For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk

Michael Rosen, children’s laureate, reacts in the Guardian online to the education secretary’s departure, and the ongoing corporatisation of the classroom

So Michael Gove is going home. He is re-turning to the place where he is most com-fortable, rubbing shoulders with the people who, in the words of Noam Chomsky, “manu-facture consent”. He leaves behind an edu-cation system bulging on the branch waiting for the owners of giant corporations and ed-ucation companies to pick parts of it off and gobble them up. Our children are already in schools working off multinational media companies’ digital worksheets disguised as “innovative learning” where strange disem-bodied voices say “fromage” and the stu-dents write “cheese”. And this is what Gove and pals call “content-led education”.

Thanks to Gove, this kind of education has no need for qualified teachers. Students will need no more than a minder to check the student in question is glued to a tablet. And this is called removing the “vested interests” of trade unions, those wicked people who think that teaching needs some kind of pro-fessional training.

Meanwhile, Gove peddled the myth that he was “raising standards”. Francis Maude gave the game away on the day of the strike.

GOVE IS GONELONG LIVE GOVE

When John Humphrys pointed out that peo-ple’s pay had been cut, Maude explained that this was keeping Britain “competitive”. And Gove cracked how you deliver gen-erations of young people into the low-wage economy – by telling them that they can all

pass the tougher exams, then failing them so that they end up blaming themselves for having failed – just in the right frame of mind to accept lower pay that “keeps us competitive” and the Conservative paymas-ters richer.

Southwark Education Partnership is seeking trustees “to advance the education of the pub-lic. Particularly, but not exclusively, in Southwark, London”.

If you are a dynamic, hard working individual keen to support education and willing to pro-vide services or skills for positions, such as Chair, Vice Chair or Treasurer as well as fund raisers/volunteers, we would like to hear from you.

Applicants must be 18 or over, have no Court Judgements or Criminal Convictions and be willing to commit a small amount of time to the Charity.

For more information, please go to www.southwarkheads.org/SEP or contact yolanda@headexec.com or on 07770 347616 for more details.

Call for Trustees

Art Competition success - see page 6

Heads Up is sponsored by Excellence in Southwark

London CLC in partnership with IBM are running a four day Computing summer school. The course, run at IBM headquarters on the Southbank, will help col-leagues get to grips with all aspects of the new curriculum from planning and de-livery to progression and assessment. Miles Berry, principal lecturer for comput-ing education at the University of Roehampton will deliver sessions alongside IBM specialists and CLC teachers. The course will include a visit to the IBM innovation centre at Hursley. There is a £100 commitment fee and all attendees will be given an IBM mentor for the year should they want one.

To apply complete the form visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/LLY7M8H

For more information, contact: Julia Lawrence, Deputy Director, London Connected Learning Centre on 020 7720 7514.

The Royal Collection Trust organises visits to The State Rooms at Bucking-ham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery for the The First Georgians: Art & Monarchy 1716-1760 exhibition and The Royal Mews, available from September.

Royal Childhood at Buckingham Palace

From Queen Victoria’s favourite dolls to Prince George’s tricycle the Royal Child-hood exhibition and this linked work-shop provides a fascinating insight into the history of toys and the young princes and princesses who would have played with them. During this workshop chil-dren will compare and contrast the era of Queen Victoria’s family growing up in the palace with the time of Her Majesty The Queen’s children.

Session availability: September- Mon-days – Wednesdays for KS1 & 2.

Creative Writing in the State Rooms

Be inspired by this wonderful opportu-nity for pupils to work with published authors to explore and experience the atmosphere of these lavishly decorated rooms.

Pupils will investigate how members of the Royal Family have used the palace and the State Rooms in the past and examine the paintings and works of art on display to inspire their written work. Children will leave the workshop with new ideas, insightful notes and short written pieces.

Session availability: September- Thurs-days - Fridays for KS2-5

Landscape Drawing in Buckingham Pal-ace Garden

Pupils will work with our freelance art-ist to put into practice the techniques and skills used by artists to create your own landscape drawings inspired by the Buckingham Palace Gardens.

Session availability: September- Mon-days - Wednesdays for KS2-5

Computing summer school

A Royal Collection

Heads Up is sponsored by Excellence in Southwark

Tigtag from Twig World is a complete primary digital resource con-taining over 600 short films, lesson plans and classroom activities used across the world to support teachers in delivering outstanding

and engaging science lessons.

A BETT Award winner in 2013 and 2014, Tigtag forms part of a number of online education resources delivered by Twig World, a leading producer of short films and learning materials in Science, Maths and Geography.

Twig World makes three minute award-winning films for schools. The films use high-resolution captivating imagery and are created especially with students and teach-ers in mind. These films are tailed to the curriculum but also show the subject’s relevant to the real world, always giving examples from life and putting topics in context. The films are supplemented by lesson plans, pdfs, wall posters, and quiz-zes to use in the classroom.

