NQT Training event CPD at Calder High School Social work placements Voice Training NQT Conference ITT - Standards Grid template

EPS Programme: Sept 2009 to Jan 2010

A Taste of Teaching


On Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd July Calder High hosted at two day “Taste of Teaching” event for aspiring entrants to the profession and possible career changers.

21 delegates from the local community took up the opportunity to find out for themselves what life is really like as a secondary school teacher in the 21st century. They observed lessons, met key staff and students, spoke to former trainees, and planned and delivered a short teaching episode, as well as finding out about life as a teacher and the different methods of entry to the profession and career progression within it.

Deputy Headteacher Mr Chris Sylge said “As a Training School, we have a duty to ensure high quality workforce supply, and events like this, organised with such flair and professionalism by my colleague Kerry Standring, are a critical first step for potential career changers.”



Feedback from delegates was equally enthusiastic: “The event went above and beyond my expectations…a wonderful few days…Thanks you very much for this event – I would have no hesitation in recommending it” said one delegate, with another noting it was “very persuasive and informative”. “The training has inspired me to pursue this” said one visitor. “It has definitely confirmed the fact that I want to go into the profession” said another.

The event will be back again next year, with provisional dates of 28th and 29th of June. Thanks go to all staff involved, and in particular to Ms Standring and Mr Emberton for their leadership of the event.

Are you considering a career in secondary school teaching?

If so you will be interested in a two day event at Calder High School on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd July.  As part of their outreach function as a Training School, Calder High are hosting “A Taste of Teaching” for aspiring entrants to the profession  or career changers.

Up to 20 delegates will have the opportunity to find out for themselves what life is really like as a secondary school teacher in the 21st century. They will observe lessons, meet key staff and students, speak to former trainees, plan and deliver a short teaching episode with a group of students, and find out about the different methods of entry to the profession and career progression within it.

This two day event is free of charge, but places are strictly limited to 20 delegates who must commit to attending both days. If you would like to take part please contact Training School Administrator Yvonne Harrison at Calder High by Friday 19 June by phone (01422 883213) fax (01422 882684) or email (yharrison@calderhigh.calderdale.sch.uk).

NQT Training Event at Calder High: Wednesday 6 May 2009



On 6 May Calder High School played host to thirteen Newly Qualified Teachers from across Calderdale who are coming to the end of their first year in the teaching profession. Colleagues from primary, secondary and special school settings took part in the first of two day’s activities to help them reflect on the “core standards” for the profession to identify an area of their practice which they would like to research by applying new techniques or approaches in the classroom.

Delegates spent the morning looking at strategies for inclusion and personalisation, with specialist input from Julie Edwards, Calderdale’s consultant for gifted & talented learners, and educational psychologists Vicki Harold and Magdalen Maguire.

Calder High Teaching & Learning Consultant Kerry Standring and Advanced Skills Teacher Jonathan Emberton led the afternoon session with an introduction to The Teacher Learning Academy - part of the General Teaching Council for England.



With help from Inclusion Consultant Debbie Sweet and Calder High SENCo Brian Muir, delegates then finished the day planning a short-term research project to tie in with the morning’s themes, which they will undertake before the second meeting on 30 June. On that day they will write up and submit their projects as a presentation to The Teacher Learning Academy, and assuming the TLA criteria are met, will receive formal professional recognition for their research work – all within the first twelve months of their professional life.

Deputy Headteacher Chris Sylge said: “It was great to see the wealth of ideas coming from these young professionals, and particularly to have both primary and secondary colleagues working together. As the Calderdale Training School it is important for us to give colleagues from a wide range of settings the opportunity to reflect on and develop their practice. The Teacher Learning Academy provides a means of recognising the learning and professional development that teachers gain through their day-to-day practice and we are now putting together a plan to become a TLA Centre.”

Delegates were very positive about their experiences: “I was impressed with the level of knowledge and enthusiasm shown by the instructors and found the day extremely interesting” said one colleague. Other comments included: “There was excellent use of up-to-date resources”, “brilliant ideas”, “each of the presentations was relevant, specific and interesting”, “I loved sharing ideas for professional development with primary and secondary NQTs”.

