Professional Development
NELTA offers a range of programmes from initial teacher training to collaborative staff development for subject-specific areas
Subject Forum
“Where teachers connect”
At an initial launch in 2014, a variety of Forums were set up across subjects and interest areas. In 2016 we re-launched after appointing a NELTA Subject Network Leader and started up a few new Subject Forums (English, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, RS and Ethics, PE) as well as re-invigorated existing Forums.
Forum meetings provide a platform where teachers can connect and not only share ideas but also discuss strategies implemented in different schools to improve attainment, progress and the development of new curricula. Forum leaders have the autonomy to direct the activities of their own groups but with the guidance and support of a NELTA employed subject Forum director. Feedback from Forums has been very positive in terms of sharing knowledge and expertise and implementing school to school support.
Format
The Subject Forums meet three times a year at Beal High School or at times and venues more suitable to the individual networks. We take a very flexible approach in terms of how the individual Forums work and will support networking opportunities in any way we can.
Between sessions, actions are completed ready to report at the next meeting.
Forums have freedom to set their own agendas and scope for professional development. Each Forum has varying priorities and the Forum Lead is responsible for facilitating the upcoming agenda.
Items already discussed
• Setting up electronic methods of sharing and collaboration,
• Taking networking beyond face-to-face meetings,
• Raising attainment for A8 in year 11 and meeting progress targets for P8
• Exam board results analysis or other means to target intervention.
Subject Testimonials
Hub Leader
“The Business and Economics network has enabled us to share what we have found to be common problems across schools. Resources have been shared of visits made to schools to look at good practice in action. The real work often takes place after the meetings either face to face or electronically.”
Forest Academy
“NELTA networks enable professionals to share good practice and play a vital part at the heart of school improvement. We have so much to learn from each other and NELTA empowers schools to make this happen.”
Hub Leader
“The MFL hub has contributed to raising the achievement of our students by being the platform for conversations on certain important topics such as interpreting data, early diagnosis and realistic target setting in Modern Languages”
Currently Operating Forums and Forum Lead
Art
Liz Irving
lirving@nelta.co.uk
Business and Economics
Kavita Patel
patelK@woodford.redbridge.sch.uk
Computer Science
Joe Arday – CAS community leader
jarday@woodbridgehigh.co.uk
DT
Mr D Buja
dbu@valentines-sch.org.uk
English
Sarah Skinner
s.skinner@sevenkings.school
Geography
Denise Freeman
d.freeman@oakspark.redbridge.sch.uk
History
Jen Howlett
J.howlett@sevenkings.school
KS2/KS3 Transition
Liz Irving
lirving@nelta.co.uk
Carole O’Brien
C’obrien@sevenkings.school
Erafana Ali
eal@valentines-sch.org.uk
KS3 & KS4 Science
Carole O’Brien
C’obrien@sevenkings.school
Maths
Position available
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Carole O’Brien
C’obrien@sevenkings.school
MFL
Alex Ferraby
a.ferraby@sevenkings.school
Music
Diane Webb
d.webb@sevenkings.school
PE
Ian Roper (Redbridge schools)
iro@valentines.sch
Liz Irving (All schools)
Living@nelta.co.uk
RS
SEND
Carole O’Brien
C’obrien@sevenkings.school
6th Form Pastoral
Contact if interested
If you have any questions please contact Liz Irving at lirving@nelta.co.uk