Primary Schools
Robert’s INSET on Personalised Learning was just the ‘shot in the arm’
that my staff, ranging from Nursery to Year 6, needed at the start of a busy
term:
“An inspirational day covering a wide range of suggestions for classroom
and group management, target setting, strategies for pupil participation,
assessment for learning and electronic feedback. A most enjoyable INSET!” (CL
of English )
“Brilliant day! I feel very inspired and have started using some of the
ideas already!” (Year 2 Class Teacher )
“INSET as it should be: witty, well presented and informative” (Director
of Music)
“I found the INSET incredibly useful. He was extremely interesting and
was able to make his sessions informative yet light-hearted. As Year Group
(Year 1) we were very motivated by his practical ideas on class targets and
classroom management. We have been able to easily adapt the ideas so that we
can use them in our classrooms”. (SENCo)
“I found Robert Powell’s INSET most rewarding as did colleagues. He
demonstrated a wealth of teaching experience but remains up-beat, highly
motivational with innovative ideas delivered with great humour. Marvellous!”
(CL of Science)
“We all very much enjoyed the INSET by Robert Powell – thank you. I was
particularly impressed to hear that already my colleagues are putting into
practice some of Robert’s ideas, and his suggestion for giving the children
numbers and allowing them to talk when their number is called was a great
success in the Nursery. This was good for the children’s number recognition,
reinforcement of numbers and very good for learning to take turns and develop
their patience – fantastic and fun! We have put this in our planning for this
week and next!” (Head of Nursery)
“Have already used the numbering of the children so the quiet ones, too,
get a chance to answer. I will be working in pairs and groups as well in the
near future, and no doubt about making those dominoes for our little ones in
English and Maths. Thanks to Robert. Never had so much fun on an INSET!” (Head
of Reception)
“Lots of very positive feedback from Year 1. He was so inspiring, wasn’t
he? Loads of ideas…we almost need another long meeting to digest and talk about
the ideas he put forward. We are keen to introduce the ‘targets’ for writing –
this will fit in nicely as we are looking at creative writing this term. We
plan to put a large copy of these targets in each classroom with smaller copies
in the children’s books. We plan to focus on a target at a time and tick if the
child has grasped it. After 4 ticks, comes a smile sticker! We also liked the
idea of seating children together so that a more able child is with a less able
child…a sort of ‘Study Buddy’ idea. I have put the children on set tables for
this… but have yet to try it out for things such as hearing each other read”.
(Head of Year 1).
Antony J.W. Hudson
Headmaster
St George’s College Junior School
Secondary Schools
On the 28th of June, Robert delivered an outstanding presentation in an
engaging manner with a huge amount of practical content. The quality of
information had members of staff diving for their pens and recording teaching
techniques which they knew would instantly enhance the learning opportunities
for our pupils.
Below are some quotes which came through in the CPD day evaluation:
“I thought it was amazing and the best CPD that I have had in ten years.
Robert was witty and kept everyone’s interest throughout the day with real-life
examples of how to use his teaching ideas.”
“The training was inspiring and invigorating and has allowed creativity
to flow.”
“We all learned something that we can use – progress was made by all!!”
“The best training session that I have attended (ever). I am already
using ideas that Robert introduced us to in lessons (Friday the 29th of June),
and there were no flip charts or Post-it notes in sight!”
Two weeks on and members of staff are still talking about areas that
were covered on that day. Teaching and learning are at the forefront of
everyone’s minds, which has led to the Leadership Team responding to their
request to bring Robert back for further work with subject teams.
Kevin Blakey
Vice Principal
Thetford Academy
We were absolutely delighted with how well the training day went last
week. The feedback from staff was immensely positive, with a number describing
it as "inspirational" and "the best training day I have ever
been to". Certainly, from the school's point of view, it achieved the two
key objectives of launching our review of teaching and learning excellence
whilst at the same time providing staff with a wealth of good ideas which they
could readily implement in their own teaching. I have no doubt that the quality
of our students' classroom experience will be enhanced as a result of the
training.
