As we move through the first part of the new academic year. we need to make sure that we have captured a detailed picture of learner start points, so that we can adapt TLA to maximise progress across the learner journey. We still have a couple of weeks to make sure that we have a holistic picture of learner start points and today's epiosde gives us chance to reflect on if we can/need to do anything else before we get to half term. I also nudge us to think about the ways in which we capture the information that we have gathered. I refer to an article in the episode from the World Economic Forum - link is here - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work Please leave a voice message for me. I always love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Stef

My first solo episode!! It felt like a time for change. This new series will be a combination of solo episodes and guests joining me on the podcast as we talk all things high quality, learner experience and progress. I start with a podcast about the importance of the first 6 weeks and the things that can make a difference to learner engagement and retention. As promised, for more information about the additional induction training I talk about in the episode - https://lefe.uk/#section07

Stuart is the first principal to come on the Teaching Excellence Podcast. With a keen interest in leadership, Stef chats with Stuart about his leadership journey in FE, the challenges that we currently face and the vision of FE in the future. 

This week Lindsey and I chat about Induction and the things that we think make it meaningful. Its a good time to consider how we best welcome students to college but also move away from induction being about assessment, assignments and course requirements. Its time to be creative and consider all the ways in which we can create a memorable experience that will build a sense of belonging and engage students in their future.

This week Stef and Isla chat about the last few weeks, what we have been up to, where we have been and what we have heard which has caught our interest. Isla talks about the NATECLA conference and I chat about training I ran with Apprenticeships tutors and we both talk about some of our initial thoughts about our Ofsted experiences this year. We could probably talk for a week about Ofsted, but we just threw out a few of our first initial thoughts. We get that usually it generates a lot of discussion, so if you want to ask us a question, use the voicenote or message function in Anchor to ask us something about our experiences or our thoughts. Much Joy. Stef and Isla.

I talk to Paula who is a co-head of a primary school. She shares how this works and how they have aligned CPD and their whole school approach to being curious and inquisitive about improvement.

Its time for Season 5 of the Teaching Excellence podcast. There is podcast news and we chat about things we have been up to recently in 2022, including a project which explores teaching low level English skills as well as exploring collaborative professionalism to create positive quality improvement cultures. If you find any of this interesting be sure to let us know or get in touch and we can point you in the direction of resources or further reading, or we could even include further discussion in future episodes.

I chat to Ben about all things change, technology and how things seem to be going in Term 1.  Ben is an Educational Consultant working with a number of clients on both digital and cultural transformation. Prior to this, Ben has worked for 15 years in education as an Assistant Principal and Curriculum Manager, focusing on Apprenticeships and formerly in his subject specialisms of Religious Studies & Sociology. He is a governor at a primary school and a trustee of a local charity. For the last 4 years, he has hosted the Edufuturists podcast, interviewing guests from all over the world about loads of topics - cryptocurrencies, innovation, marketing - and applying this to the future of education. He tweets at @itsbenwhitaker and can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsbenwhitaker/ 

Stef and Amy chat about Culture Development through TLA and Quality Improvement, the need for focus and rapid action in response to learner needs as well as the 'noise' that can exist when there feels like there is so much to do. We also chat briefly about Amy's research  as part of last years SUNCETT research programme.

Stef and Rachel talk about Professional Development, Coaching and Mentoring in Education, with a specific focus on the Early Careers Framework and Contextual Coaching. We dig into the importance of relationships, nuance, challenge and the educational landscape in which we find ourselves as well as consider how practice can really be shaped to support and nurture teachers as professionals. We talk about a recent research paper that Rachel has written and published with Trista Hollweck (@tristateach), titled Contextual Coaching: levering and leading school improvement through collaborative professionalism. The paper has many golden nuggets within it, of which we definitely do not get to cover everything within it in our conversation. The main focus is contextual coaching and collaborative professionalism, of which both have super powers in relation to quality improvement in schools and colleges. More to come on both of these in future podcasts.  If you would like a copy of the paper then you are more than welcome to contact Rachel on twitter @DrRLofthouse or by email on [email protected].