Friday was an INSET day for us at school but we’d previously agreed to host the annual review meeting of the collaborative network schools facilitated by Edexcel, so couldn’t take part in what I’ve heard was a fab event with Alistair Smith. We’ve been calling it the “hub of hubs” in that the idea is that all the leads within each local network get together and discuss how to make the national network bigger and stronger.

Even though these regular events are managed through Edexcel you don’t have to be a school that uses their exams – the idea is that it’s about sharing best practice, updates … I think about us being “stronger together” and this is becoming increasingly important with the demise of LA’s and ever increasing commercialism of schools of schools as a result of academisation.

A few things came out of meeting but the collaborative network will definitely continue to grow in both their size and number of centres involved, but also in the impact that these meetings will have on us as teachers. They aren’t fabricated or enforced on us, they are all about being “for teachers, by teachers” and for me have a real “grass roots” feel where we get to discuss the real issues but also share ideas that really do work. They take time to get established, but are well worth the effort. Edexcel are looking for other schools to get involved and so if you are interested in becoming a hub centre email me: mel@justmaths.co.uk and I’ll forward your details to our contact.

The impact of twitter and its use in sharing ideas came out of the day too – I am still amazed at how many people don’t use it so I’ve got to circulate some links/information as a bit of a guide to getting started and what to expect. I do remember when I started using Twitter I was over-awed with how quick it moved and just didn’t get it AT ALL. It took me about 3 weeks of lurking before I had the guts to even favourite a tweet or RT anything. It was all very daunting. I’ve also said I’ll do a “must follow list” … hmmm … where do I start?

Anyway, back to Friday. To make the most of the day and the school facilities, Seager and I used the opportunity to deliver some training to about 20 support staff from 7 other local (ish!) schools (following a conversation between our Head and another local Head Teacher) in the morning, and then had a few Maths Heads of Departments in from a well-known Academy chain in the afternoon talking about successful intervention. Let’s just say it was a little bit mental as we did a “tag team” across the school between concurrent events. According to my watch “thing” I walked 6.2 miles up until lunchtime after which I stopped looking.

The day went well I think. In between the chaos I managed to get a selfie in and embarrass Seager like I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE with about 40 of us singing “Happy Birthday” to him in the coffee break. He has sworn to get me back and I dread to think!

I have to admit though to being suitably embarrassed, when close to the end of the day I looked down to see … not one … but two … massive holes in my tights!! I looked like a right skank! Of course I did what any suitably embarrassed person would do and kept on saying “I can’t believe I’ve got holes in my tights”. Seriously though … I WAS embarrassed. For about 10 minutes. If you were there though I can assure you I don’t usually go around with great big, holes in my tights!!

He’s thinking “I’m gonna get you back!”