Teach Portsmouth celebrates

Teach Portsmouth celebrates achievements of school and college staff

To celebrate the immense efforts of teachers, support staff and head teachers in schools and colleges across the city, Teach Portsmouth has launched a new initiative to recognise their achievements.

From 7 – 18 June, schools, colleges and organisations are encouraged to recognise their staff by sharing a photo or video on their social media pages using the hashtag #TeachPortsmouthCelebrates.

Over the last 18 months, the pandemic has shone a light on staff who work in education including teachers, learning support assistants, receptionists, cleaners and more in supporting the city’s families, children and young people.

These individuals have taken on more responsibility over and above their normal jobs. This includes the delivery of food parcels to vulnerable families, mass testing of pupils and introducing new technology for at home learning. In many instances, these changes have taken place quickly with staff going beyond what is normally required to support their community.

Our latest initiative supports schools, colleges and organisations in celebrating their workforce by sharing a special message with parents and carers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council championed the campaign:

“We’re celebrating the amazing work that has gone on by school and college staff in the city. Teach Portsmouth is asking head teachers to pause and consider how they can recognise their staff.

“Teachers have played an important role in supporting children and young people in the city during the pandemic. Despite many pupils learning from home, schools never closed, supporting keyworker children in the classroom over the last 18 months.”

Head teachers are being asked to think creatively about how they will celebrate their staff, showcasing their efforts to the school community online. This could include recording a video message that says thanks or school children creating window murals to recognise their teaching heroes.

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

“We appreciate how hard everyone has worked this year. Teach Portsmouth’s latest campaign gives everyone the chance to recognise their staff before the main awards ceremony on Thursday 8 July.

“It’s impossible to showcase everyone’s talents in The Teach Portsmouth Awards – so we felt it was important for individuals and teams to share their successes with parents and carers online.”

Organisations across the city are getting involved, sharing inspirational stories and messages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Southsea Infant School has been sharing special messages of thanks, recognising their staff who have gone above and beyond during the last 18 months. Nigel Man, site manager at the school, said:

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Southsea Infant School for recognising our work during the pandemic.

“Me and my son, Sevon have been busy keeping the site clean to ensure the school is COVID secure. It has been hard work at times but with the help of all the staff we’ve got through it. It’s great to know we are being noticed and celebrated.”

The celebrations continue…

Those who are recognised for their achievements on social media have the opportunity to feature in a special film which will be shown during the virtual awards ceremony.

To learn more about Teach Portsmouth celebrates and how schools and colleges have been getting involved. Visit the Teach Portsmouth Awards Live section of the site to see the inspirational stories being shared.

Find out more

Teach Portsmouth presents career progression in teaching

Webinar: Teach Portsmouth presents career progression in teaching

After the success of Teach Portsmouth’s first two webinars, the series returns with career progression in teaching on Wednesday 26 May from 4pm to 5pm. The webinar series aims to inspire those interested in teaching to learn more about what opportunities are available in the city.

In this webinar, attendees will find out about the differences between pastoral and senior positions as well as continuing professional development in teaching. Two Portsmouth-based teachers will give top tips on how to progress in the profession by sharing details of their own experiences. Debbie Anderson, head of school improvement at Portsmouth City Council and webinar host said:

“After working in Portsmouth as a head teacher for many years, I know first-hand the opportunities on offer for those wanting to move up or change career to teaching.

The profession provides a range of different routes for progression and promotion, whether that’s middle and senior leadership (pastoral, curriculum or teaching and learning), developing others for example through training, or school to school support, there is something for everyone.”

Lloyd O’Neil, head of science at Admiral Lord Nelson School and webinar contributor, reflected on his progression journey so far:

“I began my journey coaching sports in Portchester. I soon realised that teaching was for me – so I was keen to take this ambition further. After joining Admiral Lord Nelson School as second in science, an opportunity came up to become head of department. Teaching is a rewarding career as you see young people flourish in a subject I’m passionate about.”

Those who join the webinar will be able to learn more about each teacher, offering an insight into their unique experiences as well as their routes into teaching.

For those who want more information, attendees can submit questions as part of a live Q&A. Our second contributor, Jemma Clark who is a head teacher at Solent Infant School spoke about the uniqueness of career progression and what people can look forward to:

“Career progression is highly personal and unique for each individual. I trained at the University of Chichester and completed a post graduate certificate in education. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many roles including being a subject specialist to my current role as head teacher. The opportunities are there and available if you wish to take them. Some may want to stay in a teaching role while others will want to progress to senior management.”

Teach Portsmouth is part of Portsmouth Education Partnership. We would like to welcome colleagues from across the city to join the webinar to learn more about the opportunities on offer. If you’ve been considering stepping up or know someone who might want to teach in your school/college, please share the details of the webinar with them.

If you have any questions about the webinar, please email [email protected].

Find out more

Teach Portsmouth Awards Live update

The Teach Portsmouth team want to update colleagues about the awards and changes to key dates.

Earlier this week, the team met to respond to the pressure schools are under to deliver testing and remote learning. It is clear we must give colleagues more time to nominate peers. The team feel it is only right that the Teach Portsmouth Awards date is moved from Thursday 11 March to Thursday 8 July to allow colleagues more time.

In summary:

  • Nominations will remain open online until Friday 7 May
  • All nominations will be collated and sent to the shortlisting panel on Tuesday 11 May
  • Shortlisting panel will meet virtually on Tuesday 18 May from (9:30am – 12:30pm) and (1pm – 2pm).

