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guidepost montessori

Development takes the form of a drive toward an ever-greater independence. It is like an arrow released from the bow, which flies straight, swift and sure. The child’s conquest of independence begins with his first introduction to life. While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path.” MARIA MONTESSORI Founder of the Montessori Method of education The Montessori approach Montessori helps your child develop a fundamental, enduring love of learning and the deeply ingrained social, emotional, and academic skills they need to succeed as an adult. Montessori combines highly intentional learning materials, rich social development, and a joyous approach to practiced independence. Our mission Our singular mission at Guidepost is to guide and empower each child as she grows in her independence. In every child lives limitless human potential. For the child to realize that potential is to confidently grow and to joyously learn. It is to create and to love herself while gaining the knowledge to form a unique vision of her singular life. It is the security to live that vision, to dare greatly, to love others. The Montessori approach to human development is based on the belief in the potential of the child, and on the belief that it is only the child herself who can realize this potential. To grow up well is to grow up to be increasingly independent — to be increasingly capable, increasingly confident, increasingly secure, increasingly able to meet one’s own needs, forming one’s own values, and authoring one’s own life. Our job as caretakers is to understand and to love this process as it unfolds for children in our care, and to support the child in blazing her trail. The circumstances of children are as varied as children themselves. The specific needs, the precise resources available, the particular constraints faced by each child and each family are different. As times change, there is a need to keep step and to ensure that the application is timely. But the fundamental need is timeless: to help the child achieve her own development. So, too, is the fundamental method: to provide the child with material, environment, and guidance that is lovingly optimized to support her in that work. The support a child’s caretakers can provide for her burgeoning independence is multifaceted: We can provide materials and inspiration for her to do the work of growing and learning. Every child learns to walk, but not every child learns to walk in a way that feels like an exciting challenge, that redounds upon her confidence. So it is with all of human development and knowledge. The child achieves her own development by engagement and by practice. From grasping an object for the first time, to eating independently, to toileting, to putting her world to words—to the whole world of knowledge, of nature and quantity and life and culture—the effort that children put in can be magnified by thoughtful learning materials and guidance. We can carefully support a child’s environment, creating a wonderful world for her in which to grow up. Children are constantly interacting with and absorbing experiences from their environment. One of the best things we can do for a child is to set up a space where she can be maximally independent and efficacious, a space that is to her comprehensible and enticing, a space that is aesthetically and pedagogically rich. Whether it’s at school or at home, the principles are the same: a world that is accessible, orderly, and enticing is a world that is supportive of a child’s growth. We can prepare ourselves as caretakers of the child. Raising children is as demanding as it is rewarding. It requires that we spend ourselves in understanding and love, that we thoughtfully navigate the stages of a unique child’s development, and that have the self-awareness to manage our own lives, motivation, and energy as we do so. It is tremendously beneficial to both the child and her caretakers to elevate a teaching and parenting philosophy to consciousness, to take an integrated approach to the infinite texture of a child’s growth toward independence. Finally, we can connect with others, other parents, other teachers, other developmentalists and pedagogues, each of whom adds their own experience and wisdom to our accumulated knowledge about child development. Montessori is not just a philosophy of human development. It is also an applied pedagogy, one with over a century of validation, refinement, and grassroots international growth. Guidepost, and each member of our community, benefits tremendously by participating in that movement and history.

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dyane's stitch in time

Durham

She holds a B’tec in Art and Design – focussing on Textile Art in particular Fashion Design and Batik, then trained in Clothing Manufacture & Management at Jacob Kranmer Collage (Now Leeds College of Art) in Leeds more than 30 years ago. Eight years later she took time out to gain a BA(hons) in Environmental Ethics at Wolverhampton University. In recent years she took her PGCE for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector at University of Sunderland. Over the years she has stitched costumes, cushions and curtains for numerous projects / shows in England, Wales, India & Canada; becoming a company director of Eco-Babes – a cloth nappy company in 1998 until 2006 and Arts Director for Gaunless Valley Creatives CIC 2015 – 2018. As an artist some of her Batiks with freestyle embroidery have been exhibited in Art Galleries. Dyane’s Stitch in Time was set up in Norfolk in 2008 and moved back to County Durham in 2012. By focussing on Repairs & Alterations, she blends her skill in sewing with her interest in the environment with particular focus on waste minimisation. She also uses a vintage hand wheel Singer during power cuts and for repairs to vintage clothing. Over the years Dyane has enjoyed combining her textile skills with her environmental concerns & community spirit with others of all ages. Of particular success is the Stitch Kidz Club held for KS2 & KS3 Children, originally in Norfolk with kids becoming skilled enough to make their own trousers, skirts and tops, this has now been revived succesfully in this area. Stitch Kidz don’t just make items for themselves they get involved with the community, making dresses from pillowcases for a local Trashion show which were then sent to Dress a Girl around the world. Plus some of the accesories hats, bags and belts for National Show Kynryn for their community certificate :-). Many in Sew Social help make washable cloth sanitary pads for women in Syria and Pakistan. On moving to Durham she has become involved with holding a variety of Textile and Art Workshops for children, teens and Adults in the local Community via Lot 64 in Darlington The Bowes Museum, The Hub, Witham, NeST – Barnard Castle, Evenwood Family Programme, Gaunless Valley Creatives in Cockfield, Colour Your Life, The POD – Bishop Auckland, Auckland Castle, The Forum – Northalerton, UK Sewing Shop – Darlington, Durham Crafty Mums and several schools. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in learning more practical life skills, folk dusting down their sewing machines and wanting to learn how to sew. I enjoy working with individuals helping them to learn these essentials, working on personal projects. In 2020 during the first Lockdown of the pandemic Dyane’s Stitch in Time had to temporarily close the business for three months, however Dyane got very busy volunteering with the Sewing for the Front Line North East project, started by Zoe Worrell & Alison Mathews instead, becoming one of their area co-ordinators, networking with other co-ordinators and personally ensuring around 35 home sewers had the patterns, donated fabric (including a lot of bedding to be upcycled 🙂 and the haberdashery they needed to create the Scrubs, Gowns, washbags & ear defenders that our NHS staff desperately needed. Stitch Kidz got involved too from their homes, making wash bags and heart pairs for families of covid patients in intensive care. Through all the amazing efforts of the local home sewers she was able to covid safely deliver thousands of items including hundreds of scrub sets and gowns to Auckland, Durham, Darlington Memorial General Hospitals, West Park, Auckland Park and Lanchester Mental Health Hospitals, some fun childrens’ character themed ones even reached paediatric teams in hospitals further afield and the local community teams of Midwives and Health visitors. Towards the end of lockdown we were also able to give 150 gowns to Premier Care for their large team of local Carers in Bishop. All in all between all the incredible volunteers – donating time and skills the Area Co-ordinators and their home Sewing ladies (and children) we were able to supply thousands of scrubs, gowns and washbags to help protect our NHS and Care home workers from the corona virus all across Northumbria, Durham and Teesside. Although later lockdowns have not meant the business has had to close, as we have adapted to the constantly changing ‘new normal’, it has severely limited the service that can be offered. So in early 2021 Dyane is using the quieter business time to complete a course in Direct Method Construction for high end dressmaking. She hopes these enhanced pattern construction skills will serve her customers well and add to the skills she can share in workshops when such activities can resume 🙂

