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Moving to an international school + an assessment market research opportunity

9/6/2025

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Hi Everyone,

As the end of the academic year approaches, many staff and school leaders will be reflecting on their professional progress and considering the next steps in their career development. As always, we will be running our highly acclaimed online course in November and December for Senior Leaders who are considering Headship (more information about this in future weeks) - but I also want to draw your attention to a superb talk from our video archive on moving to an international school. This was written and delivered by Ian Walker, who moved to Dulwich College (Singapore) to become Head of Physics. Unusually for a talk of this type, he is not attempting to recruit anyone - it is simply his unvarnished experience of moving to, working in and returning from an international school. If you are interested in working abroad in this way, this is highly recommended viewing - see below.

Also, if you have an interest in assessment, Atom Learning are seeking Prep School Leaders (in schools that aren't part of part of a larger group) or British International Schools to take part and feed back on a 1:1 demo with their assessment product, Quest. In return for your feedback, a £25 Amazon voucher will be shared with you. Again, see below for more information.

As ever, I hope that you find this of use and have a great week,

David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

£25 Amazon voucher in return for attending a demo of Quest Assessments and completing a short feedback form

This is an opportunity to take part in a 30 minute demo of
Quest Progress (by Atom Learning), that is setting a new standard in progress testing and attainment tracking for independent schools.

Designed for Years 1-8, Quest Progress covers English, Maths, Science, Cognitive Abilities, Wellbeing & Attitudes, offering both digital (with instant marking) and paper-based assessments (with simple marking tools). Every assessment delivers detailed, diagnostic reports, giving you valuable insights at the pupil, class, and year group level.

They’re looking to speak with senior leaders in prep schools (not part of larger education groups e.g. Dukes, ILG), who are open to trialling a new approachto progress assessments and attainment tracking.

In return for a 30-minute 1:1 demonstration, you’ll receive a free trial of Quest Progress for your school - and a £25 Amazon voucher upon attending the session and completing a short feedback form.

If you’re interested, book your demonstration here.

Upcoming free CPD

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Menopause in Schools. Online. Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 1230.
How do perimenopause and menopause cause particular challenges for those who work in our schools? How can they help themselves and how can we support them through this transition so that they can keep on doing the jobs they love without a cost to their health and we don't lose their talents and experience?

Delivered by Helen Clare. Helen helps schools and teachers deal with challenges that arise due to perimenopause and menopause. She does this through talks, workshops, support groups, 1 to 1 and group mentoring, manager and menopause champion training, courses and policy and strategy support. An ex-biology teacher and life-long biology geek, she has also worked in schools as a poet and artist and as part of her work for Creative Partnerships and Arts Council England. Helen is also an ICF trained coach and an associate of the British Menopause Society. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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​The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week's featured video from the archive discusses what it is like to move to an international school. This webinar is written and presented by Ian Walker, former Head of Physics at Dulwich College (Singapore).  This is a rare opportunity to gain an insight from someone who has been through the process - and isn't trying to recruit you! If moving to an International School is something that is of vague interest we really would recommend you watch this session. Watch Now.

Education News (you might've missed)

Free school meals extension: what schools need to know
Military gap year for teens and school lessons on defence to prepare the UK for war
Nearly half of Heads expect to cut teachers next year, union finds
Schools risk inadvertently breaking minimum wage legislation
Why phonics hasn't won the reading wars - yet
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Free Maths White Paper + Summer Learning Opportunity

2/6/2025

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Hi Everyone,

Having successfully navigated the half-term break, we've once again reached the crescendo of the school year; long golden days of school sport, school plays, overheating classrooms, speech days, reports, residential trips and staff and pupil farewells... a glorious time before we all can relax and wait for the heavens to open for the best part of 6 weeks!

Aside for the inclement weather, the Summer is of course famous for pupils' academic regression, or summer slide, so I wanted to let you know about the Sunshine Squad that is being delivered by Edsidera. Their summer programme of learning brings together some of the leading education companies including White Rose Education, Pobble, Monster Phonics to name but a few. If your parents are looking for a way to keep their children learning over the Summer, they could do worse than get some support from the Sunshine Squad. You can download the flyer here for your parents - a great way to stop the Summer slide!

