Labels

Labels should help you find information. For example if you want to know when the next meeting is, click on "meetings".

For information about the pay campaign click on "pay"

Lifelong learning newsletter

The lifelong learning newsletter can be downloaded from here


Continuing Professional Development
NUT CPD is cost-effective. Many courses are free to NUT members. This is an incentive for cash-strapped heads. The CPD programme is based on the perceived needs of all our members.

At the time of writing there are courses on:
* Equal access to SMT
* Behaviour management
* Internationalising learning



Union Training
NUT reps, health and safety reps, reps in Academies, Private Schools and Faith schools are all catered for on NUT courses.

Retirement Planning - The NUT with Teachers’ Assurance organises seminars on retirement planning.



Interested in any of these courses? Contact the Union learning rep on the email address wstalearn (at) yahoo.co.uk or ring 01403 258222.

ICT – our whiteboard course has been our most successful. It is the NUT which provides free ICT training for supply teachers rather than just expecting them to cope. The course is also popular with classroom teachers..


Silver surfers have special powers!
Silver surfer is the term applied to users of the internet over 50. Many of us have benefited from free ICT training from the NUT.


Love Music Hate Racism course

I attended the Love Music, Hate Racism course last year. The course was aimed at suggesting ways in which music can be used to celebrate diversity and tackle racism. We were introduced to song writing, DJing, rapping, the history of hip-hop and music of black origin and media portrayl of hip-hop – some material was very heart felt by delegates including myself. We even had time to discuss how to organise a Love Music, Hate Racism event locally or in school. The course provided some useful and interesting ideas that could be used in the classroom with exercises such as rhyming names with a hobby/interest and writing raps based on stereotypes we all meet in our lives. The course was interesting and fun. In fact I would say it was the best course I have ever been on! It appealed to my personal and professional interests. I enjoyed meeting other delegates on the course. Everyone enjoyed the course and valued the material covered. Dave, KMT and the other facilitators that attended were knowledgeable, confident and made sure everyone enjoyed the Love Music, Hate Racism course experience! We even received a certificate for our attendance and our new knowledge of ways to tackle racism and discrimination!

Of course being at Stoke Rochford also added to our enjoyment - a beautiful building, in lovely grounds, with comfortable accommodation and delicious food!
Lianne Bowling
Supply Teacher, Brighton

Stoke Rochford is the NUT training centre. It is also the venue for the annual Education Conference.

Education Conference

I have been to the Education Conference five times. They usually have interesting and informative speakers on current issues in education.

For example, Robin Alexander spoke about the primary curriculum review. Sue Palmer spoke about her book “Toxic Childhood.”

The accommodation and the food are excellent. The setting is very relaxing and beautiful. It is an ideal opportunity to meet with people you know and to meet new people. A weekend well spent.

Angela Ahern

"Advice on retirement" seminar

This is open to all NUT members and members of Teachers' Assurance aged 50 and over.

Weds 3rd February 2010
Tea & Coffee 6.30 pm
Seminar 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Fontwell Park Racecourse,
Arundel Road,
Fontwell,
West Sussex,
BN18 0SX

If you are interested then email wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk

IMPROVING BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING

FOR EARLY CAREER TEACHERS FROM ALL KEY STAGES
(IN 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, or 5TH YEAR OF TEACHING in England & Wales)

IMPROVING BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING (TnC/7)
Aligned with Teacher Learning Academy (Stage 1) – see ACCREDITATION below

LEAD TUTORS:
Paul Howard and Pete Hrekow – Dreyfus Training

DATES:
Initial Seminar:
Wednesday, 25 and Thursday, 26 November 2009
(Dinner plus B&B will be provided on 25 November 2009)

(Seminar begins at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday and ends at 2.45 p.m. on Thursday)


Participants will be enrolled in a dedicated internet forum at the initial seminar so they can continue dialogue (with peers and tutors) about behaviour for learning and related classroom management issues over subsequent weeks until:


Follow-up Seminar:
Friday, 5 February 2010
(Follow-up seminar: 10.30 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. Participants with more than 1½ hr journey can request B&B on 4 February – details at initial seminar)

VENUE:
Stoke Rochford Hall, (the NUT’s Education and Training Centre), nr Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5EJ. (Easy access A1 and free parking. Free taxi can be requested from/to Grantham Station – 15 minutes journey.)

AIMS:
To enable early-career teachers to build on their successes to date by:

reviewing and further developing their classroom and behaviour management skills and adding to their ‘toolkit’ of approaches that work;
deepening their understanding of how pupils’ learning and behaviour are linked and influenced by classroom organisation and culture as well as teacher/learner relationships; and
refining effective strategies which promote behaviour for learning.

EXPECTATIONS:

Participating early-career teachers will review and learn during an initial two-day seminar; then try out appropriate strategies/approaches in their school/classroom during the school-based weeks between the seminars (supported by the online discussion forum); and at the follow-up seminar reflect on and share what they have learned and develop their personal action plan for the future. All participants receive a personalised NUT CPD Certificate.

ACCREDITATION:


Participants who fully complete this teacherstogether course (and are registered with GTC England) will be eligible to gain Teacher Learning Academy professional recognition (Stage 1) accreditation. TLA (Stage 1) – at £95 only available through NUT CPD – is OPTIONAL (the fee is not included in ‘COST’ below); and full details, guidance and support for this online process will be provided before and during the initial seminar.


COST:
£25 (NUT members); £125 (others). Includes VAT, lunches, refreshments on all seminar days and dinner with B & B on 25 November.


NUT members will be able to claim their travel expenses (receipts must be provided except for car travel where reimbursement will be based on mileage). The Union cannot pay for supply cover – costs are eligible for funding from professional development funding delegated to schools. GTC (Wales) offers CPD bursaries to all teachers in Wales.