I am very optimistic that your leadership of our training day has
launched a very significant period of professional development for all our
teaching staff.
John Hartley
Headteacher
Saffron Walden County High School
Suffolk
Thank you so much for the training yesterday, your approach was perfect.
Staff feedback has been really positive - especially from the sceptics!! Your
practical approach and humour - grounded in your own experience and excellent
knowledge - is what teachers value.
Mike Foley
Headteacher
Gt Cornard Upper School and Technology College
Suffolk
The training day and follow-up workshops on "Assessment for
Learning" were, without doubt, the best we have experienced. Robert Powell
is not only a stimulating and thought-provoking trainer, he also made our
learning fun.
Furthermore he inspired every department to produce a range of materials
which have improved our classroom practice significantly. I wish every trainer
I booked for Inset days could provide the same high quality!
Pamela Clark
Deputy Head
Wootton Upper School and Performing Arts College
Bedfordshire
Rob has delivered a number of very successful Inset sessions for our
staff. Last year, following one of these sessions, we asked him to develop with
us a new Teaching Learning and Assessment Policy.
The Policy provides a framework in which staff can develop their
practice and it is already beginning to produce positive results
John Davies
Headteacher
Carr Hill 11-18 High School, Lancashire, a Specialist Engineering College
Robert did a brilliant inset for our staff and for some teachers from
our feeder schools. That introduction, together with a couple of consultancy
days working alongside individual teachers, helped to lay a firm foundation for
the development of our policies and practice for learning, teaching and
assessment.
Robert practises what he preaches. It's obvious that he has been and
done it. He puts it over in an engaging way with buckets full of humour. A
shining performance that will stimulate and help staff to put an extra gloss on
what they do.
Mike Venet
Deputy Headteacher
Kaskenmoor
Oldham
An entertaining day with many practical ideas to stimulate learning in
the classroom- Rob was a pleasure to work with.
Keith Hanson
Deputy Head
Northcliffe School
Doncaster
Robert comes up with ideas that can be easily adapted to the classroom for
any subject. He is an inspirational speaker and his ideas were refreshingly
clear.
Sally Evans
Assistant Headteacher
Park Community School
Havant
After Rob's first Training day at Sir Graham Balfour we were all looking
forward to putting his ideas into practice in our classrooms. We discovered
that they worked brilliantly.
Subsequently Rob has completed several follow up sessions. Colleagues
have even competed with each other to become part of the Working Party working
with him to further extend best practice!
Rob combines professional insight, practical advice and humour in a
compelling way. He is an inspirational communicator.
David Hill
Headteacher
Sir Graham Balfour High School
Stafford
Thank you for an inspiring day! Our evaluations show that the day was
valued by ALL my teaching and non-teaching colleagues. Why was the day so
valued? Your incisive understanding of the dynamics of the modern classroom
meant that my colleagues were eager to take and adapt into practise the ideas
you so clearly demonstrated on the day.
I think that it is important to have a speaker who is able place
suggested activities within a philosophical framework and to be able to
cogently demonstrate that with creativity and purpose the individual teacher
can significantly improve the quality of the learning task set and thereby
their own professional satisfaction without committing hours to lesson
preparation.
David Jordan
Assistant Headteacher
Springfield School
Portsmouth
Rob makes a difference! His training is lively and innovative, providing
real examples that engage, enthuse, and challenge students. Rob's passion for
teaching and learning is infectious, leaving staff wanting more!
Mark Stanyer
Headteacher
Victoria Community Technology School
Crewe
I thoroughly recommend Robert Powell's training. The first day was so
successful we booked another day. The inset was extremely useful and all staff
benefited from it.
Paul Chapman
Gifted, Talented and Aim Higher Coordinator
Winchmore School
Enfield
Staff training on Assessment for Learning on 11th February 2005 was most
successful, the trainer Robert Powell providing numerous useful ideas and
strategies to try out in the classroom. Staff feedback was very positive.
