1. A whole school approach to supporting pupils with Mathematics
In this session we will explore the challenge of delivering mathematics to children over a number of years and explore strategies that can support children and teachers to co-create a connected and rich extended journey through the primary mathematics curriculum.
We will focus on the key ideas of Language, Representation and Interconnection between mathematical ideas. We will also explore what can wrong in a child’s learning journey, for example Mathematics Anxiety and look at supports and solutions that can be implemented.
Biography: Craig is Curriculum Leader of Computing, Land and Science and Education at University of the Highlands and Islands Inverness. He is also Series Editor for Mathematics at Leckie publishers and an Editor for the Scottish Mathematical Council Journal. Over his career Craig has been a teacher of Mathematics, Faculty Head, and Lecturer in Initial Teaching Education.
2. Screen Smart: Helping students, families and schools build healthier phone habits - Live-n-learn
Screen Smart is an engaging, evidence-based workshop designed for students, parents, carers and educators. It explores the latest neuroscience around smartphone use and how it impacts developing brains, mental health, sleep, focus and academic performance.
The session offers practical, realistic strategies for reducing screen time, setting healthy boundaries and encouraging more face-to-face connection. It supports families and educators in creating healthier digital habits both at home and in school.
Ideal for schools looking to promote student wellbeing, improve concentration and support positive behaviour and learning outcomes in an increasingly digital world.
3. “Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work” – The dream of authenticity or the illusion of self-sacrifice? - Claire Lavelle
‘Bringing your whole self to work,’ originally conceived by William Kahn in 1990, referred to the idea of being psychologically present within a boundaried-role and, in drawing resource from their selves to perform that role, leaders may feel more content and sustained within it. However, Mike Robbins who coined the actual phrase “bringing yourself to work” in a TED Talk in 2015, focused on how being vulnerable at work unlocked creativity, connection and performance.
These two ideas may feel at odds especially knowing that currently, school leaders are spending anywhere between 42hours – 65hours a week at work, if not more at times. Blurring of boundaries and too much vulnerability may not be sustainable! Therefore, when so much is asked of leaders, how can “bringing our whole selves to work” be a good thing, or even possible? What does this phrase actually mean now? Is it about being authentic or about ‘giving our all’ or can these two ideas be congruent with one another?
In this experiential workshop, Claire offers some coaching and psychological principles for leaders in framing what “bringing our whole selves to work” might mean in a healthy, realistic and practical way. She will provide some coaching approaches to support leaders in drawing back from the self-sacrificing and unhealthy pursuit of improvement in an age where a new way of working must prevail in spite of/because of unrealistic expectations from others working with schools.
4. Mental health and school attendance: taking a Whole School Approach (Place2Be – Richard Kettley)
An introduction to understanding and supporting children and young people who face barriers to attending school, including Emotionally-Based School Avoidance, through taking a Whole School Approach to mental health that includes pupils, senior leadership, teachers, and parents.