Dear Colleague

It was BETT week last week, and as ever it was an unrivalled sensory overload filled with networking, discovery, trade and CPD! If you managed to make it, I hope that you had a good show - and if you didn't, we've discovered four fabulous products that are completely free and potentially of considerable use to you:

1. Vizipedia. This promises to completely gamify learning; as well as numerous free games that have already been created, you can request an educator account: this will allow you to use the in-built AI to create games based on the curriculum that you are delivering. This promises to be completely transformational as it evolves!
2. Boclips. Boclips Classroom is a curated video alternative to YouTube for schools. It's huge in the United States and in fact, it is also the world's largest library of educational videos - and it is completely free for UK educators!
3. Math Ready. An Australian maths product aimed at children between 6-14. It contains 250 activities aimed at improving mental maths - and costs absolutely nothing!
4. TechSheCan. Tech She Can is a charity to inspire girls to consider tech careers. It offers free educational resources, live and on-demand lessons, after-school resources and inspirational video to name a few - well worth checking out.

I hope that you find these of use and that you have a great week!

As ever,
David.
--
David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

The speaker lineup includes:

Two keynote addresses: Sarah Cunnane, Head of Media and Communications at the ISC and Mark Brealey, former BBC Journalist and advisor to some of the most high profile public sector individuals on how to handle press and crisis situations.

Two case studies: Hear from fellow professionals - Jo Phillips from Giggleswick School and Laura Booth from Hymers College will be sharing their experiences.

Two topical sessions: We will hear from Sophy Walker as to how AI can aid your admissions  and marketing. Sally Alexander will also look at what we can do to drive admissions in the current period of economic uncertainty. 

Two sessions of your choosing:  An opportunity to choose the topic causing your school most consternation, from SEO to Social Media to Research to websites. These sessions will enable you to tailor your day to suit YOUR school

This really is an excellent opportunity to ensure your marketing and admissions is at the forefront and available for just £45. Sign up now to benefit from an early bird ticket.

AI in Education - An Introduction. Free CPD webinar - Wednesday 12th March 2025. 1930-2030.
Simon Jones will share his tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your iphone photos. Join us for this 45 minute session to learn from his vast experience and expertise. A must attend for anyone who is tasked with providing photos for the school, whether it's for social media, newsletters or your website. Book your place.

​The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. In this week's video vault webinar, Simon Jones shares his tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your iPhone photos. A must watch for anyone who is tasked with providing photos for the school, whether it's for social media, newsletters or your website. Watch Now.

Big academy trust given a £1.5m loan to stay afloat
Education secretary outlines plans to modernise the education sector
The schools bill isn't vandalism - it should go even further​
Why games beat tests for primary maths assessment - TES (Subscription required)
Please share this newsletter with colleagues so that they are able to subscribe

It's been a really busy week here at the ISP with the webinar on the power of role models in schools (see the recording below), a brilliant Q&A session for aspiring heads with the wonderful RSAcademics recruitment team (don't forget that you can advertise you school roles on the Independent Schools Portal Jobs website and through our networks) - and there have been lots of paid market research opportunities for senior leaders in schools taking place.

This week of course we have a webinar on using iPhone photos to enhance your school marketing and Alicia and I will be spending some time at BETT -  if you're going to be around on Wednesday and Thursday, do let us know... we're always up for a cup of tea and chat!

Finally, the places for the 5th ISP independent schools marketing conference are being rapidly snapped up. There are still online and in-person tickets available, and the speaker line up is just fabulous - again, see below for more details.

Have a great week.
David.
--
David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

The speaker lineup includes:

Two keynote addresses: Sarah Cunnane, Head of Media and Communications at the ISC and Mark Brealey, former BBC Journalist and advisor to some of the most high profile public sector individuals on how to handle press and crisis situations.

Two case studies: Hear from fellow professionals - Jo Phillips from Giggleswick School and Laura Booth from Hymers College will be sharing their experiences.

Two topical sessions: We will hear from Sophy Walker as to how AI can aid your admissions  and marketing. Sally Alexander will also look at what we can do to drive admissions in the current period of economic uncertainty.

Two sessions of your choosing:  An opportunity to choose the topic causing your school most consternation, from SEO to Social Media to Research to websites. These sessions will enable you to tailor your day to suit YOUR school
​
This really is an excellent opportunity to ensure your marketing and admissions is at the forefront and available for just £45. Sign up now to benefit from an early bird ticket

Master iphones for marketing. Free CPD webinar - Wednesday 22nd January, 1230-1330.
Simon Jones will share his tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your iphone photos. Join us for this 45 minute session to learn from his vast experience and expertise. A must attend for anyone who is tasked with providing photos for the school, whether it's for social media, newsletters or your website. Book your place.

The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. In this week's video vault webinar, Selena Whitehead discusses the ways in which a ‘strengths-based approach’ to learning, combined with the stories of historic and contemporary Amazing People can influence multiple learning outcomes and enhance school culture. Watch Now.