Also, I came across a brilliant white paper last week about building strong maths foundations in the early years and beyond. It explores why early numeracy deserves strategic focus and how the right digital tools can help close gaps, build confidence and set children up for lifelong learning. Designed for MAT leaders and primary school Headteachers, it’s packed with practical insights and evidence-based recommendations. You can access it here.

As ever, I hope that you find all of this of use and that you have a good week.

David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal

​Upcoming free CPD

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Menopause in Schools. Online. Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 1230.
How do perimenopause and menopause cause particular challenges for those who work in our schools? How can they help themselves and how can we support them through this transition so that they can keep on doing the jobs they love without a cost to their health and we don't lose their talents and experience?

Delivered by Helen Clare. Helen helps schools and teachers deal with challenges that arise due to perimenopause and menopause. She does this through talks, workshops, support groups, 1 to 1 and group mentoring, manager and menopause champion training, courses and policy and strategy support. An ex-biology teacher and life-long biology geek, she has also worked in schools as a poet and artist and as part of her work for Creative Partnerships and Arts Council England. Helen is also an ICF trained coach and an associate of the British Menopause Society. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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​The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week's featured video from the archive helps school leaders keep up to date with the current laws pertinent to UK Schools. This webinar is written and presented by Alice Reeve, Partner at VWV.  In this talk, she focuses on: • April 2025 Changes • Neonatal Care Leave and Pay • Sexual Harassment - 6 Months Since Preventative Duty • Employment Rights Bill. Watch Now.

Education News (you might've missed) ...

Future of world-renowned children's centre in the hands of ReformUK
More schools miss out as 'lottery' repair grants fall again
Most teachers don't find Ks2 SATS data useful, DfE survey finds
Teacher banned from classroom after encouraging pupils to sign petition to remove headteacher
Teacher pay scales: What will your salary look like?
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Free Pupil Personal Development Service

20/5/2025

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Dear Colleague,
I'm grateful to Hayley Sherwood of 1Decision for bringing to my attention their amazing fully-funded pupil personal development service, pupil knowledge tracker and provision audit tool for schools. They have received funding to share these tools and resources with schools and they have just opened a school waiting list - you can find out more and reserve a place for your school below; this really is an amazing opportunity!
In addition to this, our very own Alicia Coad recently spoke at the ISA Heads conference on the subject of "Authentic Marketing". As part of this Alicia conducted an online survey with parents asking them how and why they chose a school. The survey reached over 2000 parents from over 250 different independent schools. The response was far greater than we expected and so we have published the results to share with the sector. If you would like a free copy of the report please request one here. This really is incredible intel as to what parents are thinking and doing when choosing a school. Its also interesting to note the phenomenal response to the survey that was distributed via WhatsApp and Facebook only - showing the enormous power of social media!
We also have a free early years / key stage one webinar taking place on the 11th June that is being delivered by the inventor of Mighty Writer, Emma Ralph, as well as a webinar on Menopause in Schools that is being presented by Helen Clare. Again, see below for more information and to reserve your space. Thanks as ever to Brightcore Training & Consultancy for their sponsorship so that we can make these events free of charge.
Finally, our sister organisation BlueCow Education has just released some new dates in May and June for the paid online product demonstrations and market research. This is where you watch 6 short presentations over 90 minutes during an evening whilst filling in a feedback form - and you receive a £40 Amazon voucher as thanks on the night. Over 2500 school leaders have participated so far and the sessions have a 100% recommendation rate - with 92% classing the evenings as CPD.
If you'd like to find out more and participate, you can do so by clicking this link: https://www.bluecoweducation.com/events.html
As ever, I hope that you find all of this of use and that you have a good week.
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

