VIEWS
BRITISH EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION (BESA)
Embrace the future of education at Bett 2024 and BESA’s LearnED - Education in Action 2024
In his regular column for Education Today this month, DAVE SMITH, Head of Partnerships and Events at BESA, marks your card for Bett 2024, and discusses BESA’s LearnED Education in Action 2024 conferences.
Each year, the education technology industry eagerly anticipates Bett, a premier event that stands at the forefront of the education calendar. Bett serves as a nexus, bringing together educators spanning the entire educational spectrum, leading EdTech suppliers, and some of the most innovative SMEs and start-ups. A sneak peek into what awaits you at Bett 2024 reveals a dynamic and enriching experience. Solutions Providers - Solution providers are at the heart of Bett. With over 500+ exhibiting at Bett 2024, many of them BESA members, this really is the place to go to resource your digital strategy and seek out new ideas and contacts. Check out the full list of solution providers at
https://uk.bettshow.com/solution-providers Table Talks - New for Bett 2024, this innovative programme connects individuals from schools, universities and governments based on their primary topics of interest. Learn, grow, and debate with likeminded individuals in a sponsor-free environment. Connect @ Bett - Connect @ Bett is transforming the way that our community connects and collaborates. You’ll meet new people, discover new organisations, and create incredible opportunities and meaningful connections that result in positive changes for you, your organisation, and your learners. Ahead by Bett - Be part of a truly global and collaborative community at Ahead by Bett connecting Further and Higher Education professionals, showcasing world-leading technology, driving impact and improving the lives of staff and students. Comprehensive CPD - For those with a thirst for knowledge, Bett 2024 offers a robust Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program featuring illustrious guest speakers such as Louis Theroux, Professor Rose Luckin, The AI Educator – Dan Fitzpatrick, and the legendary Michael Rosen. The CPD programme promises enlightening and thought-provoking sessions that promise to enhance your understanding of the evolving educational landscape. Check out the programme at
https://uk.bettshow.com/agenda The Bett Awards - A celebration of the inspiring creativity and innovation that can be found throughout technology for education. Produced in association with BESA, winning a Bett Award stands as the epitome of excellence, providing organisations with a distinguished mark of achievement. Keep an eye out for the winners, selected by judges drawn from the crème de la crème of EdTech industry leaders, advisors, and professionals. LearnED Education in Action 2024
The BESA LearnED Education in Action 2024 conferences, organised by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), offer an unparalleled opportunity for senior leaders in schools and multi- academy trusts (MATs) to engage in free Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Aimed at facilitating networking and knowledge exchange among like-minded professionals, these in-person events have been designed to empower educational leaders seeking to enhance school improvement.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities throughout the day. This includes engagement with a ‘Schools and MAT Leadership Roundtable,’ an interactive panel discussion chaired by the host school. CEOs and senior leaders from local schools and MATs will share their experiences in leadership and management, providing valuable insights to address pressing challenges and explore new opportunities. Additionally, the conferences offer Professional Development Masterclasses and a Teaching and Learning Demonstration Area.
Sign-up to attend LearnED at
https://www.besa.org.uk/learned-2024- education-in-action/
Find out more about BESA at
https://www.besa.org.uk/about-us/ what-we-do/
January 2024
CHARLOTTE ROWLEY New year, new
beginnings – transitioning to a different role
In her regular column this month, CHARLOTTE ROWLEY discusses how to maintain self- confidence in the face of new challenges.
I am typing this as I prepare for a new role that commences this month. At this present time, I am excited, enthusiastic and ready to embark on a new challenge – my first substantive headship role. It seems appropriate that this starts at the beginning of a new year too, a good time for new goals and aspirations, as well as reflection. I know however, that as I approach the new year and new term, I will start to feel apprehensive, the excitement may be overlapped with nerves and the realisation will hit. So how can we hold onto that eagerness and banish those nerves, ensuring that confidence and self- assurance is maintained?
Recognising that you have earned this
I am the first to say that if anyone has a new job or role and Imposter Syndrome creeps in, they need to remind themselves that they have passed the paper sift, got through a potentially gruelling interview and have truly earned this opportunity. Everything before it has led to this point. It is very easy to think that it’s a fluke or you’re not worthy of a promotion, but this thought needs to be banished and instead, hold onto the realisation that it is meant to be. Hard work and resilience really do pay off. Drifting thoughts
Transitioning to a new job can be challenging; understandably your mind naturally starts to drift towards your new school and the role ahead, but you’re also conscious of handing over your current tasks effectively and not leaving anything incomplete, striving to ‘tie off any lose ends’ and not ‘checking out’ of your current role and school. It’s so important that you visit your new school so that the colleague whom you are taking over from can hand over appropriately. It is also important that you can have quality time seeing the school through a new lens and away from the interview nerves that you would have felt on that day. Having the time to meet new colleagues, make notes, listen and take it all in is imperative. No question is silly
Whatever your new role, no question is a silly one. Ask about the school, the strengths, the areas for development. The best and most transparent leaders will highlight many things that they are proud of, but will also not shy away from the areas that the school is striving to work towards and build on – even an outstanding school. This means that you are fully prepared and do not have a false view of the setting and what work needs to be done. It is motivating when opportunities are seized.
Recognition of the emotional load
Whether you have worked in your current setting for three years or thirty years, it is very easy to become emotional attached to schools. We work with young people and should feel a pull at the heartstrings when we see them grow and flourish. Due to this, it can be difficult to leave and certainly easy to feel overcome with emotion. There is nothing wrong with showing emotion when getting ready for a change and it is understandable to feel overwhelmed, but remember that so much is transferrable. I truly believe that children and young people are amazing - no matter where you work. ‘Leaving well’
In the past when I was stepping up to a new job role, I was given advice from a coach to ‘leave well’. I believed that this was so obvious, but the more I really thought about it, the more I realised just how important it is to me. Ensuring that nothing is incomplete, recognising that the experiences and opportunities you have had in your current setting have invariably contributed to this new challenge and being thankful for that are good points to acknowledge. It has always mattered to me to thank colleagues and most of all, to thank the pupils in my care for all that they have taught me!
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