APPLY:

Click here to download an application form

Every Child and Adult Matters – Leading Wellbeing

HEAD TEACHERS, EXPERIENCED/SENIOR TEACHERS AND THOSE
WITH RESPONSIBILITY/LEADERSHIP ROLES FOR BEHAVIOUR AND/OR
EVERY CHILD MATTERS (ECM) IN SCHOOLS

PLUS COLLEAGUES WITH PASTORAL AND PHSE RESPONSIBILITIES AS WELL AS OTHER SCHOOL STAFF INVOLVED IN MENTORING AND COUNSELLING YOUNG PEOPLE AND PRIMARY/SECONDARY TRANSITION

ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR

‘Every Child and Adult Matters – Leading Wellbeing’ (Code: TF/59)
(Focus on key stages 2 & 3)

LEAD TUTORS:
Mary Hrekow and Ruth MacConville

VENUE:
NUT Headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD
(five minute walk from Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations)
DATES:

Thursday, 19 and Friday, 20 November 2009

(10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on both days)

AIMS:

To support the development of more positive classrooms which meet government expectations for enhancing wellbeing through a whole school approach or a stand-alone wellbeing curriculum. The principles will be relevant to all key stages but the materials around which the course will be structured are designed for KS 2 & 3.

The main focus will be on pupils; however the background information on the principles of positive psychology are relevant to adult and pupil well-being.


COST:

£50 to NUT members; £150 (others). Includes VAT, lunches and refreshments on both days. OPTIONAL dinner with B & B (£25) at end of first day (to request this see application form).

NUT members will be able to claim their travel expenses (receipts must be provided except for car travel which will be reimbursed by mileage). The Union cannot pay for supply cover – costs are eligible for funding from professional development funding, which is delegated to schools.


APPLY:

Click here to download an application form

Holocaust Education Development Programme

Some far right fanatics publicly deny the holocaust ever happened (what they say in private is another matter). They cannot be allowed to get away with it.

The Holocaust Education Development Programme (HEDP) seeks to transform teaching and learning about the Holocaust. It is leading world-class research on Holocaust education, delivering targeted and effective teacher education across England and building an interactive community of enquiry and exchange.

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme in Holocaust Education, launched in the autumn term of 2009, is delivered by internationally recognized experts through innovative workshops in every region across the country. It will be supported by the highest quality teaching and learning materials through multiple channels of ongoing support.

Underpinned by the latest developments in learning theory, leading edge research and scholarship in Holocaust education, the CPD programme addresses students’ key questions about the Holocaust and the challenges and opportunities faced by teachers exploring this subject in the classroom. The programme takes a historical, disciplinary approach but can also help teachers address issues of diversity, social cohesion, and social and emotional aspects of learning.

Click here for more information

Healthy Schools program should support teachers too

Message from the Teacher Support Network, founded by the NUT

The Department for Children, Schools and Families revealed this week that the Healthy Schools Programme has exceeded its target to ensure 75 per cent of schools have ‘healthy schools’ status by the end of 2009.

Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron, said: “I’m very glad to announce, as of today, eight out of ten schools are Healthy Schools. That’s six million children in England making healthier choices.”

Here at Teacher Support Network, we believe that the Programme should have a greater focus on the health and wellbeing of teachers.

A 2008 survey by Teacher Support Network found that 87 per cent of respondents had experienced stress, and 42 per cent had experienced depression in the previous two years.

Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Julian Stanley, said:

“There is a clear link between the health and wellbeing of teachers and the achievement of young people.

"Many schools and local authorities have already implemented initiatives that focus on staff health and wellbeing, for example, through the National Wellbeing Programme.

"However, a greater emphasis on staff health and wellbeing is needed throughout the Healthy Schools Programme if we are to see real change.

"Schools must do more to better support the health and wellbeing of their staff and ensure they know where to turn to when times get tough."

At Teacher Support Network, we're always keen to hear from teachers about developments in education. Do you have a story to tell us about the Healthy Schools Programme? Has it had a positive effect in your school or do health and wellbeing need a greater push?
If you would like to tell us your story, please contact Joe Williams on joe.williams@teachersupport.info

If you would like any support regarding your health and wellbeing, or any other issue, you can call our Support Lines for free and in confidence on 08000 562 561 (England), 08000 855 088 (Wales) or 0800 564 2270 (Scotland). Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You could also try our Online Support services. It's easy to take the first step; fill in some simple details including what's on your mind and send it off to one of our trained advisors for a personal email response. Click here to try it out today: http://teachersupport.info

CPD program 2008-2009

The CPD program for 2008 to 2009 can be downloaded here

National Education Conference 2008: Classrooms for Kenya

Angela Ahern writes:

Workshop Session: The Africa Project – Classrooms 4 Kenya

Workshop leader – Malcolm Peppiatt, Assistant Head Teacher at the Weald School, Billingshurst, West Sussex

I attended this workshop as I was interested in finding out more about Malcolm’s initiative with his school to build classrooms in Kenya. In 2005 Malcolm developed plans for an outreach project aiming to develop links with schools in an African country, as part of the school’s bid for Specialist School status. This enrichment project began with Malcolm making contact with the British Council and a friend who had contacts in Kenya, to see if the Weald could go and visit schools there.

A group of sixth formers did get to visit schools and came back to Billingshurst inspired and determined to raise funds to enable more Kenyan children to be able to attend school – something which Kenyans will walk a very long way to do. Last summer a group of 23 students and 4 staff from the Weald spent 3 weeks in rural Kenya, where they worked on building classrooms in two schools, as well as teaching lessons and dancing with the pupils and teachers. Malcolm showed us videos of the initial fact finding trip – including great footage of the students and a “venerable old man” dancing with the Kenyan students, and of the last trip, where you can see the Weald students actually building the classrooms.

He encouraged us to talk to each other by giving us all a “Classrooms 4 Kenya” purple friendship wrist band, (suggested donation - £1) and asking us to give it to someone we didn’t know. We then had to talk to our new friend and decide if we could develop a similar initiative in our own schools. This was extremely interesting! I got to chat to John Bang’s PA, who has family in Africa, and was able to share with her my own school’s links with a nursery in Hong Kong – not that we’ve managed to visit yet!

We then shared what we had been discussing with the rest of the group, and talked about the wider benefits to our schools and to our students that can result from taking on such a venture – making links with the world outside our own classrooms. Malcolm is a lively, interesting and inspiring speaker and made us feel that such a project could be a possibility and would enrich us all – we may even get to dance!