1Decision Free Offer

Following their 2024 Teach Primary Award win, 1decision has secured additional funding to support even more schools with a brand-new, fully funded service—designed to enhance personal development across primary education.
This opportunity is available to all schools—regardless of the PSHE or RSHE resources they currently use.
Due to overwhelming demand, the team have now opened the waitlist for an additional 250 primary schools to benefit from this free offer.
The fully funded subscription service is powered by innovative software and helps schools identify strengths and uncover areas for improvement in their personal development provision. It delivers insightful pupil data and supports high-quality planning--without impacting school budgets.
The Personal Development Service includes:
Pupil Knowledge Tracker Software
This pioneering tool enables schools to assess the knowledge of pupils in Years 5 and 6 through two short quizzes, offering clear insights into where pupils are excelling and where further support may be needed.
Key features: • 2 × 25-minute personal development quizzes • Cohort-level data reports for year group comparisons • Detailed question analysis reports to guide future planning
Provision Audit Tool
A reflective tool designed to support senior leaders in evaluating their existing personal development provision. The audit offers thought-provoking questions and generates valuable insights to celebrate success and inform strategic improvements. Audit focus areas: • Leadership and management • Delivery • Sex education (if applicable) • Assessment, monitoring and evaluation • Strategic planning for the year ahead
Already making an impact in schools across the country, this fully funded service offers a unique opportunity for primary settings to strengthen outcomes in personal development and prepare pupils for a confident transition to secondary school.
Schools are encouraged to join the waitlist today to avoid missing out on this limited opportunity.
Sign up today - https://www.1decision.co.uk/resources/personal-development-audit

Upcoming free CPD

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Promoting the ownership of children's writing in Early Years and Key Stage One. Online. Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 1930. This session will look at how we can promote and encourage ownership of writing in children from a young age. The creation of independent writers is so important and encourages life long learning. This session will give you ideas to inspire your children through child led writing activities.
Speaker: Emma Ralph, Founder, Mighty Writer.
Emma Ralph is a highly experienced teacher and Assistant Head with a flair for helping children to maximise their abilities. She developed the highly-acclaimed literacy resource, Mighty Writer, which was launched at The Education Show in 2016. Book your place.
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Menopause in Schools. Online. Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 1230. How do perimenopause and menopause cause particular challenges for those who work in our schools? How can they help themselves and how can we support them through this transition so that they can keep on doing the jobs they love without a cost to their health and we don't lose their talents and experience?
Delivered by Helen Clare. Helen helps schools and teachers deal with challenges that arise due to perimenopause and menopause. She does this through talks, workshops, support groups, 1 to 1 and group mentoring, manager and menopause champion training, courses and policy and strategy support. An ex-biology teacher and life-long biology geek, she has also worked in schools as a poet and artist and as part of her work for Creative Partnerships and Arts Council England. Helen is also an ICF trained coach and an associate of the British Menopause Society. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week's featured video from the archive helps school leaders keep up to date on the trends in mental health. This webinar is written and presented by Ollie Welsby from Brightcore who works with schools across the country. He will give you an insight into the current state of affairs, together with tips as to how your school can best handle the current challenges. Watch Now.

Education News (you might've missed)

'Grit' no substitute for better mental health funding for pupils in England say experts
How we dumbed down teaching and what we must do to fix it
Labour to roll out new measures to help children to be more resilient
Ministers are wrong to let an app undermine results day
Will the teacher pay 'farce' continue under Labour?
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The changing landscape of mental health in schools

10/5/2025

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Hi Everyone,

just want to begin this newsletter by thanking Ollie Welsby from Brightcore who has delivered some superb free CPD for the ISP this week on The changing landscape of mental health in schools. This timely update is packed full of useful advice and practical takeaways for school leaders - and you can view a full recording of it by clicking the link in the video vault section below.

I'm also delighted that Helen Clare will be giving a talk on Menopause in Schools in June and don't miss Andy Carley's online talk this coming Wednesday (1930-2030) on Learning beyond the classroom - a blueprint for success.

Both of these sessions can also be booked using the links below.

For those of you who attended the ISA conference is Harrogate this week, you will have watched the ISP's very own Alicia Coad presenting on Authentic Marketing. This talk was based on a huge amount of parental feedback that Alicia collected from several hundred independent schools - and I'm delighted that Alicia will be be making this data widely available in the near future... so watch this space!

As ever, I hope that you find this newsletter of use and I wish you a good (and sunny!) week.

David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

Upcoming free CPD

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Learning Beyond the Classroom - a Blueprint for Success. Online. Wednesday 14th May 2025 at 1930.
The talk will summarise the key ingredients and elements for success for learning beyond the classroom - from planning, fundraising, site design, installation, resourcing, CPD and progression.

With examples and specific ideas from the many schools that are successfully achieving this within the constraints of budgets, teacher attitudes and a highly prescribed curriculum you will come away with lots of ideas on how to do make these changes within your own school setting.

