Insight - Issue 17

insight ISSUE 15, NOVEMBER 2020

ACT Learner Awards We have the latest results from the ACT Learner Awards 2020.

Stream the awards now!

Meet our new Curriculum Team Creating engaging resources that promote wellbeing and continued learning.

Staff in the spotlight This month we put the spotlight on Clare Harden.

insight insight

welcome Hello everyone.

Despite the Groundhog Day nature of this pandemic, a lot has happened since the last edition of Insight. I hope you are navigating these strange times as best as you can and taking good care of yourself. It is really important we are as kind to ourselves as possible and looking out for another.

Despite all the uncertainty, everyone is still continuing to do a brilliant job and I would like to thank you all for the incredible services you are continuing to provide our learners, employers and colleagues. It is testament to how brilliant you all are, that despite the pandemic, we still have some great success stories and examples of team innovation to share with you.

As always, please remember to share all the wonderful work you and your team are up to.

Keep up the amazing efforts everyone and stay safe!

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important dates

Christmas Shutdown 21st December 2020 – 1st January 2021

contents In the Know

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Leaders in Diversty

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Getting to Know Senior Management

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Self Evalutation Report

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Cornel Cymraeg

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Celebrating Success

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Staff in the Spotlight

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Adapted Curriculum and Delivery

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Meet our new ACT Curriculum Team

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Book Club

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Our Newest Recruits

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know Christmas Vouchers As a huge thank you for all your hard work throughout this very challenging year, ACT will once again be providing all staff with Christmas vouchers.

Due to the difficulties we will have with getting vouchers out to everyone under the current circumstances, we will not be offering a choice of voucher this year. We will instead be giving all staff One-for-All e-vouchers which will be sent to their ACT email address.

One-for-All vouchers can be used in over 130 different High Street and online retailers including Marks & Spencer, Primark, New Look, TK Max and many more - view all retailers

Staff with more than 6 months service as of 1st December 2020 will be entitled to a £50 voucher in November and another £50 voucher in December. Staff with less than 6 months service as of 1st December 2020 will be entitled to a £50 voucher in December.

Outstanding Volunteer Award for ACT Schools Learner We are delighted to share that Abbie McLaren, HLTA with ACT Schools, who ACT supported through a Youth Work Degree (and subsequently went on to recruit) has been awarded ‘Outstanding Volunteer in a Youth Work Setting’.

An enormous well done to you Abbie. What a fantastic achievement!

Christmas Party

Publishing success

As you already know, due to restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be possible for ACT to hold the annual staff Christmas party in 2020. However, we would still like to celebrate what has been a very challenging year with all of our wonderful staff. It is very likely that even if restrictions remain slightly eased over the coming weeks, the "rule of 4" will still be in place into the New Year. At the end of October, we asked for suggestions as to what we could do/offer in place of the Christmas Party. The alternative will be fed back in due course.

Congratulations to David Carroll, our ACT School’s KS3 Tutor who has fulfilled his life-long ambition of getting his first children’s book published. ‘Be Brave Little Ant’ is a heart-warming story about confidence and facing your fears, for everyone who’s ever felt a bit too small. All proceeds will go to support Ty Hafan, one of the UK's leading paediatric palliative care charities, helping children and families throughout Wales.

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Well done David, we can’t wait to see many more of your stories published!

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Aberdare centre reopened The Aberdare centre has reopened and relocated to new larger premises on 5 Canon Street. It is under the management of Acting Regional Manager Karen Evans. The building is over three floors, giving us the opportunity to provide a better experience to our learners. The tutors are in centre ready to deliver to our learners who have been really keen to return to face to face learning.

Measures have been put in place to keep staff and learners safe and we are so pleased with how well everyone has adapted to the changes.

Learners have told us they feel so much better in themselves now they can come to centre.

They missed their friends, the routine we provide them with, as well as the teaching! They have all followed the rules and the atmosphere in centre has been lovely and calm.

Learners are following a blended learning program and we have opened the centre to any learner that needs a quiet place to work or to access our IT equipment.

Need someone to talk to?

Education Support are offering a free, confidential helpline 24 hours a day for anyone working in education.

You can find out more about this service at educationsupport.org.uk or calling the helpline direct on 08000 562 561.

We have lots planned for the future so watch this space...

