July 2003
Accelerated Learning newsletter, July 2003
This month we consider some fresh research on computer
gaming and learning and offer our thoughts. We review the
Alite National Conference and provide two school case studies
from the conference as well as a more detailed listing
of Alite training and development programmes.
Thanks to all who Made it Happen
"Real examples. Real people. Real difference.
Looking at some of these achievements makes me feel absolutely in awe - humbled."
Kate Dalton, West London Academy
Once again the sumptuous surroundings of the Café Royal,
London played host to Alite's national conference on 20th
June. The theme of Alite 2003 was Making it Happen,
a mantra which ran throughout the variety of inspiring
keynotes and presentations.
Alistair Smith began the day by outlining Seven Steps
to Happen. In his own inimitable way, Alistair took
the audience through the landmarks needed to bring about
lasting change in a school or organisation. He regaled
those listening with anecdotes that reinforced his message,
and provided practical ideas for the delegates to take
away and apply to their various contexts.
The first of the case study slots followed Alistair's
upbeat beginning. This was to be one of three sections
in the day where delegates would be able to choose from
a total of fourteen presentations provided by practitioners
who are making it happen in their classrooms, schools and
Zones across the country. There was something for everyone,
from creating a climate for learning to curriculum innovation;
from encouraging learner independence to pioneering leadership
and schools of the future today. One delegate said about
the case studies, "It revitalised the spirit! To know
that so many people are working to transform the educational
environment for our learners gives comfort and renews your
strength when the going gets tough. Motivation at its best!"
Visionary was how many responded to the keynote of Dame
Sheila Wallis, who shared her thoughts on areas as diverse
as the structure of the school day and ways to retain the
talented in the profession. Later in the day Dame Pat Collarbone
provided her own vision, this time looking closely at leaders
learning and suggesting how the National College for School
Leadership could support the change process.
Having faced challenges throughout his life, it was no
surprise when Simon Weston rose to the challenge of captivating
his audience in the post-lunch slot. The word 'inspiring'
could have been termed specially to describe the talk by
this Falklands veteran. His presentation, Fostering
Talent, Transforming Lives, told of his charity's work
with deprived young people, though it was his own journey
to that point that left delegates with a lump in the throat.
He told his story with humour, but Simon's courage shone
through as an inspiration to everyone in the room.
As delegates left, most spoke of a reinforcement of their
own values, or of being given the motivation to begin or
continue the work in their own arenas. At least one school
manager discussed the notion of returning with more colleagues
next year. It was an incredible day from which everyone
took something away.
The last word should go to one of the delegates, who remarked
on the day's "capacity to inspire - from the staff
at Chapel Break First School to the amazing Simon Weston" (Gaynor
Nash, Leicester City LEA).
If you missed the conference, and would like to read more
about the case studies and keynote presentations, a limited
number of the conference books are available via
the website.
Parenting classes
"Education and learning starts early.
My mother gave me a grounding in religion when she told
me that 'I had better pray that mark will come out of the
new carpet.' She also taught me logic - 'because I say
so that's why' and introduced genetics - 'you're just like
your father.' She taught me the value of mixing irony with
humour, 'when that lawnmower cuts off your toes don't come
running to me,' although it was my father who dealt in
advanced irony - 'keep crying and I'll give you something
to cry about.' It was also my father who delivered science,
specifically osmosis -'shut your mouth and eat your dinner.'
Once in a while we would receive a short seminar on sociology
- 'don't be getting ideas above your station' and about
statistical accuracy - 'if I've told you once I've told
you a million times, don't exaggerate.' There was medical
science - 'cross your eyes and they'll stay like that'
and finally physical education - 'will you just look at
that dirt on the back of your neck?'"
