Opogo Community

Mental Health in EYFS
2023-06-12 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
Join us on Monday 12 June at 5pm – 6pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Mental Health in EYFS’
Our children’s mental health is the most important thing we need to grow and develop, alongside their physical health. In this webinar, we will explore how signs of mental health issues can be seen and what we, as educators, can do to support the children in our classroom. The strategies we can employ will be explored and you will have a chance to ask questions live.
The webinar will be presented by Marian Adejokun. Marian is a national speaker on Early Years. Marian has spoken with Charted College of Teaching on Early Years. She has also spoke to Global Early Childhood Education Cohort with Theirworld Charity as a presenter and advocate for Early Years Education.
Marian is the founder of ReachOut2All. She explains their work as follows:
At ReachOut2All CIC, we are all about giving young people, aged 13-30, a voice through their talents.
We are also a service provider in the following areas mentioned below ????
????Workshops
????Training Programme
????Mentoring
????Enrichment Trips
The following topics of our training programme focus:
????Public Speaking
????Mental Health & Wellbeing
????Self Awareness
????Resilience
????Importance of Mentoring
????Importance of Signposting
????Importance of Goal Setting
????Educational Options
????Financial literacy
Join this webinar to find out more about this fascinating and powerful area of Early Years education.

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Trauma Informed Education Pt 2
2023-06-07 17:30 - 18:30
Join us on Wednesday 7 June at 5.30pm – 6.30pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Trauma Informed Education Pt 2’
Join a two part series regarding trauma informed education. Trauma has a significant impact on the lives and learning of young people. As an educator, our understanding of trauma is crucial if we are to meet the needs of the students we work with. Unpicking the impact of trauma is crucial and exploring the strategies you can utilise to best meet the needs of young people. As an educator, you will not be able to reverse the trauma but you can certainly create a learning environment and offer tailored support in order that supports the students you encounter. It could make all the difference to their educational and personal development.
We will be joined by Louise Egan who is an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy with over 16 years experience. Louise has delivered training to multidisciplinary professionals in statutory and independent services over the past 16 years. Louise currently works as a Director of Clinical Excellence and Safeguarding Lead at Hello Self.

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The Importance of Play in EYFS
2023-05-22 17:00 - 18:00
Join us on Monday 22 May at 5pm – 6pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘The Importance of Play in EYFS’
Early Years Matters describes play in Early Years as follows, ‘Play underpins the EYFS. It also underpins learning and all aspects of children’s development. Through play, children develop language skills, their emotions and creativity, social and intellectual skills. For most children their play is natural and spontaneous although some children may need extra help from adults’.
In this webinar you will hear from Marian Adejokun. Marian is a national speaker on Early Years. Marian has spoken with Charted College of Teaching on Early Years. She has also spoke to Global Early Childhood Education Cohort with Theirworld Charity as a presenter and advocate for Early Years Education.
Marian is the founder of ReachOut2All. She explains their work as follows:
At ReachOut2All CIC, we are all about giving young people, aged 13-30, a voice through their talents.
We are also a service provider in the following areas mentioned below ????
????Workshops
????Training Programme
????Mentoring
????Enrichment Trips
The following topics of our training programme focus:
????Public Speaking
????Mental Health & Wellbeing
????Self Awareness
????Resilience
????Importance of Mentoring
????Importance of Signposting
????Importance of Goal Setting
????Educational Options
????Financial literacy
Join this webinar to find out more about this fascinating and powerful area of Early Years education.

