Dear Colleague
I'd like to draw your attention to some brilliant (and free!) CPD that the Independent Schools Portal has that is coming up. On the 5th March, it's all about Virtual Explorations: History Learning through multimedia, on the 12th March we have Co-commercial strategies for success and AI in Education: An Introduction. Finally, on the 19th March we have the Employment Law Update for Schools.

I strongly recommend these to you and interested colleagues.

We've also had some great feedback for our paid Preparing for Headship Course,with several success stories from the last few months, and don't forget that there are still a few online and in-person tickets still available for the 5th ISP Marketing Conference; the programme for this is simply outstanding.

I hope that you find these of use and I wish you 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.

Written and presented by Tom Packer
To be a successful school leader, at whatever level, the ability and willingness on all sides to engage in a difficult conversation is vital. Yet all too often such conversations are avoided, or conflicting demands met with appeasement, with sometimes disastrous results. This course prepares you and your stakeholders to actively engage in open and honest conversations. You will learn well tried and tested tips and techniques with direct relevance to everyday school experience. Find out more and book.

​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.

​Curriculum review should incentivise schools to teach 'employment skills'
Education Secretary says Birbalsingh's account of meeting 'not as it was'.
Four ways to stop accidentally distracting your students (TES - Subscription Required)
School breakfast clubs in England will be used to justify the two child benefit cap

​Please share this newsletter with colleagues so that they are able to subscribe
​

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

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