From the Foreword to 'Making it Happen', Alistair Smith,
Alite 2003
Game Boys
The visual skills of non-gamers improve dramatically after
just ten hours of playing computer games. Research published
in Nature Magazine (vol 423) by Professor Daphne Bavelier
found that students who played action games such as Grand
Theft Auto111, Spiderman and 007 almost daily for six months
performed outstandingly in non-gaming visual ability tests.
The tests included identifying a target object in a cluttered
screen, counting the number of quickly changing objects
and recognising identical objects flashed simultaneously.
There are possible disadvantages. Bavelier doubts that
gaming could improve the sort of sustained and focused
attention needed for tasks such as extended reading and
some believe that being able to attend to stimuli on the
periphery might lead to difficulties in focusing on one
thing. The work may in the future be of value to stroke
patients and patients who have visual impairments.
The Harbinger of Great Things
Jill Chatt-Collins is in her fourth year of Primary
teaching she has a Year 6 class at Harbinger Primary
School, London. Amongst other things, she has helped
them prepare for their SATs, using techniques that help
both calm their nerves and stimulate their self-belief.
An unusual name, I know, but isn't Harbinger really quite
an appropriate designation for a school? Shouldn't all
schools announce themselves as forerunners ahead of the
army of children, preparing the way and then proclaiming
their arrival as they emerge successfully from another
Stage of their learning journey? Our Year 6 children have
just emerged from the latest Key Stage of their educational
expedition. And it's not been all about test results, though
these have been good. It's been about allowing them to
achieve to the best of their individual abilities with
the distraction of Test Tension minimised. And, by using
certain strategies, we hope that we have equipped them
for the next Stage of their school journey.
Harbinger school has 335 pupils, 90 of whom are in the
Early Years unit. 34% of the children are on the Special
Needs register, 3.6% are statemented, 57% have free school
meals and we have 62% who speak English as an additional
language. The last two figures are above the national average.
Yet last year our KS2 results were also above the national
and area's averages; English, Maths and Science had, respectively,
79%, 74% and 87% of children achieving level four and above
at KS2. But what was really remarkable was the run up to
the SATs. The school was a significantly calmer learning
environment than previous years and this seems to be due
to our use of certain strategies in the build up.
In 2002 Tower Hamlets EAZ paid for two teachers from every
school in the Zone to attend a six-day ALPS course. I was
one of those from Harbinger. After the first two sessions
I was fired up; I could see the potential of some of the
strategies for our own children. Using ideas from the course
and the related books I put together a 'SATs Pack' for
every teacher who would oversee a KS2 test. As our Year
6 are tested in a number of smaller rooms, rather than
altogether in one hall, this meant that several teachers
needed to be introduced to the material for the first time.
Some were initially sceptical, but willing to give it a
go. We were going to create the right conditions for optimal
performance by using Brain Breaks, guided visualisation,
the calming effect of music and motivational posters.
My main motivation was to give all the children the chance
to do their best by providing a calm, controlled environment.
Tension had been observed in some of the pupils prior to
the SATs and stress would sometimes show itself in playground
conflicts or through a subtle deterioration in individuals'
classroom behaviour. This year we were able to begin introducing
these techniques earlier, for example, by using a lot more
visualisation in the weeks leading up to the tests to embed
thoroughly those feelings of calmness. But last year I
wanted to use what I had learnt for my class at the time
- and the timing of the course meant that I had to act
quickly.
Protocols were agreed and, just before each SAT, every
invigilator, in their own particular test room, directed
pupils to the actual desk where they would be sitting and
told them that they could sit there now with their head
on it or lie on the floor. Calming classical music was
played in the background. Guided visualisation was about
to begin. Every teacher gently read from a prepared script
over the calming music. The object was to invoke a sense
of calmness and for the children to link that with their
surroundings and what would be happening there. All were
encouraged to:
Think of something that they had done well - it could have been something from
home, school or when they were out playing with their friends
Remember that feeling - think about how it felt at the time. Could they remember
it and bring it back?