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alder grange school

Lancs.

Our school is a unique and special place. There is a real sense of family and community within the school. Alder Grange is a school where everybody is inspired to be the best they can, where excellence is nurtured by everybody and a community in which everybody cares. Our desire is to successfully develop the whole child. We place considerable emphasis on developing the foundations of personal achievement; their emotional and physical health and well-being, their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development, creativity and individuality. Our intention is to help our young people grow to become outstanding, independent, resilient and effective citizens in an uncertain, global 21st Century world. We strive to deliver a personalised curriculum alongside a rich offer of extra-curricular activities, enrichments and life skills for all our students. Naturally, academic progress and attainment are also extremely important to us, and you will find our results reflect this. This is due to a total commitment to excellent teaching and learning by a highly skilled and dedicated staff, constantly reflecting upon and developing their own practice. Many members of staff are former pupils. Our school is inclusive in nature and values young people of all abilities from year 7 to year 13. We encourage them to care for one another and the school, to work as a team and to take on leadership roles. There is also a genuine care for and partnership with the young people in our care and their families. Our current priorities in school include a focus on wellbeing, particularly mental health for both staff and pupils. The development of a curriculum intent that ensures all pupils are able to develop their knowledge and passions is taking place within all subject areas in school. During the seven years our pupils are with us they are given the skills and access to opportunities needed to make the next steps in to their adult lives. As a school we are never quite satisfied and build ongoing self-evaluation in to the school calendar to allow us to constantly review and reflect on our practice in order to improve. Alder Grangers are rightly proud of their school and our often repeated phrase, ‘once an Alder Granger always an Alder Granger,’ reflects the strength of feeling our young people have for their school. I have been a member of staff at Alder Grange since 1998 and I feel immensely proud and privileged to be Headteacher. I love the school and am passionate about ensuring it continues to go from strength to strength. You would be welcome to visit and see our wonderful school in action at any time.

