Education Durham is a school support and improvement team established for more than 25 years as part of Durham local authority. It offers evidence-based, consistent, high-quality support for leaders and staff at every level in schools, academies, and other educational institutions regionally, nationally, and internationally.
What we offer
We offer a full range of support which can be accessed through our Partner SLA. In acknowledgement that one-size does not fit all we also will build bespoke SLAs on request. During times when demands on limited funding are increasing, it is hoped that this approach will enable our partners to purchase services varying from light-touch to intensive, with confident assurance of value for money.
The team you will be working with has a proven track record and can respond to specific and detailed requests across a wide range of training and development needs. All remain fully skilled and up to date with education and inspection developments, and the team includes Senior Secondary Leaders with direct leadership experience, including head teacher experience, and national and international experience and accreditation of delivering CPD to the highest professional standards.
Each SLA is offered annually to schools, academies and other institutions, and generally runs over a financial year 1 April to 31 March.
Restrictions
Partners cannot invite staff from non-partner schools to attend training arranged through the SLA.
Full Partner
Secondary Senior Leaders Development Group – (NB. This replaces the Secondary Senior Leader Network in previous offers). This face-to-face development group is an opportunity for senior leaders in our secondary schools from across the region to come together to drive school improvement. Sessions are focused on the sharing of expertise, experiences and best practice linked to priority areas around all aspects of leadership. Topics for consideration include Transition, Quality of Education & Curriculum Offers. Topics will be responsive to current needs and trends.
In School Review – 1 review (up to one school day – 6 hours) to be carried out as per the schools identified need. Focus of review on negotiation. Potential reviews could cover:
-
- A curriculum review around a specific subject/ department
- Inclusion
- Alternative provision
- Manging exclusion
- Transition
- Personal development
- CEAIG
Additional hours – these can be purchased at a partner rate for additional reviews and bespoke in-school work.
A Morning with an HMI – Half termly morning briefings delivered by an HMI.
Subject leader support – termly networks will run for mathematics, English and RSHE. For all other curriculum areas subject leads can request a 1:1 conversation to address the bespoke requirements of your context. These will be of an hour duration and will be held virtually.
Attendance and Inclusion– in addition to a termly event highlighting local and national priorities, SLA holders can access an Attendance Review and additional support with managing and improving attendance, including advice/guidance relating to statutory duties.
Free Access to a wide range of SEND Courses
Coaching support (3 hours) –Coaching has the power to grow individuals, teams and your wider school approach. Education Durham coaches work with one or more members of staff and use coaching strategies to support leaders/ teachers to evaluate their current role and practice and troubleshoot around any concerns they have. Advisors can also support you to grow a coaching approach in your school, so it is a sustainable model for development going forward.
Some support components are available to SLA holders but at an additional cost: examples – Educational Visits Co-ordinator training; Safer Recruitment.
We are embarking on conversations with the NE Combined Authority around developing a more regional approach to supporting our Secondary colleagues. As we create this, we will keep partners fully informed around how it is developing. Any regional support or networking opportunities will be provided at a partner rate.