Practitioners and managers from across the education and training sector joined together on the 8th of September 2017 for an inspiring and uplifting event to mark the ‘half way point’ in the North East and Cumbria Oustanding Teaching, Learning and Assessment (OTLA) programme.
Di Thurston, the OTLA Programme Director, shares her reflections on the morning’s activities in the form of a musical journey through the key messages and ideas that were generated. View Di’s article and listen to the playlist
Dr Andy Convery, the OTLA CPD lead, picks up where Di leaves off, and shares his impressions of the afternoon’s ‘market place’, where practitioners from across the OTLA projects shared their interim findings and reflections and supported one another to plan next steps. View Andy’s article
People left the event ‘buzzing’. In their own words:
“It was a great day thank you. Staff value the opportunity to work as professionals and to meet others who value the work that they do. Thank you for offering the opportunity for us to reflect, take stock and plan our next steps.”
“Thoroughly enjoy these events, and feel I have the opportunity to share ideas, network and leave reinvigorated – recharges my interest and passion in education, and more importantly makes me think about delivering with purpose and quality.”
What a great day and privilege to work alongside so many dedicated professionals. It is clear that the OTLA work, across thirteen projects, is making a difference to learners and communities in the North East and Cumbria.
The conference artist Graham Ogilvie, who helped people to represent their projects and their ideas on the day, managed to capture how many people felt: that the work they are doing is grounded in real practices, and that their research has taken them to places they didn’t expect to go.
We are excited now to see everyone again on the 18th December for our final event, where it will be over to the project teams to present their findings and make their ‘knowledge claims’.
Claire Collins, OTLA Lead and David Prinn, OTLA Project Manager