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Register now

Social and emotional literacy for life and learning: An emotions curriculum that demonstrates impact and insight into children’s social and emotional development and self confidence
2023-05-15 17:00 - 18:00
Join us on Monday 15 May at 5pm – 6pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Social and emotional literacy for life and learning: How to provide an emotions curriculum that demonstrates impact and insight into children’s social and emotional development, self confidence and self-esteem’
Within the context of a national crisis for children’s mental health and increasing numbers of children in our schools with SEMH needs and being at risk of exclusion, there is a need for prioritisation of social and emotional teaching and learning. Children need explicit teaching of social and emotional skills and schools need the tools to measure impact, gather insights and ensure children have access to an emotions curriculum that enables them to access learning, reach their own potential and to navigate the life ahead of them.
This session will highlight:
• The context for social and emotional development and the impact on long term mental wellness.
• The need for an emotions curriculum that sits alongside PSHE to enable children to gain social and emotional skills, to understand, express and regulate their feelings and to engage in learning and life.
• Explicit and implicit teaching of social and emotional literacy and the role of the adults.
• How to identify underlying social and emotional needs, track progress, gather insight and demonstrate impact.
About Hamish & Milo
Hamish & Milo is a comprehensive and detailed resource that offers the language and creative activities to support SEN and pastoral staff to know what to say and how to help primary-aged children to express and regulate themselves. The whole programme offers a set of ten different wellbeing intervention packs that focus on key emotional themes: friendship, resilience, anxiety, diversity, angry feelings, change, conflict, loss, sadness and self-esteem. Each of the programmes consist of detailed session plans delivered weekly over a term and provide all supporting materials and impact measurement tools.
Clare Williams
Clare is a primary teacher and educational psychotherapist, author, speaker and advocate for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Clare has worked in primary schools, mental health and education provision and within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). She has led on national initiatives for local authorities as the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Consultant, leading on training, curriculum implementation and development as well as the local coordination of the National PSHE CPD programme.
She was a consultant trainer for the Institute of Education, London, and a trainer for the Education Development Association at Homerton College, Cambridge, providing courses for overseas teachers.
As the manager of a multi-agency service for vulnerable children at risk of exclusion, Clare developed Thrive Education Zones, an alternative provision based on nurture principles.
Through this work she became all too aware of the impact adverse childhood experiences can have on children and their long-term mental health.
Clare was co-author and co-creator of the Jigsaw PSHE programme and author of Trauma Informed Schools UK (TISUK) Rainbow Pathway: Return to school programme, resources to support children through the experience of the pandemic. She has worked therapeutically with children and families and as a Wellbeing Therapist for Total Children’s Therapy and was the Strategic Mental Health Lead and Consultant for stormbreak, a charity supported by BBC Children in Need that centres on mentally healthy movement. Clare was central in developing the mental health content within their programmes. Clare is a Senior Trainer, Consultant and Supervisor for TISUK and leads on delivery of the TISUK diploma.

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How can you become a teacher?
2023-05-09 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Tuesday 9 May at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘How can you become a teacher?’
Our presenters are Karen Duffy (Principal Lecturer) & Louise Quinn (Senior Lecturer) from Manchester Met University. If you have ever considered teaching as a career but have not been sure whether it is right for you or what route to take then this is the webinar for you.
We often have our candidates asking us for advice in this area and so this webinar provides the ideal opportunity to find out more. Here is a bit more about our presenters:
Karen Duffy
I worked as a successful Head of Psychology and Social Science for 15 years before coming to lecture in Psychology and Social Science PGCE at MMU. I have worked as a Team leader for AQA Psychology A level examinations since 1994. I am currently the Chair of the British Psychological Society (SCOPTE branch) dealing with issues in preteriary Psychology. I am the HEI representative for the new A level specification changes from 2015. I engage in training A level Psychology teachers both nationally and internationally.
Louise Quinn
I am the PGCE subject co-ordinator for Psychology and Social Science at Brooks Campus – Manchester. I teach on the PGCE Secondary programme. In addition to my teaching responsibilities I am the Secondary Admissions Tutor.
Prior to joining the Faculty of Education at MMU, I worked for 7 years in secondary schools teaching Sociology, Psychology and Health and Social Care, Headed a Sociology department and was a PSHE corodinater. In September 2008 I joined MMU on a permanent basis.