Presented by Andy Carley, who is the Founder and Owner of School Outdoor Learning (SOuL). The SOuL Team visit and work with hundreds of schools every year across the UK and overseas to support their outdoor learning, play and nature connection. This provides them with a unique perspective on what works in terms of use of space, effective pedagogy and teacher support. As well as creating the right culture for risk taking and embedding a creative curriculum. Book your place.
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Menopause in Schools. Online. Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 1230.
How do perimenopause and menopause cause particular challenges for those who work in our schools? How can they help themselves and how can we support them through this transition so that they can keep on doing the jobs they love without a cost to their health and we don't lose their talents and experience?

Delivered by Helen Clare. Helen helps schools and teachers deal with challenges that arise due to perimenopause and menopause. She does this through talks, workshops, support groups, 1 to 1 and group mentoring, manager and menopause champion training, courses and policy and strategy support. An ex-biology teacher and life-long biology geek, she has also worked in schools as a poet and artist and as part of her work for Creative Partnerships and Arts Council England. Helen is also an ICF trained coach and an associate of the British Menopause Society. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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​The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week's featured video from the archive helps school leaders keep up to date on the trends in mental health. This webinar is written and presented by Ollie Welsby from Brightcore who works with schools across the country. He will give you an insight into the current state of affairs, together with tips as to how your school can best handle the current challenges. Watch Now.

Education News (you might've missed)

Academy bailouts must come with a merger clause
How does teacher's contact time vary around the world?
Ofsted mulls inspection card delay
Why we must hold on to the 'magic' of the early years
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AI in Action for School Leaders

10/4/2025

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Hi Everyone,
As promised last week, I'm delighted that to be able to announce that we have teamed up with Canva to deliver a conference on AI in Action for School Leaders. It takes place on Wednesday 25th June at the Canva offices at 33 Hoxton Square. As always, the tickets are heavily discounted and are priced at just £35 - and include all refreshments. Click this link to view the whole programme and reserved your space. Many thanks to Jade Parkinson-Hill for helping us put this together.
As well as this high profile conference, we have a number of free Webinars coming up in late April and early May:

  • Bursary and admissions policies: Ensuring that they are efficient, transparent and robust
  • The science of reading: Actionable insights for UK primaries
  • Attracting and recruiting the best staff
  • The changing landscape of mental health in schools
I hope that you find all of this of use!
With all good wishes,
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

Upcoming free CPD

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The Science of Reading
Join us for an enlightening webinar designed specifically for UK primary school head teachers and educational leaders, focusing on the Science of Reading. This session will delve into the comprehensive research and evidence-based methods that underpin effective reading instruction. Our expert speakers will guide you through the critical components of the Science of Reading, and demonstrate how these principles can be seamlessly integrated into your school's educational framework to enhance reading outcomes and foster a love of reading among students. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week's featured video from the archive is Leadership Lessons from Elite Sport, written and presented for headteacher and Education legend, Derek Peaple . You can watch here.

Education News (you might've missed)

5 strategies to support students who aren't ready for exams
Fears catholic school heads coerced into 'Mega-MATS'
Parents to get more of their money back from Squid
Private school parents must pay their 'fair share', court told
Would a legal win for private schools on VAT actually change anything?

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ISP Live Conferences

31/3/2025

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Hi Everyone,
It was terrific to meet so many old friends - and make new ones! - at the 5th Annual Independent Schools Portal Marketing Conference on Friday. It was the first time that we've had over 100 schools in attendance at one of our events and I'd like to thank Queen Ethelburga's for hosting us so magnificently in North Yorkshire, to the speakers who gave so freely of their time and expertise and to Alicia for organising and delivering such a fabulous event.
We're also planning an additional live event on AI in Education in the summer term - it's currently still in the development phase - but will be held in the Canva offices in London. I'm hoping to be able to share the date and programme with you very shortly.
The Easter break seems to be somewhat staggered this year, so whether you have already broken up, or still have a week or two to go, I hope that you have a great week and that you get to enjoy some of the sunny weather that has been forecast!
With all good wishes,
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

Provision Vue Offer - SEND Offer - 10% Off

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Is your SEND team overwhelmed by admin? Are you struggling to evaluate the impact of your SEN provisions? SENCOs work tirelessly to ensure SEND students get the support they need. But the growing workload and administrative demands can be overwhelming. Introducing ProvisionVue – a powerful, time-saving online tool designed by SENCOs, for SENCOs. Seamlessly integrated with your school’s MIS, ProvisionVue will reduce admin burden and help your team focus on what really matters: supporting students.
Key Features:
• Plan-Do-Review Process built in • Access to comprehensive Interventions, Resources, and Strategies for student plans • Automatically generate Provision Maps and Intervention Groups • Monitor interventions with ease • Evaluate the impact of your provisions Let ProvisionVue handle the admin, so you can focus on what truly matters – helping students succeed.
Arrange your free demo today at www.schoolvue.co.uk/contact
Exclusive Offer for ISP Newsletter Readers: Sign up by April 30th and get 10% off your first subscription!

