March 2010: NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants

Congratulations to all of the participants who recently successfully completed the Level 3 NVQ programme at John Masefield.  Sue Smith the Hereford College of Technology course leader was very positive about the sessions delivered at school.  Our Science Teaching Assistant Linda Davies will be starting a related Level 4 qualification in the autumn of 2010.

February 2009: NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants

On Thursday February 12th we are starting our latest training programme for Teaching Assistants at John Masefield High School.  13 Teaching Assistants from local primary schools and John Masefield High School will be beginning a Level 3 NVQ (Supporting Teaching in Schools).  The one-year course will be delivered by a tutor from Hereford College of Technology and will cover aspects such as strategies to promote learning and the promotion of good behaviour.  We hope that each of the colleagues finds the course stimulating and rewarding.

January 2009 - Preparing ITTs for first appointments

The school recently held a practice interview day for a number of PE Initial Teacher Trainees from the University of Worcester.  The day was organised by Mr Kontarines and Miss Reader and gave the ITTs experience of the type of activities and questions that they may be asked during a teaching interview.  Feedback was very positive and the ITTs found the day to be valuable.

November 2008: Staff awarded qualifications

Congratulations to a number of school support staff who have recently successfully completed a variety of professional development programmes.  House Support Officers Val Chadney and Sally McCarthy have gained the level 2 SWIS qualification (Support Work In Schools).  Finance Officer Louise Ronan and Finance Assistant Alison Wright have gained the CSBM (Certificate of School Business Management).

October 2008: Reading support training extended

During recent Reading Matters training, volunteers and sixth formers spent a day being introduced to ideas, activities and problem-solving solutions that they will need to be aware of when giving one-to-one guidance.  Everyone had a chance to give their own thoughts about how to support and guide the children who will be taking part in reading matters.  Child Safety issues were covered.  An important network of contacts was established during the day, and everyone was encouraged to share ideas.

April 2008: Community reading volunteers receive training

The school organised and hosted a training session for ten members of the local community to give them the skills and knowledge to work with younger JMHS students in developing their reading.  The session was led by the national charity organisation Reading Matters.  During the training day the volunteers focussed upon a range of factors which contribute to the development of literacy skills in young people.  The volunteers will be working with youngsters in school as part of the Literacy Support Programme as ‘Reading Buddies’.  Volunteers were highly engaged during the training day and indicated a great enthusiasm for starting to work with students.

Four TAs from John Masefield have recently completed a NVQ Level 3 course for Teaching Assistants. John Masefield teamed up with Hereford College of Technology to deliver this course at John Masefield. In total eighteen TAs from Ashperton, Bosbury, Ledbury and Much Marcle Primary Schools and John Masefield completed the course, which started in January 2007.

March 2008: Teaching Assistants complete NVQ Level 3

Sue Smith from Hereford College of Technology delivered twilight sessions each Thursday from 4-6pm and visited participants to observe their work in schools. The units’ titles include: Contributing to the management of student behaviour, Establishing and maintaining relationships with students and Supporting students during learning activities as well as a range of optional units which enable TAs to focus on areas of interest. Congratulations to Alison McCarthy, Jenny Vine, Ceryl Davies and Amanda Darcy from JMHS on successfully completing the course.

John Masefield is highly committed to developing all staff. Our vision is to provide support staff at John Masefield and other schools locally opportunities to access accredited and award bearing professional development that is relevant to their development needs. In recent years the trend has been towards increasing the scope of the roles and responsibilities of TAs and other support staff. This is a key period therefore for investing in a sector of the workforce that is at the forefront of school improvement.

November 2007: Mike Hughes coaching training inspires teachers

John Masefield is working with Mike Hughes – nationally acclaimed author and trainer – to provide three one day workshops for teachers from the region. Eighteen participants from six schools are involved. The course aims to provide an in-depth study of coaching skills and theories which can be applied to a school setting. John Masefield has used its Training School grant to cover all the costs of the venue and the training.

February 2007: John Masefield achieves redesignation as a Training School

In February we were informed by the Teaching Development Agency that we have achieved Training School Status for a futher three years. Redesignation means we have £60,000 a year until March 2010 to invest in staff development and teacher training.

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