Push the 'magic button' to instil that good feeling - this could be pressing
two fingers together, pushing fingers into the palm of their hand or even touching
their nose. Pressing this magic button should help them to recreate that feeling
later at the 'touch of a button'
Visualise themselves now coming into the room, sitting down, writing their
name on the paper, opening it up, doing well as they worked their way through
the tasks, looking around them at their friends also working confidently. This
was all associated with the good feelings they had and the calmness they felt
in the familiar surroundings of their test room.
And many said afterwards that they had felt more positive
about the tests after using these techniques.
The surroundings themselves were also important. Around
the room were motivational posters, highlighting how well
they could do if they remained confident of their abilities,
and posters that gave them advice, such as remembering
to use their magic buttons, their 'brain buttons' (to get
more oxygen to their brains to help with their thinking)
and the importance of Brain Breaks. These terms were all
explained so the children knew exactly why they were doing
them and examples provided in the case of the Brain Breaks.
The children had been as prepared for the SATs experience
as they could be. In the morning, we catered to their physiological
needs by providing food and drink to make sure their bodies
and brains had fuel. When they walked into their familiar
SATs room with its posters on the walls and music playing,
they found water bottles on their desks to ensure they
maintained the optimum conditions for thinking. Every test
was then preceded with the guided visualisation. To help
further, we introduced brief Brain Breaks throughout the
tests as well. Many said later that they found these useful
and that their use helped them to stay calm. Naturally,
one or two others said they felt silly, but at no time
did these brief interludes signal that it was time to talk
or to become disruptive. Everybody returned immediately
to task.
I have regularly used Brain Breaks in my classroom and
now many of the other teachers have incorporated them into
their lessons as well. My children have grown used to them
and have developed their own for different situations.
Music is still a feature too, again for a variety of purposes.
We found that the SATs Pack helped the teachers to prepare
the pupils to meet the challenge of the tests in a more
composed manner than they might otherwise have done. They
coped better than in previous years and there was a significant
improvement in behaviour during the week of the tests.
It was a calmer and more confident SATs week. Everybody
knows that to measure the results of such strategies is
difficult. But as their teacher, I can see the difference
it has made and is making to them. The Head, who was also
involved in administering the tests, saw the difference
too. She mentioned the SATs Pack at the Headteachers' EAZ
meeting and now we are providing many others with the ideas,
suggestions and techniques that we found worked for us.
It feels good to have trialled methods for others in similar
positions. But most of all we feel that Harbinger has helped
prepare the path for our charges - we know that we have
created a calmer environment for the children to perform
to the best of their abilities with fewer of those internal
distractions.
Are mobile phones addictive?
Ever string two empty tins together and try and talk with
your little friend from next door? If you did you are probably
(a) a bloke and, (b) suffered from low esteem. Children
are rejecting hobbies and other activities and becoming
dependent on mobile phones. This is according to Childalert,
an advice service for parents. According to a spokesperson,
'getting a phone call or a text message implies an importance
- 'someone wants me' - and it boosts the receiver's self
esteem and self worth'. They estimate that text messaging
by children increased by 1,400 per cent in 2000 and that
the UK spend on texting was more than a £1 billion
annually. Peer pressure and the ease of availability had
more to do with children owning mobiles than safety. Each
month there are 1.67 billion text messages sent in the
UK: pull the string twice when you are receiving me.
Can computer games enhance earning and learning?
Does playing a computer game help you learn? If so what
and how? How about earn? If so, how much and how?
As you read this a UK gaming team is competing for prizes
worth more than $1m over the next six months. The 4Kings
team is taking part in six separate gaming events in Europe
and US all of which reward winners and runners-up with
cash prizes. The prize money for the Cyber X Games is $600,000
and multiplayer gaming is slowly evolving into a professional
sport. 4Kings has about 25 members, with squads arranged
around the games they play. Team members compete professionally
in Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake III, Warcraft III,
Unreal Tournament and CounterStrike. Like any other team
the players train together for several hours per day, have
coaches and refine strategies and tactics for the different
maps that the games are played on.
