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Teaching computing research project uncovers methods for increasing engagement in blended learning
Thu 23 Sep 2021A research project undertaken by colleagues at Cambridge Primary Education Trust (CPET) around the teaching of computing has provided important insight into how both school-based and home-based learning might evolve in the future.
James Course, a Year 3/4 teacher at Somersham Primary School, and Jon Windsor, a Year 3 teacher at Trumpington Park Primary School, analysed the impact of focused teaching of computing across the curriculum – delivered over a half-term – on pupil and parent engagement with online homework. They also explored the potential of blended learning and recovering gaps in education following lockdown.
The project, which was completed in July 2021, has brought valuable understanding of engagement with homework and pupils’ wider learning. “We wanted to discover if one of the barriers to engagement with blended styles of learning was a lack of computing skills,” Jon explained. “We taught a sequence of bespoke lessons to develop these skills, but the impact on engagement was limited. We therefore reinforced that other factors are more significant barriers. Going forward we will continue to evaluate how we can engage parents and families in supporting pupils in their learning, including with homework. We did learn that there appear to be more accessible types of task, especially ones that can be accessed on a phone or tablet. Tasks such as quizzes using Microsoft Forms will therefore be our starting point if and when we look to expand the use of blended learning.”
James said the objective was to ensure that home learning in any guise is meaningful, and reinforces teacher-led learning, and also make related tasks achievable and accessible to all. “While our project has not revealed some perfect solution for home learning, we can definitely take away aspects that can be used in future to create more robust routines and expectations for home learning, which could then form a basis for any expansion into wider blended learning,” he revealed. “Meanwhile, we delivered a sequence of lessons to build a strong platform of core computing skills. We took opportunities across the curriculum to modelling the daily IT skills which we use and take for granted. We saw the children becoming more confident, efficient and capable with their use of laptops and key software such as Microsoft Word. The children also evidently improved transferable skills such as using search engines safely and efficiently, as well as making their own evaluations and comparisons between the different formats of technology available to them.”
The CPET colleagues will now evaluate the Trust’s approach to teaching computing, ensuring that it is developing the kinds of skills that the children will need in future, and aiming for the skills to be both transferable and adaptable to the changes in technology that they will face along the way. A further next step will be to consider how computing skills can be developed more broadly across the curriculum. “We have been able to explore some of the potential barriers that children face, and our findings will influence our future approach and recommendations for setting homework, as well as the potential continued use of blended learning,” Jon said. “The project also helped us as reflective practitioners, questioning some assumptions which we might otherwise have made.”
The research, which included a range of wider reading, was funded and supported by Cambridge Teaching Schools Network (CTSN). “It has been empowering to be trusted to deliver this project,” James added. “We were asked to make a difference by looking into the issue in-depth, ensuring that robust conclusions can be reached, albeit we recognise this is a small-scale project rather than a big change programme. We have already shared our findings with CPET’s senior leadership team and look forward to supporting next steps, both at Trust-level, and directly within our own schools.”
CPET Executive Principal/CEO Lesley Birch said: “As a Trust we are committed to encouraging staff to develop their skills and experience. Colleagues from all our schools work together to share best practice and resources as well as supporting each other in planning and evaluation activities. In this case it is great to see teachers embracing research to support the learning of our children and other staff members. Often small adaptations make a huge difference to our children accessing learning.”
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New Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub officially opens to support teacher professional development
Wed 08 Sep 2021Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub, one of 87 Hubs selected by the Government in a £65 million investment to provide high-quality professional development to teachers and leaders in England, has officially opened.
Back in February it was announced by the Department for Education (DfE) that Histon and Impington Junior School, part of Cambridge Primary Education Trust (CPET), would be the designated Teaching School Hub for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough schools from 1st September. Now the Hub is set to support 336 schools, making it the third largest Hub in the country, with a range of professional development for teachers at all stages of their careers.
Initial priorities in the next 12 months are implementation of the Early Career Framework for all new teachers, delivery of National Professional Qualifications for school leadership, and providing initial teacher training with partner organisations locally. It will also undertake collaborative working with curriculum hubs and signposting professional development for DfE approved and partner training programmes in the region.
“We want every teacher, school leader and wider school staff to have the best professional development they can,” said Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub Lead Lynne Birch, formerly Schools Engagement Adviser at Cambridgeshire County Council. “We are committed to facilitating this through delivery partner providers, signposting, and commissioning development opportunities where there are gaps in the region. We have a long track record of working together in our area which has brought us to the creation of this Hub. Integral to the success of the Hub will be the continuation of that approach and deepening our relationships with schools, Trusts and partners in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We strongly believe that this Hub belongs to them.”
The Hub is committed to working in collaboration with early years’ providers, primary, secondary, alternative provision, special schools, further and higher education providers and other regional stakeholders. These include Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex Teaching School Hubs, local authorities, Ely and Peterborough Dioceses, Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Cambridge, curriculum hubs and research schools.
