London
Wednesday 26 June 2013

Download Classics Brochure

Course Description & Aims

This course will be of particular value for those working in the maintained sector, but there are concerns common to private and state sector classics teachers which will be covered during the course of the day.  Together we will explore how to build and promote the department, strategies for those who are operating a ‘one man band’, ways of managing and supporting non-specialist staff and guidance on the new Ofsted inspection framework.  The key objective will be how to focus our energy on raising standards of teaching and learning.  Each session will be presented by the course leader, but there will be opportunities throughout the day to share good practice and ideas through formal and informal discussions with other colleagues.

What are the benefits of attending this course?

• What makes a good head of department?  What makes a good head of classics?
• Suggestions for monitoring, motivating and managing other members of the classics department to raise standards
• 21st Century organisation – how to avoid paperwork and still ensure relevant schemes of work and departmental procedures are shared and in place
• What are the implications of the new Ofsted framework for inspections?
• Strategies for promoting classical subjects and maintaining a high profile for the department within the school community

Who should attend?

The course is aimed at aspiring heads of classics departments, new heads of classics departments, or those who have been doing the job for a while and feel the need for an injection of new ideas and the opportunity to talk through issues with others in a similar position to themselves.

Resources & Materials

On arrival at this course you will receive a specially prepared file containing detailed notes, teaching materials and resources which will be of immediate practical benefit in the classroom.

Course Leader: Julie Wilkinson

Julie Wilkinson is Assistant head teacher at Nower Hill High School, a mixed 11-18 comprehensive in Harrow where she established the classics department.  She has been Inset co-ordinator for JACT and on its Latin committee.  She has been involved in the piloting and development of the digital resources for books 1 and 2 of the Cambridge Latin Course and is a teacher representative on the CSCP committee.  Julie has been a classics mentor on both the King’s, London, and Cambridge PGCE courses and is now in charge of CPD for all teaching staff at her school.  She wrote a chapter for The Teaching of Classics, has been lead practitioner for classics with the SSAT and has done consultancy work for QCA, now QCDA.

Programme

10.00 – 11.00am: Leading the department to success

• What makes an effective head of department?
• What makes an effective head of classics?
• Not drowning but waving: departmental organisation that will share your vision and help keep you on top of the paperwork
• What should a head of classics do to prepare for the new Ofsted inspection framework?

11.15 – 11.30am: Discussion: coffee break

11.30 – 12.45pm: Team leader or a one-man band?

• How to inspire, motivate and monitor other members of your team
• How to coach staff who need support or who are reluctant to change
• Observing colleagues teach, how to make the experience positive and lead to improved teaching and learning
• When to delegate?
• Strategies to include and support non-specialists
• One-man band? Coping strategies

12.45 – 1.30pm: Lunch and informal discussion

1.30 – 2.30pm: Managing your budget and building your empire

• Utilising your budget to its greatest effect
• Mapping out the curriculum to ensure progression through effective schemes of work
• Ensuring you have the latest resources to enthuse and support pupils whilst still balancing the books

2.30 – 2.45pm: Discussion: afternoon tea

2.45 – 3.45pm: Selling the subject

• How to keep up your numbers without alienating your colleagues
• Enrichment activities and communications with parents
• A visible reminder of the classics continuum

“Excellent range of ideas & excellent standard of presentation.”
November 2012