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Making a difference for children with SEMH: How to create a culture of wellbeing and provide targeted intervention
2023-05-04 17:00 - 18:00
Join us on Thursday 4 May at 5pm – 6pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Making a difference for children with SEMH: How to create a culture of wellbeing and provide targeted intervention.
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In this session Clare discusses the need for qualitative, targeted SEMH provision and programmes to support the 1 in 6 children with mental health needs. (NHS Digital 2021).
How do we support children to manage in a learning context when they are struggling with their social and emotional development and mental health? How do we support children to express, understand and be able to regulate their feelings and experiences in order to manage in the learning environment and how do we equip the SEN and pastoral adults to feel confident to support the children in their care who have mental health and behaviour needs in a system where external services are stretched?
The session will highlight:
• The context for children’s emotional and mental wellbeing
• Whole school culture and how to ensure wellbeing is central through policy and practice.
• The vital need for qualitative and targeted intervention that centres around social and emotional development and acquisition of skills for life and learning.
• A comprehensive wellbeing intervention programme that offers creative activities, supporting resources and impact measurement tools.
About Hamish & Milo
Hamish & Milo is a comprehensive and detailed resource that offers the language and creative activities to support SEN and pastoral staff to know what to say and how to help primary-aged children to express and regulate themselves. The whole programme offers a set of ten different wellbeing intervention packs that focus on key emotional themes: friendship, resilience, anxiety, diversity, angry feelings, change, conflict, loss, sadness and self-esteem. Each of the programmes consist of detailed session plans delivered weekly over a term and provide all supporting materials and impact measurement tools.
Clare Williams
Clare is a primary teacher and educational psychotherapist, author, speaker and advocate for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Clare has worked in primary schools, mental health and education provision and within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). She has led on national initiatives for local authorities as the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Consultant, leading on training, curriculum implementation and development as well as the local coordination of the National PSHE CPD programme.
She was a consultant trainer for the Institute of Education, London, and a trainer for the Education Development Association at Homerton College, Cambridge, providing courses for overseas teachers.
As the manager of a multi-agency service for vulnerable children at risk of exclusion, Clare developed Thrive Education Zones, an alternative provision based on nurture principles.
Through this work she became all too aware of the impact adverse childhood experiences can have on children and their long-term mental health.
Clare was co-author and co-creator of the Jigsaw PSHE programme and author of Trauma Informed Schools UK (TISUK) Rainbow Pathway: Return to school programme, resources to support children through the experience of the pandemic. She has worked therapeutically with children and families and as a Wellbeing Therapist for Total Children’s Therapy and was the Strategic Mental Health Lead and Consultant for stormbreak, a charity supported by BBC Children in Need that centres on mentally healthy movement. Clare was central in developing the mental health content within their programmes. Clare is a Senior Trainer, Consultant and Supervisor for TISUK and leads on delivery of the TISUK diploma.

Register now

Autism - Masking and anxiety
2023-05-02 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Tuesday 2 May at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Autism – Masking and anxiety’
Our presenter is Nicola Musgrove, an experienced practitioner of children with SEND and also a parent of two children with autism. Nicola is a passionate advocate of children with SEND and has spent a great deal of time studying towards effective teaching and learning in this area.
To that end, Nicola has a unique insight into the masking children with autisms may display and the anxiety that this can cause. It can be difficult to spot which makes having an understanding of this area crucial to work effectively with students with autism.

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Effective Use of Teaching/Support Assistants
2023-04-24 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 24 April at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Effective use of teaching/support assistants’
Teaching Assistants or Learning Support Assistants are an invaluable support for the learning of children in the classroom. The EEF research suggests that when used effectively they can have a significant impact on the learning of students. However, too often their support is not used as effectively as it might be. In this webinar, you will hear about the research and practical strategies that can be employed.
Our presenter is Nicola Musgrove, an experienced practitioner of children with SEND and also a parent of two children with autism. Nicola is a passionate advocate of children with SEND and has spent a great deal of time studying towards effective teaching and learning in this area.

Register now

Creating An Inclusive Classroom
2023-04-17 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 17 April at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Creating an inclusive classroom’
There are some many varying needs throughout a classroom. Creating a classroom that is inclusive for all students gives you the best chance of meeting the needs of each child. When children or older students have their needs met, you will find learning, behaviour and general classroom environment will all improve.
Our presenter is Nicola Musgrove, an experienced practitioner of children with SEND and also a parent of two children with autism. Nicola is a passionate advocate of children with SEND and has spent a great deal of time studying towards effective teaching and learning in this area.

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Introduction to the Opogo School Business Manager Course
2023-03-23 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Thursday 23 March at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Introduction to the Opogo School Business Manager Course’
This webinar is for school business managers who already work with Opogo or would like to undertake this free School Business Manager course. There will be an outline of the course from the facilitator, Annette Southworth & an opportunity to ask questions.
Annette is an experience school business manager who has worked in a variety of schools and across large school trusts. She is a national speaker in areas such as maximising budgets, procurement, health & safety and other key areas of school business management.

