NASBTT’s TEPs were designed with the sole purpose of developing Teacher Educators by immersing them in coaching theory and, more importantly, practice. When including NASBTT’s TEPs as part of your Teacher Educator support programme, face-to-face facilitation, if at all possible, must always be the first choice of delivery method. However, as we move forward, how we involve our delegates during TEP facilitation will vary as all CPD opportunities adapt to an ever-changing environment amid Covid-19.
We wish to reassure you that we fully support the need for flexibility regarding TEP facilitation. It remains crucial that TEP delegates are given opportunities to practice the coaching skills they are learning about as this is essential to the ethos behind NASBTT’s TEP Level 1 and Level 2 content. It is important that delivery methods stay true to this.
Moving forward, we are currently developing the TEP’s Level 1 and Level 2 session content based on Licence Holder feedback from this year’s QA visits. Updates will include guidance relating to online delivery options for the more challenging sessions of the Level 1 and Level 2 programmes, particularly the coaching sessions. For many of the Level 1 and Level 2 sessions, much of the TEP content can be delivered online more or less as it stands. With the lifting of some restrictions, it may be a ‘blended’ TEP delivery model that includes both online and face-to-face facilitation works best.
During 2019-2020 Quality Assurance visits, delegate feedback significantly rated the opportunities to practice coaching as the most valuable part of the TEPs. Where such opportunities were minimal, rushed or missed, delegates commented on how they wished there were more chances to ‘have a go’. Online platforms have functions that enable delegates to enter ‘breakout rooms’ that may be used for group discussion or paired work.
In a recent Quality Assurance visit of online facilitation, ‘breakout rooms’ were used very effectively. NASBTT recommends that this function be utilised during online facilitation as one delegate commented:
“I still found the coaching useful, despite being online… my partner and I completed the coaching task to the best of our abilities and in a very similar way to how we would have if it was face-to-face.”
Chloe Beard (delegate)
NASBTT TEP Level 2 Advanced Coaching and Mentoring
Facilitated by Leanne Peck and Joyce Mawson at Partnership London SCITT
Planning opportunities for delegates to complete coaching activities with a partner between sessions and following up with further opportunities to share experiences ensures that delegate interaction remains a training priority. A ‘de-brief’ is often just as valuable as the coaching opportunity itself, particularly for those less experienced mentors.
TEP materials are accessed via the secure area on the NASBTT website. You will be notified when any changes are ‘active’ via email. Notification will be no later than early September.
Please note, it is likely that the advice and guidance for online delivery of Level 1 and Level 2 TEPs will continue to develop as we receive feedback from Licence Holders, conduct Quality Assurance visits and engage in Quality Assurance consultations throughout 2020-2021.
Licence Holders are reminded to adhere to their organisation’s policy, direction and guidance regarding the delivery of online content in accordance with the platforms and software utilised. This will be referenced in the updated TEP Licence Terms and Conditions.
Never before has Licence Holder feedback been so important to NASBTT and we are keen to hear about your experiences with online facilitation so that we can develop our TEP content accordingly.