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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”.