Our alliance is led
by three very diverse, high
achieving schools, each with a
shared passion and vision for
the alliance.
Longford Park School
Seymour Park Community
Primary School
Tyntesfield Primary School
Sharing our vision are many
Trafford Primary Schools and a
number of non-school strategic
partners: The University of
Manchester, Trafford Council,
Trafford Innovation and
Intelligence Lab, The Coalition
of Research Schools and
Trafford Housing Trust.
“The networking is invaluable to
me as a recently appointed acting
deputy. Good to see colleagues
who I met at the DHT conference.”
“The regularity of the induction
meetings is helping people
get to know each other better,
which is allowing for more open
discussions.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to
visit this wonderful school.”
“It was very interesting to
see how St Mary’s manages
transition. It is very different
to our own school. We will take
the ideas back to school and use
them to help us reflect on our
own practice.”
“We found it very interesting
to see how St Mary’s organise
and structure learning in the
foundation stage and key
stage 1.”
“I think the presentation
given by the Head Teacher
was the most useful element
… The practical insights
offered into what they
actually did were things I
could see myself replicating
in the future. In addition, the
opportunity to network with
other Deputy Heads was very
valuable. Having moved from
another authority, I felt quite
isolated, in terms of my peer
Deputy Heads, prior to this
meeting.”
Sarah Jones
Urmston Junior school
“We found the visit and tour incredibly
useful. It is interesting to see how another
school is adapting its building, and indoor
and outdoor spaces, wherever possible, to
suit the needs of its pupils. The learning
environment was fantastic and the
behaviour of the pupils was outstanding;
this made us reflect on our own setting
and how we could further improve.”

TTSA Courses and Training Programme
DEPUTY HEADTEACHER
INDUCTION PROGRAMME:
OUTDOOR LEARNING
Wednesday 20th April 2016
(2 – 4.30pm)
Lime Tree Academy
HEADTEACHER INDUCTION
PROGRAMME: LEADING STAFF
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Thursday 21st April 2016
(8.30am – 12)
Woodhouse Primary
RECENT QUALIFIED TEACHERS
(RQTs) - LEADERS OF TOMORROW
PROGRAMME DAY 3
Thursday 28th April 2016
Venue TBA
TEACHING THE TOUGH BITS
Monday 23rd May 2016
(9.30-4pm)
University of Manchester
HEADTEACHER INDUCTION
PROGRAMME: EXTENDED
SERVICES AND WORKING WITH
PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
Thursday 16th June 2016
(8.30am – 12)
Longford Park Primary
DEPUTY HEADTEACHER
INDUCTION PROGRAMME:
LEADING CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT
Tuesday 21st June 2016
(2 – 4.30pm)
The Bollin Primary
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
AND COMPUTER SCIENCE IN THE
PRIMARY CURRICULUM
Tuesday 21st June 2016 (Half day,
1-4pm - Full day, 9.30-4pm)
NPQSL DAY 4
Friday 1st July 2016 (full day)
Sale West Training Centre
CHILDREN’S GREAT SCIENCE
SHARE CONFERENCE
Wednesday 6th July 2016
(12 – 4pm)
Manchester Town Hall
NPQML DAY 4
Friday 8th July 2016 (full day)
Sale West Training Centre
Joint Trafford and TTSA CPD Programme for 2016-2017
to be announced Summer 2016.
TTSA FIRST STRATEGIC BOARD MEETING - Friday 24th
June 2016 (1.30pm) at Tyntesfield Primary School.
www.ttsa.co
Key Contacts:
Alliance Schools
Longford Park School
www.longford.trafford.sch.uk
Andrew Taylor
Headteacher
andrew@ttsa.co
Seymour Park
Community Primary
www.seymourpark.com
Anthony Rae
Headteacher
tony@ttsa.co
Tyntesfield Primary School
www.tyntesfieldschool.co.uk
Kylie Spark
Headteacher
kylie@ttsa.co