Archive - Thursday, 13 December 2001


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Back to class, sir!

PUPILS at a Penarth primary school will enjoy the spin-off from a £1million teacher-training initiative.

Cogan Primary School, with 220 pupils, is the first establishment where every teacher has secured a training bursary from the General Teaching Council for Wales pilot Continuous Professional Develop-ment Programme.

It allows teachers to choose development projects to allow them to give better educational experience to pupils.

So far more than 800 teachers in Wales have been awarded between £500 and £3,000 by the scheme, launched in September.

One project, to be undertaken by teacher Sian Joseph, will help Cogan qualify for Eco School status, a European Union initiative bringing schools and parents together.

Sian, also personal and social education co-ordinator, said: "I've been able to devote a day to work with colleagues and pupils to plan and prepare Eco School activities. Normally I'd have to do this outside teaching hours.

"There's no doubt that support like this raises morale and gives us the feeling we are valued."

Deputy head Leslie Webb will increase budget planning and control skills, while head teacher Anne Bowsher will develop computer skills. Mrs Bowsher said: "I welcome the opportunity for teachers to identify individual professional development needs and secure funding to manage the process.

"There will be a direct positive impact on teaching and learning in Cogan Primary School."

Other successful teachers were Anna Batstone, music teacher (auditing music resources); Glynis Lewis, Welsh teacher (creating resources to maximise time); Mike Wolfe, ICT co-ordinator (training to set up an ICT suite).

Michelle Owen, head of English (restructuring school library); Emma Evans, art teacher (negotiating with art galleries and museums for more visits and to borrow materials).

Shan Draper, Key Stage 1 Co-ordinator (auditing resources and maximising time); Helen Longville, Special Needs Co-ordinator (visiting centre for Dyslexia and Dyspraxia in Cardiff to stay up to date).