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Trauma Informed Education Pt 1
2023-03-08 17:30 - 18:30
Join us on Wednesday 8 March at 5.30pm – 6.30pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Trauma Informed Education Pt 1’
Join a two part series regarding trauma informed education. Trauma has a significant on the lives and learning of young people. As an educator, our understanding of trauma is crucial if we are to meet the needs of the students we work with. Unpicking the impact of trauma is crucial and exploring the strategies you can utilise to best meet the needs of young people. As an educator, you will not be able to reverse the trauma but you can certainly create a learning environment and offer tailored support in order that supports the students you encounter. It could make all the difference to their educational and personal development.
We will be joined by Louise Egan who is an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy with over 16 years experience. Louise has delivered training to multidisciplinary professionals in statutory and independent services over the past 16 years. Louise currently works as a Director of Clinical Excellence and Safeguarding Lead at Hello Self.

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Understanding the Role of the School Business Manager
2023-03-07 17:30 - 18:30
Join us on Tuesday 7 March at 5.30pm – 6.30 pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Understanding the Role of the School Business Manager’
In this series of webinars to support school business managers, Annette Southworth offers her experience and skills to give insights into the role of a school business manager. Annette will talk through the key aspects of the role for leaders to understand. Whether you are school leader looking to gain more knowledge of successful budget use or you are a business manager, this webinar is for you.

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Making use of assessment to support children with SEND
2023-02-27 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 27 February at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Making use of assessment to support children with SEND’
Using documents such as an EHCP can be complex and challenging. In this webinar we will explore the ways you can use assessment to make best use of the guidance given in SEND documents. Assessments can include visual, audio and written forms of communication. We will explore how these assessments can be interpreted and then utilised to support you planning for children with SEND.
Our presenter is Nicola Musgrove, an experienced practitioner of children with SEND and also a parent of two children with autism. Nicola is a passionate advocate of children with SEND and has spent a great deal of time studying towards effective teaching and learning in this area.

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Generating Income for Your School
2023-02-21 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Tuesday 21 February at 2pm – 3pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Generating Income for Your School’
In this first of a series of webinars to support school business managers, Annette Southworth offers her experience and skills to give insights into successful budgeting. Annette will talk through the issues and opportunities that are available for schools. Whether you are school leader looking to gain more knowledge of successful budget use or you are a business manager, this webinar is for you.

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Trauma Informed Practice
2023-02-13 16:00 - 17:00
Join us on Monday 13 February at 4pm – 5pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Trauma Informed Practice’
Trauma has a significant on the lives and learning of young people. As an educator, our understanding of trauma is crucial if we are to meet the needs of the students we work with. Trauma informed practice is an area of specialism for our guest, Lucy Coy. Lucy is an experienced school leaders and currently the CEO of HT Chat. Join us to enhance your understanding of this area. It could make all the difference to your practice and in turn, the lives of the young people you work with.

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Understanding the needs of children with SEND in the classroom
2023-02-06 08:00 - 18:00
Join us on Monday 6 February at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Understanding the needs of children with SEND in the classroom’
Supporting children with SEND is a key focus for schools and educators. Nicola Musgrove is an experienced educator with a wide knowledge of supporting children with SEND. Join this webinar to broaden your understanding and support the development of your practice.
Nicola Musgrove is a qualified Early Years Practitioner and Further Education Early Years Teacher. She is a parent to two children with a diagnosis of ASD. Nicola is interested in PhD research in Autism provision within mainstream school.

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Maximising Your School Budget
2023-01-30 16:00 - 17:00
Join us on Monday 30 January at 4pm – 5pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Maximising your school budget’
In this first of a series of webinars to support school business managers, Annette Southworth offers her experience and skills to give insights into successful budgeting. Annette will talk through the issues and opportunities that are available for schools. Whether you are school leader looking to gain more knowledge of successful budget use or you are a business manager, this webinar is for you.