If you want to know more click here

National Education Conference 2008

Six members of WSTA attended the National Education Conference 2008:

Angela Ahern (President)
Alison Baker (Vice President)
Marjory Hammond (Assistant Secretary and organising genius)
Derek McMillan (Helpline Co-ordinator and Learning Rep)
Veronica Peppiatt (National Executive member and Membership Secretary)
Malcolm Peppiatt (Classrooms for Kenya)

When they have recovered you will be seeing some reports on the conference on the blog.

The first is by Derek McMillan and covers the contribution of Professor Maurice Galton.

Have you ever felt that the introduction of PPA time has just seemed to be an opportunity for more of those “initiatives” which caused the workload crisis in the first place? “You must do this now, we've given you PPA time!”

Professor Maurice Galton's contribution to the conference was to explain his research on the effects of workforce reforms on schools. The most startling of which is that in fact teacher workload has increased rather than been reduced.

Time spent training and supporting Cover Supervisors has been one factor. While the government gets teaching on the cheap, valuable PPA time is eroded by this kind of activity.

The “Learning to Learn” and “Assessment for Learning” Framework is another. These changes require more time and different complex skills for teachers and are beyond the training of Cover Supervisors.

Teaching Assistants do a brilliant job but are often “glued” to a particular pupil and therefore cannot assist the teacher by lightening the workload.

And he quoted a statistic – concern about pupil behaviour in primary schools has increased; the number of classes being taken by Cover Supervisors or TAs in primary schools has increased. As one TA who was quitting the job put it, “The three day’s training wasn’t quite enough!”

The whole of Galton's work is summarised in the Education Review which can be obtained from the Union Learning Rep wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk for £5 plus P and P. I am aware of the irony, “I don’t have time to read about teachers’ excessive workload – too busy!”

Courses for reps, health and safety reps and much more

Courses for reps, health and safety reps and much more

Click here

As courses fill up we will add new upcoming courses with vacancies to the scoreboard.

Thinking Skills

THE NUT CPD PROGRAMME IS INVITING 20 SCHOOLS - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY - TO TAKE

PART IN A UNIQUE eCOLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROJECT DURING 2008



For £100 participating schools will get an excellent CD produced by 'Imaginative Minds' and Steve Williams (usual price £235). The CD package is designed to underpin 6 one-hour staff development sessions (in-school CPD for the whole staff or departments). The outcomes will enhance the teaching of critical thinking to pupils/students.

In return, each school will nominate a link teacher who will take part in a learning conversation on NUT's CPD bulletin-board CHATROOM. 'Thinkers' like John MacBeath and Viv Baumfield will join in too.

If you and your colleagues/school are interested, please email (Quote 'Critical Thinking'):



nutcpd@nut.org.uk

AGM: Helpline and Learning Rep report

The number of calls to the helpline continues to rise with 286 calls in 2007. The increased number of calls shows we are providing a useful service.

The helpline system only works because I can rely on the support of other members and we have a very good team of caseworkers: Bob Cross, Phil Dufty, Marje Hammond, Chris Miles, Dave Thomas, and Veronica Peppiatt and now Alison Baker.

I am happy to go on doing the helpline for another year if elected but we will need more caseworkers to cope with the rising load of casework especially in Crawley. One solution has been to involve reps in more casework. Proposed action over pay or Academy Status should be an opportunity to involve more people in the union.

Union learning rep is an interesting job and the union’s Continuing Professional Development and ICT work are very useful both in their own right and as a way of promoting the union.

I have continued to use a weblog which has been a useful way to publicise union activities, including CPD to members.


When I am not blogging I am tweaking my Moodle :) and my target for this year is to involve more members in online discussion and learning not just ICT but all aspects of CPD and union work. Anyone who is interested email wstalearn(at)yahoo.co.uk and you will be welcomed to the wonderful world of Moodle Lifelong Learning.

Having one day a week to cover our 4000 plus members, the internet has been an invaluable tool. However, for those who still prefer paper-based materials I have produced a Lifelong Learning newsletter.

Derek McMillan
Helpline Co-ordinator
Union Learning Rep
Website author, blogger and Moodler

(Moodle is an open-source online learning environment which is being used more widely in West Sussex and has a lot of potential for building the NUT.)

Teachers TV Classroom Monologues

Following the success of Staffroom Monologues 2007, Teachers TV is once again
launching this exciting scriptwriting competition, in association with the
National Union of Teachers.

This year's Writer Judge will be Ashley Pharoah, the British television writer, co-creator of the successful drama series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.

The competition opens on Monday 18 February.

Click here after Monday for more details.

Reps Training

The reps training course on St Valentine's Day was a big success with Kevin Courtney as the guest speaker.

Even if the union rep "only" takes the mail from the union and puts it up on the notice board he or she is a vital part of the union. Kevin also outlined many other ways in which reps can play a role in the union especially with the upcoming pay ballot.

He stressed that winning the pay ballot will encourage members to battle on issues like Academy Status and workload whereas a defeat on this ballot will encourage management to think teachers will put up with *anything*.




The course dealt with
Disciplinary Procedure
Redundancy
Sickness Policy
Competence

It is important for all union reps or potential union reps to know about these policies. The details are here

Do not hesitate to contact the helpline 01342 410805 if you have any problems.

Reps Course 14th February

The St Valentine's Day NUT Reps Course will be at Field Place.

Click here for details


Veronica Peppiatt of the NUT National Executive
Kevin Courtney of the NUT National Executive

How to deal with
* Disciplinary issues
* Capability procedures
* Sickness absence policy
* Redundancy

If you are an NUT rep and you are interested email
wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk

Learndirect skills assessment

Thinking about advancing or changing your career in the new year?



Click here to assess your skills

How do I find out which skills I've got?

During the assessment, you'll be asked to agree with statements such as I like fixing and repairing things or I like exploring new ideas.

Based on your answers, you'll get a list of jobs that could be suitable for you. When you've finished you can print out your personal profile and discuss it with a careers advisor. You can also ring the West Sussex Teachers Association learning representative on 01342 410805 or email wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk

How could a careers adviser help me?

An advisor can help you think about where you are now and what to do next. It could be that you need help with your CV or job applications. Or perhaps you want to get a qualification.

How long does it take to do the assessment?

It takes around 10 minutes but you can work at your own pace and take as long as you want.
Will my details be confidential?

