Man Alive – what a weekend…what a day! After the gales on Thursday we decided it would be a really good idea to go to Keldy forest park and stay in a tree house! Luckily the tree house was far more substantial than it sounds so there was no chance of us blowing away! We had an excellent time that was over far too quickly! If I am honest, it is not as remote outdoors as it sounds especially when you find out that the tree house is attached to a lodge that sports its own hot tub and Wii! Lets just say you wouldn't find Bear Grylls doing an outback special there. Having said that there was loads of … Read More
Getting Creative in Blackpool
Blackpool today. Heads in the morning, EYFS practitioners in the afternoon! With heads we were looking at how to recognise attainment in FS and with practitioners, how to show challenge in the environment and continuous provision. I really enjoyed the day but a really weird thing happened at the end of the day. First my left ear went bright red and then my right one. They are still a bit hot and luminescent. What does that mean? Have I got red ear disease? I hope not! For all of you who were there today – thanks for a great day and here are the documents we looked at (all in one place) Came home to the first ' real ' … Read More
Recording Attainment in Continuous Provision and other stuff
Training heads and EYFS coordinators today – looking at what excellent FS might look like and how you would know, especially if you were not an EYFS expert. I think the only word for the day would be organic. When the delegates had \outlined their ideal expectations of the day they were not the outline of the the course that had been advertised. But, in the spirit of all I talk about with EYFS teaching, you have to respond to the identified assessment need and change your plan. So that is what I did. It just meant a good bit of copying from one laptop to another before flashing it on the screen. My pen drive was ' smokin '!! … Read More
The power of the ‘talk sofa’
Was not in my school today, I was in another one making a second visit following an initial audit before the Summer break. Every day is a school day though as my discussions with Sandy, Janette, Marie and the team really helped to crystallise some thoughts that I have been having about point of entry assessment – thanks ladies! Have texted my TA's to see how the day went but have had no response – I am viewing that as a positive. At least that is what I keep telling myself! Am taking a letter in tomorrow for the children from Betty – she is coming in next week to kick off our talk sofa. They will love her and … Read More