Teaching can take it out of you. It can drain your time and your energy, but a bit like going to the gym when you are knackered and you come out feeling good about yourself, going to a grassroots CPD event can top up your reserves to keep you going for the rest of the half-term. Go forth and find your tribe, create those collaborations with the outward-facing, like-minded people who you connect with.
What’s on the horizon in March?
6th, 7th & 8th March: Diverse leaders programme
Last year I wrote multiple bids for the DfE’s Diversity and Equalities Grants to offer free leadership training to groups who are under-represented in the education system. I was still at Harris Federation at the time, so we submitted bids for a #womened group in Thurrock and a #bameed group in Crystal Palace, I also bid for my new trust GLF for a #bameed group in Epsom. We won all three bids, and have created a super programme where the 75 delegates come together for some sessions and are connected via social media and their shared leadership reading. They are currently reading Staying Ahead in preparation for a day with Viv Grant where they will look at authentic leadership. Follow @DiverseLeaderEd and the #bameed / #womened hashtags on Twitter and StaffRm, as they are now all active tweeters and bloggers!
http://www.harristeachingschool.com/273/diverse-leaders-programme
8th March: #womened #leadmeet for #iwd17
International Women’s Day is a landmark day for the #womened community, and this year we have simultaneous #leadmeets happening around the country and in the Netherlands. I am co-hosting the London one with my buddy Bennie Kara in Westminster, sponsored by Teach First. We have a great line up speakers to inspire and empower you - follow #iwd17 #beboldforchange tweets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womened-teach-first-leadmeet-for-iwd17-london-tickets-28415967925
11th March: #womened Coventry regional event
We are excited to be hosting our inaugural regional event in the West Midlands as part of the #iwd17 events. Maria Alexander is our host, and has curated a fantastic lineup of speakers, follow #womened tweets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womened-regional-event-coventry-tickets-28307201602
14th March: Safer London Conference
I am delighted to be collaborating with Nathalie Richards and EduKit on a safeguarding conference, hosted at the Harris Federation Teaching School. Organised in response to increasing rates of young people both carrying knives and being victims of knife crime in the capital, this event will provide schools with practical strategies and insights to keep students safe and will also offer opportunities to engage with specialist external agencies that can support students and schools.
Speakers include: DMPC Sophie Linden, Richard Taylor OBE, Leroy Logan PhD MBE (former superintendent of Metropolitan Police), a Volunteer Police Cadet (aged 17), current and former headteachers, Trident (Met Police), representatives from the Home Office and many more. Book tickets to join us here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/keeping-children-safe-in-london-tickets-31961880846
18th March: TEDxNorwich
Most people have a year of saying ‘Yes!’ - I think I have a life of saying ‘Yes!’ When Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Natalie Scott challenged me to apply to speak at #TEDxNorwich I did it on a whim, not expecting to be shortlisted and to be counting down the days until it is me on stage with sweaty palms, staring into the spotlights and trying to find a friendly face in the crowds. I believe in practising what you preach and this is me doing my #10%braver for the #womened community.
Follow @TEDxNorwichED to find out more and check out last year’s talks here: www.tedxnorwiched.com