One of the aims of this project is to support headteachers and senior managers in the development of learning and teaching policies in line with recent research. It builds on the work begun at the recent conference organised by the Norfolk Association of First and Primary Headteachers and led by Trevor Hawes of Optimal Learning. Trevor’s work is based on developing teaching strategies which are closely linked to the latest understanding of how the brain functions. The development of the project was set out in a recent letter from Fred Corbett. It will be funded partly by the LEA and will include further input from Trevor Hawes and joint work between schools and advisers. Participating schools will need to commit £500 from their Standards Fund grant and allocate one of their professional development days to the project in 2000/01.

For further information contact Roger Eagle or Helen Banks.

These occasional half day seminars will focus on issues of importance to headteachers and senior managers. We aim to link them with themes introduced at other major events for senior managers such as the September County conference for headteachers held at the UEA. The format for these meetings will include a keynote input from a speaker with specialist expertise, workshops for considering the issues with colleagues and opportunities for raising questions with the seminar leader. Suggestions for themes to be covered in 2000/2001 include:

• managing continuous change
• working together for improvement – developing teamwork in your school
• the head as leading teacher

Advisers have been working with a group of headteachers who have taken part in LPSH training to develop a programme of activities to meet the development needs of headteachers as they work on their personal action plans. These will begin in the autumn term and will include networking opportunities as well as whole day and half day training sessions (run in conjunction with Martineau Management) covering topics such as:

• sustaining development & school improvement
• staff accountability
• dealing with difficult staff
• giving effective feedback
• time & stress management
• team building strategies – including the potential use of personality type tests
• managing projects
• change management
• communication skills: presentation skills, reference writing, report writing

This 3 session course aims to examine the key role of the deputy in shaping the development of the school in partnership with the headteacher. This course aims to meet the needs of experienced and ‘career’ deputies as well as those who are new to the role. It will include practical activities and research focussed on course members’ current work as well presentations by course tutors, discussions and seminars.

This half day course will focus on planning effective action to meet the priorities for development identified in the school self-review process. It will include consideration of the roles of those involved, links with financial planning and arrangements for monitoring and evaluating progress.