Rob Payne – A Truly Lovely Man! You can find more information and donate here:

It is with great sadness and regret that late in October our dear friend and colleague, Rob Payne, sadly passed away surrounded by his family.

acttraining.sharepoint.com/act-intranet/RobPayne-Memorial

Rob was a lovely, kind gentleman who was extremely loved and well thought of by both his team, peers, learners and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be greatly missed both professionally and personally by everyone here at ACT. A memorial page has been created on our intranet for staff to share any memories or messages they feel called to.

There is also an opportunity for staff to donate to Welsh Hearts, and the YMCA Cardiff – two charities chosen by his family in memory of Rob.

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Breast cancer awareness with CoppaFeel

Manicures at the Oasis Centre A big round of applause for Lou Mallett, who volunteers at the Oasis Centre in Cardiff, providing manicure sessions! The Oasis Centre works to help refugees and asylum seekers integrate within their local community. Well done Lou, keep up the amazing work!

At the end of October, Employability Tutor (Care), Jessica Caramella, arranged for a Guest Speaker from the Organisation CoppaFeel to have a Zoom session with some of our Traineeship learners for the charity event ‘Wear It Pink’ (Breast Cancer Awareness).

Pip Barret shortlisted for the BEEP Painting Prize 2020!

The presentation covered the founder Kris' story, breast cancer facts and myths, signs and symptoms, self-checking and the work of CoppaFeel itself. All learners were asked to wear something Pink and donate whatever they could to the charity. The online event was a great success and was highly informative for our learners. You can learn more about the charity here.

A big well done to Pip Barret, Essential Skills Tutor, who has been shortlisted for the BEEP Painting Prize 2020! The exhibition features 107 artists from around the globe, selected by acclaimed artists Steph Goodger, Enzo Marra and Elysium gallery & Beep Director Jonathan Powell. Congratulations on your incredible achievement Pip!

Celebrating our Learner Awards 2020 Our ACT Learner Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate the successes and achievements of our exceptional learners and employers. Those who have shown outstanding commitment, passion and drive to develop their skills and make a real difference to their organisation or employees.

Although this year’s awards look a little different streaming online, the awards are still a fantastic opportunity to honour the talent and efforts of the individuals and businesses who we strive to deliver the best support and resources too.

Categories for this year’s awards are as follows: Employer Award, Special Recognition, Schools Learner, Traineeship Learner and Apprenticeship Learner.

The awards were live streamed on Thursday 26th November 6pm.

You can watch the awards here: view on our YouTube channel.

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Donate!

Charity updates Emma Page, Facilities Manager, will now be heading up all of ACT’s charity and volunteer activities.

In October, as part of our new monthly money pot initiative, ACT donated £100 to SANDS. SANDS is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK and was nominated by two employees. Thank you both for your nominations.

The Monthly Charity pot is open for all staff to nominate a charity of their choice. If you have already nominated a charity that wasn’t successful, you are welcome to re-nominate again.

Nominate here If you have any charitable or volunteering ideas you’d like to share with Emma, please drop her an email!

Emmapage@acttraining.org.uk

Helping vulnerable learners overcome hygiene poverty The Care, Support and Guidance Team have linked up with the Hygiene Bank in Cardiff to help our more vulnerable learners access free products and overcome hygiene poverty.

Across the UK, 14 million people live in poverty - that's 1 in 5.

Around two thirds of children growing up in poverty live in a family where at least one person works but they simply don't earn enough to afford a decent standard of living.

The Hygiene Bank is a grass roots, community initiative giving hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products to those in need across the UK.

The Hygiene Bank believe that everyone should have a dignified life and that feeling clean should not be a luxury or privilege for just a few in society. Hygiene poverty, particularly for vulnerable young people is shaming, humiliating and can result in social isolation.

The Hygiene Bank initiative recently gifted the Care, Support and Guidance team a donation from Boots to distribute products to those students most in need. This is the second supply of products ACT have received from the Hygiene Bank and shared with learners across our provisions.

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Adelle Taylor, Learner Health & Wellbeing Manager, who liaises with The Hygiene Bank commented, “The generosity of the Hygiene Bank allows us to provide our learners with the necessities in life we can sometimes take for granted.

The impact of feeling clean on our learner's self-confidence and mental wellbeing, as well as knowing they are cared for, is huge. We're very grateful to the Hygiene Bank for enabling us to expand our learner wellbeing support in this way.”

You can find out more about The Hygiene Bank and the fantastic work they do here.