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Is working in Alternative Provision for you?
2023-01-23 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 23 January at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Is working in Alternative Provision for you?’
AP settings are places that provide education for children who can’t go to a mainstream school. There are many opportunities to work in AP and it can be an incredible experience. James Lowe, CEO of GroLife and leader of several AP schools, will talk us through how AP differs from mainstream. The webinar will also increase your knowledge of this sector and help you gain an understanding of this pathway for students.

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Maximising Your School Budget
2023-01-09 16:00 - 17:00
Join us on Monday 9 January at 4pm – 5pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Maximising your school budget’
In this first of a series of webinars to support school business managers, Annette Southworth offers her experience and skills to give insights into successful budgeting. Annette will talk through the issues and opportunities that are available for schools. Whether you are school leader looking to gain more knowledge of successful budget use or you are a business manager, this webinar is for you.

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Autism : A parent/ teacher’s insight
2022-12-05 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 5 December at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Autism : A parent/ teacher’s insight’
Are you an educator, parent or both who is keen to learn more about support a child or your child with autism? If you are then this is the webinar for you. We will discuss the signs, symptoms and strategies with qualified SENCO and parent of a child with autism, Nicola Musgrove. Nicola will share her experience and expertise in a one-off webinar will have a really positive impact on your practice and/or parenting.
Nicola Musgrove is a qualified Early Years Practitioner and Further Education Early Years Teacher. She is a parent to two children with a diagnosis of ASD. Nicola is interested in PhD research in Autism provision within mainstream school.

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Working in Catholic Schools
2022-11-14 17:30 - 18:30
Join us on Monday 14 November at 5.30pm – 6.30pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Working in Catholic Schools’
In this webinar, Mark Dumican, Headteacher of St Edmund Arrowsmith in Wigan, will speak to us about what we need to be aware of when working in Catholic schools. While the day to day teaching and learning will be very similar, there are some preparations you can make, through increased awareness, that help you be successful in such a school setting. Whether you are in a Catholic school at the moment, training to work in one or considering the possibility, this will be a great opportunity to learn more.

About Debra Mark Dumican
Mark has been a senior leader in Catholic schools for over 20 years. For nearly 10 years, he has led St Edmund Arrowsmith to become one of the strongest schools in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. His experience and servant leadership approach, is widely shared in Catholic circles. Mark is the lived reality of a set of values which are indicative of Catholic education.

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An Introduction to Multi-Sensory Needs
2022-11-07 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 7 November at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Introduction to Multi-Sensory Needs’
You will work with students that have a variety of needs. Some are visible and some are invisible. Often these students are the most vulnerable and the ones who need our help, as educators, the most. In this webinar Phil Denton will discuss the variety of needs that can impact upon the learning of children with SEND. A greater awareness of these needs and the ability to adapt teaching and learning approaches can make a real difference to the students you are working with.

About Phil Denton
Phil Denton is an experienced school leader with many years experience working with children with multi-sensory needs. He will explore nature of these needs and the support that you can offer as teachers to support the needs of these students.

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Introduction to Dyslexia
2022-10-10 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 10 October at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Introduction to Dyslexia’
Many of the children you teach will live with dyslexia. Some will be aware while others will not have had a diagnosis. The rates of prisoners diagnosed with dyslexia is shocking and a frustrating school experience is often a significant factor in their life choices. We must do more to know more and adapt more to children with dyslexia. This introduction will help you understand more about this topic so that you can adapt your practice to help children who desperately need your support.

About Debra Harris
Debra Harris is a qualified SENCO with over 20 years’ experience in education. Debra is also a very experienced safeguarding lead with a wide range of experience in many other aspects of education. Debra will explain what dyslexia is and how you can support children who need your support in and out of the classroom. If you need upskilling in this area, you cannot afford to miss this webinar.

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An Introduction to Mental Health Awareness in Schools
2022-10-03 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 3 October at 6pm – 7pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘An introduction to Mental Health Awareness in schools’
Do you need to know more about the mental health of your students?
Mental Health awareness is crucial in schools. As educators, we often spend more time with the children we teach or care for, than any other significant adult. Being aware of the signs, symptoms and support that we can offer our young people is imperative.
Hear from the experts
In this session we will hear from Mr Kevin Egan and Dr Louise Egan. They will be sharing their expertise and experiences so that you can support the young people you work with to the best of your ability.
Register now for what will be a fascinating evening.

