Connecting peers with purpose

A lot has been said in Wales since Professor Donaldson’s blueprint of The Curriculum for Wales (CfW) back in 2015. One ministerial mantra is that this is a curriculum designed by teachers, built for pupils. But teachers have not had nearly enough chances to interact with their peers freely and openly.

Come along to Willows High School Cardiff for the Saturday morning of 2nd July to connect with teaching peers to exchange ideas, concerns and plans not just about the CfW but some wider issues for Wales schools in the next 5 years. This is a unique event by teachers for teachers about teaching. This event has one aim: to facilitate honest and free teacher-to-teacher conversations.

There is no charge to attend. The morning starts with a fortifying breakfast; then you will explore with other practitioners three key themes that would benefit from more peer-to-peer collaboration. There are only 100 places available to practitioners and leaders. Every theme will be teacher-introduced and the ensuing collaborative emphasis will be on enhanced classroom learning. Chris Norman, Headteacher Willows High, has kindly agreed to host and chair the meeting:

Here’s the order of the day, starting at 9am and finishing about 1.30pm:

• Breakfast and welcome

• Introduction by Martin Johnes, Professor of History, Swansea

• Theme 1: Reading instruction: best practice (introduced by Rob Randel)

• Theme 2: Welsh in EM schools and FE: the case for urgent reform (introduced by Barri Mock and Carys Swain)

• Coffee on the go, with a chance to mingle and meet new peers

• Theme 3: Capacity building and the value of coaching (introduced by Jack Smith, Willows High}

• Chris Norman: summing up and thanks.