Are you a Midlands practitioner who loves learning with & from peers?

The team at touchconsulting Ltd would love to work with you as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s Practice Development Groups (PDG) programme – launching Oct 2020.

What are PDGs?

PDGs sit firmly within practitioner-led enquiry, and are driven by participants who work collaboratively to undertake a maths/English inquiry related to their practice. Teachers plan, do and review; regrouping and discussing what worked (and didn’t) with their PDG peers, and then go again. Each PDG will be run by a PDG facilitator (now recruiting!)

What’s the role of a PDG facilitator?

You’ll look after a PDG of approx 5-6 teachers. Teachers can be from your organisation, outside or both. You’ll use an action learning set (ALS) methodology ensuring each member has equal airspace to explore their practice. Tip! It’s event better if you include learning support staff in your PDG.

1. The facilitator invites a  ‘presenter’ to talk about a challenge or goal (time-bound!).
2. The facilitator invites each ‘supporter’ to ask one open, non-judgemental question to the ‘presenter’ to help clarify their thinking. The ‘presenter’ briefly responds to each question. It’s what I’d describe as a coaching stance.
3. The facilitator invites each supporter to make an offer of help or resources: ideas, materials, and/or useful contacts. It’s what I’d describe as a mentoring stance. But there’s no discussion  – the presenter listens, makes notes and commits to one action.

The facilitator closes and starts again with the next person.

As facilitator, you’ll help the group take responsibility to be succinct, give attention and above all protect equality of voice. This means careful time-keeping, skilful assertiveness and fostering  a climate of curiosity, collaboration and inquiry. It’s a brilliant way of honing your abilities to lead collaborative working where everyone feels valued, present and can be their best self!

How will we support you?

The team at touchconsulting Ltd (that’s Lou Mycroft, Annmarie Higgins & Joss Kang) will run hands-on ALS training (Friday 2 October, 1.30-3.30 pm -remote) and facilitate access to a wonderful PDG facilitator community*. We’ll provide protected web-page to share resources, work collaboratively and provide easy reporting. You’ll also have access to a dedicated PDG supervisor and lots and lots of support. Working remotely, we will develop our digital practises together. We’ll model and experiment in a safe space, learning from each other.

We also have a one-off honorarium payment of £400 to help with staff release costs.

What’s the time commitment?

• attendance at the ALS CPD for leads (Fri 2 Oct-virtual)
• participation at the EM/WM short launch event (14 Oct) & again for round 2 in Jan 2020
• facilitating one PDG of 5-6 peers, meeting 3-4 times from Oct to Jan 2020. Meetings will last approx 1.5 hours and can be virtual or face-to-face
• facilitating a second PDG of 5-6 peers, meeting 3-4 times from Jan to April 2020. As above!
• participation at the EM/WM short collaboration event in Jan & again for round 2 in April  2020

How do I apply?

We have limited places. We’re keen to recruit 8 practitioners from the East Midlands, and 8 from the West Midlands to run PDGs for groups of teachers keen to undertake a maths/English inquiry.

Don’t fancy the PDG facilitator role? Then why not apply to be a member of a PDG in the WM or EM where you can learn with and from your peers?

PDG Facilitator role applications are now closed.

PDG Participant applications for round 1 are still open.

Apply here.

*heads up – applications we have received so far are from amazing, skilled practitioners. You’ll be joining a fabulous community!