School Inspections Wales Conference

Overview
Agenda
Speakers

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Event Summary

Policy Insight Wales comes to Cardiff this September for our popular School Inspections Conference.

Join us face-to-face this autumn to gain practical insights and expert guidance to help you strengthen your approach to school improvement and be ready for your next inspection.

Effective self-evaluation is key to driving school improvement. Learn how you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your setting and how to embed robust monitoring, reviewing and evaluation processes.

We will cover latest changes within the inspection framework including new interim visits. Hear directly from a headteacher who has recently taken part in an interim visit and understand how the process is different from a core inspection.

Learn from settings who have experienced the core inspection process and hear what was key to their success. Gain insights to help you be ready for your next inspection and improve outcomes in your setting.

We will spotlight case studies and best practice to assist you to make and demonstrate improvement in priority areas such as:

Teaching and the Curriculum for Wales
Managing persistent absence and low attendance
Tackling racism in schools
Improving Welsh language provision

Bringing together expert speakers and school leaders, don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear about best practice, and learn and network with colleagues from across the country.

We look forward to bringing you the full programme and speaker line-up shortly.

Materials can be provided in Welsh. Email: info@policyinsight.wales. Gallwn ddarparu deunyddiau yn Gymraeg. E-bost: info@policyinsight.wales

Please allow 7 days for materials to be provided in Welsh. Caniatewch 7 diwrnod i ddeunyddiau gael eu darparu yn Gymraeg.

Key Points

Understanding what has changed in the Estyn framework
Learn from best practice primary and secondary schools
Improving self-evaluation and improvement planning

Developing a strong workforce and improving recruitment and retention initiatives
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your setting

Demonstrating improvement in the key inspection areas
Understanding the process for interim visits
Designing and evidencing a successful curriculum
Strengthening the quality of teaching and learning
Best practice approaches to leadership and management
Adopting a whole-school approach to school improvement, safeguarding and wellbeing

Interesting content from a variety of presenters - all different and all informative. Really enjoyed
Kerry O'Brien-Cole, Bryngwyn School

A really interesting, informative day which provided reassurance with regards direction our school is going in and also some very useful suggestions on how to make further improvement
Matthew Tucker, Birchgrove Comprehensive School

Very informative and engaging!
Cerasela Raducanescu, Educ8

Agenda

09:00 – 09:30

Registration, Tea and Coffee

09:30 – 09:40

Chair’s Opening Remarks

09:40 – 10:05

Insights into the Inspection Process

Understanding key changes to the Estyn inspection framework
Demonstrating good practice across the five key inspection areas
Learning from Estyn’s thematic reports
Preparing staff and ensuring positive engagement with the process of inspection and improvement

Live Q&A

09:55 – 10:05

10:05 – 10:40

Panel Discussion: Improving Teaching and Learning

Establishing a culture of high-quality teaching and learning
Supporting the progress of all learners, including those with ALN
Improving the quality of provision through professional development and upskilling
Ensuring assessment is at the heart of learning
Addressing staffing challenges including recruitment, retention and wellbeing

Live Q&A

10:30 – 10:40

10:40 – 11:05

Best Practice Case Study: Self-Evaluation and Improvement Planning

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your setting
Adopting a whole-school approach to school improvement
Embedding effective monitoring, reviewing and evaluation processes
Developing a culture of improvement

Live Q&A

10:55 - 11:05

11:05 – 11:35

Case Studies: Learnings from Core School Inspections

Demonstrating improvement in the key inspection areas
Creating a safe and supportive school culture where learners can succeed
Setting clear expectations for students and staff around school improvement

Live Q&A

11:25 – 11:35

11:35 – 12:05

Networking Tea and Coffee Break

Meet your colleagues and make new connections

12:05 – 12:25

In Conversation with a School Leader: What Can You Expect from an Interim Inspection?

In this interview-style session you will hear about the experiences of a headteacher who recently took part in an interim inspection visit. Understand how interim visits are different to a core inspection and what to expect from the process.

Live Q&A

12:15 – 12:25

12:25 – 13:10

Panel Discussion: Designing and Evidencing a Successful Curriculum

Developing a clear vision for the Curriculum for Wales
Collaborating with your cluster to improve transitions between settings
Effectively supporting the progression of all learners

Live Q&A

12:55 – 13:10

13:10 – 14:10

Lunch Break

14:10 – 14:35

A Spotlight on Attendance

Designing and implementing a robust attendance strategy
Practical advice on managing persistent absence
Developing a strong culture and ethos around attendance

Live Q&A

14:25 – 14:35

14:35 – 14:55

A Spotlight on Anti-Racism

Meaningfully tackling racism through teaching, learning and your school environment
Ensuring school is a safe and supportive space for all
Adopting a zero-tolerance approach to racist incidents

Live Q&A

14:45 – 14:55

14:55 – 15:20

A Spotlight on the Welsh Language

Ensuring effective teaching and learning of the Welsh language
Boosting the use of the Welsh language inside and outside the classroom
What works when strengthening pupils’ Welsh language skills
Providing authentic opportunities for pupils to interact with the Welsh language and culture

Live Q&A

15:10 – 15:20

15:20 – 15:30

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Full List of Speakers

Chaired by: Claire Armitstead, Director, ASCL Cymru
Geoff Cresswell, Consultant and Director of Thrive, IntroTeach
Ruth Wiltshire, Headteacher, St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary School
Innes Robinson, Head of School, Whitmore High School
Noel Fitzgerald, Headteacher, Ysgol Pen Coch Special School
Sian Dacey, Assistant Headteacher, Kitchener Road Primary School
Andrew Owen, Headteacher, Birchgrove Comprehensive School
Ruth Foster, Headteacher, Evenlode Primary School
Dr Matt Hutt, Head of Subject – Education, University of South Wales
Emma Pole, Headteacher, Bishop Vaughan Catholic School
Stephen Lord, Headteacher, St Alban’s Roman Catholic School
Sion Owen, Senior Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education, Swansea University
Meinir Thomas, Headteacher, Ysgol Llanhari

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Event Summary

Key Points

Agenda