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Want to know more?
Why should you join the webinar:
· The prevalence of mental health difficulties in children is rising at an alarming rate within the context of a global physical and mental health pandemic.
· There are not enough specialist services and resources to meet increasing need.
· Schools are expected to meet the complex social, emotional, behavioural, developmental and safeguarding needs of those they educate and support within the context of an under resourced social welfare system.
· Enhance your knowledge and skills to support the mental health needs of children in school.
· Children need to be socially and emotionally secure to make best use of their learning, enhancing your knowledge and skills in how to support positive emotional wellbeing may help children to reach their academic potential as every child rightly deserves.
· There is an emotional impact to caring for others. Who cares for you? We’ll help you care for you too.
· The trainers are senior specialists with extensive experience working in primary and secondary schools; special educational needs and NHS/independent/charitable mental health services across the age range.
· Present a unique balance of clinical and classroom knowledge and skills.
· They are compassionate, relatable and highly engaging trainers with outstanding training feedback.

What you’ll get out of it:
• Knowledge of the importance of a systems and whole school approach to understanding and supporting mental health needs.
• Insight & appreciation of the importance of your own and your colleagues’ psychological wellbeing.
• Knowledge of the common presentations and causes of a wide range of mental health difficulties of primary and secondary school aged children
• Attachment issues, Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, Low self esteem, Self-Harm, Suicidal thinking/behaviour, Eating Disorders and Grief/loss.
• Understanding of how to enlist the help of statutory agencies and work jointly in partnership.
• Knowledge and skills in supporting the mental health needs of children in school.
• Reminder of Ofsted’s framework regarding personal development/emotional wellbeing.

How it might help their practice:
· Strengthen confidence in your ability to identify and support children with mental health needs.
· Take home practical skills and resources to implement straight away in the classroom.
· Enhance your own self care in order to best care for others.

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Who looks after the supply teachers? Put your oxygen mask on first! - webinar
2022-09-26 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 26 September at 6pm – 7pm for our second LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Who looks after the supply teachers? Put your oxygen mask on first!’
Life on supply can feel lonely at times and you may feel that you do not get the same level of support that permanent members of staff receive. You need to make sure you are looking after yourself and as they say during airplane safety announcements, ‘Put your own oxygen mask on first’. Patrick Ottley-O’Connor is one of the UK’s leading speakers and influencers in the world of self-care in education.

About Patrick Ottley-O’Connor
A headteacher & CEO for over 20 years, Patrick describes well-being as being his super power. In this webinar, Patrick will offer advice and guidance around how you can ensure you look after yourself in while you are temporary roles or if life on supply is your chosen career path. Make sure you tune in and get involved to get your blast of oxygen!

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Introduction to Autism webinar
2022-09-12 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Monday 12 September at 6pm – 7pm for our first LEARN LIVE webinar ‘Introduction to Autism’.
In this webinar Debra Harris will discuss how working with children with autism can be as rewarding as it is challenging, and how having a basic knowledge can really help with those early interactions when fostering long term relationships with individuals with autism.

About Debra Harris
Debra Harris is a qualified SENCO with over 20 years’ experience in education. Debra is also a very experienced safeguarding lead with a wide range of experience in many other aspects of education. Her experience of working with many children with autism, as well as leading several training sessions on this very topic, will be invaluable as you look to work with children with autism.

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Stress Expressed with Steve Carr
2021-03-09 17:00 - 18:30
About this Event

The value to mental health of simply sharing our thoughts
The value of talking circles for teachers cannot be overestimated. Teachers need to be able to think clearly. They deal in transferring knowledge from their minds into the minds of those they teach. More importantly, they do this most successfully when they navigate the maelstrom of emotions they encounter in every classroom and create connected relationships with pupils. These relationships need to be as free as they can be from any negative debris.

Talking about our challenges and verbalising our feelings to friends has been a source of relief for centuries.
Studies show that simply talking about our problems and sharing our negative emotions with people we trust can profoundly reduce stress, and strengthen our immune system. (Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988). We can also experience a healing effect by simply noting and labelling our emotions (sad, angry, confused, ashamed, scared). By naming our more negative feelings, we can watch them fade from our minds. We can become more mindful, centred, and at peace (Lieberman et al, 2007).
Neuroscience studies by Lieberman et. al. (2007) and Vago and Silbersweig (2012) have found that labelling our feelings reduces activation in the amygdala, our brain’s alarm system that triggers the fight-or-flight reaction.
When we give words to our emotions, we move away from limbic reactivity by activating those parts of the brain that deal with language and meaning in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (Lieberman et al, 2007).
We become less reactive, more mindfully aware and more able to think clearly.