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Leaders in Diversity Award As part of our ongoing commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion, we have recently embarked on a journey with the National Centre for Diversity that will lead us to achieving the Leaders in Diversity Award.

Throughout this process we will be able to engage with staff across all of our teams and enable you to “have your say”, on how we are doing in terms of FREDIE: Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement.

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Fairness for all is a reality

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Respect for all is the norm

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Equality of opportunity for all is embedded

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All employees feel included

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Inclusion is widely understood, where all colleagues are committed to inclusive behaviours and where leaders connect the link between an inclusive culture and business performance.

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Engaged - where there is a positive emotional attachment between colleagues, their work, managers and leaders – where everyone lives and breathes the values and goals of the organisation.

The Leaders in Diversity Award is a nationally recognised award that has been achieved by organisations across all sectors including the education sector. With your support we seek to build on our core values and progress to date by further embedding the FREDIE approach within the ACT culture.

We will continue to keep you up to date at each stage of our journey and thank you for your continued support. Should you have any questions please contact Rebecca Cooper, Head of People and Development or Charlotte Dando, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

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Getting to know…

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senior management It probably sounds really corny, but I’m really proud of the team that I work with – each one of them does such a cracking job.

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Who are you and what’s your role?

to make incremental improvements. We have worked over the recent months to plan what we hope will be some impactful changes that we’re implementing in this contract year. Watch this space!

I’m Becky Morris and I am the Head of Continuous Improvement What are you responsible for?

I’m the strategic lead for Quality and Continuous Improvement of provision across the ACT Network and am lucky to work with such an experienced team within Quality. We have a ‘finger in every pie’ (so to speak) as we work to continuously improve the experience that is being delivered to learners across the ACT Network. Because we work with a variety of teams, we’re incredibly lucky to see first-hand all of the good practice that is going on, and the positive feedback that comes to us from our stakeholders.

What’s the biggest challenge your team faces?

I think the biggest uncertainty for us at the moment, like a lot of teams in ACT, is the ever-changing situation around the current pandemic. Whilst we have a lot of plans in place, we are all incredibly aware that they may change as a result of any changes associated with COVID-19. My team have been trying to cover all avenues in our planning for the coming months, particularly in taking a digital approach to what we do. We are also tackling what comes our way and doing the best we can.

How have you and your team adapted to Covid-19?

What is your proudest moment at ACT?

As I think can be said about all of the teams in ACT, I’m really proud of how well my team adjusted to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone has adapted their working practices to continue as best as they can working remotely - there was no disruption to our services at all. The main focus for us has been to review our processes to adjust for the pandemic and also looking at how we could support our colleagues in delivery. We’ve tried to be as supportive as possible, within ACT and across the wider network of subcontractors, particularly in relation to Awarding Organisation mitigation advice and with the capturing of stakeholder voice.

It probably sounds really corny, but I’m really proud of the team that I work with – each one of them does such a cracking job. In terms of my proudest moment at ACT, the one that stands out for me is still the way that everyone in my team, and across the ACT Network, pulled together during our Estyn inspection last year.

It was an intense and challenging month in preparing for, and throughout the inspection, and the way that everyone rolled up their sleeves and showed just how good ACT are at what we do was amazing. I think the grades really reflected this.

What are your plans for the future of ACT?

One thing people might not know about me is that I was born in Germany. My dad was in the Royal Air Force, so we moved regularly when I was growing up. I was lucky enough to live in Germany (three times), Italy, Cyprus, the Falklands, and 12 different places in the UK. We eventually settled in Wales - final count was that I attended 26 different schools!

Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you?

I’m so excited for the coming contract year, we’ve got a number of changes and tweaks up our sleeves that we’re looking forward to sharing with colleagues. One of the major things for us is a shift in our ethos as a team.

Whilst we are always working to Quality Assure, we’ve been working to develop, and are still working to develop a ‘Continuous Improvement’ approach, working with colleagues across ACT

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QUALITY

Self-Evaluation Report Following on from the previous Insight; where we provided an overview of our Self-Evaluation process, the Quality team wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for the hard work that went into the team Self-Evaluation reports.

Here is an overview of the incredible progress and many, many strengths (there were so many to choose from!) ACT have made from 2019-20.

The report also highlights key areas that our teams will be working to further develop in the 2020/21 contract year.

You can read all the amazing work we’ve achieved in the full report here.

Please see below for an overview of just some of our strengths to date, and areas we’re looking to build and improve on.