The information you enter and your personal profile can only be seen by you.

Learndirect Careers Advice for 2008

Click here for more information on Learndirect courses and advice for 2008

National Education conference

The National Education Conference is the Union’s flagship education event with a full programme of keynote speakers and small discussion groups on the key education topics facing teachers. Participants praise the NEC for the information it provides as well as the opportunity to relax with teacher colleagues in the beautiful surroundings of the Union’s training and conference centre near Grantham in Lincolnshire.

Make sure that you get full details of the programme, price and booking information on 2008 National Education Conference by emailing your contact details to Jan Pitt in the Education and Equal Opportunities Department (j.pitt@nut.org.uk).

Special Offer to young teachers (35 and under)! Attend the National Education Conference and the Young Teachers’ Conference (6-8 June) for the price of one conference!

ONE + ONE

ONE + ONE
(Initial one day seminar plus follow-up)

‘Patterns on the Page’ (OO4)
Developing poetry writing in KS1 and 2
(as well as reading and discussing)

Tutor:
Kate Boddy


For:
All Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers


When:
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 plus
follow-up on Wednesday, 23 April 2008


At:
Hilton York Hotel, YORK, YO1 9WD


Cost:
£50 (NUT members); £100 (Others). Second applicant from same school: £25. Includes both seminars, VAT, lunches and refreshment

For more information or to book a course email wstalearn(at)yahoo.co.uk or ring 01342 410805

SENCOs + SEN LEADERS

‘SEN Provision Management/Mapping’
Tutor:
Mary Hrekow


For:
SENCOs, school leaders and those aspiring to lead on SEN (All KSs)


Either:
TF/29 at STOKE ROCHFORD, near Grantham, NG33 5EJ

Thursday, 24 and Friday, 25 January 2008


Or:
TF/32 at St Mellons, near CARDIFF CF3 2XR

Wednesday, 12 and Thursday, 13 March 2008


Cost:
Free (NUT members); £100 (Others). Includes VAT, meals and refreshment plus free dinner, B&B at end of first day (optional in Cardiff).

MID-CAREER TEACHERS

‘Making Effective Interventions in Pupil Behaviour’ (All KSs)
Tutor:
Rob Long


Either:
tt/57R at NUT HQ, LONDON, WC1H 9BD
(For teachers within 1½ hour journey)

Wednesday, 16 and Thursday, 17 January 2008 plus follow-up on 1 April 2008


Or:
TF/23 at STOKE ROCHFORD, near Grantham, NG33 5EJ
(Streamlined version with no follow-up)

Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 February 2008
(11.00 a.m. on day 1 to 2.00 p.m. on day 2)


Cost:
Free (NUT members); £100 (Others). Includes VAT, meals and refreshment plus free dinner, B&B at end of first day (optional in London).

MID-CAREER TEACHERS
(Approx. 7 to 20 years’ teaching)

Leadership Seminar

‘Performance Management Reviewers’ (LS/21)
Tutors:
Penny Clayton and Nicky Anastasiou
For:
Those new to the role of reviewer and those wishing to refresh/enhance their skills as reviewers. (All KSs)
When:
Thursday, 10 January 2008
(10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)
At:
NUT HQ, LONDON, WC1H 9BD
(5 minutes from Kings Cross/St Pancras stations)
Cost:
Free (NUT members); £75 (Others). Includes VAT, lunch and refreshment.

NUT CPD News

A copy of the NUT CPD News No 3 is available here

ICT- your questions answered.

If you have a problem with wordprocessing, spreadsheets, powerpoint, Moodle, turning your pupils' work into videos or any other aspect of ICT you can now join an open discussion group on Sackville Moodle.

To do so you will need to email your wsgfl username (not your password!) to dmcmillan (you do not need to add the @wsgfl.org.uk if using the wsgfl system). It is as simple as that. You can then join and create forums on any lifelong learning topic.

If teachers don't believe in lifelong learning who does?

Learning Report

The latest edition of Learning Report was launched at the TUC. It is an annual publication about Learning Reps and has a feature on West Sussex Teachers' Association and our use of the internet and Moodle.

Click here for the whole report

Click here to jump straight to page three!

Report on the ‘Unlocking Creativity’ Course

What a treat this course was. The venue was amazing. West Dean College must have been a wonderful private home at one time. It easily rivals any National Trust Property in the area with its sculptured ceilings, chandeliers, imposing staircases, works of art and beautiful gardens. It is a haven of tranquillity set among green fields and grazing sheep. The catering was also a feast of creativity.

Now why were we there? Oh yes the course on unlocking creativity! The day began with a talk by Richard Gerver from Grange Primary School in Derbyshire. This was both amusing and inspiring. The aim of his talk was to show how creativity in teaching and learning could raise aspirations and be a means to higher standards of achievement He had taken on the headship of a failing school and turned the school round, eliminating discipline problems, absences and raising standards. The fact that the school was failing and traditional approaches had failed gave him the freedom to follow his own instincts and to develop a creative programme of learning appropriate to the needs of the community the school was serving. He described how he had turned the school into a mini town called Grangeton with shop, café, television studio, and museum etc and made it a place that children wanted to attend. The whole school explored one topic at levels appropriate to age and ability and with a cross-curricular approach giving a unity of purpose. On Friday morning lessons were provided by people from the community, who I think offered their services on a voluntary basis e.g. hairdressers, beauticians, media experts, sports coaches, mechanics etc. Despite deviating from rigid national curriculum plans performance in national curriculum tests improved. He invited teachers to visit his school to see it in action but emphasised that the solutions were particular to his schools needs.

For those of us who began their teaching career in the 70’s, when creativity had a high priority, listening to the speaker was like being allowed to breathe again.

The rest of the day was spent listening and participating as other teachers presented work that they had done to bring creativity back into the classroom. We chose to explore a project which had been based around the Beatles, and a maths project which had involved weekly real life problems, which the children believed were sent by the harbour master at Littlehampton. We also looked at two projects which gave children the opportunity to develop financial and economic awareness. One project gave hands on experience via a game which simulated the problems of managing a farm in the developing world and the other was a business simulation which involved making and selling hats.

There were also inspiring displays of children’s work and a display of relevant books to look at. The day ended with a display of music and dance by pupils.