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blossoming bellies

Brittany's path led her through many experiences before focusing her work on the need for respect and humility in the amazing power, instinct, and normalcy of birth. Completing high school after her junior year with distinguished honors and a focus in visual art and writing , Brittany went on to study Literature at Temple University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and certificates in both writing and honors. She maintains membership with Phi Beta Kappa, a national academic honor society. Throughout college, Brittany worked for Trio Upward Bound, a national organization that prepares inner city high school students for college. In her role as tutor and counselor, she gained experience in dealing with several different ages from ninth through twelfth grade, understanding of differences in learning pace and ability, and comfort in leading group discussions and projects. Brittany went on to substitute teach for pre-school through eighth grade at Frankford Friends School, strengthening her abilities in areas including the facilitation of group activities, the development of all aspects of the person - physical, academic, spiritual, emotional, and social, and the mentoring of children of all different ages and backgrounds. In addition to her education career, Brittany has completed a mentorship training program which focuses on peaceful solutions to conflict through listening, reflection, and understanding and the development of counseling skills. She attended a Birth Works three day workshop where she gained skills and techniques helpful in facilitating childbirth classes and providing labor assistance. She has also completed birth doula training by both DONA International and Birth Arts International. Brittany is a Birth WorksTM certified childbirth educator, a DONA certified birth doula, a certified breastfeeding counselor with Nursing Mothers Alliance, and a Certified Lactation Counselor through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. She has also completed birth doula training with Birth Arts International. She also holds a Rebozo certification from Wise Birth Choices, L.L.C. Brittany continuously furthers her knowledge through regular attendance and facilitation at conferences, workshops, and lectures, in addition to her home studies, and her facilitation of workshops for clinical and non-clinical birth professionals. In an effort to make maternity care options available to all birthing people, Brittany volunteered her time in putting together the Philadelphia Guide to a Healthy Birth with Choices in Childbirth. Although the Philadelphia Guide is no longer in print, The National Guide is available online at www.choicesinchildbirth.org. Brittany has also been a frequent contributor to the Birth Works quarterly newsletter and wrote monthly for the e-newsletter, "Empowerment for Healthy Living," when it was published. She continues writing for the Birth Works blog. Brittany has been a guest speaker on several pregnancy, postpartum, and health-related topics at businesses around the Philadelphia area, including Martindale's Natural Market in Delaware County, Shanti Yoga Shala and Nest, both in Center City Philadelphia, and the Expectant Parents Boot Camp at The Please Touch Museum. In the spring of 2011, Brittany organized and facilitated a free community screening of the documentary, "Food, Inc." She worked with the non-profit organization WomenCare organizing an event featuring world-renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin in May 2011. Blossoming Bellies has also been featured in the July 2011 issue of herbalist Susan Weed's ezine "Wise Woman Herbal Healing with Susun Weed." In May of 2014, Brittany had the honor of being the only childbirth educator and doula serving as a panelist at the Birth Works "Ask The Experts" event held in Cherry Hill, NJ where she discussed birth options and answered community members' birth-related questions aside several distinguished birth professionals, including obstetricians, academics, pediatricians, and midwives, from the greater Philadelphia area. She was also honored to be a presenter at ICAN's (International Cesarean Awareness Network) meeting on birth education options in the Philadelphia area in January of 2015. Brittany is also the creator of two dynamic workshops focused on understanding the pelvis, the baby's movements and positioning as they descend and rotate, and preventing and working through complications that arise from malpositioning, "Creating Space: Pelvic Dynamics, Fetal Positioning, and Use of the Rebozo" for birth professionals and "Moving Through Labor" for expectant parents. She has had the honor of facilitating her workshop, "Creating Space," for obstetrical, midwifery, and nursing groups around the country. She is a guest speaker at the University of Pennsylvania for their student midwifery program and a frequent speaker at international conferences including the Birth Works International Conference in October of 2016, the ICPA Freedom for Family Wellness Summit in March of 2018, the Evidence Based Birth Conference in September of 2019, the Midwifery Forward 2020 conference, the ICEA 2020 Virtual Conference, and the Utah Doula Association Virtual Mini-Conference in 2020. She also facilitates pelvic dynamics and fetal positioning workshops for Maternity Care Coalition and PALS. She continues to facilitate workshops for conferences and private practices around the country. Blossoming Bellies began with Brittany teaching classes in her home in South Philadelphia. She still occasionally teaches classes in the coziness of her home but, after spending time teaching classes at South Philadelphia Community Acupuncture, The Nesting House on vibrant East Passyunk Avenue, and the community space Lilypad, she now teaches at the BOK building aside Justin Ohm of Ohm Chiropractic. She has also branched out to serving other areas of the city, including Mt. Airy, Fairmount, West Philly, Fishtown, and Center City. Brittany was a Birth Works facilitator at the Maternal Wellness Center in Mt. Airy and continued teaching Birth Works classes in Mt. Airy at The Nesting House (former location of the Maternal Wellness Center) and at each of their additional locations in South Philly, West Philly, and Collingswood, for several years. Her South Philadelphia series classes are now held at the BOK building in South Philadelphia, where she shares space with Dr. Justin Ohm, of Ohm Chiropractic . She brought group Birth Works classes to the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, facilitating workshops at Still Waters Holistic Health Therapies from 2010 through 2019 and to the Fishtown section of the city, teaching at City Sprouts until their close in November 2016 and at Minnow Lane on Frankford Ave through 2020. Brittany's Homebirth Preparation Class can be found at Ohm Chiropractic in South Philadelphia. Her prenatal Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding 101 classes and Infant Care classes are offered in Brewerytown at Kith + Kin and in South Philly at BOK. Check out an interview with Brittany about her philosophies and classes at Philly Baby Bump. Brittany also helps mentor and guide new doulas as they begin their journey into the birth world. Doulas often observe her classes to fulfill their certification requirements and Brittany facilitates workshops specifically for doulas and birth professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skills. In addition, she offers a full doula mentorship course for those looking for one-on-one guidance, resources, and referrals as they enter in to the greater birth community. For more information about doula mentoring and one-on-one options available, please contact Brittany. Blossoming Bellies has been recognized by CBS Philly as one of the Top Childbirth Classes in Philly and is the winner of the 2016 Love Awards for Best Lactation Consultant, the 2017 Love Awards for Best Prenatal Classes, and the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Love Awards for Best Childbirth Preparation Classes. She is also a contributor to the blog A Child Grows and the blog We Bloom in Philly and has written several feature articles for the Birth Works newsletter. Brittany is a contributor to the international best-selling book "Baby Got VBAC: An Inspiring Collection of Wisdom for Better Births After a Cesarean," writing a chapter covering the importance of movement and guidelines for using it in all births, with a focus on vaginal birth after cesarean. In addition, she is a sought-after presenter on pelvic dynamics, fetal positioning, preventing malpositioning in labor, and working through positioning issues that can lead to stalls in labor, facilitating workshops at the Birth Works International Conference, the Freedom for Family Wellness Summit hosted by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the Evidence Based Birth Conference, and the Midwifery Forward 2020 conference as well as for midwifery and obstetrical practices, labor and delivery nurses, and midwifery students around the country. She also has collaborated with East Eagle Yoga to develop and facilitate a prenatal yoga teacher training program full of the bodily knowledge, movement awareness, and empathetic practice that is crucial to the role of a prenatal yoga instructor. Brittany also developed and facilitated the online ICEA training for birth professionals on anatomy and reproductive structure. You can check out interviews with Brittany on a few national podcasts. She was honored to be a featured guest on episode #161 of the well known podcast, The VBAC Link, where she talks all about pelvic dynamics and autonomy in birth. Check it out at The VBAC Link! She will also be featured on the Vagina Talks podcast in February 2021. Providing expecting families with information, resources, a listening ear, and love and support is at the core of Brittany's goals. In helping parents to recognize their strength as humans, role models, and advocates for the needs and wishes of themselves and their children, Brittany assists families in creating birth and parenting experiences of which they feel positive, confident, and informed. Her approach to birth and parenting focuses on building awareness of one's intuition and combining it with learned knowledge in a way that is respectful of the needs and abilities of each individual.

