Left to right - Hayley Aldis, Portsmouth Primary SCITT and Cllr Suzy Horton

City leader hails education recruitment event a success

A recruitment event for Portsmouth’s education sector has been hailed a success by a city leader. More than 300 people attended the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 26 February 2024.

The event brought together schools, colleges, and other organisations to showcase a range of vacancies under one roof.

Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Working in the education sector is one of the most rewarding professions out there. However, it can sometimes be challenging to find the right information and take that first step.

“It was a real pleasure to spend time speaking with those who want to support children and young people in schools and colleges. That energy and enthusiasm will serve everyone well as they begin that journey towards a new career in the classroom.”

Alongside meeting 24 exhibitors, attendees were able to watch short presentations inside the Opportunities Room. Topics included: how to become a teaching assistant, apprenticeships, how to become a teacher and more.

HSDC, the main sponsor of the event, promoted classroom assistant vacancies and taster sessions at the college. Richard Barlow, deputy principal at HSDC said:

“We are really proud to sponsor this event and be among partners who share the same vision as us. To support those who haven’t worked in post-16 before, we ran a series of taster sessions, inviting people to learn more about us and the vacancies we have available. We’re thrilled with the response and look forward to meeting those who signed up.”

Taster sessions were launched last May and have been successful in recruiting teaching assistants and volunteers. Five organisations including multi-academy trusts and schools signed up to the scheme. Taster sessions normally last no more than a few hours. Each session is different but usually consist of a supervised tour and a meet and greet with support staff.

For those who were unable to attend, Teach Portsmouth have announced their next event, the Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair at Central Library on Tuesday 23 April 2024 from 1.30pm – 6pm.

For more information and to get a ticket, visit the Teach Portsmouth website.

Portsmouth’s largest education recruitment fair returns to Guildhall

The city’s largest recruitment fair for jobs in education returns to Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 26 February 2024 from 10am – 2pm.

Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council initiative to recruit teachers, teaching assistants and head teachers for schools, academies and colleges, is inviting people to discover their future in the classroom.

The Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair welcomes 24 exhibitors from across education who will be promoting a range of employment and volunteering opportunities. Training providers will also be in attendance for those interested in becoming teachers and teaching assistants.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Its vitally important organisations have the people they need to support the learning of children and young people.

“The recruitment fair brings together employers and training providers under one roof, to guide people into the right jobs that suit them. No matter your interests, I would encourage you to explore your options and see what a job in a school or college could look like for you.”

HSDC has been announced as the official sponsor for this year’s event, renewing their partnership with the service, after supporting the Teach Portsmouth Awards in 2023.

Richard Barlow, deputy principal at HSDC said:

“We’re really pleased to be supporting this event as the headline sponsor. This reaffirms our commitment to helping schools recruit the very best people they need to thrive.

“We know that having the right professionals for any child or young person, can improve their life chances. We are unwavering in this belief and look forward to meeting people who are looking to start a career in the classroom.”

Those who attend can watch presentations inside the Opportunities Room on trending topics.

Attendees can also ‘dip their toe in the water’ and sign up to taster sessions with participating schools and colleges. The scheme supports people who lack the experience or confidence to apply for a job straight away.

Entry to the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair is free. For more information and to get a ticket, visit www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/jobsfair

Exhibit at the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair 2024

The Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair brings together adult education providers, schools, colleges, and academies to Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 26 February 2024 from 9am – 2pm.

City’s teaching assistants ‘worth their weight in gold’ at event

Over 50 people attended an event to become teaching assistants in Portsmouth at Paulsgrove Community Centre on Wednesday 15 November 2023.

Adult education providers, schools and academies were in attendance in the hope of inspiring people to support students in primary, secondary and post-16 classrooms.

Held twice a year, each event encourages people to discover the types of teaching assistant roles available alongside training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Teaching assistants are worth their weight in gold, providing essential support for pupils in schools. Despite the rewards of supporting students, its popularity has declined in recent times.

“Teach Portsmouth’s information events reconnect schools and their communities, to encourage more people into the classroom. Families may have children who attend a specific school and want to offer their time to help or an individual may want to positively impact a child’s life. There are many reasons why people choose to become teaching assistants. I would encourage anyone interested to attend an event soon.”

Employability experts, The National Careers Service and Get Set Portsmouth supported attendees with advice and information on completing a job application.

A series of presentations gave delegates an overview of what to expect from training and working in a school, alongside an apprentice who shared her experience.

Bethanie Davies, a teaching assistant at Mayfield School reflected on her journey from working in a pub to supporting pupils in a classroom.