According to Donald Clark, CEO of the UK Epic Group gamers
also benefit from three types of learning: general skills,
contemporary skills and subject knowledge and skills. Lets
take the first two and examine what it might mean.
General skills developed by playing computer games
- Literacy - accessing instructions and large amounts
of text
- Numeracy - scoring, acquisition of objects and attributes
with numerical value, approximation and estimation are
all integral to games
- Communication - there's a surprising amount of games
related discussion (inaccessible to anyone over voting
age) and exchange of ideas stimulated by such games
- IT - web searching for additional features, sites
and cheats and peer learning erodes fear of hardware
and software
- Hand-eye co-ordination - a 30% increase in test of
visual ability amongst regular gamers according to University
of Rochester research published this year
- Strategy - strategically define, deliver and be responsible
for a business, city, environment or family! Try delivering
that in a double period!
Contemporary skills developed by playing computer games
- visual literacy - which has pre-eminence: the book
or the screen?
- open ended problem solving - you are given a challenge
and off you go
- handling multiple variables - the better you become
the more you have to handle
- embedded decision making - you are the decision-maker
in the field: how do you deploy your team?
- emergent learning - the simulation of a theme park
or a city or a family builds on increasingly complex
challenges with cause and effect shaping each twist and
turn
- real life scenarios - you are the fire chief and the
multi-storey is aflame
- virtual environments - explore the Palace of Versailles
room by room
- multiple perspectives - switch roles and see the problem
in a different light
- search - if you're not happy with what's on offer
look elsewhere
- 'no teacher' learning - it's just you and the help
button!
- safe rehearsal and self test - if you alone know the
results then maybe you'll give it your best shot
Subject knowledge and skills developed by playing computer
games include all the worthy subject stuff that we teachers
do!
Are there any disadvantages? Yes! Most of us will earn
nothing at all from gaming and be faced with some expense.
Some of the opportunities to learn also contain inherent
problems:
- Male predominance - most games are written by males
for other males and feature 'male' interests
- Role models - predominantly action and outcomes focused,
games are often peopled by a narrow range of human types
- Stereotyping - the game Hitman2 provoked an online
petition signed by 10,000 who complained about the use
of the Golden temple in Amritsar in the game
- Solitude - games are played as an individual but in
fairness multiplayer games are the norm
- Violence - violent behaviour is often, though not
always, the mode of interaction and is not contextualised.
Violence can be 'normed'
- cheats culture - it is permissible, and sometimes
expected, to cheat
- focus on winning - games designers use the concept
of critical failure and incremental feedback but winning
is the key
- expense - games budgets can be upwards of £5
million with similar marketing spends and upwards investment
shifts up expectations; education cannot realistically
compete
- poorly designed games disappoint - many educational
games have had limited investment and it is reflected
in their poor quality
- scratch and sniff - persistence is a good learning
quality, but with some games the opt out is too easy
Bible Libel
Some more Biblical insights from the unconnected, taken
from the writing of young children.
- Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball
of fire by night
- Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony
- The epistles were the wives of the apostles
- The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told
his son to stand still and he obeyed him
- The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert
Winning Hearts and Minds
Kenny Frederick has been Principal at George Green's
School for just over seven years. She is actively involved
in the DfES Trainee Headship Scheme and completed the
Consultant Headteacher Programme in Autumn 2002. She
presented this case study at Alite 2003.
Tower Hamlets is still one of the poorest Boroughs in
the country, yet next to its estates filled with social
housing are the expensive riverfront developments that
attract the new (extremely) wealthy business community
employed in Docklands. Within this complex context we at
George Green's School are determined to equip our pupils
with the skills required to take full advantage of these
opportunities, in the process winning the hearts and minds
of many.