Research projects identified by delegates range from strategies to engage boys in English, to working with support staff to make GCSE work more accessible in year 10.

The next day is planned for Tuesday 30 June.

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CPD at Calder High School (Click here to link to website)

The website contains the following links:

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Social work placements
Two social work students from Huddersfield University are working at Calder High School as part of their degree course.

Harriet Wall from Rochdale, and Kelly-Marie Jackson from Burnley, are working as part of CHS Training School status, under a new initiative to involve social workers within school situations. The two students have worked in administration with the attendance officer, and with educational welfare staff, as well as working with groups of students on isues such as substance misuse, and also working with children with behavioural difficulties, and their families.

They are being supervised by inclusion centre and support manager Mrs Candice Pancziew, and teaching and learning co-ordinator, Mrs Denise Booth, who said: “This scheme reflects the extended schools initiative in action. It is really worthwhile for all involved.”

Harriet, who hopes to specialise as a children’s social worker, said that she and Kelly-Marie were enjoying their time at Calder High. “It is a really good opportunity for us.”

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NQT Teaching and Learning Day

As part of its Training School programme Calder High School hosted a conference for secondary NQTs from across Calderdale. The morning session consisted of generic workshops, the learning from which was transferable across the curriculum and offered both practical suggestions and opportunities for newly-qualified teachers approaching the end of their Induction year to develop their skills as reflective practitioners.The workshops included ‘2020 vision: The Shape of your Professional Learning for Schools of the Future’, led by Jonathan Emberton, Advanced Skills Teacher in Science, and Kerry Standring, Training School Teaching and Learning Consultant, and ‘Practical Coping Skills and Early Professional Dvelopment Networking’, presented by Clare Swain from the Science faculty. Clare has also presented this session to the whole cohort of secondary trainee teachers at Leeds University.

In the afternoon, delegates split into subject-specific groups for sessions which enhanced their subject knowledge and understanding. The day was very positively evaluated by delegates.

Ben Mounsey, a teacher of ICT at Brooksbank, said: ‘I’ve taken a lot away from the days. There’s been a really good balance between the subject-sessions and the discussion of more wide-ranging issues’. His Brooksbank colleague, Antony Lomas, who teaches English said: ‘The sharing of ideas has been particularly valuable.’

Making the Best Use of Your Voice


Trainee teachers participated in an Educational and Professional Studies tutorial on ‘Voice Use, Care and Management’ delivered by Sue Shiels, Deputy Headteacher and Training School Manager, and Lynn Clarke, Assistant Head of the ICT faculty.

Designed to help well-being issues as well as looking at the best ways of using the voice effectively as a classroom tool, it included practical relaxation and stress-busting exercises and was well-received.

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Newly Qualified Teachers Learning & Teaching Conference


Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) in English, PE, ICT and Design & Technology attended a conference hosted by Calder High, as part of its Training School collaborative outreach work. The morning session consisted of generic activities that could be adapted to use in all subjects to engage learners. Activities were also designed to prompt deep thinking and reflection among delegates. Sessions were led by Jonathan Emberton - Advanced Skills Teacher in Science, Kerry Standring - Training School Teaching & Learning Consultant and Sarah Street - Teaching & Learning Consultant in Mathematics.



After lunch the delegates divided into subject-specific groups which focussed on deepening and extending subject knowledge and prompting further reflection on methods of delivery.



These sessions were led by Mick Kay - Head of PE, Lynn Clark - Assistant Head of ICT, Lisa Jones - Teaching & Learning Consultant in English, Colin Unwin and Vicky Black, respectively Head and Assistant Head of Design & Technology Faculty.

The day was well attended and feedback was highly positive.

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ITT: Standards Grid Template (Click here to open template)
This grid to track progress in meeting the professional standards for Qualified Teacher Status was devised by Doctor Zafar Iqbal, a Science teacher at Calder High School, when he was undergoing the Graduate Trainee Programme, based at Calder High School, with Bradford College. It has been widely shared with other trainees and found to be an invaluable resource.

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