Training Schools

About Training Schools

The West Kent Learning Federation Training Partnership (WKLFTP) was established in September 2004. The key partners are:

• Angley School - A Sports College - a co-educational non-selective specialist sports college and vocational specialist school (11-18)
• Cranbrook School - a co-educational selective school and specialist science college (13-18)
• The Hayesbrook School (lead school) - a boys' non-selective specialist sports college and vocational specialist school (11-18)
• Hugh Christie Technology College - a co-educational non-selective technology college (11-18)
• Mascalls School - a co-educational comprehensive specialist arts college (11-18)
• Weald of Kent Grammar School for Girls - a girls' selective specialist language college (11-18)

The key strands of Training School work surrounds:

• ITT/GTP training and NQT induction
• Leadership
• Continuing Professional Development
• 14-19 education
• Extended schools

This work is set within the context of the Children's Plan and the Every Child Matters agenda.       
The impact of the WKLFTP has been huge in a number of key areas:

Initial Teacher Training

To date, the WKLFTP has trained in excess of 200 teachers via a number of different routes. Most successful of all has been the Graduate Training Programme, with 53 teachers so far trained in this way, and a further 21 in the process of training this academic year. The collaborative nature of the WKLFTP has meant that training can be provided in a number of different types of schools, all in the West Kent area. In addition, the expertise of the WKLFTP has been disseminated across schools in West Kent and there is now high quality practice in all WKLF schools.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play an integral role in ITT and we have strong links with a number of them, particularly Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Brighton. The WKLFTP now features as part of the Year 2 ITT course for PE trainees at the Chelsea School of the University of Brighton

As a Training School we offer a number of Joint Professional Studies sessions which are open to all local schools within the WKLF. The link below will take you to this year's programme (Professional Studies flyer 08-09). Through links with KCC we also host the NQT welcome event - please see the photographs - where newly qualified teachers and new trainees receive training on behaviour management.

Recruitment and Retention

At least 93% of trainees who have been trained through the WKLFTP are recruited to schools in the WKLF. Thus the training and expertise gained is disseminated to students and schools throughout West Kent. It is the collaborative nature of the WKLFTP that allows this to happen.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

CPD has also been a key focus with over 110 members of staff (both teaching and non-teaching) furthering their professional development. Many teaching staff have received mentor training and have embarked on, and completed, coaching and mentoring courses - see the photos.

We run a 2nd year teacher programme focusing on Middle Leaders' training and applying for TLR responsibility points throughout the year.

In addition, at least 53 support staff have gained further qualifications, whether that be NVQs at various levels, or the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) qualification. Again, it is the collaborative nature of the WKLFTP that has facilitated such large numbers of people having access to training and professional development.

Staff at three schools have embarked on teaching a foundation degree module to sixth form students, in conjunction with Greenwich University.

Workforce Reform

The high levels of support staff that have been trained has enabled all schools in the WKLFTP and the WKLF to complete all phases of the workforce reform agenda ahead of schedule. Training has been provided in a number of areas, including:

• Cover Supervision
• Training Assistants training
• Higher Level Training Assistant training
• Invigilator training and support group.

The collaborative nature of the WKLFTP has resulted in a much greater number of people being trained than would have been possible had only one or two schools had Training School status and been working with selected partners.

Further information regarding training schools can be found on the following websites:
http://www.tda.gov.uk/partners/quality/partnership/trainingschools.aspx
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/trainingschools/

The Hayesbrook School also has a webpage on the training school website which has regular news and updates: http://www.trainingschools.org.uk