TLA National Conference 2013
‘Celebrating practice-based learning in school settings’
We are delighted to announce that the TLA will be running its first national conference on Saturday 29th June 2013. The conference will be held at the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis Campus, from 10-3.30pm.
The inaugural TLA Conference will showcase shared practice and celebrate school improvement projects that TLA members have developed within their settings. In addition to this, a keynote presentation will be given by Dr Terry Wrigley (visiting Professor at Leeds Metropolitan University and Editor of Improving Schools Journal).
For further details of the conference, please click on the downloadable flyer.
To book your place, please follow the link below:
http://store.chi.ac.uk/browse/product.asp?catid=119&modid=1&compid=1
Book your place at the TLA Conference before Friday 24th May and take advantage of the early bird discount!
Don’t miss out on our second round of applications for Hewitt Driver funding!
April 16, 2013
The TLA is offering a second opportunity for organisations to bid for funding to support professional learning and development projects. All Expressions of Interest (EoI) forms must be sent to Alison Keyworth (akeyworth@marjon.ac.uk) by Friday 10th May 2013. For further details of this funding opportunity and to download an EoI form please visit the Hewitt Driver Funding Guidelines page.
Consortium of HEIs launch the Teaching and Learning Academy
Feburary 22nd, 2012
The new Teaching and Learning Academy was launched in London at the Department of Education in London on Tuesday 29th November. Attended by more than 60 delegates from schools, DfE, GTCE, NAHT, ASCL, subject associations and universities an introduction to the new professional development focus was given by Members of the TLA consortium each of whom are part of the Cathedral’s Group of Universities and University Colleges. In introducing the TLA Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice Chancellor of the University of Chester emphasised the importance of CPD in supporting school improvement and the professional development of staff.
Professor Margaret Noble, Principal of University College Plymouth St Mark and St John introduced the new vision for the TLA and the widening of the TLA to provide a professional development framework and organisation for the whole school workforce. Supported by a consortium of 11 higher education institutions the new TLA offers coverage across all of England and Wales and the opportunities for schools and individuals to engage through both recognition for small scale projects and accredited learning at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In officially launching the TLA Sue Hackman, Chief Adviser School Standards for the DfE said
"The TLA speaks to a new generation of teachers who are used to drawing down information and support when they need it from the internet. We have made a decisive move away from cascades, gurus and 'days out' to get our CPD. The challenge is to bring CPD into each classroom to study ourselves on the job: what works? What might work better? How can I improve? The goal is to enable and reward the reflective teacher.
The key to a successful TLA is its ability to offer each teacher exactly what they need, when they need it and at their own pace. It is a truly modern, tailored way to do CPD. To be a professional - a true professional - you first have to interrogate your own practice and adopt an attitude of continual self-improvement. The TLA offers an important resource for that professional instinct to grow, seek help and enjoy recognition. And this need not be limited to enthusiastic individuals; indeed, it will work best where whole schools create a culture of enquiry into the craft of teaching."
Martin Shevill the Principal of Ossett Academy in Wakefield which has been identified as a ‘flagship’ for the TLA and was part of the first wave of TLA Pilot Centres for support and verification in the new ‘Open System’ commented 'Good quality professional development can be a driving force behind school improvement. There is a new generation of young teachers with a commitment to on-going professional learning. The TLA provides excellent opportunities for such learning'.
Martin Beedle the former Assistant Principal at Ossett Academy and now GTP Manager for the Wakefield partnership for Initial Teacher Training stated 'I am delighted that the Cathedrals Group will be taking the TLA forward, building on the good practice established by the GTCE in relation to supporting and recognising the effective professional learning undertaken by teachers across the country. The extension of the TLA to include the wider school workforce is to be warmly welcomed, as is the direct connection between professional recognition and accreditation. The new TLA presents an exciting development and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the drive for continuous whole school improvement'.