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• Excellent strategic partnerships to improve and extend the opportunities for learners

Summary of Strengths • Exceptional responsiveness and adaptability across the ACT Network when faced with the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic

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• Strong learner engagement across the ACT Network • Achievement of Investors in People (IIP) Platinum

Detailed understanding of costs amongst managers and a focus on business improvement techniques, resulting in effective and efficient deployment of resources which impacts learners in all areas

Areas for continuous development

• ACT have a happy, and motivated team of staff who actively believe in the core values of the organisation

• Following reinstatement of Learner Outcome Reports (LOR), continued monitoring of performance measures to ensure that outcomes are equal to, or exceed ACT Network targets and/or NCs.

• High success rate for learners who participate in skills competitions • Centralised Essential Skills Delivery team, providing all learners with high-quality, specialist support and development in this area

• Setting of individual skills targets for learners and continued development of contextualised, embedded skills development within delivery.

• Sound support and focus on learner wellbeing and learners’ personal development leading to strong learner progression and achievement

• Continuation of developments regarding wellbeing support for learners across the ACT Network.

• Further development of welsh/bilingual delivery across the ACT Network.

• Advanced use of digital technologies to support learning, enhance the learner journey and improve the efficient use of resources

• Continue with the development of innovative uses of digital technology/ blended approaches regarding learner voice activities.

• Innovative Curriculum enrichment to develop learners’ social and life skills

• Further development of digital approaches to personal and specialist support, for example wellbeing and ALN.

• Inclusive and effective Strategic Planning resulting in clear learner-focussed vision and aims with very strong levels of staff engagement

• Further develop mechanisms to track and monitor the performance of specific groups.

• Effective safeguarding procedures that minimise the risks faced by learners and result in learners feeling safe during their time in learning

A big congratulations to the Quality Team for all your hard work in collating all this information, and also to all our incredible teams throughout ACT who continue to excel!

• Staff have the skills, competencies and attitudes to do the very best for learners, resulting in an organisational culture underpinned by coaching and professional learning

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cornel cymraeg welsh corner Ap y mis App of the month App geiriaduron

App geiriaduron

Mae'r Ap Geiriaduron yn eiriadur Saesneg-Cymraeg / Cymraeg Saesneg sy’n caniatáu i chi chwilio all-lein am filoedd o eiriau Cymraeg a Saesneg trwy nifer o ffynonellau, gan gynnwys CysGair, Y Termiadur Addysg a'r Termiadur Addysg Uwch.

Ap Geiriaduron is as an English-Welsh/ Welsh-English dictionary application for your iPhone, iPad or Android device which gives you offline access to thousands of words from multiple dictionary sources, including Cysgair and ‘Y Termiadur Addysg’.

Mae'r ap ar gael yn rhad ac am ddim i'w lwytho ar ddyfeisiau Android neu iOS.

The app is free and available to download on Android and iOS devices.

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e a m ’ u

S

mae Shw

Su’ m ae

Su’ m

ae

SHWMAE

Shwmae

Shwmae

Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae Shwmae Su’mae Day Doedd mater o bandemig ddim yn ddigon i stopio ACT rhag dathlu Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae mewn steil. Gan symud ar-lein, gwnaeth dros 50 o staff ar draws y cwmni ymuno yn Shwmae Mawr Rhithiol ACT. Roedd hi’n wych gweld cymaint o wynebau cyfarwydd mewn un lle ers cymaint o amser ac roedd yn dangos yn glir y diddordeb cynyddol sydd yn yr iaith Gymraeg ar draws.

Not to be undone by a pandemic, this year ACT marked Diwrnod Shwmae, Su’mae in style. With the initiative taking place online, more than 50 staff from across the company joined the ACT Big Virtual Shwmae! It was great to see so many familiar faces together after such a long time and goes to show the phenomenal interest there is in the Welsh language across the board.

Diolch yn fawr i bawb.

Diolch yn fawr i bawb!

Rhwydwaith Aseswyr Cymraeg Welsh Assessors’ Network Nawr yn ei ail flwyddyn, mae cynllun Llysgenhadon Prentisiaeth y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol yn anelu at hybu astudio dwyieithog drwy gefnogaeth a phrofiadau dysgwyr Prentisiaeth a Hyfforddeiaeth.

Now in its second year, the Apprenticeship Ambassadors scheme by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol aims to promote bilingual study through the support and experiences of Apprenticeship and Traineeship learners.