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uplands community college

Wadhurst

My name is Anna Robinson and I am the Executive Headteacher and Chief Executive Officer of MARK Education Trust. Our trust was established in 2012, and for the last 10 years has been a trust of one school, Beacon Academy in Crowborough. From September 2022, we are delighted to have welcomed Uplands Academy into our trust as our second school. I was the Headteacher of Beacon Academy from September 2015 – August 2022 prior to becoming the Executive Headteacher from September 2022, overseeing both of our schools. To support Uplands during their first year as an Academy and member of our trust, for this academic year, I will also be the named Headteacher of Uplands Academy. In addition, my colleague, David Callard, with an excellent and sustained track record of senior leadership at Beacon Academy, will also be joining me as our Senior Deputy Headteacher. In addition to bringing additional leadership capacity and experience of school improvement, we are looking forward to working with the well-known and established Uplands senior team, its staff and most importantly our inspiring and incredibly capable students. As with colleagues at Beacon Academy in Crowborough, those of us at Uplands are ambitious for excellence in all we do. Our vision aligns with our trust and that of Beacon Academy. This vision, which is established and sustained, is to provide the best possible education for all our students and to be an exceptional educational establishment for our communities. We are never complacent. Becoming a student at Uplands Academy I know that choosing a secondary school is one of the most important decisions you will make for your children and family. At Uplands, the relationships between our staff and our students are excellent and ones that we are proud of. Our staff have high expectations, are ambitious for our students, and they know them well. We pride ourselves on our rigorous focus on the child as a unique individual, including our most disadvantaged and those with SEND. We ensure that the lessons that our students receive are personalised and inclusive, enabling them to be actively engaged in their learning. Uplands Academy Vision At Uplands Academy, we want our children to be happy, successful and confident by providing the best possible education for all our students. We want to be an exceptional educational establishment for our community. Our curriculum for our students is rightly ambitious - it is as broad as it is balanced. It has a strong academic core which, where relevant includes vocational and technical ambitions with choices for students to opt into in key stages four and five. Our curriculum is expertly planned to maximise educational opportunities and prepare our students to be socially and economically successful. As a result of this, we want our students to develop keen interests, a lifelong passion for learning and an impressive, coherent, and cumulative understanding of the world. All of this meaning that they can consistently achieve highly and be prepared for future success and happiness in education, employment or training. We have uncompromisingly high expectations for the quality of education that our students receive, including the most disadvantaged and those with SEND - there is no room for complacency. We support and encourage our school community – we expect everyone to Make their MARK academically by being motivated, articulate, resilient and knowledgeable, both in their lessons and beyond, and socially both inside and out of our school environment by having excellent manners, being accepting, respectful and kind. These expectations are reflected in the excellent relationships that exist between our board of trustees, staff, students, parents, carers and the wider community. We recruit, retain and develop exceptional staff and trustees to ensure that through every aspect of their experience of Uplands, our students are inspired, engaged and challenged, enabling them to make excellent progress and attain well. This includes our most disadvantaged and those with SEND. Our staff care deeply - each day they strive to be positive role models, thus supporting the inclusive culture of our school environment. Our staff want our students to feel safe and happy and listened to academically, socially and in terms of their well-being. We have a culture that is highly aspirational and ambitious for excellence in all we do and where commonalities are identified and celebrated and that differences are respected, accepted, valued and nurtured. As staff we model what we want to see from one another and our students – we promote and expect a positive and motivated commitment to education from our students and their parents and carers. Our standards are unapologetically high – this applies to both our staff and students, thus enabling our teachers to teach and our students to learn and excel, at Uplands Academy and beyond. We encourage you to come and see this and Uplands for yourselves during this exciting new phase for our school.

