Happy Wednesday!

•  Headteachers & Implementation Leads by 24th October: 
  • Sign and return Universal/Targeted grant offer letter
  • Provide a 'high-level' summary in pink columns of WELL Implementation Plan
  • Complete Evaluation of WELL-funded implementation work 2024/25
• Headteachers & GTT Leads: Sign and return GTT grant offer letter by 24^th October
• NGRT Leads: Ensure all KS3 pupils have been tested using Form A by Friday 24^th October
• Disadvantaged Provision Project Leads: Send draft Pupil Premium Strategy to Patty Williams (pwilliams@ashfield-jun.cumbria.sch.uk) by 7th November

The latest from the WELL team:

Focus on Maths

By Friday 17th October 

As discussed by Jonathan and Jon at Implementing WELL Workshop 2, please find details below regarding the KS2/3 Mathematics Programme with Simon Cox:

Simon Cox, the Director of Blackpool Research School and former EEF Maths Content Specialist, is working with WELL schools to explore the evidence base for teaching Mathematics in KS2/3.

The online training will be based upon the EEF’s Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 Guidance Report, and will feature additional tools and resources developed to support schools in implementing the recommendations.

Topics explored will include: problem solving, metacognition, manipulatives and representations, teacher modelling, and the use of assessment to adapt teaching. The sessions will be suitable for all schools regardless of the Maths scheme they use and are relevant for both school leaders and teachers.

Schools are welcome to attend the webinars even if they haven’t selected Maths as the focus for the Implementing WELL project. 

Please find the programme outline below:

KS2/3 Mathematics Programme with Simon Cox

• 2 x 90 minute twilight online briefings: 
  • Thursday 23rd October 15:30 - 17:00
  • Tuesday 11th November 15:30 - 17:00
• Simon will be attending Workshop 3 of Implementing WELL on Thursday 27 November to support schools who have identified Maths as their priority focus for the Implementing WELL project
• 90 minute follow-up support briefing in January 2026 (Online)

To participate in this programme, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Friday 17^th October to receive the meeting links.

New Group Maths Test (NGMT) in Primary Schools

By Friday 17th October

To support the monitoring of Maths in Primary schools, WELL is offering fully funded access to GL Assessment’s New Group Maths Test (NGMT).

NGMT is a digital, adaptive, and standardised assessment that provides a termly snapshot of pupils’ mathematical attainment across key curriculum areas.

Earlier this year, WELL schools participated in the NGMT pilot, and we are now expanding the offer to all Primary schools with a focus on Maths.

NGMT will also help Primary schools involved in the Simon Cox Maths programme to monitor and standardise pupil outcomes more effectively.

The assessment is suitable for pupils in Years 2 – 6. To find out more about NGMT please click HERE.

To express an interest in working with Simon Cox and/or participating in NGMT, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Friday 17th October.

Implementing WELL: Workshop 2 

29th/ 30th September

Thank you to all the schools and leaders who joined us for last week’s Implementing WELL: Workshop 2. We hope you found the focus on ‘Exploring what to implement’ useful and thought-provoking.

All workshop materials and resources are available on the Implementing WELL Padlet.

If your school was unable to attend, please contact us at WELL@cumberland.gov.uk so we can ensure your continued participation in the programme.

Please note that participation in this workshop is a condition of the Universal/Targeted Grant Funding for 2025-26.

Implementing WELL: Workshop 2 - Support Session

Monday 20th October 3:45pm – 4:45pm, Online

A follow-up support session with Jonathan Sharples and Jon Eaton will take place on Monday 20th October 3:45pm – 4:45pm, Online.

This session offers an opportunity to ask questions and clarify any elements of Workshop 2 or the Explore phase. Please find the meeting link to join below:

Join the meeting now

WELL Implementation Plan Submission

By Friday 24th October

As discussed during the workshop, please submit a high-level summary in the pink columns of your WELL Implementation Plan to WELL@cumberland.gov.uk by Friday 24th October.

These submissions are essential to release grant funding and to help us organise the learning community groups ahead of Workshop 3 on 26th or 27th November.

Disadvantaged Provision Project (DPP) with Marc Rowland

The ERA team look forward to receiving your draft Pupil Premium strategies for feedback by Friday 7th November.

Please send these to pwilliams@ashfield-jun.cumbria.sch.uk - each school will receive annotated feedback.

