At Etone College, we are committed to promoting staff wellbeing. This week we saw another successful Time to Talk event where our teaching staff came together to enjoy a drink, cake and a catch up after work as part of our wellbeing initiatives.  We were also delighted to continue with our staff book club as part of World Book Day.  Both reading for pleasure and professional development are key and we were delighted to provide a lucky winner with a copy of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse this week.

At Etone we are dedicated to high quality professional development for all of our staff like most schools. However, our dual focus on wellbeing is what enables us to stand out and ensure we are a supportive and progressive environment in the education sector. 

One of the corner stones of our CPD provision is the Christmas Teachmeet. The session features a unique blend of pedagodgy and wellbeing to provide staff a chance to share best practice and reflect on some of the high points across the year. 

This year the focus was on reading with staff sharing some expert strategies to support the culture and use of reading in lessons. With some amazing ideas on offer, we know all staff will be trailing these in the new year.

Tuesday, 9th July saw our ECT End of Year Qualification Celebration Event. We have had an amazing community of 19 ECTs this year who have built a wonderful rapport with each other and have taken part in a range of social events each half term. This afternoon saw the culmination of all of their hard work.

ECTs and their mentors had a wonderful time searching for miniature ducks; competing in ‘The Great ECT+ Quiz’ and receiving their awards and pin badges.  A huge table of food and drink, laughs, stories and a reveal of achievements and secrets were enjoyed by all present. Prizes for the winners were eagerly selected and coveted.

We are absolutely delighted to share that two Etone ECTs, T Monro and W Kitching won Certificates of Excellence, and E Greenhalgh won a Bronze Certificate from Pearson’s Teaching Awards, 2024 a huge National recognition of their contributions to education.  We are certain that we have more awards to look forward to in the years to come.

At Etone, we are immensely proud of all of ECTs and this afternoon really recognised their huge efforts and engagement in their induction into the teaching profession. We know these first years pave the way into incredibly successful careers for all.

On Tuesday our staff were invited to join our next instalment of Time to Talk. As a school we recognise the importance of wellbeing not just for our pupils, but our staff as well and encourage them to join us for a cuppa and a biscuit. Each time we are impressed with the turn out and this time was no different. As a special treat Miss Fernandas offered us the chance to create out own imprints, making many of us feel like world class artists. It is these kinds of events and the values held by our staff which makes the Etone Community what it is. A big thank you to all staff who supported through attending and especially to Miss Stafford and the team for organising.

On Tuesday our ECT’s had their termly social. This time the event: The Great Etone Bake Off. With an hour on the clock and a basic recipe our ECTs showed their Teamwork skills as they raced to create the best cup cakes within the limit.

At Etone we really value our staff and non more so than our early career teachers. With a full program of events and benefits to support staff wellbeing, the ECT social is an important one. Whilst it is always important to realise the need for pedagogical developments, having the time to try new skills and mix with peers is a valued opportunity at Etone.

Whilst the creations were equally brilliant we of course have a winner, in the best looking category Miss Hylands Cherry on Top cakes took 1st Place. However for the taste it was Mr Daniels, Mr Logan and Mr Monro who won with their creations.

It was a big success well enjoyed by all.

This week our Teaching and Learning team were very excited to be hosting the annual Christmas Teachmeet. The brainchild of the brilliant Miss Stafford, the session is a unique experience where festive fun meets pedagogical techniques. Each year there is a slightly different take as our teachers explore some of the latest strategies, whilst enjoying the chance to celebrate a long Autum term.

This year our event started with a Christmas Research: Swap Shop. Here each teacher was tasked with sharing a piece of research that has informed the development of their practice. During a 5 minute slot they would have a chance to explain the research and how it has supported them, before listening to that of their colleagues. During the aspect of the event there were over 80 different pieces of research used which has informed the practice of our teachers across this term. This underlines the importance that Etone places on the value of using the most up to date and robust research to inform our learning environments.

After this our staff were eager to find out the winners of the Etone Admin Awards 2023. Where our support staff shared their thanks to our teachers for their efforts across this year as well as our Heads of House Awards for Form Tutor’s of the Year. We would like to celebrate and congratulate the efforts of Mrs Beasley (Centaur), Miss Lower (Dragon), Miss Bryant (Griffin), Mr Key (Phoenix).

With that it was time for our ECT staff members to thank the rest of the staff for their support this term as they shared their top teaching tip, before feeling the pride as we watched the Yearly Review of our achievements at Etone over 2023.

Finally our staff were able to enjoy some Christmas Merriment with the traditional sing along of the 12 Days of Etone, complete with Three French Books, Two Mini Whiteboard and Lots of Employability. Before ending with Mr Astall’s second rendition of Celebrity Look-A-Likes. Although we will save those for another time.

Striking the balance between providing the best education possible, whilst looking after the wellbeing and workload of staff is something that we are committed to at Etone and it was lovely to be able to host this event. We hope all our staff enjoyed it and look forward to hosting again, same time next year.

On Tuesday our Early Career Teachers were busy celebrating the festive period and the end of the first term.