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oxford open college

Sheffield

Oxford Open College childcare courses are available “long distance and online” through our virtual campus. We work closely with providers to help successful trainees acquire continued employment. Oxford Open College is accredited by CPD (Continued Professional Development), the specialist awarding body for people working in various fields and want to attain continued development and we have a specialist department working in the early years industry. Achieving a qualification in Early Years is a great way for existing and new childcare practitioners to become qualified or for existing workers to gain further knowledge for use in their jobs. We encourage enquirers to browse through our childcare course to find the perfect support we offer. CONTEXT AND PERSPECTIVE Oxford Open College has a concept that : Children brought up well are most likely to be successful as adults. This is only possible where government, parents and childcare providers work together: At one time whole families with their children used to work long hours to earn the bare minimum to have something to eat in England, “a poor Law Amendment Act 1834” was done; this resulted in governments of the day setting up “clubs of workhouses” in which the paupers were to live…. In a way this was as if guaranteeing them an even more miserable time; here widows and orphans lived. The work reform Act decided that children under nine years old should not work, strangely the Law makers seemed oblivious to the reality that children were not working for fun, but survival due to poverty……..surely Childcare has come a long way. Oxford Open College is Giving new ideas to the learner/practitioner of how best to present material; the Course is implementation of good practice; sharing knowledge and experience: Therefore, this book only offers guidance, ideas; pointers of the best responses to commonly asked topical questions in the UK, NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. The suggested responses are exhaustive. The selected topics are based on real units and questions or tasks. Oxford Open College have used personal experience in “practicing Childcare settings:” This experience is what has been used to address most of the topics, questions; drawing from real life situations of safeguarding and caring for Children. The Course text book is written in the first person context I or in My setting so that the upgrading or aspiring practitioner can put themselves in the context of what is happening in their own situation or setting in order to draw parallels and learn by inclusion and participation of shared experience and good practice towards safeguarding, playing with and development of; Children. Oxford Open College provides aspiring practitioners with a preamble in form of a model self-evaluation of a childcare setting, to help practitioners evaluate own provisions. Oxford Open College recognises that there are key factors of how to deal with different situations and a summary of headings of usable policies that can be developed by a starting practitioner. Oxford Open College ensures that the course will include “Advice” for practitioners and learners to deal with various situations such as learning differences, bullying and keeping an outstanding setting. Oxford Open College has designed a childcare course so that in its recess the learning offers learners and practitioners an adaptable handbook to be used by any setting. Oxford Open College Gives learners and practitioners an overview of United Kingdom’s based study method of the English Early Years Framework. Why study Early Years with Oxford Open College? You’ll be studying courses designed and created by practitioners and trainers , Childhood, Youth and inclusion play. Oxford Open College offers a ground-breaking curriculum, inspiring and engaging teaching methods, and supports childcare research that looks to influence Childcare practices, policies and debate – both in UK; nationally and internationally. The benefits of studying an early years qualification with Oxford Open college are: Oxford Open College believes that your study will be professionally and vocationally relevant across many contexts. You’ll become equipped with the knowledge and experience to make a real difference in this field. You’ll be studying with a university that has 50 years’ experience as pioneers of social justice and social change. You can fit our flexible study around your work and other commitments. Oxford Open college equips individuals with tools to develop Careers in Early Years. An early years qualification – for example, gives you understanding in childhood and youth studies or early childhood which can open up a range of careers, including: childcare, counselling, early years work, youth and community work, and local, national and international policy development. Oxford Open College courses in early years can help you start or progress your career as a: Self employed business operator of a nursery Teacher Teaching assistant Counsellor Education Welfare Officer Family Support Worker Special education needs coordinator (SENCO).

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cat perry - fitness and yoga coach

Kelta Fit is the brain child of Ceilidh Club founder Ed McCabe and Licence to Ceilidh’s Ali Barnes, but we needed a bit of help along the way! Here’s a bit more about the Kelta Fit team: Kelta Fit Team Ed McCabe – Kelta Fit Co-Founder: Ed is also the founder of the hugely popular Ceilidh Club in London. It started in 1998 with a handful of friends and family and has now grown into something bigger with hundreds of people attending the (almost) weekly events. Ed has always been into fitness and it has been a long held dream of his to translate the fun and calorie burning aspects of a Ceilidh into something people can do at home or in a class. Ali Barnes – Kelta Fit Co-founder / Choreographer: Ali studied dance from a young age and has been attending ceilidhs regularly since childhood. She has been playing Fiddle in ceilidh and folk bands for almost 10 years and is also an experienced ceilidh dance caller. Ali joined Licence to Ceilidh around 5 years ago and very quickly went on to co-run the band alongside Philippe as well as continuing to play in it. Together they’ve transformed the band into what it is today, taking it to new levels never heard of before for a ceilidh band including numerous TV performances and industry awards. Philippe Barnes – Kelta Fit Musical Director: Philippe also co-runs Licence to Ceilidh and his extensive ceilidh and musical experience made him the perfect man in the Kelta Fit team to create the soundtrack! Philippe has a 1st class honors, MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance and has toured all over Europe, America & Australia with the David Munnelly Band and Celtic Jazz-fusion group All Jigged Out. He’s a three-time runner up in the BBC Young Folk Awards and his TV and recording credits include MTV, The Discovery Channel, ITV, TG4, BBC Scotland, BBC Radio 2, 3 & 4 and feature films including ‘The Imposter”, “Fraternity” and “Dark Horse”. Francesca Leyland – Kelta Fit Instructor / Choreographer: Francesca is a talented actress and dancer from Lerwick on the Shetland Isles. She has a background in highland dance and in her teens studied at the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow where she gained an A.T.C.L diploma from Trinity College London, before later going on to gain a BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre from Arts Educations School in London. Her past show credits include Les Misrables (West End) and The Bakers Wife. She is a popular dance teacher in Sussex and is also a caller with Licence to Ceilidh, performing with the band every week teaching ceilidh dances to crowds of willing punters! Frances Crawford – Fitness Consultant: Frances is an experienced nutritionist and personal trainer based in Florida, USA. She is a certified gym instructor in the UK with Future Fit and a certified personal trainer in the USA with the National Association of Sports Medicine. She also has qualifications in Sports Nutrition and Weight Management with the America Council of Exercise and is about to embark on her first NPC Fitness Competition! Cat Perry – Instructor Trainer: Cat is an Edinburgh-born and based Dance and Fitness Instructor with her own Teaching Company – Dance Division. Cat is a qualified Dance Teacher and Aerobics Instructor with lots of knowledge and expertise in the industy as well as experience in training and mentoring others. Cat has run her own Dance and Fitness teaching company since 2007. She holds dance and fitness qualifications and has a wealth of hands-on experience and knowledge. Cat has trained and mentored a wide range of people, developing many training courses, CPD training and delivers Sports and Dance qualifications. Lisa – Backing Dancer: Lisa is a Scottish lass originally from Dundee, she also Studied at the Dance School of Scotland before moving on to the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, graduating with a first class honors degree. Her past show credits include Jackie the Musical and Bugle Boy (UK tour). Lisa is also a ceilidh dance caller with Licence to Ceilidh! Waylon – Backing Dancer Hailing from the west of England, Waylon studied at the Arts Educational College in London and his past show credits include Riverdance (Dublin), The Lion King (West End) and We Will Rock You (World Area Tour & UK West End). Ceilidh Club: Ceilidh Club is a vastly popular evening of fun Scottish dancing, held regularly in Camden, London, UK. It attracts attendees from all over the globe and the evenings are regularly sold out! Playing host to some of the UK’s best ceilidh bands, it’s a great way to get a taste of Scotland in London! Licence to Ceilidh: Licence to Ceilidh are a world renowned ceilidh band with 14 years experience in playing all types of events, from weddings to birthdays parties, charity and corporate evenings… The band specialise in a modern style of Scottish ceilidh, incorporating traditional tunes and dances with a modern, funky rhythm section. Licence to Ceilidh have had numerous TV appearances including on E4’s Made in Chelsea, BBC’s Great British Menu and Channel 4’s Gok Wan’s Fashion Fix and were this years Regional Wedding Award winners ‘Best Live Act for a Wedding, in London & Sussex’. We hope you enjoyed reading about the Kelta Fit team. If you want to contact them please feel free to do directly or drop us a note if you want.

