ATL ULRs help members to learn at work
Learning at Work day is the biggest annual celebration of workplace learning. It aims to draw attention to the mportance of learning at work and has been part of ATL ULRs’ calendar of activities for the last three years.
This year a number of ATL ULRs across the South West successfully bid for funding from Unionlearn, and ran a number of learning events for members.
Angela Knight, a South Gloucestershire ULR from Emerson Green Primary School, organised a day at Go Ape. Angela
explained:
"As we work in a school that has a resource base attached for children with physical disabilities, our work is very stressful and challenging. This activity day will give us confidence to tackle mental and physical challenges, strengthen team work to improve morale, and enhance workplace skills while building on the performance of the individual and the team.”
Carolyn Dutton and the Avon ULR network organised their second event at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol; this year the day was made up of four different workshops and the aim of the day was to look at stress and to show ways of helping
reduce the effects. The stress workshop by Lucy Rowe of the Teacher Support Network started off the day, and then in
the afternoon there was a choice of photography, pilates or African drumming.
Martine Carthew, Devon ULR at Coombeshead College, invited staff to a voice care session with a difference – where they learned breathing techniques and how best to look after their voice, and then onto singing together as a group.
Florence Farahani, ULR at Barnwood Girls School Gloucestershire, organised a whole-day jewellery-making workshop which was very well attended by staff. Florence said: “everyone enjoyed the day and asked when there would
be another jewellery workshop, and felt that they had learned a new skill that they could pass on in the workplace. Those that attended came from different schools and enjoyed discussing and sharing good practices and experiences.”
Sandra Berry, learning organiser, organised an event at Torre Abbey in Torquay. Sandra lives just 10 minutes walk from the abbey and, on an off chance, decided to ask whether they worked with local schools.
They were excited that at last they could tap into schools through ATL members and offered a free tour, as well as a go at brass rubbing. “While we had a cream tea,” says Sandra, “Dee Martin, the abbey education coordinator, explained about how the abbey can be used by schools as part of students’ studies, such as history, religion, and art, and colleagues were very keen to pass this on when they returned to school.”
This year the ULRs were particularly interested in making use of the plethora of local facilities and opportunities. They each looked at tutors, venues and opportunities on their doorstep,with brilliant results.