Bethanie said:

“For years, I have worked in retail stacking shelves and serving pints in pubs. While those jobs were fine, I wanted something with set hours, that provided me with more opportunities to progress. I saw an apprenticeship vacancy for a teaching assistant and snapped it up. I applied, invited to attend an interview and the rest is history.

“I am near the end of my apprenticeship and I can’t wait to qualify. I have aspirations to become an inclusion support worker, helping pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities. My job is challenging but it is super rewarding. You won’t find this feeling anywhere else.”

Teach Portsmouth is a Portsmouth City Council initiative that supports the recruitment of education professionals for schools and academies.

Their next event will be the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 26 February 2024 from 10am – 2pm.

For more information, visit www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/supporting.

Portsmouth’s trainee teachers unite to inspire next generation at event

Early career teachers and trainees joined forces at Central Library on Tuesday 7 November 2023 to share their top tips for starting a career in the classroom.

Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council initiative to recruit teachers, teaching assistants and leaders for the city’s schools, held a Love to Teach event, designed to support those taking their first steps towards a career in teaching.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Working in education is one of the most rewarding careers out there, as you inspire young minds to become the best versions of themselves. It’s also important that we encourage the right people into the profession who have the resilience when challenged in the job.

“By doing this at an earlier stage, we can provide people with the right information, at the right time, before they apply.”

Those who attended the event met with training providers who work with schools in the city and watched a presentation from the National Careers Service on funding.

Attendees also heard from trainee and early career teachers who shared their experience from primary, secondary and post-16 training.

Lena Garner who trained with Portsmouth Primary SCITT and is now a second-year early career teacher at Cottage Grove Primary School shared her experience with attendees. Lena said:

“It was fantastic to be able to share information about my journey into teaching as everyone’s experience will be different. I started off as a teaching assistant in a local school and wanted to become a teacher. I found it quite challenging to navigate what type of provider I should choose.

“I wish this type of event existed when I was looking at my options as it would have been so useful to speak with providers in one place. If you’ve considered becoming a teacher – just do it!”

For those who want to look at their options for September 2024, Teach Portsmouth’s route finder tool presents course information from providers linked to the city.

Find out more at www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/training.

Teacher helping a student with their work

Portsmouth’s become a teaching assistant event returns to Paulsgrove

An event designed to get people ‘classroom ready’ as a teaching assistant in Portsmouth returns to Paulsgrove Community Centre for one of two sessions on Wednesday 15 November 2023 from 10am – 11.45am and 12pm – 1.45pm.

Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council initiative to recruit education professionals for schools and academies have relaunched their teaching assistant information events after their popularity last year.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“After the success of last year’s events, we’re back in the north of the city to reach even more people who might be interested in becoming a teaching assistant.

“Whether you are looking for a job that works around school pick up or want something that’s more flexible, working in a school is a great opportunity to expand your skillset and support children and young people to achieve more.”

After last year’s events, people successfully applied for jobs, became volunteers, and started apprenticeships within primary and secondary schools across the city. The need to recruit qualified professionals remains.

For those interested in supporting pupils, Teach Portsmouth have published five top tips to help people get classroom ready as a teaching assistant. They include:

  • Volunteer in a school – after a safeguarding check (DBS) has been completed by a school, volunteering is a great way to build up experience
  • Speak to friends and family – if you know someone who works in a school and you have questions, friends and family are a good place to start
  • Upgrade your qualifications – if you have not yet got a GCSE (C/4) in English and maths, training providers at the event can support you with functional skills.
  • Think about school type – consider what age group you would like to work (early years, primary, secondary or specialist)
  • Talk to a school – while schools are very busy, if you feel you have the right qualifications and they have a vacancy, you can always call them to ask for more information

Mike Stoneman, deputy director, education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Primary and secondary schools across the city are in urgent need of teaching assistants who can support pupils in the classroom. Teaching assistants play an important role supporting pupils in groups and on a one-to-one basis.

“It’s also a career in its own right with plenty of opportunities to progress into more specialised roles. You could support pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities or become a team leader.”

For more information on Teach Portsmouth’s become a teaching assistant event and to secure your free ticket, visit www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/TA.

Portsmouth’s urgent call for more people to become teachers

Teach Portsmouth has launched a new initiative to get more people into the classroom as a teacher at an information event on Tuesday 7 November 2023 at Portsmouth Central Library from 3pm – 5.30pm.

Since the pandemic, there has been a reduction in the number of people applying for teacher training across primary and secondary schools, partly due to a lack of awareness of the different training routes that are available.

Teach Portsmouth’s Love to Teach event acts as a first step for people trying to navigate their training options as applications open nationally.