Please find all DPP Network Meeting dates below:

• Thursday 16^th October 16:00 - 17:00 (Online) 
• Tuesday 2^nd December 16:00 - 17:00 (Online)
• Tuesday 3^rd February 16:00 - 17:00 (ERA building)
• Monday 23^rd March 16:00 - 17:00 (Venue TBC)
• Wednesday 6^th May 16:00 - 17:00 (online)
• Tuesday 7^th July (Venue TBC)

Each session will focus on addressing disadvantage in the classroom, inputs will be cross phase and draw on local and national expertise.

Calendar invites for each of the network meetings will be sent by the ERA Team.

Sellafield Education and Skills Fair

Beth, our Cumbrian Award Development Officer, attended the Sellafield Ltd Education and Skills Fair last week, engaging with talented graduates and apprentices to share the vision of the Cumbrian Award.

Focusing on our core message – BElong, BElieve, BEcome – Beth highlighted how the award empowers young people through real-world experiences that build confidence, resilience, and the essential skills of success with the Skills Builder UK framework.

Graduates shared exciting ideas on how they could use their time, skills, and expertise to enhance the award and support our participating schools. The Cumbrian Award team are exploring ways the Graduates could contribute to and collaborate with the award.

Autumn Term Network Meeting

Wednesday 15th October 15:45 - 16:45, Online

The first Cumbrian Award Network Meeting of the year will take place next Wednesday 15th October 15:45 - 16:45, Online.

All Cumbrian Award Leaders are invited to join us. This meeting is a great opportunity to hear the latest updates, connect with fellow leaders, share best practices, and get support with delivering the award. Meeting invites have been shared by the Cumbrian Award team.

Join the Award!

If your school would like to join the Cumbrian Award—alongside over 1,300 Primary and Secondary pupils already taking part - please complete the Cumbrian Award Enrolment Form or email us at Cumbrian.Award@Cumberland.gov.uk.

Participating schools benefit from:

✨ Dedicated support from our Cumbrian Award Development Officer

🤝 Access to network community meetings with fellow Cumbrian Award schools

📘 Exclusive resources including the Passport of Success to help pupils celebrate their achievements

Primary Cluster Writing Programme 

As per our last WOW, Stella Jones has recorded the contents of the Sentenced to Success launch session.

We are making these available to all WELL schools, please find the link to the recordings included in a google drive HERE. 

Unlock Early Writing Success: A Practical Approach with WISE Academies

As mentioned at the Sentenced to Success launch session, please find the flyer for the WISE Academies/ Town End Research School webinar on Early Writing taking place on Wednesday 5th November 15:30 - 17:00 HERE.

This webinar is open to all WELL schools. Please find the link to register attendance at the webinar below:

Cohort 2: Day 1 Training

Thank you to the 18 schools that attended Day 1 of the MITA training (Cohort 2) last week, we hope you enjoyed the session with Sally.

In advance of Day 2 training on 20th November 09:30 - 15:30 please complete the RAG self-assessment tool and bring this document with you to the session.

Bookings are also available to secure places for your TAs on the Tuesday 6th January 2026 INSET Day training. Please forward the names and email addresses of the colleagues you would like to secure places for, to WELL@cumberland.gov.uk and we will arrange your bookings.

ELSA Sellafield Graduates Community Project

Last week, 14 of our schools partnered with teams of Sellafield Graduates to enhance their ELSA environments. Thank you for joining us at this induction meeting. 

The schools discussed creative ideas with the graduates to help redesign spaces where their children receive vital ELSA interventions, supporting their emotional wellbeing and readiness to learn. 

This exciting project is a great way for graduates to connect with our schools and give back to the community, while our schools benefit from their fresh perspectives and expertise. We’re excited to see the finished spaces!

ELSA Evaluation Survey

Thank you again to all the schools that completed the short ELSA Evaluation survey 2024/25.

Please find a link to a video summarising the survey findings, shared on our social media platforms HERE.

Autumn Term Training Cohort

We are pleased to announce that another 26 Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Staff began their ELSA training last week with Cognus Ltd.

If you would like your school to be added to the Cumberland ELSA waiting list, to be considered for any future training cohorts, please email WELL@cumberland.gov.uk.

Annual Events Planner & Implementing WELL Padlet 2025/26

All 2025/26 WELL Events and training sessions are detailed in the WELL Annual Events Planner.

Events with the '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 Implementing WELL Padlet includes all  presentation slides, recordings and resources to support participation in the Implementing WELL project.

Please do not share these resources more widely than your school.