Senior Deputy Head
Stamford School • Lincolnshire • Closing date  31.1.25
Deputy Head Academic
Upton House School • Windsor • Closing date 10.2.25
Deputy Head (Operations & Pupils)
Wetherby Prep School • London • Closing date 14.2.25
Founding Head (Pre-Prep)
Westminster Under School • London • Closing date 24.2.25
​
Advertise unlimited jobs on the ISP Jobs Board and reach our huge network for just £295 per year!

Dear Colleague
​
I hope that you have had a good first week back in school, although I know a number of you have faced quite a bit of disruption with the weather; thankfully the thaw seems to be spreading across the country and things can get back to normal.

In this week's newsletter, I want to let you know about three opportunities that you may not be aware of. First of all, if you're on the SLT of your school, I can strongly recommend the BlueCow Education online supplier showcases. These events are a bit like online speed-dating - simply watch 6 presentations over 90 minutes whilst filling in an online feedback form, and receive a £40 Amazon voucher sent to your inbox afterwards as thanks. I can't recommended these sessions highly enough as a way to see what products can support the sector - and they are also super CPD. Click here to find out more and reserve your place.

Free Pilot for Independent Schools
MyPerformanceLearning is a unique online assessment and learning tool devised by Dr Tej Samani used by some of the leading UK Independent schools such as Rugby, Eton and Strathallan. They are now looking to extend their reach in the sector having established proven results. They are running a pilot for 10 schools to participate in - and there are a few spaces left. This pilot includes:

• An initial assessment for each student in Year 10 or Year 11
• Detailed feedback reports on both individual students and the entire cohort
• Insights into critical areas for growth, like wellbeing, confidence, and academic readiness
• Access to tailored online lessons that target specific challenges

If you would like to learn more about this pilot please do join them for a ’short webinar on Wednesday 15th January at 12.30pm to learn how this pilot could benefit your school. Book your space here.

Free AI Powerpoint to support primary teachers
Many of you will know James Grocott, a Deputy Head at a primary school near Ipswich by his Twitter persona, DeputyGrocott, and his wildly heartwarming and smile inducing Eduadvent giveaways each December. James has recently put together a simple and extremely useful powerpoint that helps primary teachers save lots of planning time using ChatGPT - and he's happy to share it with readers of this newsletter - you can access it here. If this gets you interested in the topic of AI, you can also watch Darren Coxon's AI video from the vault below, or take a look at Darren's AI course.

I hope that you find all of this of use and I wish you another great week.

David.
--
David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

The speaker lineup includes:

Two keynote addresses: Sarah Cunnane, Head of Media and Communications at the ISC and Mark Brealey, former BBC Journalist and advisor to some of the most high profile public sector individuals on how to handle press and crisis situations.

Two case studies: Hear from fellow professionals - Jo Phillips from Giggleswick School and Laura Booth from Hymers College will be sharing their experiences.

Two topical sessions: We will hear from Sophy Walker as to how AI can aid your admissions  and marketing. Sally Alexander will also look at what we can do to drive admissions in the current period of economic uncertainty. 

Two sessions of your choosing:  An opportunity to choose the topic causing your school most consternation, from SEO to Social Media to Research to websites. These sessions will enable you to tailor your day to suit YOUR school

This really is an excellent opportunity to ensure your marketing and admissions is at the forefront and available for just £45. Sign up now to benefit from an early bird ticket.

The recruitment season is now in full swing and if you are an aspiring independent school head, then you could do a lot worse than take a look at this highly rated pre-recorded course. Covering key topics such as marketing, leadership style, finance and HR. A great way to learn with the opportunity to directly question our experts and meet with fellow aspiring heads online at the termly Headship Clinics with the RSAcademics recruitment team.

​Includes videos on:
​
1. Applying for Headship - finding the right fit
2. Enhancing your leradership style
3. The significance of marketing
4. Understanding schools finances
5. Employment law in practice
+ 7 further hours of bonus support content

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a Headship in an Independent School. Find out more.

Master iphones for marketing. Free CPD webinar - Wednesday 22nd January, 1230-1330.
Simon Jones will share his tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your iphone photos. Join us for this 45 minute session to learn from his vast experience and expertise. A must attend for anyone who is tasked with providing photos for the school, whether it's for social media, newsletters or your website. Book your place.

​"You can't be it if you can't see it" The power of role models for Primary Leaders, CPD Webinar, Weds 15th Jan, 1615 - 1700.
Knowing yourself and understanding your potential is the key to unlocking a world of possibility for children and students. And when young people can see and learn from the stories of role models – amazing people who succeed in the face of adversity – the impact is lasting and powerful. That impact can be felt in a range of areas for pupils and their schools, from the promotion of EDI, pupil mental health and wellbeing, to the development of key skills for a tech-driven workplace, behaviour and oracy. Brought to you by Selena Whitehead from Amazing People Schools this session will look at how you can take a ‘strengths-based approach’ to learning in your school. Sign up here to join us or access a free copy of the recording.

Senior Deputy Head
Stamford School • Lincolnshire • Closing date  31.1.25
Assistant Head - Academic
The Perse School • Cambridge • Closing date 14.1.25
Deputy Head (Teaching, Learning and Curriculum)
Caterham School • Surrey • Closing date 13.1.25

Advertise unlimited jobs on the ISP Jobs Board and reach our huge network for just £295 per year!