Robert understands what faces teachers day to day in the classroom. He
can empathise, he knows what they need and provides so many practical answers.
Staff cannot fail to feel inspired.
Julie Lawton
Headteacher
Wolverhampton Girls' High School
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Independent Schools
Robert Powell's INSET day was a wonderful example of best practice in
action. He judged his audience expertly - very able but tired professionals who
had just reached the end of an exhausting term. What followed was a
presentation bursting with practical strategies, regularly punctuated with
entertaining anecdotes, which were illuminating in their own right, and the
whole thing delivered at a pace. It was an exciting, stimulating and varied day
which gave staff the impetus to try out new ideas. 'The best INSET I have
attended' and 'inspirational' were the common responses to the day. Many
departments are now experimenting with Robert's suggestions - proof that his
approach re-energises teachers and, therefore, their students.
Anna Wells
Assistant Head Teacher
Manchester High School for Girls
Simply, Robert elicited from the Stowe staff the most positive response
we've ever had to a communal day's INSET.
Stephen Hirst
Director of Studies
Stowe School
Robert provided a wealth of ideas, materials and strategies for
promoting better teaching and better learning. A stimulating and entertaining
day's INSET which was much appreciated by the Oundle School Staff.
Alison Page
Senior Mistress
Oundle School
Robert's inset was an inspirational day. It was thoroughly enjoyed by
all. Lots of good classroom development followed.
Clive Norton
Deputy Head
Framlingham School
Robert. Thank you for your inspiring INSET which so many staff clearly
enjoyed and found uplifting despite their tiredness after a very intensive few
weeks. Lots of departments clearly came away with lots of useful strategies to
implement.
Wycombe Abbey School
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Sixth Form Colleges
I would like to thank you on behalf of all the staff at Cardinal Newman
College for a stimulating, informative and enjoyable two days. The clear focus
on practical strategies and ideas to enhance Teaching and Learning during the
sessions on Differentiation in the Classroom, Assessment for Learning and
Classroom Management was excellent. All colleagues - classroom teachers
(experienced and newly qualified); Heads of Department; Heads of Faculty and
Senior Managers - have commented on your enthusiasm, humour and the quality of
your delivery in their evaluations of the training. Many colleagues have
already successfully introduced some of the techniques highlighted, such as
snowballing. The two days were very much enhanced by your knowledge and
understanding of our particular college and the sessions were tailored to
reflect this. It was an absolute delight and privilege to work with you!
Neil Partington
Assistant Principal
Cardinal Newman College
It was a most inspiring day. The staff were buzzing with ideas and were
keen to try them out. The praise for the Robert Powell training day couldn't
have been higher.
Janet Nevin
Principal
Ashton-under-Lyne Sixth Form College
It was an excellent day, probably the best we have had in this college.
Mike O'Hare
Principal
Holy Cross Sixth Form College
Bury
An excellent, highly entertaining and well organised training day. Many
staff regarded it as the best training they had experienced. Staff left the day
with a host of practical ideas to try out.
Lesley Siddall
Assistant Principal
Havant Sixth Form College
The whole staff CPD session led by Robert Powell was outstanding and led
to a marked improvement in the quality of our students' learning experience.
Ian Yems
Staff Development Manager
Greenhead College
Robert's was the best training session that we have had at our college.
Sharon Sharp
Curriculum Manager
John Leggott College
Robert's session with the whole staff was thoroughly entertaining, and
intellectually challenging. Departments have been galvanised right across the
college and have made significant improvements to schemes of work and
individuals are experimenting with new teaching and learning approaches, as a
direct result of the training day.
Anthony Beard
High Achievers' Co-ordinator
John Leggott College
Rob Powell's training on 'The Interactive Classroom' was a rare
opportunity to see clear practical teaching strategies mixed with real wit and
enthusiasm.
The day's session created a real sense of excitement about training and
development in a way that we had never achieved before.