Upcoming free CPD

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The Science of Reading
Join us for an enlightening webinar designed specifically for UK primary school head teachers and educational leaders, focusing on the Science of Reading. This session will delve into the comprehensive research and evidence-based methods that underpin effective reading instruction. Our expert speakers will guide you through the critical components of the Science of Reading, and demonstrate how these principles can be seamlessly integrated into your school's educational framework to enhance reading outcomes and foster a love of reading among students. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week, Alice Reeves, partner at VWV gives an Employment Law Update, looking at: April 2025 Employment Law Changes • Neonatal Care Leave and Pay • Sexual Harassment - 6 Months Since Preventative Duty • Employment Rights Bill. Recorded only a couple of weeks ago, so extremely current; you can watch here.

Education News (you might've missed)...

3 common mistakes schools make with teaching assistants
Schools to run anti-mysogyny classes for boys in a bid to tackle toxic masculinity
Schools warn of staff cuts as Reeves snubs sector
Scores of Councils could go bankrupt when hidden SEND debt reappears

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Staying ahead of the game

24/3/2025

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Hi Everyone,
The Independent Schools Portal has always been a way for the rest of the team and I at BlueCow Education to give back to the sector, to support schools and provide high-quality CPD such as the 2025 UK Schools Employment Law Update which was delivered online last Wednesday evening and which you can watch in full here.
As everything we do at the ISP is either free of charge or delivered below cost, the work that we do is funded by the online market research and supplier showcases that we deliver under the BlueCow brand. These showcases are also extremely useful to school leaders in of themselves; they allow SLT members the opportunity watch 6 education product presentations over 90 minutes on weekday evenings from the comfort of their own home. This helps to keep schools up to date with the latest innovations without attending trade shows - and in return for filling in a short feedback form, we are also able to email a £40 Amazon voucher to each school leader on the night as thanks for their time.
What we have created is quite unique and I'm as proud of the fact that the market research and showcase evenings have a 100% recommendation rate - and 92% class them as CPD in their own right - as I am of the work that the ISP undertakes. They really do help school leaders to stay ahead of the game.
If you'd like to join us at one of these showcases so you can see how good they are (as well as claiming your £40 Amazon voucher and supporting the work of the ISP) - you can sign up here. Hope to see you at one of the sessions soon!
With all good wishes,
David
PS - MyBodyIsMyBody (MBIMB) is delivering a Strengthening Communities by Safeguarding Every Child conference in Barnsley on Wednesday. The conference programme and speakers are simply outstanding; the ticket price is only £15 so if you are in Yorkshire / North Midlands, I can strongly recommend attending what will be a superb event. Find out more and book.
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

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ISP Marketing and Admissions Conference 2025: in-person and online
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.

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The Science of Reading
Join us for an enlightening webinar designed specifically for UK primary school head teachers and educational leaders, focusing on the Science of Reading. This session will delve into the comprehensive research and evidence-based methods that underpin effective reading instruction. Our expert speakers will guide you through the critical components of the Science of Reading, and demonstrate how these principles can be seamlessly integrated into your school's educational framework to enhance reading outcomes and foster a love of reading among students. Book your place.

Education News (you might've missed)
Boys in England significantly outperforming girls in maths and science for the first time in decades
Lost learning solutions: meet the inclusion trailblazers SEND plans will fail to stop private schools costs from soaring, DfE warned
Why the ECF isn't keeping teachers in the job

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AI in Education Masterclass (+ cheat sheet!)

17/3/2025

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Hi Everyone,
This week saw us welcome the brilliant Darren Coxon to our Wednesday Wisdom Webinar series of free online CPD. Darren talked us through how we could use AI to write schemes of work, revision notes and quizzes. Plus, he also put together a handy "cheat sheet" with prompts on so that you can replicate this in your setting, no  matter what subject you teach. The prompts are available with the Youtube Video - definitely worth a watch. Thank you to Darren for joining us and making AI accessible by sharing the prompts. Watch the recording here.