Although as supply teachers we are not often in the position of initiating work, as a result of this course we were made aware of a shift in educational direction and were able to feel the excitement generated. Hopefully we will be able to carry some of this enthusiasm into our teaching and will be able to understand the present philosophy behind the lesson plans we are asked to teach.

We were very grateful to the NUT for enabling us to attend this course by paying the course fee and travelling expenses. We had a really stimulating day and both felt our batteries had been recharged.

Amrit Bhogal and Kathy Bennetts- Brown

INTERNATIONALISING LEARNING

INTERNATIONALISING LEARNING
International Development throughout the Curriculum

For:
Pairs of teachers from KS3 from same or neighbouring schools. Up to 12 pairs will be selected to represent a range of subjects and settings (for this prestige pilot project) from all applications received by Monday, 1 October 2007.

Cost:
Supported by a TUC grant from DfID, this pilot programme is FREE to participants and supply cover and travel can be reclaimed.

When:
Initial
seminar:
Monday, 26 & Tuesday, 27 November 2007


Follow-up:
Tuesday, 11 & Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Aims:
To identify and extend international dimensions in the KS3 curriculum and promote evidence-based teaching about global interdependence and human rights.

Interested? email wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk
or ring 01342 410805
These courses fill up rather quickly so respond as soon as you can.

The course is at Stoke Rochford

CPD from the NUT

There is a course for supply teachers entitled: "Supply Teachers - Gaining Professional Recognition for your Learning" at Haywards Heath on 30th October and 8 January from 1.00 to 4.00 pm on each day.

If you are interested please ring 020 7380 4719 to speak to the NUT CPD department citing course code NUT/GTC 2R. The course is free.

Lifelong Learning

May 2007 interim report on LLL questionaire

West Sussex Teachers’ Association has almost 2000 members.. So far 40 questionnaires on lifelong learning have been returned.

Of these 14 were the paper version and therefore 26 were the online version. I expect the ratio to improve as more paper versions are distributed. It always seemed cruel and unusual to ask people who seek basic ICT training to fill in an online form on the internet.

Our old friend “anon” returned 19 forms. Naturally we welcome information from members. It is more useful however to have the names and addresses of people who want, for example, ICT courses. They can then be put on the database at HQ. This will not only put them in the queue for future courses but it will also make it more likely that there will be courses in West Sussex when HQ realise the demand.



Click on the graph if you find it too small)


The type of courses requested are shown on the graph. In the “others” column, members requested
* Things to keep my brain active
* Creative ICT
* Dealing with Stress
* Yoga
* Healthy Schools

You can fill the questionnaire in online at
http://wsta.org.uk/test.htm

Bullying and Harassment

To apply for a particular course click on the date you wish to book.
How Representatives can Challenge Harassment and Bullying

Available dates:

* Monday June 11 2007 - Wednesday June 13 2007 (Code: RHB/07)

Length: 3 days

NUT representatives have an important role in challenging harassment and bullying.
This new course aims to:

* consider the forms which harassment and bullying can take;
* provide strategies for you to promote NUT policy;
* provide an overview of the legal and policy framework; and
* give guidance on how you can support members facing harassment and bullying.

Who should attend:
Representatives in schools, colleges, services or units.

Please email wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk or ring me on 01342 410805

Event for Just Qualified Teachers

Participants will:

* learn and review tried and tested behaviour management and classroom organisation strategies;

* get up-to-date legal advice;

* prepare for a more confident career start; and

* meet other’local’ just-qualified teachers .

Start right seminars will take place in:

London, 17 July;
Haywards Heath, 18 July

If you are interested ring 01342 410805 for an application form or email wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk

Assertiveness Training

Angela Ahern, Derek McMillan and Dave Thomas ran the first taster session on assertiveness training on 28 April. I think it is a measure of the success of the course that everyone who attended the course expressed an interest in John Illingworth's report Crazy about Work and in any further assertiveness training courses provided by the NUT

A number of those who attended were supply teachers and mentioned the difficulty of getting Continuing Professional Development. NUT CPD is free but much of the CPD provided requires funding from schools and supply teachers who are not attached to a particular school are unlikely to receive any.

When we approached West Sussex about this, we were informed "there is no funding stream which can support this" which is unsatisfactory.

More ICT skills courses

More ICT skills at the intermediate and multimedia level are being planned for the summer term 2007 in the Brighton and Hove area.

These are courses for teachers who have basic ICT skills but want to develop them further.

Although Brighton and Hove is outside West Sussex, many of our members live there and are entitled to attend.

Want to have a go? Email wstalearn(at)yahoo.co.uk putting in an @ sign instead of (at) and we will forward your details to HQ. Individual emails will go out to as many members as possible.

If you are keen on basic ICT skills then let us know because courses will be organised in the future.

Technical note - not putting email addresses which can be read by bots on a website or blog is a way to cut down spam!

Are you under 35?

YOUNG TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE
2 – 4 MARCH 2007
APPLY FOR YOUR CONFERENCE PLACE TODAY!

‘The young teachers’ conference provides so many opportunities and has helped me develop as a teacher and a professional’
2006 Young Teachers’ Conference Participant

The 2007 Young Teachers’ Conference is being held in the tranquil splendour of the Union’s National Training Centre, Stoke Rochford Hall near Grantham in Lincolnshire.

All young teachers, aged 35 or under, are eligible to attend.

It is both a fun and stimulating weekend. This year’s conference is focusing on environmental issues and climate change.

There will be plenary sessions, subject based workshops and campaign based task groups.

The keynote speakers are:

* Steve Sinnott, General Secretary, NUT
* Caroline Molloy, Green Workplaces Project Leader, TUC
* Chris Southwood, Development Coordinator, Groundwork UK
* Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary, Education International

Workshops will include:

* Behaviour Management
* Being a School Rep
* Financial Matters
* How to be Assertive
* Managing Workload/Personal Stress

Task Groups will cover:

* A Charter for Young Teachers
* Climate Change

For your place at the conference please contact your 01342 410805 or email WSTAlearn@yahoo.co.uk

Need to know more?
Call the NUT Young Teachers’ Unit on 020 7380 4822
Your presence will help make this year’s Conference a success

Members in Independent Schools

Members in Independent Schools

Available dates:

* Friday July 20 2007 - Sunday July 22 2007 (Code: IND/07)

Length: 3 days

Are you an NUT member working in an independent school? If so, this course is for you.
You will find out about:
# your rights;
# the support available to you from the NUT;
# key NUT policies; and
# how to become more active in the NUT.