Rydym wrth ein bod i longyfarch Lleucu Edwards, Prentis Gofal Plant yn ACT fel llysgennad eleni. Gwyliwch allan am fwy o newyddion am Lleucu yn rhifynnau nesa Insight.

ACT is very proud to congratulate Lleucu Edwards, an ACT Childcare learner, as an Apprenticeship Ambassador this year.

Watch out for more news from Lleucu in future editions of Insight.

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celebrating success Here’s just some of the fabulous feedback we’ve received from our staff, learners and their families during lockdown!

Quotes from parents “I am really pleased that my child has returned to school and been supported, thank you.”

“We were supported throughout lockdown and on our son’s return to school it’s been great!

Thank you.“ “Thanks for all the support. My daughter feels happy to come in to ACT, which is a big thing for her.”

“My son was really anxious about returning to school but he came home happy and said it was alright, which is great.”

Quotes from staff “It’s great to be back in work. The measures that have been put in place are thorough and take some getting used to, but they definitely make me feel confident in coming in to work.”

“I’m so glad to be back in work for the social aspect. It is great to be back with the team.”

“The company have been great at responding quickly to any additional needs or requests we make, to ensure the staff and learners are supported and safe. It gives me confidence to know that if anything has been missed it is fixed really quickly.”

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Quotes from apprenticeship learners "I have felt very supported throughout lockdown and have found my assessor very helpful throughout."

"Everyone is really supportive and available for advice. Couldn't ask for more!"

"Lockdown has been really positive as a learner because the processes are more streamlined.

For example, sign up was so simple and time-efficient and reviews take place more concisely."

"Thank you! I have felt supported and staff understand the stresses of life, but also keep me on the right track. If it wasn't for this support I probably would've given up the course."

Quotes from traineeship learners "I feel very supported by my tutor and ALS worker, as they make sure I am completing the work. They have phoned me and have supported my mum as well."

"My tutor is really supportive. I've been helped to develop my confidence, as well as doing the work I'm asked to do."

"I feel really supported and I know my tutor is always there to help me when I need it."

Have you heard?

In this new audio world, podcasts have never been so popular. Every issue of Insight, we’ll pick a work-based relevant show that we think you might like: The EdTech Podcast The Edtech Podcast strives to improve the dialogue between ‘education’ and ‘tech’ through storytelling, for better innovation and impact. The latest podcast looks at the future of work experiment that is 2020 in this investor special, and interrogates some of the forecasts for the future of work now that many of them have come true. https://theedtechpodcast.com/future-of-work-experiment/

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STAFF IN THE

spotlight

This month we put the spotlight on Clare Harden who joined ACT in March 2013. Clare works as the Animal Care and Construction Sector Lead at our Hadfield Skills Centre.

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Tell us a little bit about your role, and what your average day looks like.

I manage the Animal Care and Construction department. As you can imagine they are two very different routes that give me plenty to think about. I am based in both Caerphilly and Hadfield so spread my time across the two centres.

What is the most rewarding part of your current role?

Seeing tutors develop in their role and the desire they have to see their learners achieve.

I really value the passion my tutors have for their job and how they make a difference to their learners’ lives.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…

I run a small family livery yard in Newport in my spare time.

Where is the best place you have travelled to?

Greece. The people are so friendly, the food is amazing and the weather was scorching.

I also managed to tick an activity off my bucket list and went scuba diving.

What was the last album you listened to?

Not sure I should admit to this… Westlife

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What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

Domino’s Pizza. The job was intense and it was so hot working by the ovens. It also made you really hungry!

Dominos give staff 50% off food orders and I took advantage of that a little too often. I almost left looking like a pizza!

How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?

I have a horse that I compete/ take part in training and spend all my hard-earned money on.

3 dogs that demand walks twice a day without fail - come rain or shine. I also like to weight train and keep fit.

What would be your top tip for colleagues?

Keep smiling, talk to each other and support one another. The best part about this job is the like-minded people you work with. We all have bad days but talking it out is the best therapy.

A big thank you to Clare for taking the time to answer our questions this month.

If you would like to feature in our Staff in the Spotlight section, or have a colleague you’d like to put forward, please e-mail Rachael Lewis.

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Adapted delivery & curriculum With the pandemic changing everyday life as we know it, our incredible delivery teams at ACT have had to adapt in the moment to ensure our learners continue to receive the very best services and support.

