Outstanding teachers in Northumberland schools have come together to share their knowledge and expertise to help raise educational standards.
Bede Academy, in Blyth, hosted its first Teach Meet event for around 30 teachers who have been judged to be leading lights in their profession.
Staff from secondary and primary schools in Blyth and Ashington attended the event which, it is hoped, will be the first of many to bring together the region’s outstanding practitioners.
It was organised by Rosanna Blakesley, a senior teacher at Bede Academy, who said: “We want to reach out to local schools and develop partnerships to share best practice. We already share a love of teaching and we can be inspired by each other.
“The aim is for our outstanding teachers to go on to share what they learn from one another with their colleagues, thereby building the expertise and knowledge of as many teachers as possible, not only for their own professional development but importantly for the benefit of all students.”
The guests first heard a presentation by Tony Thornley, a former headteacher, schools inspector and now consultant to the Department for Education.
“It’s not that we don’t have outstanding teachers, it’s just that we need more of them,” he said.
“If you can get an understanding of what good learning is about then, as a teacher, you can go back a stage to see how to make it happen. The best teachers have an ability to unpick what children don’t understand and translate it into simple things they can understand.
“It’s not something really special, it’s lots of small bits of common sense that, together, make a difference.”
Earlier in the day Mr Thornley had observed lessons at Bede Academy North and South and had praise for both students and staff.
“Bede students show persistence and patience. They stick at a task here, whereas children at other schools I’ve been to might have given up,” he said.
Teachers of classes from Year 1 to Year 13 then shared practical tips, strategies and recommended resources .for engaging all levels of learners.