Category: Sugarman Education News

“Small steps for a brighter future”

Those are the words of Carolina, a TA who has been registered with Sugarman for 7 years and currently works across a number of SEN schools across London.

Working on supply fits in perfectly with Carolina’s lifestyle. She has a love for the arts and regularly facilitates women and young people at various drama groups. Having this flexibility allows her to share her passion, whilst using her theatre skills to contribute to the classroom.

She explained: “Reading the room and taking note of someone’s body language has helped me understand pupils better. I put myself in their situation and think how would I respond to that? Sometimes you need to be hands-on but respect their boundaries. It’s about communicating on different levels.”

Having worked in both mainstream and SEN Primary schools, Carolina has had to adapt to a different way of teaching and try new approaches to lessons, which wasn’t easy to begin with.

“I have always taught drama within an education setting, but I’m not from this country and never went to school here. So it has been a completely new experience for me going into schools with special needs. It’s a different world and has definitely given me a different perspective on life.

“I’ve never been to a school where 90% of people have special needs; wheelchair uses, autistic, it’s opened new doors to me. It has been an intense learning process.”

Carolina describes how the smallest tasks can really make a difference to the development of a child with special needs and the day may just consist of helping them with everyday tasks, such as crossing the road or learning to share. All to enhance their social skills and build confidence.

She explained: “In SEN schools, you can spend an hour with a pupil just trying to get them from A to B. It’s about helping them with their basic needs and keeping them calm and engaged. You never know what the day will be like so it’s never boring. You always have so much to learn from children.”

Born and raised in Brazil, Carolina fondly remembers a teacher from her school days who has inspired her to work with young people and bring a new dynamic to her teaching roles.

“My philosophy teacher in Brazil really inspired me and opened me up to a whole new way of thinking. I am where I am today because of her. She taught me that there are so many possibilities and people are so unique and there are many ways we as people can contribute to society.”

With her many years of drama experience, Carolina has found unique ways to communicate with pupils in her class, for those that may not work well with a pen and paper, as well as some students who are non- verbal. Using various forms of expression has allowed her to form close bonds and bring out the best in the child.

“I wasn’t a brilliant student. I think better when I move around, which is why I chose arts to express myself. I can identify when a child may need extra help. I will find other ways to teach them, such as using a sensory room or doing some role play. You see them slowly improve and enjoy being there.

“It’s more about encouraging them to take risks and being confident enough to try. The exchange between yourself and the child is so powerful. You see them as an individual and not just part of a classroom.”

With Carolina’s many years of experience in the education sector, there are many reasons why she recommends this career path and has no plans to stop now. The work she has received from Sugarman Education has helped her develop her skills and provide a number of great opportunities.

“I would encourage anyone to work in education. Life is raw and real and you see it firsthand. You really grow as a person and can bring those skills to any work you do. I learn so much from other teachers and how patient they are.

“Bianca my consultant at Sugarman is lovely – I love her! I have tried different agencies and it’s just not worth leaving her! She is so kind, very responsive and understanding. I have never had any issues.”

We asked Carolina if you could give one piece of advice to someone considering a role as a TA, what would you say?
She replied: “Forget everything you know and just be open to learning new things. Be patient. See things with fresh eyes.”

If you want to help shape a future for the next generation, take a look at our current vacancies.

Septima was a teacher and civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark was instrumental in founding nearly 900 citizenship schools, which ultimately helped African Americans register to vote.

The second of eight children, her parents encouraged her to get an education and she qualified as a teacher in 1916. She was unable to find a job at the time, as they did not hire black teachers in public schools in Charleston. 

A few years later, she joined the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, in trying to get the city to hire African-American teachers. By gathering signatures in favour of the change, Clark helped ensure that the effort was successful.

As she continued her teaching career, Septima worked with the organization Thurgood Marshall on a case that sought equal pay for Black and white teachers. She described it as her “first effort in a social action challenging the status quo.” 

Clark then directed the Highlander’s Citizenship School program. These schools helped regular people learn how to instruct others in their communities in basic literacy and math skills. One particular benefit of this teaching was that more people were then able to register to vote, as the lack of literacy skills had prevented this in the past. 

In 1961, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference took over this education project. Clark then joined as its director of education and teaching. Under her leadership, more than 800 citizenship schools were created. 

Clark retired in 1970 and was awarded the ‘Living Legacy’ award. Over her long career of teaching and civil rights activism, she helped many African Americans begin to take control of their lives and discover their full rights as citizens.

Join our class of 2021!