Marc Hulbert
Staff Development Manager
Luton Sixth Form College
Robert led a very engaging and inspirational training day. The programme
itself was an exemplary demonstration of how theory and practice can be
successfully combined.
Nigel Fox
Staff Development Officer
Peter Symonds College
It was my first time arranging a whole staff inset and it was brilliant.
Everyone has been incredibly positive and the buzz around the place is
excellent. Many members of staff have said that it was the best CPD they had
ever had. I now want to keep the momentum going.
Frances Rippin
Gateway Sixth Form College
Leicester
The following is a selection of representative comments from staff
evaluation sheets after our recent INSET day "Learning, Teaching and
Assessment: an Interactive Approach" delivered by Robert Powell:
"Excellent range of ideas and resources presented."
"Entertaining, yet realistic speaker"
"Excellent speaker and ideas."
"Thanks. This one was right for me."
"I particularly appreciated the chance to discuss how to implement
ideas in departments."
"Relevant, practical activities - an applied approach."
"An inspiring and extremely enjoyable day."
At the end of term tutors were invited in a full staff meeting to talk
about ideas they had implemented from the staff development day. A rich array
of practical strategies was demonstrated. A really positive outcome from an
inspirational day. Thank you Rob.
Ruth Brinton
Vice Principal
Hereford Sixth Form College
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Further Education Colleges
"Inspirational training - important that my staff be there!"
"As a result of this training, the teaching & learning team
have received a huge response from staff to work with them in preparing more
innovative resources."
"Fantastic, have learnt more in 1 day than during all of teacher
training!"
"Excellent, session left me feeling motivated and inspired to make
a difference for the learner."
These quotes are typical of the responses from the 200 managers and
teaching staff involved over two days with Robert Powell's training.
Tracey Mace
Teaching and Learning Manager
Grimsby Institute of FE and HE
We needed a step change to inspire our teachers to improve the overall
standard of learning and teaching incorporating the use of IT. We asked Rob to
provide sessions to all of our teaching staff in three sessions. These are some
of their responses:
"An excellent session providing in depth techniques to engage and
motivate learners."
"I thought Rob Powell was inspirational, his ideas were very good.
He left you thinking you were able to do what he was talking about."
"A very fast-moving, exciting and interesting day with many
ideas."
"At last learning and teaching activities using IT that are
interactive and easy to use."
"A very useful day. Pitched at the right level - Mr Powell is a
very good speaker. One of the best staff-development events I've been on."
From a senior manager's perspective, the measure of success of the
events was realised through a significant improvement in our teaching and
learning grades and positive feedback from learners.
Deputy Principal
Oaklands College
It was an excellent training session full of great, practical ideas that
are easy to implement in theory sessions to ensure all learners participate
fully. Staff who teach vocational theory would find it invaluable and I would
highly recommend it for experienced as well as new teachers.
Valerie Dresden
Head of Hair and Beauty
Barnet College
Rob Powell was our speaker and facilitator at our recent staff
conference. As it was an inaugural event, we were really keen to secure someone
who would be inspirational, experienced and able to relate to the teaching and
learning issues of the day. Rob did this admirably and staff were enthused by
his sessions and found his anecdotes relevant and highly amusing.
Thanks to this successful start, our conference will be an annual event,
starting each academic year in an inspirational and motivational way - our
learners deserve no less.
Sue Moore
Principal of Weymouth College
Robert Powell provided a rich menu of ideas for improving teaching,
learning and assessment, combining genuine passion for the issues with a
sparkling sense of humour. Many lecturers commented that this was the most
useful staff development session they had ever attended.
Nick Letchet
Acting Principal
Swindon College
(Following a day with the whole of the teaching staff)
Hairdressing Beauty and Holistic Therapy at the City of Bristol College
has worked with Robert Powell on several occasions for differentiation in
learning and the interactive classroom. Travel, Tourism and Hospitality have
also had a recent training day with him. The staff have found the days
inspiring and motivational, his innate understanding of how to get the best
from the learner coupled with his understanding of the FE systems is second to
none. The learning resources and ideas to ensure learning is taking place are
invaluable to the staff and fun for the students. Always a grade 1 day!