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the city of edinburgh music school

Edinburgh

One year ago today, we were not sure how we would be delivering educational experiences for our students. Two years ago, the situation was even worse as we were not sure whether we would be able to offer anything meaningful at all in person. The relative normality of this year’s first day of school brings reassurance and joy. So far it seems that everyone has grown over the summer, and our returners look more confident and poised than they did six weeks ago. No doubt they have many stories to share, much better in person than through the various social media platforms that they have been inhabiting. Our new S1 students are excited about starting this new phase in their lives. A few have had to ask for directions to classes, but good for them that they have the confidence to do so. They will bring much to the future of our school and in the blink of an eye they will be in S6 preparing for the next phase. Being Part of the Community The vast majority of our students are showing their pride in being part of the Broughton High School community by wearing school uniform and dress code. That is part of their contribution to their school, and is most welcome. I would emphasise that although school uniform is much less expensive than the designer clothing that teenagers might choose to wear, we are keen to support families who are struggling with the cost of clothing. The best way to access this is via our guidance team, through either a direct phone call or an email to school reception. Academic Success More detailed information will be forthcoming, but I am absolutely delighted to share that the attainment gained by our S4-S6 students last year was outstanding. Despite the many challenges that they had to face, they contributed to the best set of SQA results that the school has ever seen. Better than the exam-free years of 2020 and 2021. Better than any year since statistics have been recorded in the current format. This is particularly remarkable, given that the national pass rates have actually declined this year. This level of academic success is not just down to ability but comes as a result of many factors: hard work and resilience; support from parents and carers; and untiring high quality teaching and regard from staff are some. A massive well done from me and the whole school staff to those young people. Senior Staffing News We welcome Mrs Lisa Evans to our school senior leadership team. Mrs Evans has been a curriculum leader in another Edinburgh school for the past eight years, and was previously an English teacher at Broughton. I am delighted that Mrs Evans is back in the Broughton HS family and we look forward to great things. Recently we also welcomed Mr Steven Frew back to Broughton HS after a few years as a curriculum leader in East Lothian. Mr Frew joined us just before the end of the summer term in the role of Senior Development Officer. One of his key roles is to explore the diversity in our school community and make the most of the opportunities that this provides. This will be fascinating and will provide further impetus to cohesion and success in our school. Mr Frew was also previously with us as a Business Education teacher. It speaks volumes for Broughton HS that staff who have progressed in their career are keen to re-join us further down the line. I am pleased to inform you that Mrs Shona Wallace, Depute Headteacher, has been appointed on an acting basis to the Headship of Craigroyston Community High School. Mrs Wallace will work hard – as she always does – to support the community at Craigroyston. We wish her well, and look forward to her return in the latter part of the academic year. Finally, I would like to thank our parental community for the support you give to our school. We will keep trying together to make things as good as possible for our young people. Most of the time we get it right, and long may that continue. John J Wilson Headteacher *********** Broughton High School aspires to be a learning community known for its excellent learning and teaching. We maximise student achievement; provide support, welfare and inspiration. We are committed to continual improvement. Our students will be confident, successful and able to contribute effectively and responsibly to society. They should foster an interest in life long learning. We are a consistently improving organisation. Our core values are the same - respect, inclusion and integrity in all that we do. Tolerance and a willingness to learn about other cultures have been at the heart of Scottish education for centuries. By embracing the Scottish tradition and developing through a curriculum for excellence we hope to develop as truly global citizens. Broughton High School is developing as a centre of excellence in the wider community with our business partners and neighbours utilising the building during and beyond the school day. The development of partnership working is important to us and we actively pursue their development. In school, it goes without saying that we provide a secure and healthy environment, but we aim for much more. We aspire to personal excellence at all times. In every classroom, on the playing fields, through every note played in the Music School we aim for the highest standards. These can only be achieved if the whole school community works in partnership.