Free Stuff

Secondary teachers can access a whole topic of free films and resources at www.twig-world.co.uk/twig-films (includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Maths, and Geography)

Primary teachers can access free units at www.tigtagworld.co.uk/freeresources (science only)

If teachers like the resource, they can also sign up for a free trail on both the pri-mary and secondary websites, and I can personally visit them to give them a free demo of how to get the most out of it (if they want).

Teachers can be featured in new films and product development. Twig World is always looking for teachers to give advice at every stage of development, and the company has an ever expanding network of teachers writing and reviewing for us, and gaining free publicity for their schools by appearing on the website or in new resources.

Twig World also reports that there is a global primary teacher conference in No-vember, which will be hosted at Imperial College, London. Teachers can register for the event at www.worldteachin.com. Twig World is also looking for especially gifted teachers to run a workshop at this event. Details about that and how to apply at http://www.worldteachin.com/teachforus.

For more information, contact Kiri Crequer, Teacher Network Manager. Email: kcrequer@twig-world.com T: 0207 071 5132 M: + 44 782 488 3323. Web: www.twig-world.com Twitter: @TwigWorld

Access over 600 short films and lesson plans

Little Fish Theatre has many FREE places available on its annual Southwark Summer Scheme Pro-

gramme supporting Year 6’s through their transition into secondary education.

Through Music, Dance, Drama Art and a Free day trip, documented by our resi-dent film maker, culminating in a perfor-mance to invited family and friends, it is a fantastic opportunity for all involved.

This programme has been supported for many years by Southwark Council.

It will take place this year at:

Rye Oak Primary School 28th July – 8th August (Monday – Friday) 10am - 4pm.

Please distribute attached consent forms and flyers to year 6’s in the borough.

More information about the scheme can be found at http://www.littlefishtheatre.co.uk/education-outreach/southwark-summer-programme/

Little Fish staff are happy to visit schools to talk about the project and show the 2013 video. Email suha@little-fishtheatre.co.uk or Tel 020 8269 1123 www.littlefishtheatre.co.uk

Rye Oak has summer programme provi-sions for Year’s 2 - 5.

FREE Summer Scheme places

Heads Up is sponsored by Excellence in Southwark

The inaugural Southwark Headteachers’ Celebratory Dinner took place at the Hilton Rotherhithe Hotel on 12 June with over 100 guests in attendance. The social event enabled colleagues across

all of Southwark’s schools to meet and exchange stories in the most convivial of settings.

Speeches were kept very short and there were a few presentations – notably to the outgoing chair of the Headteachers’ Council, Lynn Charlton who is retiring as head of St Jude’s primary school at the end of summer term. Also receiving an accolade from the entire borough’s headteachers was Romi Bowen, Director of Children’s and Adults’ Services, who retires also in the summer.

A raffle raised £400.00 to start the funds for the new educational charity the Southwark Education Partnership Limited. The charity was founded to provide a funding source for Southwark schools’ projects and the wider community. Raffle prizes were very generously donated by sponsors of the event and included a mix of items from Apple iPads to equipment for schools.

Guests were greeted with glasses of refreshing Pimm’s provided by Future Educa-tion and then after an excellent dinner with wine provided by Edustaff, a Freddy Mercury tribute act took to the stage for those with the energy to bop the night away.

The main event was kindly sponsored by Prem Goyal OBE, JP, the Headteachers Executive Patron. However, the attendance and support of a variety of loyal sup-pliers of the Southwark Headteachers Executive was warmly welcomed. These in-cluded: Edustaff, Future Education, Cowling & Wilcox, Vii Networks, Nexus Educa-tion, Unicorn Theatre, Bubble Theatre, ICT Educational Services, Outward Bound Trust and Now Press Play.

At the close of the dinner, Prem Goyal pledged to support a similar event next year. It’s a wonderful way to round off the school year and share experiences with colleagues in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

WE HAD SO MUCH TO

Southwark Headteachers Executive Patron Prem Goyal OBE, JP, sponsored the Celebratory Dinner.

Dr Irene Bishop CBE, former headteacher of St Sav-iour’s and St Olave’s schools, thanked Lynn Charlton for her stewardship as Chair of the Headteachers Ex-ectuive and also Yolanda Houston SBD on her work for the Executive and also on achieving one of the few School Business Directors qualifications through the National College.

Keith Fox, head of St John’s Walworth thanked Patron Prem Goyal OBE, JP, for his sponsorship

Retiring Chair of Heads Exec, Lynn Charlton also retires from the headship at St Jude’s

Heads Up is sponsored by Excellence in Southwark

CELEBRATE IN 2014!Romi Bowen retires from the LA in summer, pictured with Heads Exec Business Director Yolanda Houston

Heads and recent former heads enjoyed comparing notes on their pasts, pres-ents and futures.

Schools provided amazing entertainment

Suppliers joined in the festivities

Even a Freddy Mercury tribute act joined in with the general fun of the evening.

