Building Learning Power at Home

Arranged in collaboration with Whole Education

We all know that one of the most accurate predictors of any teenagers achievement in school is not income or social status, it is the extent to which their family supports their development. We believe that family learning is the untapped resource which can make the real difference to unlocking teenagers potential. Like many schools across the country, we have been exploring and experimenting with ways to work effectively with parents and families. We want to build a community of parents, teachers, family members and students who are all working together to build the support and networks which help teenagers flourish. We are delighted to host this conference because we want to meet other teachers and educational professionals who like us want to move beyond parental engagement and into a partnership with parents and families - people who want to unlock their teenagers potential.

WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL T: 01305 266064

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RESERVE A PLACE, PLEASE CONTACT DR. TIM ENNION: tennion@thomas-hardye.net

Purpose of the Conference

Explore innovative and creative ways to support family learning Bring together schools and strategic partners who want to share and develop resources and structures to support family learning Share ideas around helping families to learn together

Joining us on 12th March:

Hugh Bellamy Headteacher of South Dartmoor Academy Hugh has been working with Professor Bill Lucas team at the Centre for Real World Learning at the University of Winchester Andrew Bendefy - founder of Invest Inside Yourself Andrew works with individuals, groups and organisations to support learning and specialises in working with parents. Debbie Ferguson - Head of Employability Skills at the Activate Learning Group Susannah Brade-Waring - one if the UKs leading Motivational Maps Practitioners: www.motivationalmaps.com Kevin Garrett and Christina Bush - Directors of Social Facilitators Culture Consultants who help teams work effectively together to build successful organisations which are also great places to live and work: www.socialfacilitators.com

During the conference we will explore:

What needs to be in place at home for great family learning to take place The role schools play in helping families become great environments for teenagers to grow into confident, successful adults Tools teachers can use to help family members develop the skills and knowledge they need to support their teenagers

9.00 AM Coffee and registration

Agenda

9.30 AM

Welcome - Tim Ennion: Assistant Headteacher, Thomas Hardye School

9.45 AM Defining the challenge - moving from engagement to partnership

Christina Bush & Kevin Garrett (Social Facilitators) share their expertise as Partners in John Lewis Partnership

10.00 AM Hugh Bellamy: Headteacher of South Dartmoor Academy

Hugh has vast experience of engaging parents and will describe how he has used this strategically to turn around the fortunes of schools and their students.

10.45 AM Coffee 11.00 AM Stepping into the parents world - focused conversations with parents 11.45 AM Debbie Ferguson, Head of Employability at Reading College
Debbie shares insights from the creation of the Reading UTC in partnership with Microsoft, Cisco, Network Rail, Peter Brett Associates and Activate Learning Group

12.00 PM Group conversation - whats the challenge? 12.20 PM Lunch 1.00 PM The art of motivation - Susannah Brade Waring, Leading Practitioner in Motivational Maps 2.00 PM World Cafe conversation - moving forward together 3.00 PM Close

Things to see & do in Dorset

The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester is situated at the end of the tree-lined Queens Avenue, with the rolling Iron Age earthworks of Maiden Castle visible from the school grounds. The Dorchester Sports Centre is adjacent to the school, and features an Olympic-sized pool plus fitness suites. The well-known Poundbury
Thomas Hardye School Queens Avenue Dorchester Dorset DT1 2ET

The magnificient Jurassic Coast is not far, with the South-West Coastal Path, Chesil Beach and the iconic Lulworth Cove. Catch the train or bus to Weymouth, a pretty traditional seaside town, with a beautiful bay framed by a sweep of Georgian hotels. The working harbour is dotted with delicious eateries: try The Stable above the converted Harbour Masters with its fabulous pizza and local ciders. Portland is a first-class location for sailing, diving, climbing and birdwatching - try the well-reviewed Crab House Cafe enroute, a seafood restaurant next to its own oyster farm on the Fleet. Take a trip to the lighthouse at Portland Bill with views out into the Channel. The town of Bridport, home of the literary Bridport Prize, is a cultural hotspot, with the Electric Palace and Bridport Arts Centre hosting eclectic programmes of visual art, music, drama and comedy. The Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock serves wonderful fish and chips right next to Chesil Beach.

development is within walking distance of the school. Dorchester itself is an historic market town with a great mix of independent shops (visit the amazing Frank Herrings Art Supplies) and established high-street names. It has a busy Arts Centre, the Dorset County Museum, the refurbished 1930s Plaza Cinema, the new Brewery Square complex (Odeon, Wagamama, Pizza Express...) and award-winning restaurants serving great locally-sourced produce: try the Michelinstarred Sienna on High West Street. Kingston Maurward, a working agricultural college on the edge of Dorchester, holds Lambing Days at the weekends in March; the tractor-trailer rides are not to be missed!

Where we are
Road Links A354 / A31 / M27 / M3 to London & East & North A37 / M5 to Bristol, M4 & North A35 / A30 to West

Rail Dorchester South main line to London Waterloo Dorchester West main line to Bristol SouthWest Trains Bus Sea National Express coaches Condor Ferries to Channel Islands

www.sketchmap.co.uk