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silverstone utc

Northamptonshire

I hope you and your family managed to have a relaxing summer and enjoyed the sunshine. Now that all of our students are back in school, I just wanted to introduce myself as the new Principal and to introduce you to my two new Deputies. I also wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with some updates on what lies ahead for Silverstone UTC. After 19 years in teaching, mostly at senior levels in a pastoral capacity, I take over the helm of the UTC at a very exciting time. This year’s KS4 admissions were the best ever and we currently have a waiting list of over fifty students wishing to join Year 10. Year 12 recruitment was very pleasing, with numbers up and the academic calibre of the intake being a testament to their hard work in their GCSE examinations. It is always so inspiring when young people rise to a challenge. With this year being the first year of formal KS4 examination since Covid, it is heartening to see how many have secured the GCSEs needed to take them onto their next steps. Both new year groups have made an excellent start and they and their Parents/Carers should be rightly proud. It is now vital that our students maintain that positivity and that they work alongside teaching staff to maximise their potential. With regard to the students who will be starting their final years in KS4 and KS5, I am confident that they are now entering those years better prepared for what lies ahead as the shadow of Covid appears to have lifted. Our job, alongside these students, is to ensure that we work hard to secure for them the academic success that will allow them to fulfil their future dreams and aspirations. The importance of maintaining strong academic outcomes and supporting these students is borne out by the destinations for this year’s leavers. Many secured jobs in organisations like BAE, Mercedes AMG, Boeing, Roll Royce, Scania, Torque Motorsport, DB Automotive and the Armed Forces whilst others went on to colleges and university to study a range of subjects such as Architecture, Finance, Automotive and Civil Engineering, Marketing and Renewable Technologies. In 2021 none of our students (by choice) were without opportunities in education, employment and training and it would appear, given early indications, that this is going to be the same for this year’s leavers. What an excellent outcome for our young people. It reflects the fact that students who attend the UTC are seen by many employers, outside agencies and educational institutions as much more work-ready than those from other educational establishments. The ethos of work-readiness and of developing the personal qualities of our students so they can flourish in their next stage is a core theme that is going to underpin the excellent educational opportunities that all the staff in the UTC will strive to provide for your sons and daughters. We are current fully staffed and my new deputies bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will strengthen the Senior Leadership Team immensely. Mrs Angela Murphy is the Deputy for Curriculum and Achievement. She comes from Lord Grey and has been pivotal in securing them a good outcome in their recent inspection. Her reputation for expecting high standards in curriculum delivery and maximising achievement will, I am sure, lead to greater effectiveness of teachers and greater academic understanding for your sons and daughters. She will work alongside our Assistant Principal, Mr Simon Hollies, who brings a broad and in-depth understating of academic theories related to improving the quality of teaching and Learning. Between them and the staff at the UTC, I am wholly confident that best practise in the class will be the norm for all. My other new deputy, Mr William Jakeman, joins us as Head of Pastoral Care, which includes behaviour and safeguarding. Mr Jakeman has had many years’ experience in this role at the most senior levels and has a reputation of upholding the highest standards, whilst underpinning his expectations with a fairness, kindness and compassionate rigour that is respected by students who know he has their best interest at heart. It is also important to me and my team that wellbeing needs of SEN(D) and disadvantages are met as best as we can and to that end, this year, I have appointed a SEN(D) Teaching and Learning Lead (Ms Jessica Dixon) who will work alongside our SENCO (Ms Christie Norris) and our very talented Teaching Assistants (Mrs Lauren Leeson and Mrs Jessica Ryzman). Ms Dixon’s focus will be to ensure that the specific needs of SEN(D) students in the class are being met and that these students and their parents/carers have an advocate who will work alongside them to ensure the best educational experience for their sons and daughters. As a teacher of many years, she brings to the role a clear understanding of what has to be achieved and I have every confidence in her ability to make good things happen for students in her care. Finally, I have the privileged task of guiding the long term future of the UTC towards a Multi-Academic Trust (MAT). In aiming to join a Trust in September 2023, we will seek to ensure that Silverstone UTC has the best opportunities to share with other schools the best academic and well-being expertise, fiscal security, strength and depths in a wider curriculum that will benefit our students and staff and in so doing, further strengthen the already great position in which we find ourselves today. As that process continues, I will be updating all those involved but I start the journey excited by the great benefits that being part of a MAT will bring to the UTC, our staff and most importantly your sons and daughters. I end by thanking everyone involved in the UTC for the start made this term. I offer my assurances that I will work hard to guide the UTC in the best way possible and with such great students, supportive Parents/Carers and talented staff, I am confident that the future for Silverstone is a positive one for all involved. My best wishes, John Principal

