West Kent ISSP Annual Lecture
In 2019, Kent College established the first formal working partnership of 8 local secondary schools around Tunbridge Wells to form the West Kent Independent State School Partnership. The aim is to provide high quality, cross curricular learning, to reach out to young people regardless of background, to share resources, to enable teachers to extend their professional development and encourage collaboration between local schools. The schools are mix of independent, academy, state and a special school.
Aims
Prior to the ISSP there was no formalised working partnerships of secondary schools in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge area. Kent College established the ISSP with local heads who committed to a Document of Partnership Working and an annual funding contribution. Kent College provides bursary support and a co-ordinator to run and administrate the partnership activities.
The beneficiaries are local students from a wide range of backgrounds, teaching staff and local events.
Background
The annual Lecture is the second to run. It was held at Beechwood Sacred Heart School.
The theme chosen for the Lecture was 'Adventures in Sound' and two guest speakers were arranged. Professor Trevor Cox, Professor of Acoustic Engineering at the University of Salford and Anna-Louise Walter, radio presenter for BBC Kent, Radio 4 and Fun Kids Radio.
Students and their parents from Year 7&8 were invited to attended.
The Lecture was held in the evening and was an opportunity for both students, parents and teaching staff to attend an event outside of school time which was of educational value.
Resources
The Lecture was hosted by Beechwood Sacred Heart School. Kent College organised one of the speakers and the promotional material. This was done by the ISSP co-ordinator, a non teaching member of staff.
The ISSP paid expenses and a small fee for the speakers. Beechwood Sacred Heart provided refreshments free of charge.
Impact
Over 100 students and parents attended the Lecture.Overall feedback was very positive to both speakers and the event.
The Lecture was due to be followed by a day of Masterclasses on 'Adventures in Sound'. These had been planned as cross-curricular workshops run by teachers from the ISSP schools. Evaluation and outcomes were to be assessed from both events. This has been postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Pupil Involvement
Over 60 students from Years 7&8 (11-13 years). Boys and girls. They all attend the ISSP schools.
Frequency
This is an annual event.
