In my last post I talked about the benefits I feel I have being part of a teaching school that deploys SLEs. (Please read my previous post if you are unsure what an SLE is).

I thought I would just highlight some of the areas I have assisted with so any readers could either considering becoming an SLE themselves or might feel you could do with a visit from an SLE from your local area.

SLE work should be planned over a pre-agreed length of time, some of my contracts have been for one day or three days.  If the contract is for a three day, it will more than likely be split into some half days so that the points of discussion can be followed up on.  The sort of projects I have help with are:

• Full re-structure of Key Stage 3 so that the curriculum feeds into Key Stage 4.  This is really enjoyable work as I get to help design way Design and Technology is taught in schools other than my own.
• Practical Workshop Days, I love doing these.  Very often I have been asked to go to a school to provide training on teaching D&T in a workshop, mostly I pick some projects that suit the facilities the department has, and then deliver the way I would teach pupils to make the same projects.  These days are great for teachers that have taught outside of the workshop for a number of years.
• Autodesk Inventor 2016, a great free CAD package that can be easily used to link to 3D printing.
• Autodesk Fusion 360, my favourite CAD package, truly amazing photo quality renders can be produced with Fusion.
• 3D Printing in the classroom and how to manage one  printer with a large class.
• How to draw and design using an iterative designing method.

If any of the above sounds like it could be useful to you, and you are close to Bolton (BL49RU), please email me donnellyj@st-james.Bolton.sch.uk and I can come to your school or arrange a meeting to work through any D&T/Leadership issues you have.

I am a long standing Head of Department at St James’s C of E High School in Bolton.  This is my 13th Year in my current role, I also run a successful company called DTResources Ltd (www.dtresources.co.uk).  I am very fortunate that I not only work at an ‘outstanding school’, it is also a ‘Teaching School.’

”Teaching schools are strong schools led by strong leaders that work with others to provide high-quality training, development and support to new and experienced school staff”.  (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-schools-a-guide-for-potential-applicants)

As part of our teaching school status, we are also a school that organises the deployment of specialist teachers that can provide assistance to other schools, the teacher going to help is called an ‘SLE’.

”If you’re an experienced middle or senior leader who’s interested in supporting middle and senior leaders in other schools, you may wish to apply to become a specialist leader of education (SLE).

There are currently over 7,300 designated SLEs.

Teaching schools and system leaders support the Department for Education’s goal to provide educational excellence everywhere so that every child and young person can access high-quality provision, achieving to the best of their ability regardless of location, prior attainment and background.”  (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/specialist-leaders-of-education-a-guide-for-potential-applicants)

To become an SLE, you need to have worked with schools in a way that shows your help has had a sustainable impact after you have offered assistance.

I am fortunate enough to have been called to a number of schools to offer help in a great many ways.  I am currently working towards becoming an SLE at the next round of interviews in May, in the mean time I enjoy helping where I can, colleting impact evidence as I go.

I shall pot again this week to highlight some of the areas I offer assistance in…..who knows, I might be able to come and help at your school?