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Lucy Wilkinson, Route Manager of Business Services, Digital, Media & IT, shares some of the ways her team and their learners have adapted to COVID-19.

For our Business Admin Level 2 (BA2) and Level 3 (BA3) we've gone from day long sessions, ending in an invigilated test, to offering 1-2-hour online sessions. This includes a bespoke accompanying document, where learners take notes during the workshop, then complete and upload the document to OneFile after. Although this approach requires learners to complete written answers instead of a 'quicker' test, the knowledge gained and written up in the workshops is subsequently cross referenced across their qualification.

The learners are formulating their own responses and able to come up with contextualised answers, based on their work places, rather than just picking a multi choice answer on a test. This gives learners a better understanding on their workplace. Many of our learners are feedbacking that they prefer this approach, rather than coming into centre.

Learners complete the course remotely so that we can refer to it in the online session.

This approach is working really well and is constantly evolving and improving. Lisa has also started to design scenario-based problem solving or decisions within the e-learning which we hope to incorporate more into our delivery, as we've had great feedback to it.

Digital Learning Design has been split in to four online sessions (it was originally two full days). The team use Nearpod to run the workshops, embedding many of the features of the workshop including images and quiz questions. The approach has worked really well as our learners are able to see first-hand how we run digital workshops to support them, which they can then use to deliver their own classes.

Our IT Users sessions have been split in to shorter 2-hour sessions that we offer either in the morning or afternoon – offering our learners more flexibility. The learners are always impressed by the technology we use to deliver the sessions (Teams, Google docs etc.) as many can they experience inperson how they can use the free software themselves for their homelife or for work.

Although we cannot do some of the activities we normally would, Louisa Mallet, Business Services Trainer, has provided lots of extra resources, links, videos to support our learners.

For our BA4 learners, we have reduced classroom delivery to a 2-hour session via Teams. Lisa Beecham, Business Services Trainer, has developed more robust e-learning modules using iSpring that are now assigned to learners on OneFile Courses.

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By forming our very own specialist Curriculum Team, they will be able to support and bring to life content from the delivery experts across all ACT Provisions.

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As we enter an increased need for a blended learning approach in supporting our learners, we are delighted to introduce you to our newly formed...

curriculum team

Vicky Galloni

Kameron Harrhy

Sam Holland

Vicky has worked for ACT for the past 4 years and has recently returned from Maternity into the Curriculum Lead Role. Vicky has over 15 years' experience in Work-Based Learning and Further Education developing learning programmes. She has a passion for curriculum design - particularly where innovation and technology meet - to provide learners with the knowledge and skills, they require to succeed.

With a first-class degree and a PGCE in Welsh, Kameron has 4 years' experience working as a Welsh Teacher and enjoys being involved in Welsh arts, music and culture. Kameron strives to provide support to learners and practitioners in fulfilling their potential as confident communicators, as well as supporting them on their journey.

Sam has been working with ACT for the last four years in the IT/Media team as an assessor and curriculum developer. Prior to that, Sam has a history in digital marketing in the live music sector. He is a skilled content creator with a passion for digital learning and a focus on innovation. As one of ACT’s Digital Champions, Sam enjoys finding and utilising digital tools to add value to the learners’ experience.

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About the Team The Curriculum Development Team is aligned with our ACT Plan and sits under the Quality Strategic Aim to ensure that we can meet the demands of varied curriculums - especially as we move into an increasingly digitally led world. The team will support and bring to life content from our delivery experts across ACT, to collaborate in producing engaging resources which inspire our learners to succeed.

ACT recognises that it is currently a challenge for Assessors, Tutors and Teachers to find the much-needed creative time to develop new resources for their curriculums. By forming our very own specialist Curriculum Team, they will be able to support and bring to life content from the delivery experts across all ACT Provisions, to provide engaging resources that promote wellbeing and continued learning.

The central Curriculum Team will provide curriculum development support across 5 key strands: •

Care, Support and Guidance

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Welsh Dimension

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Digital Technology

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Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Skills

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Additional Learning Needs

The team will achieve this by providing advice and support to practitioners when developing new resources, to ensure all teaching and learning materials consider the health and wellbeing of learners. In addition, they will also promote knowledge in this area by identifying and maximising opportunities to embed sector specific support. The team will also support practitioners to ensure opportunities to embed Prevent and British Values, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are embedded within all teaching and learning materials too.

The team will work with practitioners to help develop digitally inclusive resources, which are engaging, accessible and interactive.