Cllr Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Teaching is a worthwhile profession that is both fulfilling and enriching. You might be looking at your first job after university or considering a career change, but it is often challenging to know where to turn when there is so much information out there.

“Teach Portsmouth’s new Love to Teach event brings together training providers and local experts who can provide information on this very subject. If you are still undecided about joining the profession, this event will give you practical advice on how to become a teacher in Portsmouth.”

Training providers will be exhibiting at the event, helping attendees understand what’s on offer in Portsmouth. The National Careers Service will also be delivering a presentation on what loans, grants and bursaries are available to help fund teacher training.

Emma Cornish, school centred initial teacher training (SCITT) lead, at Portsmouth Primary SCITT said:

“We’re really pleased to be supporting Teach Portsmouth’s event to get more people into the classroom as trainee teachers. We, along with other training providers, have seen a decline in application numbers in recent years due to many factors, some of which may be a lack of awareness about people’s options and worries around pay and workload.

“Both training providers and schools are working hard to ensure staff wellbeing is front and centre of their decision making and a national increase in pay is coming soon. The future for teacher training looks bright.”

While there are qualifications you will need to have to become a teacher, these are not required to attend Teach Portsmouth’s Love to Teach event.

Mike Stoneman, deputy director, education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“There is an urgent requirement to train more people to become teachers in the city, ensuring pupils have the professionals they need to excel.

“The Portsmouth Education Partnership was created to signpost resources to support those into the profession as well as offer continuing professional development once they have joined. We continue to develop this programme through Teach Portsmouth’s regular events.”

To attend Teach Portsmouth’s Love to Teach event, please register for a free ticket in advance.

Get your ticket
Lucy Ambache, host of the Teach Portsmouth Awards 2023

Education superstars shine bright at Teach Portsmouth Awards

Teachers, governors, childminders, and classroom assistants took centre stage at Portsmouth Guildhall on Thursday 29 June for the Teach Portsmouth Awards. Hosted by Nation Radio’s Lucy Ambache, the ceremony recognised the immense contribution of school and college staff over the last academic year.

Winners were announced in 12 award categories including inclusion, innovation, community and outstanding contribution to education.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“The Teach Portsmouth Awards is an opportunity to recognise teaching excellence, reward best practice and showcase staff who have helped families in different ways. It’s also a chance to come together and reflect on our successes as a city.

“This year, we’ve introduced new categories to ensure more people can be celebrated for their efforts. These include early years practitioners and childminders who play an important role in the early development of children as well as governors who draw upon their own life experiences to support a leadership teams in a school or college.”

The introduction of two new categories, the early years and childcare award and governor’s award shone a light on those who don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

Other categories included the people’s choice award which allowed parents and carers to nominate a teacher, learning support assistant or head teacher who had gone above and beyond for them.

Mike Stoneman, deputy director for children, families and education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Parents and carers will always have a special place in their hearts for school and college staff who support their children. It couldn’t be more obvious in the people choice award category where those accomplishments that sometimes go unnoticed, shine bright.

“The Teach Portsmouth Awards are the perfect way for us to recognise those successes. By doing so, we can use these inspirational examples, to encourage others to join the profession, helping pupils in Portsmouth’s classrooms.”

In May, a shortlisting panel of education professionals met to review the nominations to draw up a shortlist. The winners were announced at the awards ceremony in the following categories:

  • Teaching and learning support award – Sponsored by the University of Chichester Academy Trust
    Analiese Campbell – Langstone Junior Academy
  • Early career teacher award – Sponsored by University of Portsmouth
    Camille Lahon – Admiral Lord Nelson School
  • People’s choice award – Sponsored by The News
    Michelle Chadwick – Priory School
  • Innovation award – Sponsored by HSDC
    Portsmouth Digital Champions (14 champions across Portsmouth schools)
  • Early years and childcare award – Sponsored by Home-Start Portsmouth
    Sarah Jayne Whatling – Parade Community Preschool
  • Inclusion award – Sponsored by Salterns Academy Trust
    Anne Ormston – The Harbour School
  • Community award – Sponsored by Gunwharf Quays
    Beacon View Christmas lunch team – Beacon View Primary Academy
  • Unsung hero award – Sponsored by City of Portsmouth College
    Shireen Hawkins – St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School
  • Governor’s award – Sponsored by Portsmouth City Council
    Phil Harris-Bridge – Castle View Academy
  • Progress award – Sponsored by Nation Radio
    Alison Spicer and Thomasina Bingley – Stamshaw Infant School
  • Outstanding contribution award – Sponsored by Mountjoy
    Giri Nair – The Flying Bull Academy

In addition, over 90 people received long service awards for 20 years of service to the city. There is no overall winner in this category and everyone receives an award.

