Messages from the WELL Team:

Mathematics as a Priority

During the previous phase of WELL, a minority of schools used WELL Funding to implement plans to address Mathematic priorities.

We are aware that 2024 KS2 Maths outcomes in the region, particularly in Primary, were not strong. Therefore, we anticipate an increase in the number of primary schools that will be choosing Maths as a focus, and we will be exploring opportunities to support our schools through our relationship with EEF, the LA, MATs, and the Maths Hub.  These opportunities will be communicated through future WOWs.

New Group Maths Tests (NGMT)

Maths Standardised Testing by GL Assessments

There will be an opportunity for interested WELL schools to get involved in NGMT assessments, focused on Y2 to Y6. This will begin in Spring Term 2025.

To find out more about NGMT Testing, please find a link to the GL Assessments 'Introducing NGMT' video HERE.

If you are interested in or would like to get involved in this, with the potential for funded access, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Thursday 12th December and we will ensure that we include you in all communications about it.

We will be sharing details directly with all WELL schools that have identified Maths as a priority on their implementation plans, but any schools interested in developing their Maths assessments can express an interest.  

Pupil Premium (PP) Strategy 

This is a polite reminder to all WELL Schools, that you are required to publish an updated PP statement on your school website by Tuesday 31st December.

Please find PP strategy guidance on the Government Website HERE.

If you would like an example of a promising PP strategy, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk and we can share this with you.

University of Nottingham (UoN) External Evaluation of WELL Project

This week, the University of Nottingham evaluation team will be sharing headline findings for WELL Project Evaluation Phase 2 (2021- 24).

When we receive the final written evaluation report, we will let schools know and will make it available through the WELL Website.

A huge thank you to everyone that has contributed to this evaluation. We will use learning to improve what we do.

Quality Assurance of WELL Implementation Plans

Dale is currently reviewing all of the WELL Implementation plans submitted.

We will contact you with feedback, designed to support and progress plans and funding over the coming month.

Beth Loughran - Layton 

Cumbrian Award Development Officer

We are delighted to introduce Beth Loughran-Layton, our new Cumbrian Award Development Officer, who will be working with us on a part time basis (Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays) and reaching out to all Cumbrian Award Schools this week.

Contact - Beth.Loughran-Layton@cumbria.gov.uk

Beth comes from an arts background where she has developed a long career in dance through performance, choreography and creative practice, teaching and research. Her practice has focused on people and places and the politics arising around this. Such as roots and identity, marginalisation, politics of knowledge and what knowledge can be more privileged than others and the injustices surrounding that. 

Beth is extremely excited to lend her knowledge and experience to the highly motivating Cumbrian Award initiative, given its purpose for positive change and base in research as a process.  Beth will be a key contact for schools and project partners in the running of the award and its ongoing development, as the award is continuously brought to life through rich connections a relationships across the region.

Poverty Proofing UK Project

Taking Expressions of Interest for Next Stages of the Project

Following the initial training session with the Children North East, Poverty Proofing UK team, held before half term, we are asking for expressions of interests from our Cumbrian Award schools, to participate in the next stages of this important work. For the Award to thrive and be fully inclusive, we will unpick the barriers to participation and find ways to overcome them.

Please view the full project outline HERE, which includes full details and the timeline (December – March) for all stages of the project.

This will include:

• Short staff online surveys (10 minutes)
• Staff Online consultations (30 minutes)
• Pupil Online consultations (30 minutes)

To support us to Poverty Proof CA for our pupils, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Monday 16^th December and we can help you to participate. It will not involve lots of extra work.

'BElong, BElieve, BEcome'

The overriding aim of Cumbrian Award is to enable every pupil to “Belong, Believe and Become”.

The focus on belonging is going to become a key feature of external focus and scrutiny and CA can really support schools to integrate this into curriculum and culture.

If you are interested in starting Cumbrian Award next term, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk and we will support you to get going.

TA INSET Day Session 

Monday 6th January 09:30 - 15:00, Whitehaven Golf Club

It was great to see Senior Leaders of our MITA Schools attending the Day 3 session last Thursday (28th November), developing their 'Maximising the Impact of TAs' Implementation plans.

We look forward to welcoming all of the valued TAs, the session with Sally, at Whitehaven Golf Club, on 6^th January 2025. A gentle reminder that all bookings for this training need to be made with the School Development Team (school.development@cumbria.gov.uk) by Friday 13th December. 

Look out for more details soon...

There will be a further opportunity for WELL schools to participate in the 'Maximising the Impact of TAs' Project, so please keep up to date with WOW communications to find out more.

Spring Term Cohort

Starting February 2025

The School Development Team will be contacting all of the schools that have been allocated a place on the Cumberland Spring Term cohort ELSA Cohort, before the end of term to secure bookings on this training.

We are working to secure a second cohort of ELSAs for WELL Schools, this academic year and will keep you updated on this.

Annual Events Planner and Programmes Padlet 2024/25

The WELL Programmes Padlet outlines all of our high quality professional development programmes available for 2024/25.

All WELL Events and upcoming training sessions are detailed in the WELL Annual Events Planner.

Events on the Annual Events Planner with a 'green dot' are bookable via SLA Online/ School Development Team. For all other events, please email WELL@Cumberland.gov.uk directly to express an interest.

The Annual Events Planner is a live link and will be updated throughout the year.