Teachers from across The Corinium Education Trust came together for our third joint annual January In-service training (Inset) day on Monday 6 January 2020.

Following on from our previous training day in January 2019, at which we shared our high expectations of each other and determined what good teaching and learning looks like across the Corinium Education Trust, the focus for this year’s training day was on the development of our curriculum. While each school’s curriculum remains distinctive and is tailored to the needs of our pupils, they all reflect The Corinium Education Trust’s vision and core curriculum intent.

Tom Sherrington, Teacherhead Consulting, provided the initial input in his inspirational keynote which reminded us all of our core purpose: ‘to improve the learning and life chances of children and young people in Cirencester and the South Cotswolds’. His presentation drew on the development work our individual schools had already done on the curriculum; it helped to clarify our ‘intent’, plan for its ‘implementation’ and achieve the desired ‘impact’ at trust, school and subject levels.

'I always enjoy the voice of an external speaker as I find they bring a fresh perspective; even if what they are saying is a refresh, I think it is always beneficial.’ Teacher in response to Tom’s presentation.

In their cross-phase workshop groups, facilitated by our school leaders, teachers revisited ‘Rosenshine’s Principles in Action’ and the research which was used to inform the criteria for judging the quality of education within the new Ofsted framework from September 2019. Tom Sherrington joined each group and provided both support and challenge around each of the key themes: sequencing concepts and modelling, questioning, reviewing material and stages of practice.

‘It was great to start the year working alongside members of staff from across the Corinium Education Trust. The opportunity to utilise Tom's expertise and to consider the Rosenshine principles from the different perspectives of our practice was really valuable. It is clear from the feedback from members from across the MAT that Tom's keynote and the workshops have provided food for thought and that teachers are already reviewing their approach to planning, vocabulary, practice and modelling answers. These principles will provide a useful basis for future discussions as we develop our curriculum.’ Rebecca Lillington, Associate Assistant Head, Cirencester Deer Park School.

This in-service training day complemented the training teachers have engaged in over the last 12 months. The development of subject knowledge is an ongoing continuing professional development need amongst teachers and working in the MAT we have been able to work collaboratively between primary and secondary colleagues in a range of subjects to boost subject specific knowledge and to consider the National Curriculum and the core concepts of our subjects from differing perspectives. 

'The training supported the changes the school have implemented by embedding the Talk4Writing and Can Do Maths pedagogy throughout the school. Working across the Corinium Education Trust deepens all teachers and teaching partners understanding of how the curriculum supports children’s learning and outcomes.' Karen Venner, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School

'It was great to be given the opportunity to explore Rosenshine's theory of instruction alongside colleagues from all phases of education. Tom Sherrington's talk and the workshops helped me reflect on my practice and I have already applied some ideas in the classroom, with immediate impact.' Anna-Mai Armstrong, Head of School, Kemble Primary School