Our vision, our ethos and our policies and practice are
all based on our Equal Opportunities Policy, which says
that
"equal opportunities is not about treating
everybody the same. It is about meeting individual
needs."
We offer a range of courses designed for pupils with a
wide range of needs. One example is an alternative programme
provided for those pupils who would find it difficult to
complete 10 GCSE subject courses; another is the More Able & Talented
Programme. We have a revamped reward system that has an
emphasis on praise for the deserving. We aim to recognise
and reward the average child. Our Sixth Form has doubled
in size this year and we now offer a wide range of level
1, 2 and 3 courses post-16. This makes ours a really inclusive
Sixth Form.
The School in the Community
The Assistant Headteacher (Community) is part of the Leadership Team. She manages
to keep the community aspect of the school on all our agendas and at the
heart of the school. Working alongside her is our PAL (Preparation for Adult
Life) Co-ordinator, who, amongst other duties, is responsible for Active
Citizenship, which encourages pupils to become involved in their own communities
in a whole host of ways.
Pupil participation at school level is the first step
in our citizenship programme. They can become involved
by helping to develop, implement and monitor the Anti-bullying
code; become involved in the School Council as Class or
Year Reps; train to become a Peer Mentor; or become a Young
Adult Peer. Young Adult Peers are trained to resolve conflict
within school, intervening quickly before (and when) tempers
flare. This training begins with a visit to Belfast to
see what a divided community actually looks and feels like.
Sixty pupils and four staff have visited the city in the
last two years.
Our pupils regularly work with Primary school pupils and
attend workshops on mentoring. They have helped to ensure
that every school on the island has a School Council, meeting
twice a year with representatives from all schools in the
EAZ to identify issues that concern them and to give them
a voice in their community. Many VIPs, including local
politicians and MPs, are invited, allowing the young people
to put them through their paces. This is known as the Youth
Forum and was developed three years ago when we produced
our Living and Learning Together Charter. The Forum has
been able to effect change in the local community on a
range of issues including transport, road safety and policing.
This practical application of pupils' talents is one of
the reasons why we have called the over-all programme Active
Citizenship.
Geographically, we are in a unique position to make the
most of the opportunities offered by the growing business
development at Canary Wharf. We are supported both financially
and through personnel working with pupils. Through the
Tower Hamlets education-business partnership we are provided
with a variety of business contacts/partners to support
our young people. As careers and work-related learning
is an important part of our taught curriculum, as well
as our ethos, real contact with the business community
helps to raise aspirations and motivation of our pupils.
Our youngsters regularly visit offices in Canary Wharf,
especially through Business Studies and Enterprise initiatives,
and many of them aspire to working in the business world.
Canary Wharf also gives us funding for a number of Literacy
Projects and provides a large number of Literacy and Numeracy
partners, who visit on a regular basis to work with our
pupils.
We are officially, linked with Morgan Stanley, who are
based in Canary Wharf. Besides picking up the bill for
our very large Breakfast Club (over 200 pupils per day),
the company also provides funding for an Outward Bound
trip for our severely disabled students and pays for a
number of Arts-based projects, as well as providing access
to a variety of experiences designed to broaden pupils'
experiences in Art and Music.
Responsible Behaviour is the BEST (and the rest)
Behaviour is a big issue for us. Ours is a challenging school to teach in and
we have to ensure that teachers can teach and pupils can learn in a safe
and secure environment. All staff are responsible for pupil behaviour and
all take their responsibilities seriously.
The Behaviour Policy is regularly reviewed and redrafted
to ensure it is accessible to all stakeholders. It is then
sent with the First Edition of the year of the Principal's
Newsletter to every home of every pupil during the Summer
holidays, just before start of term. This outlines clearly
what is expected in terms of behaviour. Thereafter, it
is sent with a covering letter during every subsequent
holiday period. The short version, together with the Code
of Conduct and Equal Opportunities Policy/Anti-Bullying
Policy (and myriad reminders about our way of treating
each other), is displayed in every single classroom and
corridor and in all pupil Journals/Planners. This way nobody
can say they did not know!