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school of dialogue

London

Arabella Tresilian MAHons PGCE FRSA Dialogue Facilitator, Mediator & Conflict Coach: Mediation, fully-accredited by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Dispute resolution for Employment, Workplace, Civil, Commercial & Community cases Specialist in health and social care, including mental health, autism & disabilities Download a copy of my one-page profile here: Arabella Tresilian Mediator Profile Overview ‘Arabella Tresilian is a CEDR-accredited mediator, and a conflict resolution trainer, specialising in facilitating dispute resolution and employee wellbeing in the public sector. She has twenty years’ experience as a management consultant, leader and educator, and set up the School of Dialogue to teach conflict resolution skills. Arabella mediates independently and on behalf of the Medical Mediation Foundation, Resolve West and other panels where she specialises in lending her ‘expertise by experience’ in the fields of mental health and neurodiversity. Arabella’s 70+ case history since 2016 include mediations in the fields of Judicial Review, Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Local Government, workplace, employment, community and public sector dispute resolution.’ I am an independent consultant specialising in dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution and partnership-building. My business development experience, studies in educational leadership and experience in dispute resolution combine effectively to allow me to support organisations, employees, families and individuals in finding win-win resolutions within complex scenarios. I have 20 years experience working in a strategic capacity for public, private and third sector organisations in the UK and overseas, and I have specialist consulting experience in the fields of sustainability, education and health/social care. I have also taught and managed at secondary level internationally and in the independent sector in the UK, and founded/directed a theatre company devoted to promoting the understanding of mental health and social exclusion. I am a CEDR-Accredited Mediator qualified to undertake employment, workplace, commercial, civil and community mediation. In 2017 I became a CEDR Associate with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), joining their world-renowned training faculty. In the community setting, I am a Certificated Mediator with Resolve West (previously Bristol Mediation) resolving neighbour disputes and hate crime cases. I am also the cofounder of Equisphere Employability and a workplace mental health trainer for Bath Mind. In the healthcare setting, I am a mediator, trainer and conflict coach with the Medical Mediation Foundation. I am a Quality Improvement Coach with the Q Community (NHS Improvement & Health Foundation) and a Public & Patient Involvement advisor for the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). I am a Member of End of Life Doula UK and have undertaken Advance Care Planning training with Living Well Dying Well. I am also a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor training groups to become Mental Health First Aiders in their contexts. I am a member of the Civil Mediation Council as a Member of the Association of South West Mediators. I abide by the European Code of Conduct for Mediators. I have DBS clearance and am fully insured as a mediator, trainer,educator, mentor and coach. Professional Experience & Skills Overview Facilitation and Organisational Dialogue Strategic development and team coaching in the workplace Communications and engagement for public-facing organisations Design and delivery of multi-organisational commercial partnerships Stakeholder engagement for effective policy development Conflict Intervention and Negotiation Interpersonal mediation and conflict resolution for workplace contexts Conflict coaching and mediation for highly-escalated community conflicts Brokerage of interorganisational partnerships for socio-economic benefit Leadership Design / delivery of Leadership Skills for Employability training for University of Bath Postgraduate certificate in Educational Leadership & Management (2011) Founder of three social enterprises and experienced team leader and manager International Competence Partnerships negotiator for European Green Capital 2015 Merger & Acquisition consultancy – UK/Spain Educator in vocational, business and enterprise skills – Coimbatore, India Training and Coaching Experienced teacher, trainer, mentor and coach specialising in communication Mentor to young leaders in enterprise on Future Talent programme Mental Health First Aider and specialist trainer in mental health with Mind Charity My style and my specialisms I came to the practice of Conflict Resolution and Mediation through two distinct routes. One was through doing management consulting in the public and private sectors, and coming to understand just how much stress, inefficiency and sadness arises from communication and conflict difficulties in the workplace. The other route was through being a patient, a parent of children with disabilities and a family carer, and witnessing how difficult it can be to make plans for the future when the present involves difficult discussions and many people. So I specialise in making sure that people feel comfortable with the process they undertake with me, and that it leads them towards feeling comfortable and confident about their future. I aim to be thoroughly supportive, reassuring and encouraging at all times. My professional work and personal experience in health and social care mean that I am particularly experienced in supporting people who are living with any form of illness, disability, mental health condition or life-limiting condition. I have particular personal experience of working with people who are deaf or hearing impaired, on the autism spectrum, experiencing mental illness and living with dementia or stroke. Why I love being a mediator I came to mediation through a confluence of circumstances which made me think, ‘There must be a better way for people to deal with their difficulties than to threaten legal action, or refuse to engage in communication at all!’ I realised that a great deal of my management consultancy work was really… conflict resolution. It gave me such pleasure and relief when long-held rifts within and between teams melted away after some good, authentic communication. This piqued my interest to find out more about the art of conflict resolution, and I did my first certificated training, and started practising as a community mediator. Later I qualified as a civil and employment mediator, and have been mediating ever since. It’s astonishing to witness people’s lives turn from a turmoil of distressing, intractable ‘stuckness’, to a new phase in which, for example, neighbours can conceive of greeting each other again; or work colleagues re-establish trust between each other after maybe years of mistrust, stress and non-communication. Mediation takes empathy, patience and persistence, and it is a skill I will develop and hone endlessly over years to come, but its core aspect is a belief that people really can find peace again, given the right support and a safe space to explore options for settling differences. Facilitating such processes is a real honour. Nothing beats the sight of former disputants smiling, shaking hands, or even (more often than you would think) hugging, at the end of a mediation.

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