December 2014

Foundation appoints Professor Ed Sallis OBE to chair review – ‘Making maths and English work for all’

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Education and Training Foundation!

Dear colleague,

Welcome to the last Foundation Bulletin of 2014.

Along with the entire Foundation team, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has joined us in our mission of supporting colleges and providers in their improvement work. Peace at Christmas, and all our best wishes for a Happy New Year.

David RussellChief Executive The Education and Training Foundation

We are pleased to announce that Professor Ed Sallis OBE will chair the steering group for the review of English and maths qualifications, due to start in January 2015.

The Foundation was tasked with leading the review in November by Nick Boles, Minister of State for Skills and Equalities, to look at what employers and learners need from the maths and English qualifications taken by students who are not studying GCSEs.

December 2014

My journey to becoming a maths teacher

New Invitations To Tender

Professor Sallis, previously the Principal and Chief Executive of Highlands College, is the Chair of the Register Advisory Board for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Trustee of Jersey Heritage and a Commissioner of the Jersey Appointments Commission. He has worked in a variety of leadership roles in further and higher education and in 2010 was awarded the OBE for services to education.

David Russell, Chief Executive, Education and Training Foundation says “I’m delighted that Professor Sallis will be working with us, and leading our steering group throughout the open review process. This group will bring together employers, practitioners and qualifications experts. This is about asking how what we already have can be as good as it can be, especially from the perspective of employer recognition.”

Professor Sallis added "I am delighted to accept the role and excited about getting started in the new year. This is a great time to be working with a wide range of experts to look at what type of skills people need and expect in terms of English and maths, and recommending how English and maths qualifications could be improved”.

Work on ‘ Making maths and English work for all’ will commence in January in earnest and information will be shared on the Education and Training Foundation website. For further information about the review click here.

We are seeking invitations to tender for four new projects. For more information visit the Current Tenders page.

Leading Education and Training in Local Areas: deadline 6 JanuaryGCSE capability: Leadership and Governance to support English and maths: deadline 6 JanuaryTwo-way Street Leadership Exchange: deadline 16 JanuaryTo redevelop the systems and service used to collect the Staff Individualised Record (SIR) : deadline 19 JanuaryGCSE Capability: New Level 5 Modules for Teacher Education: deadline 20 January

Toby Swift, a lecturer at Abingdon and Witney College, talks about how the Maths Enhancement Programme helped him develop the skills, and the confidence to teach Maths to his students.

Register your interest to apply for professional formation leading to QTLSQualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) is a professional status that can be gained by successfully completing professional formation. Professional formation is a process that enables you to demonstrate the effective use of skills and knowledge in your professional practice that is required to achieve QTLS.

December 2014

LAST CALL! Foundation Professional Membership Service consultation ends Friday 19 DecemberThere is still time for you to help shape the future of the Foundation’s Professional Membership Service.

Take part in our online benefits survey before it closes on Friday 19 December 2014.

This is a great opportunity for you to help us build a fantastic new service to ensure the sector's success in the years ahead. We want our Membership Service to support practitioners in taking ownership of their own professional development – providing the services they feel will be most helpful as they progress along their career paths.

So whether you are a front-line practitioner, support staff member, or a senior or middle leader, we want to hear your views about the benefits we could usefully offer. We would also like to hear from colleagues from all across the rich diversity of settings in education and training: colleges, ACL providers, independent training providers, employer/providers, prisons and others.

Don't miss out! Complete the survey, before Friday 19 December 2014.

What are the benefits of QTLS?It can help you in your career progression, since QTLS status demonstrates your commitment to your professional development.It is recognition of your professional status as a teacher or trainer.QTLS status is recognised by law as equivalent to QTS for teaching in schools.

Visit the website for more information to check your eligibility to apply for professional formation leading to QTLS Deadline for expressions of interest: 31 January 2015

The Foundation in the newsIn case you missed it – the Foundation’s maths enhancement programme was featured in the Independent last week, as part of a feature on Abingdon and Witney College, winners of the AoC Beacon Award for Transformational Governance, which the Foundation sponsored this year. The article also profiles the bursaries and other financial incentives available to colleges seeking to recruit new graduates to teach in the sector. Read all about it on the Independent website.

Register your interest to apply for professional formation leading to QTLSQualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) is a professional status that can be gained by successfully completing professional formation. Professional formation is a process that enables you to demonstrate the effective use of skills and knowledge in your professional practice that is required to achieve QTLS.