Welsh Dimension ACT is proud of its history and the leading role it has played in developing and promoting the Welsh language in Wales. The Curriculum Specialist will enable and support delivery to develop bi-lingual and Welsh resources, ensuring the Welsh Dimension is fully embedded. This will enable learners to express their views and needs in the language of their choice; enabling the use of Welsh as a preferred language throughout all of our programmes.

Digital Technology The team will work with practitioners to help develop digitally inclusive resources, which are engaging, accessible and interactive. The aim is to ensure that the learner journey within ACT considers digital wellbeing and supports learners in developing their digital capabilities so they can thrive in the working environment.

Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills Working with all practitioners, the team will ensure all teaching and learning materials maximise opportunities to develop skills, and that resources are developed at the appropriate levels to meet the varied needs of learners across the ACT provision. The team will also quality check teaching and learning material to establish a high literacy standard throughout.

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Additional Learning Support

The Latest Update

Advice and support will also be provided to practitioners when developing new resources and materials. The resources will be flexible and adaptable to support the varied needs of our learners across all of ACT provision, with a focus on the 4 broad categories of learning needs: •

Communication and Interaction

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Cognition and Learning

The team have already been working hard to create an interactive resource which showcases a range of digital tools, demonstrating how they can be used to support curriculum delivery.

This interactive digital experience illustrates and explores how we can work in partnership and collaboration across the ACT provision, to create engaging and innovative teaching and learning resources.

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Social, emotional and mental health

Explore the interactive resource here.

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Sensory and/or physical needs

The Curriculum Strategy will underpin the aims of ACT delivery provision across Schools, MTS, Traineeships and Apprenticeships, and support the wider ACT strategic plan. ACT recognises the need for delivery content to be brought together across all areas, with a strong focus on the health and wellbeing of our learners, which will be the foundation of all delivery content.

The Curriculum Strategy will be released in the forthcoming weeks.

Tip: Ensure your speakers are turned on and click the full screen icon.

Next Steps...

Over the next 6 months the team plan to carry out a robust Curriculum Review across all ACT Provisions. The team will assess the current delivery against the 5 curriculum strands, and plan to work effectively and collaboratively to review all current teaching and learning resources. The review will be conducted by vocational area to ensure we are working towards an aligned progression pathway.

The resources will be flexible and adaptable to support the varied needs of our learners...

Tracey and I are delighted to have recruited a team of specialists that we are sure will be both innovative and creative in supporting our fantastic delivery teams to further develop and improve our curriculum!

We are excited to be making our content even more engaging, inclusive and standardised right across all our learning programmes! I’m sure you will all join me congratulating Vicky, Sam and Kameron on their new roles and wish them the very best of luck!

Zoe Goodall Delivery Director

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‘Atomic Habits: an Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habit and Break Bad Ones’

by James Clear People think when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions – doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call. He calls them atomic habits.

Want to take part in our next book club?

In this ground-breaking book, Clear reveals how a few tiny changes can revolutionise your life and positively impact your career, your relationships, and your life.

Request your copy by emailing bookclub@ acttraining.org.uk by Friday 4th December.

Books are free for the first 50 staff who request a copy (first come first served basis) and could count towards your CPD hours (subject to suitability).

Find out more

Last Issue ‘Who Cares Wins: Why good business is better business’ by David Jones. Thank you to everyone who got on board with the book club, ordered a copy and read the book.

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insight

welcome to our newest recruits!

Rachel Davidson Digital Implementation Officer

Kameron Harrhy Curriculum Developer Welsh Specialist

Amy Hughes Outreach Worker

Kyran Jones Outreach Worker

Mark Harris Motor Vehicle Tutor

Kathryn Robst Barbering & Hairdressing Tutor/ Assessor

Farewell to‌ Claire Baker - Opportunities Advisor

Dee Jones - Key Stage 3 Tutor

Emma Davies - Health and Social Care Assessor-Cardiff

Mike Knott - Learning & Development Advisor

Laura Eden - English and Welsh BAC Tutor

Claire Martin - Education & Development Assessor/IQA

Richard Hatherall - IT & Digital Assessor

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This publication has been brought to you by the Marketing & Communications team.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue.

If you have suggestions, stories or ideas you’d like to share in future issues please do get in touch with Rachael Lewis, Communications Officer rachaellewis@acttraining.org.uk Your ideas and input are always welcome!