We spoke to Elliott Wade, Lead teacher of Maths at Leeds City Academy, who has participated in multiple courses here at the National STEM Learning Centre about his experience learning valuable new skills on our ‘New and aspiring leaders of mathematics’ CPD course. Here’s what he had to say:
I was first given information about the New and Aspiring Leaders of Mathematics course by my line manager, who had previously been to the National STEM Learning Centre to complete the course the previous year. I was aware that the STEM Learning Centre offered a wide range of CPD but my colleague regarded this course very highly following their personal experience there.
I was looking to further develop confidence as a teacher of maths but also to develop a stronger set of leadership skills that would contribute to becoming a department lead in the future. I really wanted the course to give a holistic overview of what running a department would be like as well as have the opportunity to hear about and share experiences of having greater responsibility with other course members.
“The residential element really allows the time needed to process the wealth of information you receive through the day sessions.”
The residential element really allows the time needed to process the wealth of information you receive through the day sessions. The downtime in the evening offers the perfect opportunity to discuss the session content with others, review the slides on the iPads lent out or have some social time with other members of the course.
The bursary process is made really simple. It’s hard for schools to say no to sending members of staff to such high quality CPD with an such a generous bursary that really doesn't’t add any additional work to staff that attend of the school involved!
“The course has really impacted the way I teach as well as the way I manage and communicate with staff in my department.”
The course has really impacted the way I teach as well as the way I manage and communicate with staff in my department. I feel far more enabled to lead than prior to the course and I also feel like the course has provided me with a network of other teachers (the course members) that I can speak with about similar issues we may be experiencing.
I feel 100% more confident in using effective strategies to manage difficult situations that can arise as well as finding ways to implement new school or department policies within my team. It has allowed my confidence as a leader and not just a teacher really show as I am aware and can manage the main job roles of a head of department which has also instilled a new confidence in my colleagues.
My confidence as a leader has benefited my students highly with regards to teaching and learning as well as behaviour, all of which ultimately lead to greater progress. I’d like to think that attending this course was one of the many things that contributed to good results last academic year!
I will certainly be on the lookout for more opportunities to attend events at the National STEM Learning Centre myself, however I would like to now look at courses that can help strengthen the department as well. I know now that they offer much more than just leadership courses and I have already earmarked a few that I believe will benefit my colleagues too!
Thoroughly enjoyed all my time spent at the National STEM Learning Centre, I know there always will be high quality and up to date content from Mike, Steve and Alan’s legendary team!
To find any more information on the New and aspiring leaders of mathematics course, or any of the others we offer, click here