Sugarman Education are proud to be at the forefront of education recruitment and following a period of record breaking growth we are looking for graduates to joining our Graduate Recruitment Consultant training programme.

The scheme enables graduates will little or no recruitment experience to forge their career in the industry with one of the best in the business. Joining the scheme you will be part of an extensive training and development programme, earning commission from day 1, working with established clients and candidates whilst also growing new business.

What are we looking for?

You must be degree level qualified for the scheme and ideally have qualified within the last 3 years. We would be particularly interested in speaking to people from Performing Arts, Education, Sports and Business backgrounds.

The role requires a lot of talking to people so at your heart you will need to enjoy chatting and building new relationships, alongside having a string work ethic and the desire to be successful.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from the opportunity to earn fantastic commission, annual overseas trips, lunch club, termly events and flexible working you will also get training and support from people that are super successful in the industry and work in a fun, loud and energetic environment.

You can apply now be calling us on 020 7614 4270

We recently launched our brand new ‘CPD Supply Toolkit’, a 10-session course for our candidates which runs from September to December.
Here’s a list of October’s courses:

New EYFS Framework 
Saturday 2nd October 10.00-11.30am or Thursday 7th October 4.30-6.00pm
Trainer: Liz Palmer
The session will give an overview of the changes to the Statutory framework for the EYFS, the EYFS Profile and the Development Matters curriculum guidance which schools will be required to have in place from September 2021. There will be an opportunity for some sharing of practice and questions raised.

New to EYFS 
Saturday 9th October 10.00-11.30am or Thursday 14th October 4.30-6.00pm
Trainer: Liz Palmer
This session will cover what to expect to see with regards practice, what best practice in the EYFS looks like and questions to be asking when going in on supply.

New to Y2 
Saturday 16th October 10.00-11.30am or Tuesday 12th October 4.00 – 5.30pm
Trainer: Gill Evans
This session will look at gearing up for assessment and the return to SATs, 10 minute lesson inputs and best places for resources. This session is for teachers going into Y2 settings.

New to Y6
Tuesday 19th October 4.00-5.30pm or Saturday 23rd October 10.00-11.30am
Trainer: Shirley Thornton
This session will look at gearing up for assessment and the return to SATs, 10-minute lesson inputs and best places for resources. This session is for teachers going into Y6 settings.

Teaching Assistants supporting group work and promoting independence
Tuesday 5th October 4 pm – 5.45 pm or Weds 27th October 10am – 11.45
Trainer: Gill Evans
This session will look at the many and varied strategies and skills required to support learning and promote independence in mainstream classrooms. Built upon feedback from a wide range of staff both prior to and during Lockdown, the course will highlight best practice, support and innovation and consider a variety of ’what if’ scenarios.

SEND Aspects – An overview of Autism/ADHD/Dyslexia
Tuesday 5th October 4.30-6.00pm or 2.00-3.30pm
Trainer: Ann Farrell
Participants will develop a knowledge of the characteristics of pupils with specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), ADHD and Autism. Consider the implications for supply staff going into schools.

Approaches to Behaviour – Refresh Your Thinking 
Friday 15th October 10.30-12 or 2.00-3.30pm
Trainer: Ann Farrell

• Review and reflect on their current practice in managing behaviour –
• To understand the importance of adult behaviour in managing children behaviour
• To understand the importance of planning for behaviour to maximise learning
• Understand the power of language to create effective intervention and engagement
• To present a review of research on managing children’s behaviour
• Gain an insight into current approaches to behaviour management and culture change
• To gain knowledge in order to develop behaviour management strategies
• Including behaviour motivations and functional assessment
• Consider use of practical strategies in dealing with conflict and difficult behaviour and implications for supply staff

* This course follows on from Behaviour management basics – No Magic Wands. You do not need to have attended part 1 to do this course but we would advise it

Everyday Heroes – Making a Difference to Children’s Education 
Tuesday 19th October 4.30-6.00pm, Saturday 23rd October 10.00-11.30am or Monday 25th October 10.30-12.00
Trainer: Ann Farrell
This course will:

• Explore elements of good practice that impact positively on children’s education and learning
• Acknowledge and investigate the importance of relationships in the classroom and their impact on learning
• Introduce the concept of ‘growth mindset’ and ‘positive mindset’
• Explore praise focused techniques to create an ethos of enthusiasm
• Explore theories of motivation and strategies to raise motivation in the classroom
• Explore strategies that inspire a positive climate in the classroom
• Promote the importance of self-care for us as professionals

Get in touch with our friendly recruitment consultants today to find out more about the support we offer and take advantage of the new CPD programme by here.

