13 questions
13 questions
Where do you go when you’re not sure about something in school? Team mate? Former colleague? Google? ChatGPT?
What do you do when you can’t find what you’re looking for?
This week’s highlights from the We Are In Beta Community gives you an opportunity tap into the considerable expertise and experiences of others… so you can find what you need.
Whether it’s ideas on AI, rewards, edtech, assessment, middle leadership development, attendance or reintegration you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
See what your fellow members have been asking. Help them out if you can.
Your input is hugely appreciated by them. And the We Are In Beta team.
We - schools - Are In Beta - always learning (when we ask questions and share answers).
🤔📍13 questions you are asking
⚙️ How to use this bulletin board.
To help you decide (before clicking into them):
which conversations you can add the most value to and
which ones you can learn the most from…
…I’ve divided them into 3 groups:
A bit more input needed, threads available to all (🤝🙏🌐)
Really helpful answers worth reading, threads only available in a private, members only space (💡👀🔐)
Really helpful answers worth reading, threads available to all (but will be moving to private, members only space soon (💡👀🌐🔜🔐 )
1. 🤖 AI training
We have been working and doing CPD training with our staff on using AI technology. We have hit some significant barriers completing DPIA and wondered if any other schools were having the same issues?
🤝🙏🌐
2. 🏆 Rewards Strategies
Interested in secondary schools reward/merit strategies. Whether they are used to target particular outcomes, how you measure the success of the investment put into the scheme. Also interested on how to keep these relevant for KS4 and indeed KS5 so that its not just for keen y7+8's!
🤝🙏🌐
3. 📚 Bedrock Literacy
My school is using Bedrock Literacy and was wondering how anyone else finds it and what impact it has had? We are not getting the engagement we need so far so any initiatives you have used would be really helpful too.
🤝🙏🌐
4. 📖 Sparx Reader
We are exploring the use of Sparx reader and would like to hear from anyone who already uses this and has seen good impact please?
🤝🙏🌐
5. 📈 Exam analysis
Hi all! Really keen to hear about how other schools and leaders approach exams analysis post GCSE and A level. Happy to share what we do now and chat about ideas for improvement. Thanks in advance.
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
6. 📊 KS3 assessment
What successful models for KS3 assessment does anyone use? What research underpinned your strategy?
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
7. 📆 Reintegration meetings
I'm looking to improve our reintegration meetings and would be interested to know how you structure your meetings and the questions you ask of parents in the meetings.
Currently our process is to discuss the incident that led to a suspension and make sure that is complete clarity, followed by how they can settle back into school and finally and agreement with the parent and student on any actions that will be taken to support the student.
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
8. 👀 Tutor time reading programme
Hi, I lead on literacy with a particular focus on reading (secondary). We will be introducing a new tutor time reading programme (novels 3 x a week) in January. I would love to connect to colleagues who are delivering or planning this kind of programme in school. I am particularly interested in identifying barriers to implementation so that I can get my counter measures planned for the autumn term! Any input would be most welcome 🙂.
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
9. 📜 Programme for associate subject leaders
Does anyone have a programme for associate subject leaders which they think is good quality and would be willing to share or experiences of a programme like this before becoming a subject leader?
You might call it something different but I'm thinking of CPD opportunities which are unpaid but designed to give enthusiastic, ambitious teachers some preparation for subject leadership. We offer this in my school but I don't think we do a very good job of it. I'd be interested to know what a good one looks like or what others found useful. Thanks v much!
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
10. ✅ Attendance
Looking to connect with schools with high % PP and high % attendance in the South West. Hi, I am Sam, an Assistant headteacher overseeing attendance across 2 schools, with low attendance and high PP. I would love to chat to people about how they have successfully improved attendance figures and reduced PA.
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
11. ⚙️ Embedding We Are In Beta in School
There is so much on WAIB! We are working on putting times into SLT/ Middle Leadership meetings to give staff allocated time to explore, discuss, start to plan etc. Does anyone else have any tips on how they have embedded WAIB use across their organisations?