Top questions you may have

We feel this approach is fair and gives everyone the chance to be recognised for their amazing efforts. So far, we have received over 150 entries for the people choice award category. To help you plan ahead, we’ve put together a list of questions you may find useful.

Can I delegate nominating to a colleague?

We appreciate how busy everyone is right now and understand it might be challenging for senior leaders to nominate colleagues themselves. Colleagues have recently got in contact with Teach Portsmouth about who can nominate peers. If you are unable to complete your submission, senior leaders can delegate the responsibility to someone else. It is vital that whoever you choose should be the main point of contact moving forwards.
If you have any questions, please contact the Teach Portsmouth team on [email protected].

How do I nominate colleagues?

This year, nominations for the Teach Portsmouth Awards Live are submitted online using a form. Senior leaders can view this year’s award categories before completing their submission. Colleagues are reminded that the form does not save entries as you go. Please start your submission in a Word document before transferring it into the form.

You can nominate colleagues here.

Why can’t I nominate anyone for the long service award?

Entries for the long service award closed in October 2020. If you recognised someone as part of the long service award category but have not yet submitted an application for other award categories, please complete a new application. The Teach Portsmouth team will combine your original entry with your new submission.

What about the people’s choice award?

If you shared details about the people’s choice award with parents/carers, we want to say a big thank you. So far, local residents have nominated over 150 people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic. The people’s choice award will close on Wednesday 13 January as planned. Nominations for other award categories will be extended until Friday 7 May.

Teach Portsmouth presents changing career to teaching logo

Webinar: Teach Portsmouth presents changing career to teaching

Teach Portsmouth’s next webinar focusing on changing career to teaching will take place on Wednesday 27 January from 4pm – 5pm.

Introducing the Teach Portsmouth Awards Live

We’re pleased to introduce the brand new Teach Portsmouth Awards Live, a new digital awards ceremony for Portsmouth’s teachers, support teams and leaders on Thursday 11 March 2021.

Teach Portsmouth presents routes into teaching

Teach Portsmouth presents routes into teaching

Teach Portsmouth is hosting a special webinar for anyone interested in becoming a teacher to learn more about the profession.

‘Routes into teaching’ will be held on Wednesday 4 November from 4-5pm and will look at the different pathways into teaching. During the webinar, two newly qualified teachers will share their experiences and talk about what it’s like to work in a Portsmouth school.

To attend, you will need to register via the Teach Portsmouth website. Please feel free to invite your friends and family if they are interested in teaching. The webinar is open to all Portsmouth residents.

Routes into teaching is the first in a trilogy of Teach Portsmouth webinars, with ‘changing career to teaching’ and ‘progression in teaching’ to be held later this year.

Teach Portsmouth works to recruit, retain and grow the best teachers and leaders for Portsmouth. Every year, they organise recruitment events for people who want to learn more about the profession.

Register now

INSPIRATIONAL RESOURCES FOR BUDDING TEACHERS LAUNCHED ON TEACH PORTSMOUTH NEWS HUB

A new resource designed to inspire future teachers has launched, aimed at those considering their career options. With many people working from home and looking after children due to school closures, the Teach Portsmouth news hub provides the information needed to start a career as a teacher regardless of industry or background.

Through a range of inspirational content pieces designed to offer a realistic picture of teaching locally, the news hub highlights the breadth of opportunities available in Portsmouth.

Those interested can find information on how to apply for teacher training, interviews from Portsmouth-based teachers and case studies from local providers.

Cllr Suzy Horton welcomed the launch of the news hub: “There are so many heart-warming stories from teachers waiting to be told. The Teach Portsmouth news hub will be the best place to locate news, inspirational stories and interviews from those who matter most – our teachers.”

“With COVID-19 impacting our daily lives, it’s more important than ever before we celebrate the positive stories coming out of our community at this time. If they inspire someone to consider teaching, then that’s fantastic.”

The launch of the news hub coincides with the ‘your time to teach’ campaign designed to reassure local residents that teacher training continues for September. Initial teacher training providers have shown their support for such a resource.

Cate Worrall, principal of Portsmouth Primary SCITT (School centred initial teacher training) backed the launch of the news hub: “This year, we’ve reaffirmed the immeasurable impact teachers make on the whole of society. We are happy to support the Teach Portsmouth news hub and any opportunity to showcase the inspirational stories coming out of Portsmouth at this time.”

The Teach Portsmouth news hub will offer weekly content updates including video interviews, frequently asked questions and topical pieces suitable for those who are new to the profession or those who have recently qualified.

Lynn Nicholls, Schools Direct Leader at Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance supported such an essential resource: “We are proud that Portsmouth residents train to teach with us and become extraordinary teachers in local schools. Trainees always talk about how welcoming the teaching community is in the city. Having the Teach Portsmouth news hub is going to be a brilliant way to see and acknowledge the work teachers do and the difference they make.”

For more information on teacher training in the city as well as inspirational content, visit teachportsmouth.co.uk/news

The new Teach Portsmouth Website is now live!

Teach Portsmouth website and social media – the new Teach Portsmouth website and associated Facebook and Twitter social media platforms are live. Please look at the website and promote it through your networks, websites and social media. Like and follow our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, retweet us, use the hashtag #TeachPortsmouth. This collaborative approach will help us get started as we move towards the first Teach Portsmouth recruitment campaign. If you want us to share relevant good news stories or what you are doing which would encourage teachers/potential teachers or job vacancies, please email [email protected] or contact us through our social media. We are keen to keen the website and social media current, lively and dynamic!  www.teachportsmouth.co.uk