We spend a lot of time at work, so it is important to have a career that we enjoy and can feel happy to get up for every day. It should be a top priority for all companies that employees are happy, so they can perform at their best. This could be something such as a weekly coffee with your colleagues or an incentive. 

As a teacher, bringing happiness into the classroom will have a positive impact on your students and encourage them to be more motivated and excited about their lessons. Teaching can be a demanding and stressful job at times, but finding the positives in your day will help eliminate negative feelings. Here are a few ideas to brighten up the school day…

Engage – Always make an effort to greet the children in your class, regardless of how you are feeling. This could really be the difference between a good and a bad day for you and your pupils. If this is a regular occurrence, the classroom will be a cheerier place. 

Mix it up – It is sensible to have a lesson plan in place to structure your learning, but don’t be afraid to veer off course at times. Feel the vibe of the class and if a certain joke, dance, or technique has them engaged and makes them laugh…go with it! 

Take breaks – Students will pay attention to lessons if they have regular breaks. Allow them even 5 minutes between lessons so they have a chance to adjust. 

Give choices – Usually, teachers set the rules and decide how things will go inside the classroom. Students rarely get a chance to make choices for themselves. Allowing students to have a say in what or how they will learn is a good way to make them happy. Doing so will give students some degree of independence and shows that you trust them.

Praise – Do not underestimate the power of praise. Children love to be told that they are doing a good job. Share their achievements, however big or small. 

Creating a happy classroom will make for enthusiastic and hardworking students who will perform at their best. You can learn more about International Happiness Week at work here.

Sugarman Education, part of Affinity Workforce, is launching an innovative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course aimed at upskilling the supply teaching sector and address the current skills shortage.

The 10-session course, titled ‘CPD Supply Toolkit’, will run from September to December and cover a variety of topics from new ways of working post-pandemic and supporting children’s mental health in the school setting, to the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

Esme Bianchi-Barry, CEO of Affinity Workforce, said: “Our market-leading recruitment brands have been helping schools and academies to recruit great teachers for more than 25 years. However, we have seen in recent years that there is a growing disparity between the training that supply teachers receive compared to their counterparts in school.

“In light of this, we felt it was necessary to launch a practical CPD course that would upskill candidates with the latest must-have training for supply teachers. Our goal has always been to offer best-in-class service and CPD is a fundamental part of that – it is important no matter your level, age or experience.”

Bury-based training provider, BEST Trust, has helped develop and will be delivering the course exclusively for Affinity Workforce. The live sessions will all include interactive elements as standard, to encourage candidate engagement and recall following the training.

Anne Johnson, Strategic Manager at BEST Trust, commented: “We are committed to delivering high-quality and bespoke professional learning and training, so when the opportunity arose to work with Affinity Workforce, we were keen to deliver something special.

“As Affinity Workforce’s exclusive training provider, we have been able to tailor a programme of sessions that reflect the needs of their candidates – their feedback has directly impacted and shaped the content of the course, which we know will be invaluable to supply teachers of all levels of experience.”

If you are an NQT or an experienced teacher who is looking to work on supply, Sugarman Education is here to take you step by step into your new career pathway and offers guidance and support for your new role.

Get in touch with our friendly recruitment consultants today to find out more about the support we offer and take advantage of the new CPD programme by clicking here.

Starting the new academic year brings with it excitement, apprehension and opportunities.  As the summer holidays come to an end and we prepare to go back to “reality” it’s the perfect opportunity to make new goals and objectives.

Reflecting on the past academic year, I feel very proud to work in the education recruitment sector and provide outstanding candidates to our schools. The last 18 months have been challenging to say the least, especially with school closures and staff having to adapt to ways of new working. But everyone involved with Affinity Workforce and its brands from candidates, clients and our consultants rose to the challenge.

We continued to provide outstanding candidates on short- and long-term placements at very short notice. We continued to deliver high-quality service despite the extra pressure Covid-19 brought to the sector. And we worked collaboratively with our clients to ensure their needs were met throughout the pandemic.

To do that was an achievement in itself. But we didn’t stop there. In September 2020, Sugarman Education joined the Affinity family, which has continued to grow in London and beyond. We also secured 7 managed service partnerships across the Northeast, Midlands, London and Bristol. This is an outstanding accomplishment and a testimony to the fantastic employees we have here. It showcases the ambitious nature of our business and reaffirms our desire to secure our position as a market leading provider within the education recruitment space.