To find out more about the winners and shortlist, visit the Teach Portsmouth website.

Catherine Holloway and Phil Harris-Bridge

Portsmouth’s classroom heroes shortlisted in education awards

Portsmouth parents and carers will have the chance to recognise the work of early years education staff and school governors for the first time.

The popular Teach Portsmouth Awards for staff in schools and colleges returns for 2023 with brand new categories for early years professionals and governors.

The new awards sit alongside a host of existing categories recognising the contribution of education professionals who have gone above and beyond for children and young people in nurseries, schools and colleges.

All nominations are reviewed by a panel of education professionals. Those shortlisted will be invited to the Teach Portsmouth Awards ceremony, hosted by Lucy Ambache, radio presenter and broadcaster at Nation Radio.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“The Teach Portsmouth Awards is one of my favourite events of the year as it gives us a chance to celebrate the incredible efforts of teachers, support teams and head teachers across the city.

“The last couple of years have been tough in education. The cost of living continues to impact our families and schools and colleges continue to step up to support them in so many ways. Everyone in education has played a key role in helping our community and deserve recognition for their work. I would like to thank every single person for their efforts to support those who need it most.”

Catherine Holloway, who is a manager at Manor Infant School and Nursery has been shortlisted in the early years and childcare award category.

She has worked there for several years and was nominated by parents and carers for the support she gives children. In particular, going above and beyond to ensure children could still attend nursery when the site’s heating system failed.

Catherine said:

“When I found out I was put forward for an award, I was shocked. No one has ever done that for me before – it was such a lovely gesture. To then find out I’ve been shortlisted is incredible. It’s really nice being recognised. I love my job – it is challenging but super rewarding.”

Governors have also been highlighted in this year’s shortlist for the first time. This voluntary position sees people give up their own time, to support schools and colleges and their leadership teams by sharing their own experiences to improve outcomes for pupils.

Phil Harris-Bridge who is chair of governors at Castle View Academy has worked at the school for the last five years. He has been shortlisted for the governor’s award in recognition for his work which was highlighted in a recent Ofsted inspection.

Phil said:

“It’s an amazing feeling being recognised for what you do. If you have the time to volunteer, becoming a govenor is so worthwhile. You can use your own life experiences to help schools and their students.”

The winners will be announced at the Teach Portsmouth Awards on Thursday 29 June at Portsmouth Guildhall. To view the shortlist, visit: teachportsmouth.co.uk/awards

Natalie Sheppard, Cllr Suzy Horton and Mike Stoneman

City leaders hail education recruitment event a success

A recruitment event designed to showcase job and training opportunities within schools and colleges has been hailed a success by city leaders. More than 200 people from across the city were welcomed through the doors of Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 22 May 2023.

Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council service which promotes teacher training and job opportunities in education, held a recruitment fair which brought together schools, colleges, training providers and charities to showcase a range of vacancies.

Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Schools and colleges need the right professionals to support children and young people in and out of the classroom. When the right support is given, it enables them to focus on their education, increasing their aspirations and employment prospects in later life.

“The event was a good opportunity for people to learn about their options in a school or college by showcasing the breadth of opportunities available in Portsmouth, all under one roof For those who came, I hope the fair acted as a source of inspiration and a springboard to a new career.”

Those who attended were able to watch short presentations and ask questions inside the Opportunities Room. Topics included: how to become a teaching assistant, apprenticeships in schools, flexible employment and more.

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, the main sponsor of the event, promoted a range of opportunities, including support and central service vacancies at their schools and academies across the city.

Natalie Sheppard, director of education at Thinking Schools Academy Trust said:

“It was fantastic to be among partners at the event that shared a vision on making Portsmouth a city where people want to live, learn and work. Working in a school is hugely rewarding, as you help to inspire the next generation to excel in their learning.

“I spoke with a number of attendees and learned about their interests and how we can assist them in finding employment.  Over sixty individuals have signed up for our taster sessions at our academies in Portsmouth, and I am confident that these events will produce many more success stories.”

Teach Portsmouth launched their taster sessions at the event after a successful trial recruited two people for local schools. Five multi-academy trusts and schools signed up to the scheme.

Taster sessions normally last no more than a few hours with each school supervising those who attend. The visit is restricted to meeting staff only with the opportunity to attend a short presentation about working at the school. There is no direct contact with pupils during the session.

Anyone interested in working in education, but who missed the event, can subscribe to the Teach Portsmouth newsletter.