Lytchett Minster School

A Training School

Opportunities

A wide range of professional development opportunities is available within and beyond the school and colleagues are encouraged to enjoy the benefits of both providing and receiving training. 

The following opportunities are available ‘in house’

Peer observation

We have a great deal of expertise ‘in house’ which we can share and the opportunity to learn from one another through observation is very enjoyable!  If you would like the opportunity to observe another colleague then this can be arranged through Ali Symons, by submitting a peer observation request form. 

Types of peer observation undertaken to date: 

• Thinking skills trios plan lessons together and then observe lessons they have planned as part of the Action Research Group
• NQTs and ITT trainees observe students they teach in other subject settings in order to learn more about individual students.
• Teachers within a department may choose to observe a colleague with a parallel group deliver a new topic or skill
• Certain teachers are excellent role models when it comes to key areas of professional practice for example classroom leadership, questioning, managing practical tasks, AFL, ‘the three part lesson’ etc. 
• You may wish to shadow a particular pupil to look at his/her learning needs within different subject settings

If you would like to develop your own practice through the opportunity of peer observation then please narrow down your focus and talk to Alan Willans about ways of moving this idea forward.

Subject meetings

These are calendared meetings which happen on a regular basis, chaired by the Subject Leader.  Whilst often there is a need to cover administrative and course issues as well as to ensure communication on whole school agenda items, this is also an opportunity to share good practice and to undertake training.  

Many subject teams set aside time each meeting to discuss latest teaching and learning ideas, resources and ideas to enhance curriculum delivery.  Why don’t you suggest an idea for your next subject meeting agenda and share your bright ideas!!

Pastoral meetings

Again, pastoral team meetings are scheduled on a regular basis and are an opportunity to share best practice.  This year the focus is very much on developing the family ethos of our school and of course pastoral teams are central to this.  The ‘team of ten’ is responsible for delivering high quality pastoral care to students and skills, techniques and approaches are shared on a regular basis.

All ITT trainees join House Teams during their time at the school and a programme is delivered which allows each trainee to begin to explore the special relationship a tutor builds with tutees.

Action Research

Our Action Research group works to develop a whole range of teaching and learning approaches.  To date we have focused our attention on:

• Multiple Intelligences

• Improving Learning by Adapting Teaching to how Individuals learn

• The Three-Part Lesson

• Developing Thinking Skills

These approaches to teaching and learning underpin our planning and are reflected in our schemes of work.  Following on from whole school curriculum planning and development, the key priority of independent learning need to be at the forefront of our teaching.

If you are interested in trialling new approaches to teaching and learning, are committed to making a difference to the learning experiences of our students and are prepared to plan and share your experiences with other colleagues, then please sign up to the Action Research Group for 2010.

PGCE/GTP training

We enjoy working in partnership with Southampton University, Exeter University and Bath Spa University each year welcoming trainees in a number of subject areas.  For full details of our current work, please look at our dedicated ITT area.

Acting as Mentor or Coach

A mentor or coach can be described as a guide – someone with the specialist knowledge and skills to enable another colleague to develop at their own pace through new experiences and opportunities.  He/she encourages self reflection and analysis as part of the learning process.

As a group of colleagues we rely very much on one another and enjoy positive working relationships within our teams and across the wider school.  There is an ethos of positive professional working relationships and we benefit from a thriving learning community in which we can all participate.

Opportunities to Mentor are numerous and include mentoring: 

• Colleagues new to the school
• PGCE and GTP trainees
• Colleagues following national training programmes –‘ Leadership Pathways’, ‘Leading from the Middle’
• Mentoring GCSE students

As a coach you can have a professional conversation with another colleague to support them in their reflection and learning. Following training, you can join a programme to support:

• Colleagues following our internal leadership courses
• Year 2-5 teachers

See our mentoring section for opportunities planned for 2010-11

Acting as Buddy

This more informal relationship exists to support colleagues new to the school.  The Buddy is a person who takes an interest in the pastoral care of  a new colleague, ensuring that he/she gets to ‘know the ropes’ as quickly as possible.   Whether it is a question of understanding the routine for morning coffee, or where to find a photocopy card the Buddy will be on hand to help.  The Buddy aims to ensure that the new colleague feels settled at Lytchett as quickly as possible and will endeavour as appropriate to support through helping to build a social network within the school.

Throughout 2009-10 colleagues have been contributing to and taking part in an extensive programme of twilight training. Colleagues from all subject teams and with varying degrees of teaching experience have contributed to provide a rich programme which has covered:

• ICT skills and opportunities
• Pedagogy
• Curriculum development
• Language for Learning
• PLTS
• Extra-curricular learning
• Planning for exciting teaching and learning
• Target setting
• Behaviour management

We are grateful to all staff for their contribution and look forward to a new programme next year. If you would like to contribute, speak to Ali or Alan

Management and Leadership Training

Subject Specific Training

We have also been keen to allocate significant amounts of time to subject based developments over the last two years and departments have made use of disaggregated inset (twilight sessions) to address some of their specific training needs.  

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Last modified: 07/06/2010