Whilst for all of our Etone stakeholders, staff and pupils alike, it has been a particularly fantastic start to the academic year. For our ECT’s they have completed the first term of this one with pride. 

Taking part in our excellent ECT program that is fully supported and complemented within our school, our ECTs have continued to develop their practice to ensure our pupils get the best education possible.

As the starters arrived all were in good spirits and there was excitement in the air. The event is part of our half termly socials and was enjoyed by all. We can’t wait for the next one: The ECT Bake-off.

On Friday 6th October we are delighted to invite our Year 7 parents in for the Macmillan Coffee Morning. This event is held each year to help raise funds and awareness of MacMillan Cancer Support with the central event leading to our annual Etone College Bake Off.

The competition is held with entries from across our staff who share with us their latest bakes in the hopes of becoming the Etone Champion.

Last years marked the most funds raised and a significant increase in the standards of our bakes with Mr Clinton ultimately taking the crown.

This year we are hoping to make the event even bigger and better with some surprising entries, as we welcome parents of our biggest cohort yet.

If you would like to attend please return the reply slip from the letter that will be given to pupils in the week beginning 11th September.

We look forward to seeing you there!

On Friday 23^rd June our Etone contingent attended the TES Awards at the JM Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Billed as the ‘Oscars of Teaching’ the prestigious event was attended by representatives from schools across the country.

As you may remember Etone College had been shortlisted for ‘Staff Wellbeing School of the Year’ in recognition of the extensive efforts our wellbeing team, led by Deputy Miss Stafford have put into ensure staff within the college feel valued and supported whilst completing their work.

We were particularly proud to be nominated for such a prestigious category when considering the current climate and to be highlighted as a school that is delivering good practice within this are through our many initiatives, all fed through our departmental Wellbeing Representatives.  

In addition to the wellbeing award our own Mr Smith was shortlisted for ‘Headteacher of the Year’. Again an extremely prestigious award Mr Smith was recognised for his invaluable support he has provided Etone College and the wider community being at the helm of the school for the best part of the last decade. In this time the school has enjoyed two successful Ofsted reports, been highlighted as a school to visit for best practice by the Department for Education, achieve positive progress each year since records began (including the highest progress in Nuneaton for 2022) and navigating our staff and pupils through the uncertainty of the pandemic. 

The event itself was an elegant affair with the countries best educators in attendance. Hosted by TV’s James Nesbitt the awards were an exciting show of talent. Whilst we were not successful in taking home the main prizes it was fantastic to be a part of the night and to be recognised for the efforts our staff have made in making sure Etone College is the best it can be. Wish us luck next year!

We are incredibly proud to announce that Etone College is in the running for two awards at this year’s prestigious TES Schools Awards 2023. With a short drum roll, we have been shortlisted for the following categories:

• Staff Wellbeing School of the Year
• Headteacher of the Year

This is an incredibly exciting time for us. Not only does it show the hard work and commitment of the whole school but also recognises the leadership of our Headteacher, Ian Smith and all that he does to make sure that Etone is the very best place for education.

Since joining the school in 2015, Mr Smith has led the school to successfully achieve and maintain an Ofsted Good judgement, secure positive progress in outcomes comparable to the highest in the local area and double the number of pupils attending Etone each year. Our growth in popularity is testament to our standards and achievements, making us the first choice of many parents and pupils locally.

As a Staff Wellbeing School of the Year shortlisted nominee, we take pride in ensuring that pupils and staff wellbeing is at the heart of all that we do at Etone College. With key events in our calendar and the support provided to staff through our Workload and Wellbeing Overview, we are very proud of the package for supporting all staff in school. We are grateful to our staff but in particular our Wellbeing Team, led by Deputy Head Juliet Stafford for the time and effort that goes into reducing workload and promoting wellbeing.

In both categories a shortlist of 6 has been announced which is already an achievement in itself.  The school will be represented at the Awards Ceremony in London in June and, regardless of the outcome, we are already extremely proud of our achievements.

Wish us luck as we head into the countdown to the Awards in June – it is great to see both Etone, and therefore Nuneaton, firmly on the educational map.

Please see the press statement released by TES below…

Mr Smith and Etone College shortlisted for The Tes Schools Awards 2023

The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the Tes Schools Awards 2023, the 15^th year of the awards. It's been revealed that Mr Smith from Etone College has been shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year award and Etone College for the Staff Wellbeing School of the Year award.

The Tes Schools Awards recognises the very best teachers and schools from UK state and independents, including early years settings, primary and secondary.

The panel of awards judges include school leaders, experts and education researchers. The objectivity, professionalism and high standards of the Tes Schools Awards judges and the judging process has helped establish them as a well-respected achievement for any school chosen as a finalist or winner.

Tes editor and chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards Jon Severs said: “With these awards we honour the education community, whom we have served for over 112 years. This year has seen some incredibly high quality entries. So every teacher and school who has been named in this shortlist should be very proud – it’s a fantastic achievement.

“We are looking forward to showcasing, as we do every year, just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. Teachers, leaders and support staff all play such an important role in schools: this is our chance to say thank you for all that they do.”

The Tes Schools Awards Winners will be announced on Friday 23^rd June at a gala ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Park Hotel.