We've been amazed at the response of Community Leaders in meeting the challenge of responding to the needs of fellow teachers.
We have engaged with teachers representing 418 different schools across England and many more from around the UK.
Here’s a brief snapshot of what we have learnt over the past few months.
Geography is no barrier to delivery
We are supporting CPD needs across the whole country. Instead of travelling to a venue for a CAS meeting, teachers can tune in from wherever they are based. CAS Communities are responding to what teachers need - and teachers are hungry to come back for more.
We are supporting CPD needs across the whole country. Instead of travelling to a venue for a CAS meeting, teachers can tune in from wherever they are based. CAS Communities are responding to what teachers need - and teachers are hungry to come back for more.
Collaboration between Communities
Lockdown has brought Community Leaders together. The CAS Community Outreach Team have connected Community Leaders through regular catch-ups to share great ideas and showcase what’s working.
Lockdown has brought Community Leaders together. The CAS Community Outreach Team have connected Community Leaders through regular catch-ups to share great ideas and showcase what’s working.
Through creating a tight-knit network, community leaders are supporting each other through talks, workshops and discussions. Helen Cotton from York CAS Primary and Vicky Dodds from CAS Kingston Park in Newcastle teamed up to deliver an introduction to Seesaw, the popular online learning platform. Over 47 teachers attended from across the country.
As Vicky comments; "It’s amazing to think that so many teachers could attend our community meet up and how online learning for teachers has opened up the opportunity for them to access CPD." Buoyed by the success of their first collaboration, Vicky and Helen are teaming up to host more support community meet ups in the future weeks and months.
Trying new approaches
Instead of the traditional termly meeting, some community leaders are delivering a series of workshops, from developing teacher skills in Scratch to making the most of Google Classroom.
Instead of the traditional termly meeting, some community leaders are delivering a series of workshops, from developing teacher skills in Scratch to making the most of Google Classroom.
Richard Smith, Community Leader for Telford CAS Mixed Community, has been running regular Scratch workshops for primary teachers to develop their coding and programming skills. Key to Richard's effective approach has been to create a safe and fun space for teachers to embrace new skills and chat together, and then forward useful resources after the event for teachers to use with their classes.
"I have been blown away by the number of people keen to help children in the UK with Computing", explains Richard. "I have also been delighted that teachers want to invest their time in learning and to develop further computing skills to provide real educational innovation in UK schools.
Working with our partners
We've also been able to weave-in the opportunities of the NCCE, signposting teachers to the courses, resources and dedicated support available there. Many of our Community Leaders wear multiple hats and it has been great to see how they have used this at their meetings.
We've also been able to weave-in the opportunities of the NCCE, signposting teachers to the courses, resources and dedicated support available there. Many of our Community Leaders wear multiple hats and it has been great to see how they have used this at their meetings.
Over 80 people attended Pam Jones's debut meeting as Community Leader for Stafford Primary CAS Community.. Her meeting was an example of collaboration in action.
In the meeting, Walsall Primary Community Leader Dawn Walker provided first-hand guidance on Ofsted Deep Dive in Computing, Ben Hall from the Raspberry Pi Foundation (also a CAS Community Leader in Rochdale) gave an overview of the NCCE's comprehensive teaching resources, and Neil Taylor from Creative Hut introduced free online resources available with ‘KUBO Play’.
“I found it important to have a structured approach with welcome and agenda slides to ensure I keep to timings”, says Pam. “All questions were directed through the text and I followed up after with answers and resources. The main learning point was keep the flow and to enjoy it.”
We are still learning
As things develop over upcoming weeks and months, we will continue to develop what we do ensuring teachers are informed, well-resourced and supported. Our communities have turned the challenge of lockdown into real opportunity and we’re immensely grateful to everyone for their generosity and expertise.
As things develop over upcoming weeks and months, we will continue to develop what we do ensuring teachers are informed, well-resourced and supported. Our communities have turned the challenge of lockdown into real opportunity and we’re immensely grateful to everyone for their generosity and expertise.