Heads Up is sponsored by Excellence in Southwark

A borough wide art competition to depict Olympic values that invited every child in every Southwark school to participate had its winners announced at the presti-gious Menier Gallery in Southwark Street on Monday 7 July.

A public vote took place the previous weekend, at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, to deter-mine the finalists from all the works displayed. Shoppers were asked to place counters ac-cording to the work they liked best.

There were two age categories – under-11s and under-18s. The winners of Under 11 sec-

A creative way to convey

tion first prize was a joint effort by Nanaput Saroenrum and Silvia Botoaca, two girls from Riverside Primary school. The judging was very close with just seven points between 1st and 5th places. The under 18 section was won by Charlotte Qureshi from St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School. In this category there was a tie for 2nd place and a difference of a mere 4 points spanned the 5th to 1st place scores.

The winners were in attendance to collect their prizes and their artworks are planned to go on display in Rio for the 2016 Olym-pics.

The Menier Gallery was keen to support the competition and pro-vide the resources for the final judging since the event supports Art in Southwark. Judging was undertaken by Silvia Ziranek (who has displayed at the Tate Gallery), Lorraine Lauder (A past Mayor of Southwark), Melina Giotto (from the Brazilian Embassy), Liz Cook (who works with Damien Hirst amongst others) and Louise Conaghan (from Dulwich Picture Gallery). The final results were extremely close with no third place awarded as second place was tied in for both categories.

Organiser Kevin Steward continues to inspire children and adults alike following his carrying of the Olympic Torch for the 2012 games. Kevin organised the art competition based on the Olym-pic values for all the Schools in Southwark. Along with former Mayor of Southwark, Althea Smith, they collected artwork from both Primary and Secondary schools that were then judged over three rounds before the final judging took place at the Menier Art Gallery.

The event was supported by the Southwark Local Authority’s Chief Executive, Eleanor Kelly, together with Merril Haeusler, Director of Children’s Services. Generous sponsorship for the event came from RBS, Potters Field, Rainbow Office Supplies and Nexus – the educators’ collection.

Each winner from 5th to 1st place received vouchers from Cowling and Wilcox, the local art supplier in Camberwell.

For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk

Olympic values

For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk

HEADS UP is published month-ly during term time by South-wark Headteachers Executive. We would love to hear from you, so tell us your news: Yolanda HoustonT: 01797 364366 M: 07770 347616E: yolanda@headexec.com

SEND US YOUR NEWS!

Dear Colleagues,

There are a number of changes taking place within Southwark. From the Sep-tember term there will be a new Director of Children’s Services as Romi has re-tired as will Lynn Charlton, the Chair of the Headteachers Executive.

The Executive has been an important part of Southwark Headteachers and I am sure you agree about its importance and the role it plays for Schools in the Borough.

From September we will be seeking to elect a new Chair, and I have a self nomina-tion from an existing member of the Executive, which is encouraging.

On our return in the new term it will be essential for me to know which senior leaders are leaving their posts and details of those who are joining. I will be or-ganising an induction/away day in September probably as part of the first Head-teachers Executive meeting, where we will be able to set out aims and objectives. Of course our targets may need to be adapted to meet new initiatives or policies implemented as we progress throughout the year. Over the summer I will be set-ting dates for the Headteachers Executive meetings as well as liaising with the LA to arrange CASMT meetings.

In order to support me in supporting you it is important that I know who to contact before the end of term. CLAN/Phase chairs who are standing down, should let me know of who is taking on the chair’s role in each instance. I can provide you with a copy of the roles and responsibilities, which provides an outline of how the Executive operates. The calendar of meetings is cyclical so that information can be fed bi-directionally.

It would also be helpful to me if you are able to suggest some dates for the induc-tion – my suggestion would be w/c 8 – 12 September – and any suggestions as to where this should be held.

I really appreciate your assistance and hope that you understand some of the challenges my role involves in coordinating and supporting Southwark Head-teachers Executive. Please would you to confirm your commitment to the Execu-tive as together we present a united front.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lynn Charlton as the outgoing Chair and wish her a happy retirement.

With kind regards and a wish that you have a wonderful and richly deserved summer break

Yolanda

An open letter from the Heads Executive BusinessDirector

Don’t forget that while the holiday pe-riod is almost upon us, teachers - and particularly NQTs - are still looking for positions for the new academic year. So, if you have upcoming vacancies, now is a great time to advertise them on the www.jobs4schools.co.uk web-site.

For just £50.00 schools can adver-tise jobs right through August in time for late August/early September inter-views. Moreover, this is a peak time for the best NQTs seeking their first posi-tions, so schools should act now to nab the best of the bunch.

Teachers and NQTs still seek jobs in July and August!

As the end of term rapidly approach-es it is time to return all your artefacts and costumes, I will be at the service today until 6pm and on Tuesday from 10am-6pm.

Please email or text Maggie on 07896048095 to let her know when you will be coming so that she can let college security know.

ARTIFACTS