We've also made a couple of other further additions to the YouTube channel with some excellent CPD being uploaded this week on  History Learning Using Multimedia (with Luke Whitehouse) and Co-commercial Strategies for Success(with Dorothy McLaren from the Schools' Enterprise Association).

Another potential date for your diary is the SchoolTV free Wellbeing event on Wednesday 19th March. The speaker line up is superlative and includes Dr Emma Woodward, Dr Joe Stammeijer, Andrew Hampton and Tom Batty.  There will be panel discussion on tackling key mental health challenges facing students in today's world together with evidence based approaches to support student resilience and wellbeing.  The session will be chaired by John Southworth and promises to be an excellent opportunity to learn from the experts and network with peers. Senior Leaders in State and Independent schools are welcome to join.Please register here.

I'm sure many of you will already be of aware of this, but I came across PHET Interactive Simulations last week; it's brilliant for both primary and secondary maths and science - and completely free! I'd also recommend taking a look at Anton App; this contains free education resources from reception to Ks3 and works across all devices - it's superb!

I'm also delighted that spelling, grammar and punctuation resource Rollama are offering readers of this newsletter a 4 week free trial along with 10% discount if you really like it - see further details below.

Finally, there are still online and in-person tickets available for the 5th ISP Marketing Conference on the 28th March, we have a FREE online Employment Law update on Wednesday evening with Alice Reeves of VWV Partners, and there is also a new session on The Science of Reading: Actionable Insights for Primaries on the 30th April; also online and free of charge.

As ever, I hope that you find all of this of use and that you have a good week.
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

​Rollama Offer - Free trial and 10% off

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​Are your students struggling with spelling? Confused by clauses? Puzzled by punctuation?
Rollama is a llama-themed website of focused mini-games to boost English grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling skills for 7-13-year-olds.
Built on evidence-based principles and designed by teachers with 18 years of KS2 & KS3 classroom experience, Rollama is fully aligned with the English National Curriculum.
With quick-setup accounts, students can play at home or school, on laptop, desktop, or tablet – and actually enjoy SPaG practice (seriously!)
Our bank of over 10,000 questions helps students build independent fluency in essential English skills. Instant marking and child-centred design create a positive feedback loop, boosting confidence and motivation to keep practising.
Start your free 4-week trial (no credit card required) at www.rollama.com/register to unlock everything Rollama offers:

Avatars
Medals
Assignments
Competitions
Global leaderboards
SATS prep resources
400+ SPaG activities (and counting)

Exclusive Offer for ISP Newsletter readers: Sign up by March 28th and enjoy 10% off your first subscription!

ISP Marketing and Admissions Conference 2025: in-person and online

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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.

Free CPD

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The Science of Reading
Join us for an enlightening webinar designed specifically for UK primary school head teachers and educational leaders, focusing on the Science of Reading. This session will delve into the comprehensive research and evidence-based methods that underpin effective reading instruction. Our expert speakers will guide you through the critical components of the Science of Reading, and demonstrate how these principles can be seamlessly integrated into your school's educational framework to enhance reading outcomes and foster a love of reading among students. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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​The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week, Mark Langley gives an overview from his original academic research at the University of Hull into why Deputy Heads decide (or not) to proceed on the journey into Headship. Full of fascinating insights into this under-researched area of Education. Watch here.

Education News (you might've missed)

​Can Ofsted listen it's way out of it's political bind?
Hundreds of Academy Heads paid over £150k as the number on the 'gravy train' doubles over 5 years
Sir Hamid Patel appointed interim Ofsted Chair
Teacher pension contributions to increase next month

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Upcoming CPD in March

10/3/2025

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Hi Everyone,

A reminder that we have lots of CPD coming up in March: There's still time to get either an in-person or online ticket for the 5th ISP Marketing Conference on the 28th. The speakers and programme is simply outstanding an with tickets priced at only £45, it really is an event too good to miss!

We also have 2 free webinars coming up on AI in Education (12th) and the Employment Law Update for Independent Schools (19th). All details and links to sign up are below.

