30+ Curriculum thinkers from 13 MATs; How to build character; 10 leadership reflections
Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a good half term and that none of you set your alarms for 4pm… I mean 5pm… sorry, 6.30pm for last night’s briefing with the PM.
Many of you will be pleased schools are staying open. I hope you’re all provided with what you need to keep your communities safe and your students learning.
With lockdown 2 ahead and reports emerging that exams are set to be cancelled in the summer, We Are In Beta is here to keep you connected and learning from each other as things develop.
If you need to tap into the community, whether you have question to ask, an approach to share, research you need to do, a job to promote, don’t hesitate to ask.
We - schools - Are In Beta - always learning
This week:
🌐 Community News: 30+ curriculum thinkers. Which schools are doing great work on curriculum?
🎥 Webinar: Character at the core: how to take a whole-school approach.
📝 Article: 10 Leadership reflections during the pandemic.
🌐 30+ curriculum thinkers. Which schools are doing great work on curriculum?

What we teach students is a powerful tool for social justice. Your curriculum leads every student to realise their potential, regardless of their background. It should be informed by expert curriculum thinking. Connecting and working with colleagues and other schools is key. But...
Which schools are doing great work on curriculum?
How do they plan, deliver, asses and evaluate their curriculum?
What curriculum documents and resources do they use?
Hitting the road to visit schools is one the best ways to find out. It's time consuming at the best of times but Covid related restrictions make it nigh on impossible.
So how can you find them and collaborate with them?
Simple - the Curriculum Thinkers Community!
More details coming soon, but in the meantime...
We're excited and extremely proud to announce our line up of 30+ remarkable guests from high-performing and rapidly-improving, knowledge-rich schools across 13 MATs, who've stepped forward to share their strategies and resources.
🎥 Northampton Academy - Character at the core: how to take a whole-school approach

Character Education came to the fore once again in Autumn 2019. With consideration included in the Ofsted judgement on Personal Development and new non-statutory guidance issued by the DfE.
But how does ‘character’ fit alongside your focus on pastoral care and curriculum needs? Is it yet another tickbox for schools or is it a real and meaningful shift?
In Summer 2016, Northampton Academy was a school in disarray. Now, it’s one of most improved schools in the country, in large part due to its work on character, as recognised by both Ofsted and the Association of Character Education when it became one of the first to receive the School of Character Award.
Join us to find out how Chris Clyne (Headteacher), Carlington Anderson (Director or Character), Lilika Begum (Enrichment Coordinator) and team build character successfully.
Attendees will be able access all the incredible resources they use to do it.
📅 Tuesday 10th November
🕡 6.30pm
📝 10 Leadership reflections during the pandemic

“What a half-term it has been. It has been a tremendous challenge for us all. For me, I would have to say that this has been the most rewarding term of my career. It was a really special moment to be at the front gates on the first day of term to welcome back over a thousand students after a six-month period of school absence. I have to admit that a few tears were shed as I saw a sea of maroon blazers descending upon us. The half-term break has given me an opportunity to reflect on the past few months. By no means is this intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list. They are 10 ideas, which appeared in my head on the first Monday of the half-term break. They are personal takeaways, which I hope will stimulate thought and discussion.”
Manny Botwe (Headteacher, Tytherington School) shares ten reflections, one profoundly influential book and a set of resources he says have been a life saver.
Thanks for reading and playing your part in making education the place we all know it can be.
Speak soon.
@NiallAlcock
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