In order to pick up on the incidents that occur over the
holidays we start every new term with a short Staff Meeting
(to remind staff to be consistent), followed by Year Assemblies
led by me and followed by a Tutor Period to remind everybody
about the high expectations at George Green's School.
Amongst other strategies to deal with behavioural issues,
is the use of seating and grouping plans. All staff are
required to use these to ensure that pupils mix and get
to know each other. This year we have also introduced an
Internal Exclusion Room, which is used instead of fixed
term exclusions. This room has made a real difference;
pupils do not want to come back a second time! Those who
do return appear in front of a Governors Disciplinary Panel
for a warning. Our exclusion figures have dropped dramatically
as a result of this particular initiative.
One of the best deterrents, however, is our BEST (Behaviour
Support Team), made up of five trained Teaching Assistants
and led by an experienced and talented Senior Teaching
Assistant. Their remit is to support pupils in mainstream
lessons, provide anger management sessions, conflict resolution
and mediation, and check on supply teacher lessons during
the day. They also help teachers to plan specifically for
the needs of pupils with behavioural issues. The team are
much appreciated by pupils, teachers and parents alike,
and have developed an excellent rapport with parents of
particular difficult pupils. Currently, they are involved
in training a group of pupils to help resolve conflict
and to support each other. The work of the BEST is to be
extended into Key Stage 4 in September. Although we have
a model in use there at the moment, we believe that the
BEST will allow us to include more pupils in the mainstream
curriculum.
With the help of a committed staff, partnerships with
business, policies that are more than bits of paper and
a school at the heart of its community, I really think
that we are making a difference to the lives of many of
our youngsters. In challenging circumstances we are winning
over hearts and minds.
Slaves to technology
6 must have pieces of software
- Inspiration (or for younger students "Kidspiration")
- this is a piece of software that allows the user to
combine keywords and images to create "concept" or
thinking maps.
- Camtasia - this piece of software "videos" the
computer screen as you work on it and records your voice
as you explain what you are doing.
- Powerpoint - excellent presentational software. If
used effectively can be highly visual and engaging. A
good tool for supporting student presentations allowing
them to talk through and explain their work and ideas.
- Hotpotatoes - free software which allows the user to
create a range of drag and drop or multiple response
tests.
- Sound Forge - this piece of software allows you to
easily record and edit soundfiles.
And don't forget "Word for windows" - few people
make full use of this piece of software. For example you
can attach sound files to bring the text to life or the "Insert" function
to add comment boxes which appear automatically when the
cursor moves over a particular word. You can also add hyper
text links which automatically take the user to relevant
websites at the click of a button or simply use the high
light function to pick out keywords in different colours.
Thanks to Mark Lovatt and Derek Wise
Schools Directory
Have you had success with modern learning methods, and
would you be prepared to share your success by hosting
visits from other practitioners? Alite is compiling a directory
of AL schools who want to share their experiences. To be
listed in the directory, please send your name, your school's
name and address, and a 50 - 100 word summary of your work
with modern learning methods to: directory@alite.co.uk.
Alite training courses and conferences
If you are interested in finding out more about Alite's
training courses, read on. You can find full
details on the website, or by calling the Alite office
on 01628 810700.
Essential Accelerated Learning with Alistair Smith
Essential Accelerated Learning is the updated programme which introduces the
four stage accelerated learning cycle. Devised and developed by Alistair
Smith, this updated programme shows how the cycle can be used to accommodate
thinking strategies, formative assessment and group problem solving. Alistair
runs a small number of one-day programmes during the year. The next event
will be in Leeds on 8th October, followed by London on 10th November. For
full details, please email events@alite.co.uk,
or call our events team on 01628 810700, extension 21.