There's also a co-commercial strategies for success webinar at lunchtime on Wednesday and we'll we popping up a recording of the History Learning through Multimedia session on our YouTube channel at the end of the week; make sure you're subscribed to the channel to be notified each time pre-recorded CPD is uploaded.

I hope that you find this of use and that you have a great week.
​
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

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ISP Marketing and Admissions Conference 2025: in-person and online

​
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.

Free upcoming CPD...

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AI in Education - An Introduction. Free CPD webinar - Wednesday 12th March 2025. 1930-2030.
Using AI in your teaching and equipping pupils with the skills to know how and when to use it themselves is vital. We will look at how AI can transform your teaching and learning. This session will delivered by leading expert Darren Coxon. Darren speaks regularly around the world on the topic of AI in education and is a leading expert. Book your place.
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Employment Law Update for Independent Schools
We are delighted to be joined by Alice Reeves from VWV who will give us a whistle stop tour of the latest changes in employment law, and crucially, how they impact on the Independent Education Sector. Wednesday 19 March 2025 7:30 PM - 8:15 PM. Book your place.

From the Video Vault...

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The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. This week, Mark Langley gives an overview from his original academic research at the University of Hull into why Deputy Heads decide (or not) to proceed on the journey into Headship. Full of fascinating insights into this under-researched area of Education. Watch here.

Education News (you might've missed)

Behaviour overtakes workload as a top concern for primary teachers
Cheaper to pay fines than to provide SEND support
How the term 'soft skills' is holding us back
More schools to be asked to supervise toothbrushing

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A free £250 voucher to spend on tennis equipment

3/3/2025

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Subscribe to this newsletter
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Dear Colleague,
This week, I want to share an exciting opportunity for teachers. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is offering its free LTA Youth Schools Teacher Training Course, designed to help teachers deliver high-quality, inclusive PE lessons with confidence.
What’s in it for teachers?

  • A 90-minute online training course designed by teachers, with practical strategies to introduce tennis to all abilities – including SEND students.
  • Ongoing access to resources, including lesson plans, activity guides and videos.
  • A £250 voucher for their school to spend on tennis equipment or 10 hours of team teaching with an LTA Accredited Coach.
  • Primary schools receive a resource pack with pupil rewards, fun games and exclusive LTA Tennisables character cards.
  • Secondary schools are entered into a prize draw to win a money-can’t-buy experience for students and 16 tickets to the HSBC Championship WTA 500 event at The Queen’s Club.
With more than half of Britain’s schools signed up, the LTA is keen to ensure even more schools benefit - and it is completely free.
I hope that you find this of use and that you have a great week.
As ever,
David.
--
David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

ISP Marketing and Admissions Conference 2025: in-person and online

Picture
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.

Free upcoming CPD

Picture
History Learning through Multimedia
This webinar will look at how you can build a multimedia experience to ignite children's love of learning in history. 3D learning enables children to understand historical topics and really bring it to life through immersive and interactive scenes.
Wednesday 5 March 2025 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM. Book your place.
Picture
AI in Education - An Introduction. Free CPD webinar - Wednesday 12th March 2025. 1930-2030.
Using AI in your teaching and equipping pupils with the skills to know how and when to use it themselves is vital. We will look at how AI can transform your teaching and learning. This session will delivered by leading expert Darren Coxon. Darren speaks regularly around the world on the topic of AI in education and is a leading expert. Book your place.
Picture
Employment Law Update for Independent Schools
We are delighted to be joined by Alice Reeves from VWV who will give us a whistlestop tour of the latest changes in employment law, and crucially, how they impact on the Independent Education Sector. Wednesday 19 March 2025 7:30 PM - 8:15 PM. Book your place.

From the Video Vault

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The ISP has a huge selection of videos to support school leaders on the ISP YouTube Channel. In this week's video vault webinar, Ian Walker will talk you through the lessons he learnt moving from Bradford Grammar School to Dulwich College (Singapore) and then returning back to the UK. A rare opportunity to gain an insight from someone who has been through the process - and isn't trying to recruit you! If moving to an International School is something that is of vague interest we really would recommend you watch this session. Watch Here.

Education News (you might've missed...)

Headteacher under fire after detentions handed out for homework scores of less than 90%
Ofsted to trial inspection proposals with 240 visits
We should be asking what to take out of the school day, not what to add in
Please share this newsletter with colleagues so that they are able to subscribe

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