Christine Vokins
Head of the Faculties of Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Therapies and of
Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
City of Bristol College
A very stimulating, informative, valuable and thought-provoking day led
by an interesting, lively and knowledgeable practitioner.
Helen Morgan, Staff Development Manager
Bridgend College
An inspirational two days! I was proud and delighted to see the teaching
team working so enthusiastically - even at the end of a hard academic year.
Thank you.
Chris Simpson
Head of Faculty - Engineering
City of Bristol College
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Wales
Robert Powell has delivered four training days for The National Welsh
INSET Programme national conferences on interactive teaching and learning.
These sessions were a resounding success with delegates describing them using
adjectives such as: inspirational, motivating and entertaining.
Robert Powell's training sessions do indeed inspire and motivate
teachers, leading to change in everyday practice in the classroom, which in
turn can raise standards of teaching and learning.
Richard Roberts
National Training Adviser
Welsh Joint Education Committee
We used Robert on two occasions, which is most unusual in INSET
provision. It indicates how highly we valued his delivery and expertise.
Robert worked alongside departments in devising strategies to implement
personalised learning, especially with regard to Assessment for Learning. His
two days at the school acted as a catalyst to inspire staff to implement
change.
Pauline Thomas
Headteacher
Abertillery Comprehensive School
A very stimulating, informative, valuable and thought provoking day led
By an interesting, lively and knowledgeable practitioner.
Helen Morgan
Staff Development Manager
Bridgend College
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Northern Ireland
The unanimous and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the staff of the
5 schools for which Robert Powell provided training on interactive teaching in
Armagh in February 2005 left school leaders with such a solid platform from
which to move forward.
Paul Crute
Headmaster
The Royal School Armagh
Excellent, thought-provoking, stimulating presentation and workshop,
demonstrating real practical strategies for effective teaching, learning and
assessment in all areas of the curriculum.
Mary Connolly
Principal
St Fanchea's College
Enniskillen
(following whole-staff INSET August 2006)
The unanimous reaction of the joint staffs of the North Lurgan schools
was overwhelmingly positive. The INSET avoided all of those practices so
disliked by teachers, but delivered, with great perception and much humour, a
range of very useful and practical strategies which should be of benefit to
both teachers and learners.
Staff in our own school are looking forward to implementing some of the
ideas which will enhance the learning experience of our students and improve
the quality of their performance.
Gerard Adams
Principal
St Michael's Grammar School
Lurgan
Craigavon
Co. Armagh
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LEAs
Robert Powell has delivered four training days for The National Welsh
INSET Programme national conferences on interactive teaching and learning.
These sessions were a resounding success with delegates describing them using
adjectives such as: inspirational, motivating and entertaining.
Robert Powell's training sessions do indeed inspire and motivate
teachers, leading to change in everyday practice in the classroom which in turn
can raise standards of teaching and learning.
Richard Roberts
National Training Adviser
Welsh Joint Education Committee
The day's professional development from Robert Powell designed to
improve teaching and learning was excellent and was well received by staff in
this day special school for pupils with emotional, behavioural and social
difficulties.
The school is in special measures and the impact on the levels of pupil
engagement and the quality of pupil learning from the strategies and resources
presented by Mr Powell on the day was noted by HMI:
'The training from the external consultant was a valuable contribution
to the development of teaching aimed at capturing the pupils' interest. Staff
were keen and receptive and this training holds much promise.'
Mr Powell demonstrated a clear and sensitive understanding of the needs
of this school's EBSD population and a capacity to engage staff positively with
the challenge of motivating and engaging these complex and difficult pupils.
Nell Banfield
Principal
Manchester Federation of EBSD Schools
Manchester Federation of EBSD Schools
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