Train the Trainer with Alistair Smith
This three-day package is unique to Alite. Participants are given the opportunity
to develop their training and presentation skills whilst experiencing accelerated
learning techniques. If you work for a Local Education Authority in a support
or training role, if you are part of an Education Action Zone, if you are
an Advanced Skills Teacher in a school with Beacon status then this programme
is for you.
Alite for Numeracy
Ex-professional footballer and mathematics genius Chris Tomlinson has worked
with Alite to create an Accelerated Learning-based numeracy course. Drawing
on his extraordinary success using AL to teach maths, Chris shares a wealth
of innovative and effective ways to develop and improve your numeracy strategy.
The course runs at different venues throughout the UK during the school year,
and may also be booked as an INSET.
How to Reach the Hard to Teach
This course is designed for professionals who would like to increase their
flexibility in helping pupils exhibiting challenging behaviour improve their
learning. The course runs at different venues throughout the UK during the
school year, and may also be booked as an INSET.
How to Create an Accelerated Learning School
How to Create an Accelerated Learning School is a one day course that reveals
how a large 13-18 High School in Northumberland put Accelerated Learning
into practice as a coherent and schoolwide strategy. This course is of value
to those with responsibility for influencing teaching and learning in a school
or schools, those who are accelerated learning 'enthusiasts' and those who
want to improve their own professional practice. The day is highly practical
and is presented in the context of a real school which is managing to change
the nature of learning across the board on a daily basis.
Coaching for Performance
This one-day programme develops one to one coaching skills. Coaching for Performance
is of professional value to teachers and educational leaders who want to
improve the performance of students or colleagues. The course runs at different
venues throughout the UK during the school year, and may also be booked as
an INSET.
Learning Masterclass with Alistair Smith and Paul Ginnis
The Masterclass Series is of real value to senior staff, those with experience
of learning innovation, leaders of learning and those with a professional
passion for their own development. Led by Alistair Smith and Paul Ginnis,
author of The Teachers Toolkit, it provides a structured day giving you some
of the best of what is happening in UK classrooms. The next series will take
place in 2004; places are limited.
Accelerated Learning in the Classroom
This is the original, hugely popular Accelerated Learning programme. It is
designed for anyone who is involved in teaching or instructing others. The
one-day course is delivered as an INSET by Alite trainers throughout the
UK and overseas. We use a basic structure but adapt our design to accommodate
our client's needs. For further information please speak to our INSET specialist,
Hilary Thomas, on 01628 810700 or email hilary@alite.co.uk.
ALPs
This course is based on the book The ALPs Approach, Accelerated Learning in
Primary Schools, by Alistair Smith and Nicola Call. The course provides delegates
with practical techniques that can be applied in the classroom straight away.
It is available as an INSET for 20 - 60 delegates.
The Alite School Improvement Programme
Alite has specialist expertise in working on focused projects with Education
Action Zones and Local Education Authorities. Through our input we support
improvements in the quality of teaching and learning over the life of the
project, and facilitate improvements in pupils' motivation and engagement.
Training in the techniques of Accelerated Learning also leads to improvements
in staff confidence and professional skills. To discuss your particular requirements
please call Melanie Hill on 01628 810700, or email: melanie@alite.co.uk
Networked Learning Communities
Alite has developed a programme specifically designed for NLCs. We offer a
range of inputs within the 3 main strands - learning, leadership and networking
- and will help you to put together a programme that suits the specific needs
of your community.
For more details, contact the Alite office on 01628 810700 or via email: NLC@alite.co.uk.
If you know someone else who would enjoy receiving
the Alite newsletter, they can sign up for free on our
website, www.alite.co.uk
If you have any comments or questions about the newsletter,
of if you would like to contribute to it, please email melanie@alite.co.uk
To contact the Alite office, please email office@alite.co.uk.
You are receiving this email because you elected to subscribe
to the Alite newsletter. To unsubscribe simply follow the
link below.
|