You will have the opportunity to meet colleagues from independent schools in England and Wales. It’s too good to miss!

Who should attend: All members, including representatives, in independent schools.

Please email wstalearn@yahoo.co.uk or ring the helpline 01342 410805

Ten Years of the WSTA Helpline

1996 to 2006

The increased number of calls shows we are providing a useful service although it cannot be described as good news: our members do not call to say they are feeling happy.

The helpline system only works because I can pick the brains of other members and we have a very good team of caseworkers: Bob Cross, Phil Dufty, Marje Hammond, Chris Miles, Dave Thomas, and Veronica Peppiatt.

I am happy to go on doing the helpline for another year if elected but we will need more caseworkers to cope with the rising load of casework.

Union learning rep has been an interesting new job and the union’s Continuing Professional Development work is very useful both in its own right and as a way of promoting the union.

I have continued to use this weblog which has been a useful way to publicise union activities, including CPD to members.

I have also made use of email wsta_addresses@yahoo.co.uk and yahoo messenger (id wstalearn) and MSN messenger (wstalearning@hotmail.co.uk) as well as the website http://wsta.org.uk. (I don’t get out much!)


Derek McMillan

Helpline Co-ordinator

Union Learning Rep

Website author and all round little blogger

Spring into Learning

A new newsletter on lifelong learning is available, complete with appalling pun.

Just click here to download it if you have Publisher.

The text is available here if you do not have publisher

Free Open University courses for trade unionists

Click here to apply for one of the 100 free courses being offered to trade union members, but hurry. The closing date is 08 December and there are only 100 free places. There are millions of trade unionists out there!

Class Action

CLASS ACTION
Developing strategies for raising the educational attainments
of white working class pupils in Key Stages 2, 3 and 4

Leaflet

Application form

RECLAIMING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

LEADERSHIP SEMINARS

Head teachers, Deputy/Assistant Head teachers, and all teachers in the Leadership Group are invited to


THE NEW REGULATIONS
BURDEN, THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY?
RECLAIMING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Leaflet

Application form

Summary of forthcoming CPD conferences

Summary of forthcoming CPD conferences

CONFERENCES

OD35: ‘TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES THROUGH DIALOGUE’ (OD/35)
One-day professional development Conference organised by NUT’s Professional Development programme in partnership with SAPERE (Philosophy for Children).
Speakers:
Neil Mercer, University of Cambridge
Pat Hannam & Students, Ulverston Victoria High School, Cumbria
Workshops on practical and community applications of P4C will include:
•Deepening dialogue
•Working with the whole school
•Interfaith dialogue
•P4C with young mums/women
•‘Thinking Village’
•Urban regeneration
•pupil2pupil peer coaching
•Involving all staff
•Intergenerational dialogue
•P4C with parents



ON: Wednesday, 15 November 2006
(10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
AT: NUT Headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place , London, WC1H 9BD
(five minutes’ walk from Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations)
Aims:
Demonstrate Philosophy for Children (P4C) skills and strategies
Explore how P4C and Communities of Enquiry can generate meaningful dialogue
Identify how dialogue can bring about change within communities
Cost:
£65 (£30 for ‘unwaged’ and/or second applicant from same school/ workplace) – includes VAT, lunch and refreshments.
Free copy of ‘Beyond Yo – Making a difference through dialogue’ for participants (NUT’s Education Review Autumn 2006).
TO APPLY: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk

OD36:
‘GETTING DISABILITY RIGHT’
Good practice in implementing the disability equality duty for all schools in England & Wales
“This new legal duty will mean that all maintained primary and secondary schools must look at ways of ensuring that disabled children and staff are treated equally.” (Bert Massie, Chair, Disability Rights Commission)
ON: Friday, 8 December 2006
(10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
AT: NUT Headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place , London, WC1H 9BD
(five minutes’ walk from Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations)
Speakers:
Kathleen Jameson
Richard Rieser
Philippa Stobbs
plus Chickenshed
Aims:
To explain the implications of the ‘Disability Discrimination Act (2005)’ for schools and disabled pupils.
To introduce the DRC Code of Practice on the new disability equality duty for schools.
To illustrate good practice in making adjustments to all aspects of school life to include disabled pupils and students.
To exemplify effective school policy development and implementation.
To share the methodology used by an inclusive theatre company and its transferability to the classroom.
For:
All teachers, head teachers, SENCOs, lead behaviour professionals, other school leaders and staff with pastoral and learning support/other responsibilities in all schools (all key stages).
Cost:
£30 (NUT); £60 (others) - £15 (‘Learning partner’ from same school/workplace); includes VAT, lunch and refreshments.
Download the Conference flyer, Application Form and draft programme.
TO APPLY: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk.

OD37:
‘SAFE PLACES FOR LEARNING’
Raising achievement by valuing LGBT diversity and combating homophobia
Speakers:
Mark Jennett
Gertie Whitfield
Marianne Rawson
Elizabeth Atkinson
Renee Hayes
On:
Friday, 19 January 2007
(10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)
At:
Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD
Aims:
Support teachers/schools in raising achievement by valuing LGBT diversity.
Develop effective strategies for combating homophobia and creating safe learning environments for all pupils/students.
Explore policy and teaching and learning issues with regard to LGBT diversity and combating homophobia.
For:
All teachers in all key stages – especially head teachers and other teachers with leadership responsibilities.
Cost:
£30 (NUT); £60 (others) - £15 (‘learning partner’ from same school/workplace); includes VAT, lunch and refreshments.
TO APPLY: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk.
CLASS ACTION – DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR RAISING THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS OF WHITE WORKING CLASS PUPILS IN KEY STAGES 2, 3 AND 4
ON:
Initial Seminar:
Thursday, 11 January 2007