💡👀🌐🔜🔐
12. ✅ Attendance intervention programmes
Hi everyone. I lead on Attendance and am looking to improve our intervention programme. I wondered if anyone could share what they do at each % level, and also if anyone has any recommendations for grants etc for mentoring? Thank you all in advance!
💡👀🔐
13. 📜 Shadow leadership scheme
Does anyone run a successful Shadow leadership scheme? We are considering introducing one to allow more experienced middle leaders the whole school experience but want it to be purposeful , well planned and fit for purpose. Thanks
💡👀🔐
Got a question? Ask the community.
The We Are In Beta team invest 30+ hours a week helping you to get answers: keeping an eye on what’s happening, researching, replying, making introductions, signposting resources and updating our databases.
NB: due to the volume of questions asked, we now prioritise members of the
Not a member?
On a personal note
Rather than tell a story about my experience in schools (and somewhat tenuously link it back to the main point of the newsletter ;), I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s been helping their fellow members out recently.
You make We Are In Beta a special place to be. Thank you.
Jonathan Mounstevens (Deputy Headteacher: Curriculum, Assessment and Quality Assurance, Beaumont School) - for being the most helpful member inside the community bar none egs include: shadow leadership, helping others use We Are In Beta, saying thank you, KS3 assessment, exam analysis, Sparx Reader, Rewards, Work with him here.
David Brown (Team Leader for Physics, The Corsham School) for sharing how he uses We Are In Beta and experiences with Tutor time reading,
Jenny Davies (Assistant Headteacher/Lead DSL, Broadwater School) for sharing how she uses We Are In Beta and has reduced Persistent Absence. Work with her here.
Zoe Giblin (Assistant Headteacher, Blaise High School) for describing in detail how they intervene at each level of attendance. Work with her here.
Jane Dunnett (Deputy Headteacher, Head of Curriculum and Teaching & Learning, Fulston Manor School) for help suggestions on middle leadership development. Work with her here.
Áine Burke (Deputy Headteacher - T&L, St Bonaventure's RC School) for asking questions and saying thank you. Work with her here.
Andy Lewis (Deputy Headteacher - Catholic Life & Pastoral at St Bonaventure's RC School) - for outlining post suspension processes. Work with him here.
Alex Scotney (Attendance Manager for KS3 and KS4 at The GORSE Academies Trust) for honesty, granularity and generosity around attendance practice. Work with him here.
Anya Kinsella (Deputy Headteacher, Harris Church of England Academy) for sharing how she uses We Are In Beta Work with her here.
Adam Blake (Deputy Headteacher, Aldercar High School) for sharing how he uses We Are In Beta Work with him here.
Matt Rodger (Director of Quality of Education, Northampton School for Boys) for asking question about exams and uploading a copy of their curriculum leadership programme.
Jamie Howard (Assistant Headteacher, The Chalfonts Community School) for discussing reintegration strategies. Work with him here
Emma Turner (Assistant Headteacher, Oak Wood School) for discussing reintegration strategies. Work with her here
Ellen Ashford Kelleher (SENCO, Royal High Bath) for discussing reintegration strategies. Work with her here
Pam Klopper (Head of Science, Southfields Academy) for offering insights on exam analysis. Work with here here.
Hannah Gregory Harris (Deputy Headteacher, Newhouse Academy) for sharing how they get staff pulling the right direction around reading. Work with her here.
Flo Keith (Director of English at the Wrenn School) for helping out with edtech choices. Work with her here.
Mike Baker (T&L and CPD Lead, Thomas Aveling School) for giving an insight into their use of AI. Work with him here.
Mehul Shah (Headteacher, Northwood School) for sharing how he uses We Are In Beta Work with him here.
Apologies, I’ve missed anyone.
Feel free to reply to this with "Oi, what about me?!" if I missed you.
Would love thank you personally.
Thanks for reading.
@NiallAlcock and the We Are In Beta team
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