Kyra Journals 2016-2017

Togetherness through tighter times | Kyra Journal July 2017

 This issue of challenging school funding does not look set to go away and the system faces a lot of uncertainty – not least as we are still waiting for the detail on the new National Funding Formula, which is expected to come into effect from April 2018! The message has to be ‘let’s prepare – together – as best we can’.

Whilst government has promised to spend an additional £4 billion on education in this parliament, we know from recent research by the Education Policy Institute that (even with this additional funding) this could still see a real terms per pupil reduction of 3%. That requires us to think differently, to look at how we procure services, maximise the talents of our staff, and consider our capacity for seeking additional funding and income generation so that we can protect spending on pupils and their learning.

The key message is that by working together we can mitigate some of the challenges. The next few years are not going to be easy, but we must – where possible - begin to plan and to develop new ways of working that ensures our schools and pupils can continue to thrive.

• Pooling our talent: partnership for more efficient and effective site management
• Kyra School Business Development Day
• Leader in Focus: Marcus Adams
• Expert Voice: Effective bid writing, Sarah Ginns
• Research and Resources round-up

Shaping the system | Kyra Journal May 2017

All of us at Kyra know that the challenges such as tighter funding, recruitment, and the need to create a curriculum that truly prepares children for their lives ahead, requires us to continue to work together in deep and ambitious partnership. However, we also have a responsibility to share our learning with the wider sector and I am delighted that this edition of the journal documents examples of where Kyra is helping others – be they in East Lincolnshire or in Cambridgeshire – to build a self-improving schools system. That is a key part of our legacy as a group of schools and I am proud of the fact that our work will benefit more children within and beyond Lincolnshire.

This journal also includes information on our new school improvement case studies – showcasing examples of schools from across Lincolnshire that have made huge strides forward during the last five years. Again, I hope that these case studies – which are freely available on our website and across social media – help to inform school improvement far and wide. 

• Go East! The emergence of the Kyra East Hub
• Looking South; Sharing our learning and practice around peer review with schools in Cambridge
• School Improvement case studies
• Looking North (and South West!): Sharing our lessons on peer review
• Research & Resources Digest - May 2017
• Primary Assessment - a report,a consultation and a Kyra submission

Evidence Enabling Excellence | March 2017

I am very proud to have started my role as Research and Development leader for our new Research School. Having worked for the National College for Teaching and Leadership for a number of years, most recently as Senior Manager for School led Research and Development, I have been inspired by the way in which so many schools and school leaders have increasingly taken on responsibility for undertaking and disseminating research – and the impact it is having in their classrooms. The Research Schools model is a natural development for taking school-led research to scale and unleashing the potential of research to make a difference to children’s learning and development.

Kyra’s designation as one of the first five Research Schools will cement its important role in connecting and involving teachers and leaders with research. This month’s Research School launch conference demonstrated the huge interest, passion and commitment amongst many schools within Lincolnshire and beyond. There is a lot to do, but we begin from a strong base and with ambition for children at the heart of everything we do.

 This edition of the Kyra Journal provides a useful introduction to the role research is already playing in our schools, the plans for the Research School, and the ways in which schools will be supported to engage with and be involved in research into the future.

Juliet Brookes

Research & Development Leader Kyra Teaching School Alliance

• What is the Kyra Research School?
• In Summary: Kyra Research Conference
• Shifting Mindsets
• The Big Interview: James Richardson
• An Introduction to the Chartered College of Teaching
• Research Digest - February 2017

Navigating Change | December 2016

As leaders we must be astute about preparing for and managing change. The way in which we lead must instill a sense of confidence, security and optimism amongst the adults and – crucially – the children we lead and serve. That is easier said than done, and often it can be extremely daunting for us as leaders to maintain that sense of calm, considered leadership when so much around us is in a state of flux. That is why it was so encouraging to see so many leaders coming together at the recent Kyra Development Day. The challenges – be it financial pressures, recruitment issues or the decisions around moving to academy status - seem more manageable following that event and I think we can all feel a little more confident (and supported) heading into 2017.

This journal not only includes a summary of the day (a fuller report is also available) but also a summary of some of the latest research and guidance from across the system. Our thanks to Simon Bramwell, Emma Knights and Sir David Carter for bringing a wealth of insight and good advice to the day. I’m also delighted that this edition includes a case study of the transition experienced by the trustees at Infinity Academy Trust in East Lincolnshire. Trustees and governors play such an important role in helping schools to navigate change and – as you’ll read – a degree of experience and support is now beginning to emerge within Lincolnshire schools. Thanks to Mel, Sean and Jo for their insights.

Helen Barker

Head of Kyra Teaching School Alliance

• Kyra Development Day: Synopsis
• Making the leap: from governor to trustee
• Research Digest: Multi-Academy Trusts
• In Conversation: Emma Knights

Securing wellbeing for all | Kyra Journal October 2016

The last few months have seen the publication of a number of articles, research papers and media headlines focusing on the challenges around wellbeing and the level of pressure and uncertainty faced by children and adults alike. These findings, together with the anecdotal evidence from across the system, present each one of us with one of the most pressing challenges of our careers as educationalists – to ensure that children and those of us who serve children are able to thrive in a challenging and uncertain world. We cannot fulfil our roles in preparing children for the lives that lie ahead of them without prioritising both their wellbeing and that of our colleagues.

The Children’s Society published an extensive piece of research in August that showed how more girls in particular are more unhappy with their lives than five years ago. Meanwhile, in early October, the Education Policy Institute reiterated the challenge of teacher workload and the fact that it limits teachers’ access to professional development and puts some at risk of ‘burnout’. Our schools simply cannot succeed without happy, motivated and supported teachers.

This edition of the journal brings together a range of perspectives in order to highlight some of the issues, share examples of best practice, and seeks to raise greater awareness of the opportunities that Kyra brings to ensure better wellbeing – not least through our Kyra Wellbeing initiative. I’m also delighted that Priory Witham have shared their strategies for supporting pupils who are facing a range of challenges beyond the classroom.

I do hope that by raising the issues - and providing some tips for addressing them - we are all encouraged to put an even greater emphasis on wellbeing and to share both our concerns and our ideas with one another. It is only by working together that we can succeed in this very important aspect of our work.

Warm wishes,

Marie-Claire

• A beacon for wellbeing: Priory Witham Academy 
• Research Digest: the national picture for children’s wellbeing 
• Staff wellbeing: time to let your guard down 
• Reservoirs of hope 
• A nurse’s perspective on staff wellbeing