Follow-up:
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
TUTORS:
Phil Beadle, award winning teacher, columnist and broadcaster
FOR:
All teachers in Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, especially those with language and leadership responsibilities. Attendance in pairs encouraged.
AIMS:
Identifying and valuing ‘white working class’ within multi-cultural approaches to raising attainment.
Exploring the issues and benefits of ‘class’ in the classroom.
Focusing on relevant language issues – including dialect – in schools.
Developing practical strategies for enhancing achievement among white working class pupils/students in KS 2, 3 and 4 classrooms.
The follow-up day will provide an opportunity for collaborative review, and the sharing and development of strategies that participants have chosen to trial in their classrooms/schools between the initial and follow-up seminars.
COST
£50 (NUT members); £100 (others). 40% reduction for second applicant from same school. Includes VAT, both seminar days with lunch and refreshments. NUT members can reclaim travel expences (with receipts).
To Apply: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk.
003:
PUPIL2PUPIL PEER COACHING – ENHANCING PUPILS’ ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL-BEING THROUGH PEER COACHING (ALL KEY STAGES)
ON:
Initial Seminar:
Primary – Wednesday, 10 January 2007
Secondary – Friday, 12 January 2007

Follow-up:
Primary & Secondary – Friday, 23 March 2007

“Demonstrate that Every Child Matters by teaching children and young people the skills to help more effectively (and be helped by) one another” – Steve Sinnott, NUT General Secretary
TUTORS:
Sarah Mook and Will Thomas
FOR:
All teachers in all key stages who want to give meaning and purpose to speaking and listening; and promote enjoyment, achievement and making a positive contribution. Attendance in pairs encouraged.
AIMS:
Create a ‘climate’ which values the talents and experiences of all children.
Teach speaking and listening skills which enable children to share their knowledge and skills and to support one another’s learning.
Promote innovative approaches to raising achievement.
Make classrooms and playgrounds safe for mutual, non-hierarchical, sharing of strengths and remedying weaknesses.
Support QCA’s Taking English Forward initiative.
The follow-up day will provide an opportunity for collaborative review, and the sharing and development of strategies that participants have chosen to trial in their classrooms/schools between the initial and follow-up seminars.
COST
£50 (NUT members); £100 (others). 40% reduction for second applicant from same school. Includes VAT, both seminar days with lunch and refreshments. NUT members can reclaim travel expenses (with receipts).
To Apply: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk.

LEADERSHIP SEMINARS
"10 am-4pm, at NUT Headquarters, London - 5 minutes walk from Kings Cross, Euston and St Pancras Station"
For: Head teachers, deputy/assistant head teachers, and all teachers with leadership responsibilities

THE NEW REGULATIONS
BURDEN, THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY?
RECLAIMING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT


TUTORS:
Penny Clayton and Nicky Anastasiou



WHERE & WHEN:
LS/11:
LONDON – Thursday, 18 January 2007




LS/13:
SOUTHAMPTON – Thursday, 25 January 2007



FOR:
Head teachers and all teachers in Leadership Group from all key/foundation stages plus teacher governors.



AIMS:
These seminars are for school leaders who want to be proactive with regard to the new performance management arrangements which will come into force in September 2007. Each seminar will enable participants to:
ensure that effective current practice is maintained despite changing requirements;
minimise any burdens and threats generated by the new regulations;
further develop an approach to performance management which motivates staff, supports professional well-being and contributes towards improving teaching and learning;
promote trust around performance management and maximise purposeful dialogue, staff development and learning;
manage the issues of pay progression through a solution focussed approach.



COST:
FREE (NUT members); £100 (others). Includes lunch and VAT. Attendance in pairs recommended.



To Apply: Ring 01342 410805 or email wstalearning@yahoo.co.uk.

Time to Play Conference

Advance notice of the "Time to Play" conference on Tuesday 27 February.
Details of the Time to Play conference are available
here

The same leaflet refers to the LGBT matters conference on 11 November and the Black Teachers Conference on 5 November. West Sussex Teachers' Association aim to have representatives at both of these.

CPD from the NUT

This is not just CPD, this is NUT CPD.

Details of the 2006/2007 program are available as pdf files:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4

We few - we happy few.

First results from the learning needs survey.

So far we have only had the survey online and 8 people have responded. We have a membership of about 4000. More emails about the survey will be going out every Wednesday from now on. WSGFL mail enables us to contact a large number of our members, effectively for free.





The survey is online at
http://www.wsta.org.uk/test.htm

The NUT is providing Intermediate ICT training at Central Sussex College this term at no cost to West Sussex County Council. However the demand for ICT courses is high. We already have 38 members expressing an interest in ICT courses.

In the light of this we will be promoting the setting up of self-help groups and seeking the assistance of schools - such as the use of ICT equipment after school hours .

The NUT maintains a database of members interested in ICT training. If you email us at the address below with the following information you can be added to the database.

Name
Home address or school address
Whether you want a basic course or an intermediate course.

If you want further information email wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk replacing the (at) with an @ sign. You can also ring the helpline 01342 410805

Making for Most of Your Coach or Mentor

Making the Most of Your Coach or Mentor

The National Union of Teachers is delighted to offer its members unique and innovative distance learning resources for making the most of mentoring and coaching. Too often, those who provide training and materials for mentoring and coaching focus exclusively on the skills of coaches and mentors themselves.

The Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE) has developed an interactive, multimedia, distance learning resource for use by NUT members. It enables teachers who are being coached or mentored to act confidently when they are discussing their teaching and learning with their coaches or mentors. This resource puts NUT members in charge of their own learning and enhances their skills.

Try it out here

Courses for Part-timers,supply teachers and returners

We are organising a course for part-timers, supply, teachers and returners

The details are available in one of those pdf documents here

In the Moodle

In the past “Virtual Learning Environments” were regarded with suspicion by teachers as a sci fi concept in which teachers are replaced with computers. After attending Moodlemoot ’06 at the Open University, I can honestly say that Moodle, the open source course management system, is actually whatever the teacher wants it to be.

The course seminars included teachers from diverse disciplines from Science to English to Music and of course ICT who all used Moodle to teach in the way which suited them.

Although the system is based on a social constructivist model of education, teachers frequently start out using it to replicate traditional classroom activities like essay-writing, feedback and redrafting or quizzes/tests with the slight difference that these are self-marking and pupils get instant feedback. Teachers only then go on to some of the more unusual features of Moodle like Wikis, blogs, asynchronous discussion groups and podcasting.

