Tutor News
Inside This Edition of Tutor News Spring Term Edition
This edition brings together key updates, professional development opportunities and exciting news from across Skills and Learning Inside, you’ll find:
Updates from the Quality Team following recent classroom visits and learning walks. Information about the move to a groupwork classroom model across our centres. Details of the Exceptional Teaching Symposium and expectations for the year ahead.
New Quality Assurance resources on the Staff Hub, including narrated PowerPoints and a free Open University course on effective online teaching.
You can also read about:
The Weymouth Digital Hub and opportunities for staff to complete accredited Level 2 IT courses.
Our continued partnership with AFC Bournemouth.
Current recruitment opportunities within Skills and Learning Plus:
A Staff Spotlight feature Practical strategies in the Tutor Dilemma section.
A new crossword challenge
The launch of our new Affinity Space for educators to connect and explore educational ideas together.
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The Quality Team have been out and about over the last couple of months and have popped into many classrooms across the county. They have seen some inspiring teaching and lots of happy learners They have also been online and seen some of the online training launched in the first edition of the eMagazine, put into action For example, some lovely examples of how to create a sense of community using Teams
This change is to reflect some of the improvements we would like to see in some areas of the curriculum, based on our work with observations and learning walks.
We are also excited to be holding an Exceptional Teaching Symposium on March 25th. This will replace the Teaching and Learning Conference historically held at this time. The new Symposium is mandatory for all tutors who will be teaching over the next year
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
Our new Quality Assurance section in the Staff Hub is filling up. Here you will find all Quality Assurance related information, training and opportunities The new content for this month is below and can be found on the Staff Hub here: Quality Assurance:
Principles of Adult Education PowerPoint –narrated version
Online Learning PowerPoint – narrated version
There is an excellent Online Teaching course on Open Learn (Open University) that is free for educators: Take your teaching online | OpenLearn -Open University
Online learning is now found in every area of education, from schools to skills training More people than ever learn through online courses. Even where teaching is primarily ‘face to face’, online tools and interactions have become a key part of the learning experience.
But teaching online is different. If you work in education or training at any level, you need to develop new skills and understanding in order to make the right decisions, make the most of the opportunities, and overcome common challenges
The Open University trialled their first fully online course in 1989. They are now world leaders in the research and delivery of online education In this free course, they share the fundamental knowledge needed to deliver effective teaching online
This course is suitable for anyone moving their teaching online, including educators, collaborators/support staff and leaders. In the course, you will be introduced to online education, hear about the experiences of other educators, and learn about principles of effective, inclusive and accessible online education (Open University, 2026).
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
CURRENT NEWS OR PLANS FOR NEW INITIATIVES OR PARTNERSHIPS
Weymouth Digital Hub – Hosted at Weymouth Library. Weymouth Digital Hub offers IT support for Dorset residents. Whether they are just starting out with technology or looking to boost their digital confidence, the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub will help. The hub also offers workshops, and drop-in support for residents and businesses Skills and Learning delivered free courses at the Hub, which ran from September to December
To follow this, Skills and Learning are offering staff the opportunity to complete accredited Level 2 IT courses, delivered by one of our IT tutors Details of the courses are here:
Digital and IT Skills Level 2 (staff).pdf
Artificial Intelligence Level 2 (staff).pdf
APM, Stuart Lawson who manages IT, is asking staff to complete the following form to establish interest: Digital Training for Staff –Fill in form
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
TUTOR DILEMMA SECTION
Thank you to those who sent in their dilemmas We hope to include as many as possible in this publication and others will be included in the Symposium
Dilemma: How do I engage my learners right from the start of the lesson?
I often find that learners turn up to class in dribs and drabs, and the ones that come earlier sit down, usually in the same place, and sit there patiently waiting for the lesson to start. The classroom is quiet and there is no buzz or motivation to get going with learning.
To submit your dilemmas or if you want to make any suggestions or feedback on the Tutor News, please email Baylie at bhart@salbcp.com
Answer: An effective way of engaging adult learners from the very start of a lesson is to plan some starter activities. These are activities that learners will begin with minimal support from the tutor and complete as they come into the classroom. The purpose is to generate engagement and enthusiasm immediately. Starter activities should be relevant to their experience and what they are learning, and low-risk, so a good chance they will be able to complete the task Effective starters will potentially shift them from their day-to-day mindset to the learning topic while fostering a safe, collaborative environment. Starters can be individual or a group activity. Starters can also be used as an initial assessment method to establish starting points on specific topics Here are some ideas for activities you can try with your learners: ESOL, Maths and English General
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
LAUNCH OF A NEW ‘AFFINITY SPACE’ FOR EDUCATORS
Thank you to those who have already expressed an interest in this group For those that missed it in the last eMagazine, we are launching an Affinity Space for educators. Are you a tutor, LSA or volunteer interested in discussing educational topics? An affinity space is a gathering place, often online but can be physical, where a group of people connect and learn through shared interests, activities, and goals An affinity space encourages informal learning, collaboration, and shared participation among individuals at different skill levels, fostering a sense of community and allowing for various forms of engagement and contribution.
Discussion topics will be selected by the group and will focus on theoretical concepts rather than practical solutions. It is an opportunity to explore abstract ideas and consider different perspectives Meetings will be held both online and face to face in different locations (based on where participants are based) We aim to hold one meeting every term. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please let Baylie know on the email address below.
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
AFC BOURNEMOUTH EXECUTIVE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
In February, we had a great time attending our Sponsor Game with AFC Bournemouth against Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium Skills and Learning are now in our third season as an Executive Regional Partner of the club, and on this occasion we were delighted to sponsor the matchday programme.
Our partnership with AFC Bournemouth provides us with a powerful Premier League platform with a fast-growing digital audience Our on-site marketing at the Vitality Stadium including multiple digital screens across the stadium, pitch-side boards, matchday screen features, programme content and branding on the club’s website reaches more than 9,000 supporters at every home game. This gives us a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the learning opportunities we offer and connect with supporters across the local community and beyond.
As part of this partnership, six staff members were invited to represent Skills and Learning at the match. In the photos are our lucky winners who were selected through a staff draw: tutors Sue Wilkinson, Ricky Andreou and Naomi Duffield, and staff members Bill Butler, Mike Jackson and Shallu Jain.
We hope they had a fantastic time enjoying the matchday experience and being part of a special day at the stadium. 7
Tutor News Spring Term Edition
CROSSWORD
2 Scenario that mimics a real-world situation
6. Evaluation area inspected by Ofsted
7. Questioning technique that challenges learner's assumptions
10 Quality standard for IAG services
11 Discussion space for an online community
13. A space in Microsoft Teams
1 Supported employment programme
3. Learning theory used in vocational courses where learners observe and imitate
4 Resource a learner might use
5 'Father of adult education' who assumed adults need motivation to learn
8. System for measuring learner improvement on a non-accredited course
9. Element on a lesson plan
12 Member of the Safeguarding Team
RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As part of the BCP Council family, you have access to a range of exciting roles across the organisation. Explore current vacancies and see what opportunities might be right for you.
