Welcome back WELL Schools!

WELL: 'Leading the way on Evidence Informed Implementation'

Universal/ Targeted Grant Implementation

We are delighted to inform you that Professor Jonathan Sharples and Jon Eaton, authors of the EEF's Guide to Implementation, will partner with WELL/ ERA to make their compelling evidence informed implementation guide come to life for WELL schools, through a groundbreaking project.

Please see our Universal/ Targeted grant implementation section of this WOW to find out more including how to participate in the largest funded element of WELL 2025/26, important dates for your diaries and details of the commitments required.

Cumbrian Award: Join the Award

BElong, BElieve, BEcome

Over the last few weeks, we have enjoyed the opportunity to share the benefits and impact of Cumbrian Award, with a range of stakeholders, including local businesses. The response has been very positive and we are in the process of developing a 'Guide for Employers' on how they can support and recognise the award. 

We are pleased that nearly 1500 pupils in 30 schools are currently taking part and making the most of an award specifically designed for our region. We are equally delighted that schools are sharing ideas and resources, that make it possible to implement the award in a way that supports and adds value to the curriculum.

Great Teaching Toolkit (GTT): 2025/26

Opportunity to get involved next year!

If you are not currently using Evidence Based Education's Great Teaching Toolkit in school, please see the GTT section of this WOW, for an exciting opportunity to get involved in 2025/26.

Strive-for-Five: Enhancing Language through Conversation (FREE) Webinar

Tuesday 8th July 15:45 - 16:45, Online

Town End Research School are offering a free webinar, focusing on building children’s comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive skills through at least five back and forth exchanges.

Please view the webinar flyer HERE and secure places by completing the ONLINE BOOKING FORM.

Explore the EEF’s new recruiting projects 

There is an opportunity for WELL schools to participate in the EEF's recently launched 11 new research projects spanning across Early Years settings, Primary, and Secondary schools. Focused mainly on the themes of writing and Maths, projects have been selected based on their potential impact on the attainment of socio-economically disadvantaged pupils.

The projects include: peer-to-peer coaching to build Maths skills in Secondary school pupils, professional development for teachers led by occupational therapists to support handwriting skills for Year 1 pupils, and training sessions with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), where Year 5 teachers will learn how to use the same techniques with their pupils that RSC actors use in rehearsals to unlock texts and bring them to life.

By taking part, you could access subsidised professional development for staff. You can also contribute to the evidence base on what works to improve outcomes, especially for those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Further details can be found on the EEF website HERE.

EEF's Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance Report

Briefing with Sally Franklin: 22nd May 15:30 - 17:00, Online

The newly updated EEF guidance report on the 'Deployment of Teaching Assistants' is available HERE.

As you know, Sally Franklin, a guidance panel adviser of the report, is a partner with WELL. Sally will be delivering an online briefing, focused on the new guidance report, for all WELL schools on:

Thursday 22nd May 15:30 - 17:00, Online

If you would like to attend this briefing, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk and we will share the meeting invite with you.

WELL: Leading the Way on Evidence Informed Implementation Project

Groundbreaking opportunity!

You will all be aware that WELL is an evidence informed project, where research based implementation is the main mechanism, underpinning our delivery approach.

The commitment our schools have shown over the past 4 years gives us confidence that the overwhelming majority of you buy into this process and is a key factor in Professor Jonathan Sharples and Jon Eaton's desire with to work with WELL and ERA, in the next phase of our work.

For the next 14 months, we have the groundbreaking opportunity to work directly with the authors of the EEF Implementation guidance report, in a way that will support every participating school to deepen the sophistication of implementation, regardless of starting point.

Further details of this practical project can be found in the project flyer HERE and a brief presentation from Dale below:

This project will be delivered in a hybrid design, accessible to all and developed alongside our schools. Every participating school will have access to cutting edge, highly practical resources that can be applied to all your school improvement work.

Headteachers and Implementation Leads should participate in the initial 'launch briefing', alongside any colleagues who have a responsibility for implementation. The 'launch briefing' will take place on the below dates:

• Wednesday 18th June  09:30 - 12:30, Energus, Lillyhall
• Wednesday 18th June  15:30 - 17:30, Online
• Thursday 19th June 09:30 - 12:30, Whitehaven Golf Club

Bookings for these sessions will be available through SLA Online shortly. 

Dale is meeting with the LIS team, CEOs and school improvement leads of MATs to set out the details of this opportunity and so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We believe this is a really compelling offer to all of our schools.

Please take some time to look at the PROJECT FLYER and PRESENTATION FROM DALE to inform your decision, whether you wish to make a commitment to this opportunity and the Universal and Targeted grant funding offer next academic year, by completing THIS FORM by Friday 23rd May.

WELL Schools: Shared Priorities Spreadsheet

Key priorities for 2024/25

Please find a link to a password protected spreadsheet on our website HERE, which provides an overview of what each of our schools are working on as their key priorities this academic year.

The password to access the spreadsheet is: w3llpr0j3ct2025

This is a live document that will be updated throughout the rest of the academic year. Please check that the information we hold about your school is correct and contact WELL@cumberland.gov.uk if you would like to change anything.

We encourage all of our schools to reach out to other WELL schools with similar priorities and share your insights with others.

Great Teaching Toolkit

2024/25 Cohort Schools

The Summer Learning Community for all schools that currently participate in the Great Teaching Toolkit programme will take place on:

Wednesday 7th May at 15:30 - 17:00, online

Just a quick reminder, if you currently access the toolkit through WELL and haven't already confirmed participation in the GTT programme next academic year, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Monday 2nd May.

During the Summer Term, Professor Rob Coe and his team will be in West Cumbria to visit some WELL schools that are using the Great Teaching Toolkit and to celebrate the many strengths of teacher professional development approaches being taken.

Join the GTT programme 2025/26!

If teacher development is a key priority for your school next academic year, we encourage you to join the 27 WELL schools currently implementing the GTT programme and collaborating to make teaching in their schools the best it can possibly be. Please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk, if you would like to get involved with GTT next year by Friday 23rd May.

Please note, that for our current schools and for any schools that do participate in the GTT programme from September 2025. We anticipate being able to support your implementation of the toolkit for the next two academic years of WELL (until 2027). 

To support our scoping of a potential 2025/26 ELSA cohort, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk to express an interest in training an ELSA next academic year no later than Friday 23rd May. 

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.