CPET Executive Principal/CEO Lesley Birch, one of just 12 school leaders to have been appointed by the DfE to the new national Teaching School Hubs Council last month, added: “The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub is a significant development for the region because it forms part of the Government’s plans for the implementation of the recruitment and retention strategy to raise teacher quality and effectiveness. We exist ultimately to support Cambridgeshire and Peterborough schools and Trusts in having the best professional development offer from the moment someone decides they want to train as a teacher and throughout their career. It is privileged responsibility, and one that we embrace.”
For more information about the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub, please visit the interim website at https://www.cpetrust.co.uk/topic/teaching-school-hub.
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“Loyal, caring and inspiring” Janet retires after 32 years at Histon & Impington Junior School
Wed 01 Sep 2021A teacher who has given over 30 years “dedication and commitment” to Histon & Impington Junior School has left the classroom for the last time.
Janet Jenkins, who first walked through the school doors as a supply teacher in November 1988 before landing a full-time role, has retired at the age of 65 having served as Assistant Headteacher, Head of Year 6 and SENDCo lead. A Histon resident herself, Janet’s children both attended Histon & Impington Juniors, and she even taught her eldest daughter in Year 5. The school, which from September will be called Histon & Impington Brook Primary, is a place she poignantly refers to as “my second home”.
“I’ve absolutely loved working with everyone,” Janet said. “My colleagues have been amazing and the children have always been really charming to work with. The school has only had four Headteachers since the school was opened in the 1970s, and I’ve been at other schools where there hasn’t been that stability and leadership. I’ve always been looked after and seen the school as a safe haven. I can still recall my first day and feeling grateful for the opportunity as I didn’t get a job in teaching straight after leaving college. I’ve always been really happy. I have been asked to go to other schools, but loyalty and the challenge here meant I stayed.”
Originally from Lincoln, Janet trained to be a teacher at the College of Ripon and York St John, but unable to land a job in Nottingham (where she moved to after graduation) she took up a role at Boots Head Office and stayed for five years. When Janet’s second daughter was born the family moved to Cambridge and she became a stay-at-home Mum for eight years. She later began working as a supply teacher across several schools in Cambridge, before being asked to join Histon & Impington Junior School full-time by then Headteacher Derek Anderson.
“As well as being a class teacher my subject responsibility was at first PE and, later on, I was asked to take on a SENDCo role alongside my teaching responsibilities,” Janet recalled. “When I first started a lot of children with special educational needs would go to a special school and I only worked for half a day a fortnight as SENDCo. Today, most children with special educational needs are catered for in mainstream education and there is a lot more training and support. We have Teaching Assistants (there were no TAs 30 years ago) to help the children, I line managed at least 20 TAs at Histon & Impington Junior School. For the last ten years, I was also the SENDCo for Hatton Park Primary school which I really enjoyed, especially as it was a primary school, so I got to know the children when they came into their Reception classes. I provided special educational needs school-to-school support for Somersham Primary School, also part of Cambridge Primary Education Trust, and other schools in the area. There is much more professionalism in the SENDCo role these days and across the sector we’re trying to find a consistent and effective way of doing things.”
As Assistant Headteacher and Head of Year 6, Janet admitted that teaching is a different profession to the one she joined. “When I started teaching, I used to help run Cubs and Guides and make my own and friends and family’s curtains, as well as looking after my young family and I’m not sure how I found time for it all,” she said. “Today, accountability has changed: it’s a lovely job, but it’s now a full-on job. Talking to each other and working as a team has been so important. For teachers joining the profession, my advice is to get to know your children really well, in and out of the classroom, ensure there is a good transition between their last teacher and yourself and communicate with parents. Seek help because you should never be on your own – discuss your priorities with your mentor. The support I’ve had from the school, and the Trust, over the years has been huge.”
Speaking about her retirement, Janet has now identified some priorities: “I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends. I have eight grandchildren, including two in Australia. I’m also looking forward to taking some holidays as soon as we can. I was so lucky to be able to enjoy visiting the Galapagos Islands, one of my lifetime dreams, South America, the Seychelles and Australia and am keen to explore the rest of the world and also revisit the many lovely parts of the UK.”
Lesley Birch, Executive Principal/CEO of Cambridge Primary Education Trust, said: “As a colleague, Janet has been loyal, caring and inspiring. In her roles as Assistant Headteacher, Head of Year 6 and SENDCo lead, Janet has been very much at the centre of teaching and learning in our Trust, and she worked with children, staff and families showing tremendous dedication and commitment. Every child mattered to her and she aimed to overcome barriers for all children to enable them to flourish. We’ll miss Janet greatly, but will continue to value her friendship and wish her well in retirement.”