FLARE Conference April 2010 Innovation for Schools of the Future

Reports from the FLARE conference held between the 29 & 30 April 2010.

Read reports and feedback.

Rich insights from Essex Research Practitioners

A range of Essex teachers and headteachers have just completed their Masters in School Improvement. This is a Masters programme rung jointly by Essex Local Authority and the University of Cambridge. These research reports give concise summaries of powerful investigations carried out. They also provide readers with useful quotes and guidance to build on these enquiries. read research reports

Building Schools for the Future in Essex

TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS - TRANSFORMING LIVES

Research engaged schools and colleges award

Find out how to apply for the new research award from NFER, in partnership with Learning and Skills Improvement Service, Institute for Learning, National Union of Teachers, National College and Education Journal.
The award is to recognise schools and colleges that are using research to improve teaching and learning.
There is no fee to apply, and the process is very simple. Just tell us about your research and we will assess it against set criteria. view pdf doc

DEVELOPING A THINKIING SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT!
BY Karen Pembroke, Chelmer Valley High School

This short account tells the story of how I aimed to gain a fuller understanding of the potential of Thinking Skills. I did this as part of an action research investigation in which I introduce of a thinking skills programme within Key Stage 3 curriculum of the secondary mixed comprehensive in which I work. view pdf doc

Cambridge University Faculty of Education The Teacher Leadership Journal

The next issue of the journal is in press and will be available within a week or two. This means that the articles and stories from the last issue will be available for free download from our website www.teacherleadership.org.uk

Click here for information regarding the Journal view pdf doc
Click here for subscription form View word doc

Active Enquiring Minds

Active Enquiring Minds is a resource which will help equip young researchers. It contains guidance and resource material for young researchers and also guidance for adults who support them. Active Enquiring Minds also provides the opportunity for young children and young people to receive an Essex FLARE Certificate of Student Enquiry and research.

If you would like to receive the full pack or if you wish to receive training in the use of Active Enquiring Minds please email Flare: flare@essexcc.gov.uk or call her on: 01245 436158.

Link to Primary pdf
Link to Secondary pdf
Link Guidance for Adults pdf

New FLARE Publication. Making Research Make a Difference

Commissioned by the DCSF working in partnership with Essex LA and was carried out by Caroline Sharp from NFER. The work is an account of a small scale investigation to show the difference practitioner research makes in terms of measurable outcomes for pupils, staff and schools. The report gives evidence that school-based enquiry and practitioner research does have impact on pupil outcomes in particular, and also on outcomes in terms of staff development and school improvement. View full report.

New Publication from the: Essex Forum for Learning and Research/Enquiry ( FLARE )

Essex ASTs Working together to make a difference in school improvement

This publication gives an outline of a collaborative project in which the LA worked with a secondary school exploring how a team of Advanced Skills Teachers could bring benefit to a group of three schools in challenging circumstances. This publication looks at the particular value of ASTs working as a team together rather than as a lone AST....view pdf doc

Mantle of the Expert: Word on the Street.
For one year we have been engaged in creative teaching and learning based on the concept of Mantle of the Expert developed by British drama educator, Dorothy Heathcote. Our agreed purpose was to research the impact of social learning contexts on behaviours, attitudes to learning and academic achievement in the primary school classroom View full report

For further information on Mantle of the Expert you might like to visit: www.moe.com and www.e-gfl.org

DfES Schools Research News....Link

CUREE Newsletter....link

Leading for Children in Essex matrix
view pdf doc

A full copy can be obtained from Graham Handscomb or email using
the Flare web address Flare: flare@essexcc.gov.uk

Learning through rhythm and rhyme. Listen to the BBC Essex radio interview with Graham Handscomb and Marie Webster head teacher of Hatfield Peverel infant school
interview 48kb.mp3

courtesy of BBC Essex Radio.

Did you know about the FLARE Certificate of Enquiry and Research...more

Research and enquiry
Essex LA has also established a research forum to promote research and enquiry in the county. The Forum for Learning and Research Enquiry (FLARE) will help foster a culture of research practice in Essex and is mainly made up of practising teachers and headteachers...more

The DFES has commissioned CUREE (the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education) to undertake a review of all the research into the impact of networks. The results of this review have just been published and FLARE is delighted that it has gained permission to publish these important findings on its website....View word doc

Letter to headteachers to announce the invitation to submit research to the FLARE website...View word doc

Invitation to become a member of the Essex Forum for Learning and Research and Enquiry (FLARE) ...View word doc