The Skills and Education Group Summer Series is just around the corner – and you won’t want to miss it.

This is a series of unique webinars and exciting events to support your professional development, taking place at the end of term.

We know how hard you have been working for your learners in challenging circumstances this year. We therefore wanted to put on an extra special series of events for further education staff.

We have secured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers to deliver sessions on a diverse range of themes, including leadership, neurodiversity, and sustainability.

All of these events are free to attend if you work for a member organisation, while the series also includes two TeachMeet-style events which are free for non-members too.

Read on to find out what the series has to offer you.

Review, Reflect and Refresh with Jaz

Monday 28 June, 12:30 – 13:30

Zoom

Get inspired by Jaz Ampaw-Farr – motivational speaker, trainer and Resilience Ninja – at this keynote session.

What will I gain from attending?

If you’re in need of a burst of inspiration and motivation, this is just the ticket!

In this session, Jaz will help you to reflect on your journey over the last year but also motivate you for what lies ahead.

Topics covered by Jaz will include:

• How to build your resilience
• Maintaining a happy and healthy work/life balance
• Empowering and motivating others in your role.

Who is this for?

This event is designed for all. Whether you are a leader, manager, educator or administrator, you are an everyday hero!

Everything in Place: planning and managing end-of-life finances

Tuesday 29 June, 13:00 – 15:00

Zoom

The last year has made us all reflect on our vulnerability. Planning for the future, whatever this may bring, is therefore essential.

Come along to this event for an introduction to end-of-life planning.

What will I gain from attending?

Karla Cope, founder and director of Kindred Estate Planning, will provide insight into the following:

• The benefits of end-of-life planning
• The consequences of estates and finances not being in order
• The practicalities of will writing.

Who is this for?

Anyone who would like to increase their understanding of end-of-life planning.

Moving Beyond Unconscious Bias: bringing structural change

Wednesday 30 June, 10:00 – 12:00

Zoom

Unconscious Bias training has rightly been criticised. Studies demonstrate that knowing about the problem is not enough to effect change. But how do we move forward?

What will I gain from attending?

Sam Hope, a highly-experienced therapist, trainer and consultant, will help you to learn more about the following:

• Understanding unconscious or structural biases and how they are created and maintained
• Ways of challenging bias within our institutions
• Unpacking the ways individuals and institutions defend their biases
• Effective organisational strategies for tackling the impact of bias

Who is this for?

This may be particularly relevant to you if you have been involved in tackling unconscious bias within your own organisation; you will have the opportunity to share your own successes and ideas in this area.

However, anyone with an interest in this topic is encouraged to attend!

SustainabilityMeet

Friday 2 July, 09:30 – 12:30

Zoom

Free to attend for both members and non-members

This exciting event will look at how further education can raise awareness of environmental issues and provide the new skills needed to tackle problems such as climate change.

Delivered in a TeachMeet format, you will have the chance to hear a range of short inputs from speakers from further education, local government and beyond.

What will I gain from this?

The first half of the event will offer an insight into Nottingham’s environmental ambitions. Input will be provided by Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council, and Penney Poyzer, Chair of Nottingham Good Food Partnerships.

In the second half of the event, staff from several FE organisations will share their own sustainability initiatives.

Who is this for?

Anyone with an interest in sustainability in education.

Leading Through Uncertainty

Tuesday 6 July, 10:00 – 12:00

Zoom

Come and learn from Vanessa Rhodes, founder of Imago HR, who will help you to reflect on your leadership during the last year and develop your skills for the future.

What will I gain from this?

Vanessa will help you to join the dots and see what you have done well during this pandemic, and what you could do differently in future. You will leave the session with practical approaches you can take whenever you need to lead through uncertainty.

Who is this for?

This session may be particularly relevant to those with leadership responsibilities. Nevertheless, anyone who wants to develop their leadership skills is encouraged to attend.

#FEResearchMeet

Wednesday 7 July, 13:00 – 16:30

York College (combination of in-person and online delivery)

Free to attend for both members and non-members

York College are holding an #FEResearchMeet as part of their Festival of Learning – and you’re invited!

This will be a TeachMeet-style event focusing on educational research.

What will I gain from this?

This is a chance to hear from a variety of educational researchers as they share their practice.

In addition, there will be a keynote address delivered by Dr Jonathan Tummons from Durham University. Jonathan will contrast some of the myths that persist in education with what robust research is telling us is really going on.

There is also the opportunity for you to share your own research. If you would like to present a workshop at this event, please contact Mike Saunders (Head of Quality Improvement, York College).

Who is this for?

Anyone with an interest in educational research.

Browse all events in the series on our Events page

So, join us for our Summer Series to get inspired, network, and learn something new!

If you have any questions about the series, please contact Karen Plowman, Head of Professional Development.