And because it is Open Source free software, teachers can contribute to the future design of Moodle without some acquisitive corporations we could mention seeking to block them under the pretext of “business secrets”.

Moodle is now used by over 100000 registered users, including the Open University. It is free to download and use and many schools and local authorities who have poured hundreds of thousands of pounds into the coffers of Microsoft are keen to find free software.

If you want to find out more there is a website which talks about the conference and demonstrates the program at the same time. It is called http://moodlemoot.org/ and all of the conference is available as audio or video files. I recommend the audio file because the video quality will depend on the quality of your computer.

You can also contact wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk if you are interested in developing Moodle in West Sussex. Responses may be delayed by holidays :)

NUT national training.

If you are a union rep, new or old, training is available for you next term from 13th to 15th November and 6th to 8th November.

If you are interested in these or any other NUT national training courses, contact us on wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk - replacing the (at) with @

A full list of Autumn term courses is available here

Fish!

Simon Yorke-Johnson, a former NUT cluster rep, is now teaching angling and he is keen to offer his services at a reduced rate to NUT members.

Contact wsta_addresses(at)yahoo.co.uk (substituting @ for the (at) obviously) and we can forward your details to him.

Teacher Power! - a report on the National Education Conference

Education Conference

Five members of WSTA attended the National Education Conference: Marje Hammond, Nick Isherwood, Derek McMillan and Malcolm Peppiatt. Also Veronica Peppiatt chaired two of the sessions on behalf of the National Executive.

The first session was a fascinating speech from Mick Waters of the QCA. Most teachers think of the QCA as a very top-downwards, authoritarian body producing highly prescriptive “advice.” Mick Waters brought an entirely different perspective. While recognising the tension between national testing and local autonomy he was perfectly clear that “people in schools need to set their understandings of their children alongside the learning they should meet to create learning which is irresistible.” Unlike the run-of-the-mill bureaucrats he prefers to spend his time in the classroom working with teachers.

This set the tone of a conference which was about (apologies for the jargon) empowering teachers. Teacher power! It has a certain ring to it!

This was continued with a discussion of “personalised learning” and the somewhat ambiguous definitions available from the government. It was felt that “personalised learning” could be used to promote teacher autonomy (teacher power again) and the concept that learning should be related to the needs, aptitude and ability of the pupils. There was also a warning that “personalised learning” could be misinterpreted as a system which involved pupils interacting with computers without any teacher intervention and the delivery of education could be in the hands of unqualified staff.

Paul Crisp is the managing director of CUREE and although his presentation was heavily focussed on the research methodology of his work on mentoring of teachers, it is clear that much useful material has come out of this research which will be of use to Union Learning Reps in the future. Much of it is now available online.

Elizabeth Wood of the University of Exeter talked about research on the issue of the underachievement of boys. Although she was restating much of the existing knowledge on this subject it is clearly important to go on stating it in a climate where the underachievement of boys is misunderstood. In many ways it is an oversimplification to talk about boys’ underachievement and her research was firmly based on the observation of children and her insights into the role of play. “When girls performed less well than boys it was not called underachievement. It was because they were all dumb blondes.” She has some very interesting and provocative research.

The future of the National Education Conference was a wide-ranging discussion somewhat depleted by some football game taking place at the same time.  It is proposed to promote the National Education Conference to teachers who take part in NUT Continuing Professional Development. They may well include the future leadership.

Maurice Galton’s research on “The Cost of Inclusion” tackled one of the conflicts in education at the moment. How can inclusion be helping pupils when the resources are not being provided to support the pupils being included? It is unsual for speeches to be interrupted by applause at the NEC. His remark that “these pupils have a right to be taught by qualified teachers” did receive a spontaneous ovation.

The final session of conference was a speech by Peter Mortimore who is not only an accomplished orator but also a powerful voice in educational circles. He had done a comparison between the NUT’s “Bringing down the Barriers” and the government’s Education Bill. The NUT had no input as to what his final result would be. The results are available online.
http://wsta.org.uk/mortimore.pdf

As Bill Greenshields concluded, “We are involved in a battle for ideas, every school is a fortress,”

OFSTED reminder

If an OFSTED team comes to your school remember that they can be asked to teach a demonstration lesson, perhaps with your most difficult year 10 class, and the result can be videoed for staff training purposes or perhaps the Christmas Party.

It puts the whole thing in perspective.

WSGFL and the Crawley course

West Sussex Grid for Learning has been very helpful. I have emailed members in Crawley and so far have 10 responses to the proposed ICT course. There are only a few places left but by emailing me you can be added to the database so that the NUT is more likely to organise courses.

This includes any people who want basic ICT training as well as the advanced course.

Derek McMillan
Learning Rep for West Sussex Teachers Association

Free ICT courses for teachers

The National Union of Teachers provides free courses for teachers in ICT. If enough people are interested, it is proposed to run a multimedia skills courses in Crawley next term. These courses cover the use of interactive whiteboards, use of digital photography and Publisher and are aimed at teachers who have basic ICT skills but want to improve their skills. Before starting, teachers must be confident in using a word processing package, email and file management.

The course will consist of 12 twilight sessions and there will be places for 15 applicants on each course

If you are interested in this course or in basic ICT training, contact me by emailing wsta_addresses@yahoo.co.uk. You can also ring me on the helpline 01342 410805. I will only need your name and address and whether you seek a basic or intermediate course.

You can indicate your preferred course location by giving either school address or home address. I will forward this information to HQ for inclusion on a database which is used to plan training.

Derek McMillan
Learning representative for West Sussex NUT

Distance learning

Continuing Professional Development Distance Learning
Click here for information

What are VLEs?
Pupils in West Sussex spend an increasing amount of time using computers at home and parents are often concerned they are wasting time. They could soon be using some of that time in a Virtual Learning Environment. This is nothing like as sinister as it sounds.

West Sussex Grid for learning is experimenting with Moodle which is an open source piece of software. If you want to know what it looks like

Click here for information

Your school could be using it soon.

To contact the West Sussex NUT learning representative email wsta_addresses@yahoo.co.uk or ring the helpline 01342 410805