We also launched two brand new websites for CER and Monarch, which boasts our refreshed branding to highlight the modern and innovative approach we take.

As we look forward to the new academic year, it brings with it opportunities and openings. One of our focuses this year is on the training and development of our candidates. We are passionate about ensuring our candidates have access to the most up-to-date training, so they can provide exceptional teaching and support for the younger generation. An exciting announcement regarding the development of our candidates will be announced very shortly, which I will probably be talking about for the next 12 months!

We also want to build on our success of last year and during the summer months, we have recruited some exceptional consultants, with experience in both recruitment and teaching. Hiring the top talent within the sector demonstrates our mission to seek the best candidates for our clients.

Although we have offices nationwide, we are very much a family. We celebrate each other’s successes through Friday Lunch Clubs, annual overseas trips and I’m sure there will be lots of celebrating this academic year as we reach personal and professional goals.

I would like to wish you all every success this academic year. I am hopeful that from last year’s experiences we can use our resilience, spirit and determination to make this year a successful and positive one!

Esme Bianchi-Barry

CEO, Affinity Workforce Solutions

Being a teacher is not always about educating young people. As a teacher, you will have a unique relationship with your class and can sometimes be the one person that a student turns to for emotional support if they are struggling.

Mental health and wellbeing are much more prevalent in the mainstream nowadays; it’s refreshing to see intervention being implemented at an earlier age. What I mean by that is mental health doesn’t just affect teenagers and adults, but it impacts the younger generation too. There are already several coping strategies in place and education should be no different. Just remember it’s alright to discuss feelings, speaking to someone personally or professionally really can make all the difference!

It may be difficult to notice when a student needs help, so it is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take note of some simple techniques to help support those who may need someone to talk to.

You can take steps to recognise mental health issues within your classroom and educate yourself on how to approach these situations. This will ensure that the children have a safe environment and will feel comfortable confiding in you. You may notice that a student is acting differently and it is starting to affect their learning. Some signs to look out for could be: 

• constantly thinking or talking about their problem/s
• acting and being very out of character (for example, a quiet person becoming loud and wild or an outgoing person becoming quiet)
• changes in mood/unexpected outbursts of emotion
• feeling/looking tired
• unable to focus 
• changes to eating habits 
• avoiding friends and social events that they would normally be part of

If you have concerns for the welfare of a child, there are a few ways in which you can approach the subject:

• Listen – It is important that students feel they can express their concerns without fear of judgement or unfair treatment. If this means simply listening to their issues, that may be all they need.
• Offer help – without enforcing help that they may not want, you can make them aware of counselling/support services that are available to them. 
• Seek advice – If the issue is more serious than you originally thought, you may need to make the student aware that you cannot keep it confidential and the details may need to be passed on to a higher authority. 

For more information about our team-teach courses, contact your local branch today!

It’s that time again…a new school year! A time to start a fresh, learn new skills and meet new people! Returning to work after a long break can possibly create feelings of nervousness or anxiety. There is a lot of work to do both in and out of the classroom. So it’s a good idea to make sure you are prepared for every event and reduce any stress. Here are some of our top tips…

Plan ahead 
Take some time before heading back to school to prepare lesson plans and what your key objectives are at the start of the year. Planning up to 2 weeks in advance is a great way to keep on top of your workload so that you don’t fall behind. Perhaps create some ‘ice breaker’ activities for the first couple of days so that pupils can get to know you and their classmates. Use a planner or calendar to structure your day.

Set up the classroom environment
Plan the seating arrangement and make sure all your classroom posters and displays are ready for the new school year. Have an interactive area where you can take the students away from their desks and have a variety of learning techniques. Make sure the room is bright and full of colour to keep your pupils engaged.

Get your classroom organised
When your classroom and working space is organised, your day will run a lot smoother. Organise your files and label all textbooks, workbooks and supplies and make sure you have enough classroom material. Create name tags for a your new class so you can get to know them by name and will know how to structure your tables.

Get to know your pupils
Before your first day, take the time to read through your pupil files to get to know them better. You may be introduced to new pupils this school year. Knowing them by name and making them feel comfortable on their first day will really help their confidence at a new school and help them settle in.

The day before…
Pick out your clothes and make your lunch, so you don’t have to rush in the morning of your first day. Set your alarm and try to get a good night’s sleep! If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious try some relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga to make you feel calmer.

Are you looking for temporary or supply work for the new school year? Contact your local branch today and discover what opportunities we have available. You can see our latest vacancies here.