You have been invited to join Steve on Tuesday 9th March from 5pm – 6:30pm.
Please register your attendance below:

Register Now

Covid-19 Testing – Onboarding Webinar #2
2021-01-19 12:00 - 12:40
About this Webinar
Opogo is running a series of onboarding workshops for those registered to become a Covid-19 Tester in primary and secondary schools across London. These workshops will detail the necessary steps to become a Tester and how to work effectively with students and school staff to facilitate the testing process.
What will be covered:

Types of testing roles and areas we cover
What to expect on the job and in a school setting (demonstration by one of our school-based testers)
Eligibility requirements:

Soft skills
Certifications
Compliance
Onboarding and securing work via the Opogo app

About Covid-19 Testing with Opogo
The education sector is under immense pressure with school closures and an uncertain return date for pupils and staff. What is clear, when schools do return they will need a huge amount of help to carry out mass Covid-19 testing on pupils on a weekly basis. To become a Covid-19 Rapid tester you are required to complete the NHS Covid-19 National Testing Programme. Training is FREE, quick and carried out online from the comfort of your own home. Complete training takes just 35min – 2hrs 30min depending on the role.
You have been invited to join us on Tuesday 19th January 2021 at 12pm. Please register your attendance below:
Register Now

Covid-19 Testing – Onboarding Webinar
2021-01-18 12:00 - 12:45
About this Webinar
Opogo is running a series of onboarding workshops for those registered to become a Covid-19 Tester in primary and secondary schools across London. These workshops will detail the necessary steps to become a Tester and how to work effectively with students and school staff to facilitate the testing process.
What will be covered:

Types of testing roles and areas we cover
What to expect on the job and in a school setting (demonstration by one of our school-based testers)
Eligibility requirements:

Soft skills
Certifications
Compliance
Onboarding and securing work via the Opogo app

About Covid-19 Testing with Opogo
The education sector is under immense pressure with school closures and an uncertain return date for pupils and staff. What is clear, when schools do return they will need a huge amount of help to carry out mass Covid-19 testing on pupils on a weekly basis. To become a Covid-19 Rapid tester you are required to complete the NHS Covid-19 National Testing Programme. Training is FREE, quick and carried out online from the comfort of your own home. Complete training takes just 35min – 2hrs 30min depending on the role.
You have been invited to join us on Monday 18th January 2021 at 12pm. Please register your attendance below:
Register Now

FREE LTSA Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Course in January 2021
2021-01-16 09:00 - 16:00
Opogo are working with Lambeth Teaching Schools’ Alliance in collaboration with King’s College London and would like to invite you to attend the FREE Teacher Training for GCSE/A Level Portuguese & Spanish.
The Course consists of 5 Sessions starting on January 16th, 2021.

All sessions take place on a Saturday via online platform 09.00 – 16.00.
Each session includes 6hrs teaching time.
Total Number of Hours in London: 5 sessions x 6 hours per session = 30 hours
Course Cost – The course is FREE for Secondary MFL qualified teachers who are currently teaching or planning to return to Teaching. The Department of Education is funding the course with the support of the LTSA and it is delivered by the MLC.

This course will help Portuguese and Spanish teachers to develop the delivery of their Teaching and Learning, providing them with insights and strategies to make lessons more engaging, productive and relevant for today.
You should attend this course if you would like to:

To obtain a CPD as part of the training course
Familiarise yourself with the new GCSE/A level structure, content and assessment pattern
Familiarise yourself with cutting-edge theories and practice in a Second Language
Refresh and consolidate language competence and skills in Portuguese & Spanish
Reflect on the target language grammatical and lexical structures to be taught as part of the GCSE/A level programme
To be taught by experienced tutors in Secondary and HE education
Designing materials for online class delivery, focusing on creating a virtual learning community

Please click here to book your place.
If you have any further questions please contact Raj on 0330 058 6700.
