The New Year fired up with fizz as teaching staff from the University of Chichester Academy Trust’s five primary phase academies got together at Berewood Primary School in Waterlooville on Monday, 5th January for a Trust-wide INSET day, with a stimulating range of workshops led by staff from the University’s Institute of Education.
130 teachers, teaching assistants and leadership teams from host school Berewood Primary, The Flying Bull Academy, Frogmore Junior School, Kingsham Primary School and Fernhurst Primary School were welcomed by the University of Chichester Academy Trust (CAT) Chief Executive Officer, Sue Samson and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chichester, Professor Clive Behagg. In his opening comments Professor Behagg highlighted the connection between the work of CAT and the University’s deep-rooted desire to raise individual and community aspirations and enable economic regeneration through education.
A wide range of activities ran during the day with a focus on the primary curriculum. University workshop leaders introduced strategies for the effective teaching of Grammar and Punctuation, Phonics and Spelling and Developing Confident Mathematicians. Further sessions explored the teaching of Science and History in the new National Curriculum and there were options on Dialogic Teaching, Understanding Working Memory and supporting children in building healthy relationships, as well as a session specifically for teaching assistants on improving pupil metacognition skills through dialogue.
CAT Chief Executive Sue Samson said, “It was a great way to start 2015 and an inspiring day for everyone who participated. The workshops were excellent and there were opportunities for staff to share experiences across our academies and with University colleagues. Lunchtime conversations were full of ideas for future activity in our schools.â€
The University of Chichester was approved as an academy sponsor by the Office of the Schools Commissioner in 2012 and now has six open academies, including the new-build Berewood Primary School in Waterlooville and The Flying Bull Academy in Portsmouth.