Education Archives - Bluestones Group

Insight from Georgie

MC — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 08:00:03 +0000

Georgie McIntyre, Connex Education Academy‘s Managing Director, talks to us about the education staffing, learning and development sector, and her career to date.

Georgie has an extensive background in the education sector and now leads one of the most popular learning and development providers in the form of Connex Academy.

Have you always worked in the education sector? Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

Before entering the field of education, my career took me down a different path. I initially worked at Barclays Bank as a Personal Banker and later became a Sales Trainer. After starting a family, I decided to go back to University to study for my Masters on a part-time basis. This led me to become a teacher and gradually progress to the role of Head of School at a Further Education College.

Seeking new challenges, I made a transition to various international education learning development positions. I served as the Head of Training at Cambridge Assessment International Education and also worked with the Educational Collaborative of International Schools. These roles provided me with valuable insights into the international schools market.

I was thrilled to join The Classroom Partnership and the Education Division of Bluestones Group, originally taking on the role of Director of Learning and Development. More recently, I have taken on the responsibility of leading the rebranding and restructuring of Connex Academy as the Managing Director.

You’ve recently been appointed as MD of Connex Education Academy – congratulations; can you tell us more about your business and your role there?

I’m incredibly excited to be part of Connex Academy, which provides a dynamic learning and development platform and offers on-demand professional development opportunities for educators worldwide! We provide a wide range of easily accessible, academically rigorous short courses designed to enhance educators’ skills. Additionally, we offer Formal Qualifications that empower teaching assistants and teachers to advance in their careers with internationally recognised qualifications.

To ensure the utmost relevance and accuracy, all our training materials are created by Thought Leaders and experts in various fields, including safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing, and Teaching Assistant training. This commitment enables our schools and individuals to trust that our content is always up-to-date and aligned with the current educational landscape.

One of my primary objectives has been overseeing a seamless transition in rebranding from Thirsty Scholars Partnership to Connex Academy. With a diverse selection of over 100 courses available, my current focus lies in making these opportunities more accessible to schools and individuals, both in the UK and the international market. Keep an eye out for our upcoming new packages and purchasing options that will cater to specific needs!

Can you explain how Connex Academy fits in to the rest of the Connex Education world please?

It had been clear for some time that the CPD provision for our schools and candidates needed to be more closely aligned to our other Education Division services to enable connections to be identified both by internal teams and our customers alike.

Connex Academy was originally created to support the professional growth of candidates within the Connex recruitment and supply division, we received valuable feedback from our customers expressing their appreciation for the exceptional quality of our courses compared to existing options, it was at this point we decided Connex Academy had something special to offer school and individual educators externally.

We take great pride in our ability to provide Connex Academy products and services to schools and candidates. This allows us to offer our customers comprehensive development support, in addition to our traditional recruitment supply and tutoring solutions. A key aspect of our Social Value Programme is our Career Pathway, which I am especially proud of. It provides dedicated candidates with valuable development opportunities, including access to funded Formal Qualifications. This empowers individuals to upskill and progress in their careers, even if they lack the financial means to do so independently.

How do you stay current with developments and trends in your industry?

I know it is essential for me to stay current with developments and trends to ensure that Connex Academy remains innovative and meets the evolving needs of our customers and educators. To achieve this, I regularly attend conferences, engage in professional networks, and read industry publications to gain insights and connect with experts.

Building partnerships, embracing educational technology, and seeking professional development opportunities is also key and we have seen a number of these partnerships such as Magic Breakfast and National Extension College evolve into strong partnerships for Connex Education.

Additionally, fostering a culture of learning within Connex Education, encouraging knowledge sharing, and providing growth opportunities for our internal teams. By actively engaging in these strategies, I am able to make informed decisions and drive positive change in a dynamic education industry.

How do you see learning and development evolving over the next few years?

In the next few years, learning and development in education I think will undergo significant evolution driven by various factors, including advancements in technology, changing pedagogical approaches, and a growing emphasis on personalised learning.

I think we will continue to see growth in blended learning, which combines traditional classroom instruction with online or digital elements. Educators will increasingly leverage technology to create engaging online materials, interactive content, and virtual reality experiences to enhance classroom teaching.

I believe the importance of soft skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability, will continue to grow. Education systems will need to place greater emphasis on nurturing these skills alongside academic knowledge, as we recognise their importance for success in the workplace. With rapid technological advancements and evolving job markets, the need for continuous learning and upskilling will increase. We will need to offer flexible programs and opportunities for learners of all ages to acquire new knowledge and skills throughout their lives.

There is so much research to indicate that the role of educators will evolve from subject knowledge deliverers to facilitators, mentors, and designers of engaging learning experiences. Flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to real world experiences will be crucial for educators and institutions as they navigate this evolving landscape.

To what extent do you think AI and technology in general will impact your industry in the future?

This is a great question and there is so much discussion around this. I think we all agree that AI and Technology will impact the face of Education and the industries around it. We are seeing great use of gamification techniques to make learning more interactive, immersive, and enjoyable. I’ve already seen some stunning examples of virtual reality to enable students to experience realistic experiences, visit historical sites, or explore complex concepts in a more engaging and hands-on manner. What an amazing way to learn!

There is significant debate around Artificial intelligence and examination boards are now exploring how they will measure and integrate its existence into various aspects of education and assessments. AI may also streamline administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on student engagement and metacognition.

Data analytics can already help identify areas where students are struggling and provide insights for improvement. However, it is important to ensure the ethical use of data and maintain student privacy.

Traditional degrees and credentials may be replaced by alternative forms of recognition, such as micro credentials, digital badges, or competency-based assessments. Microlearning, which focuses on delivering bite-sized, targeted learning experiences, will gain traction as learners seek flexible and accessible educational options. Technology will create increased collaboration among students and educators from different regions and cultures.

This is such an exciting time in the learning and development arena, which is moving at pace…. watch this space!

And make sure you check out the recent blog post about AI in Education.

AI in education

School staff are no strangers to change and having to adapt to new technologies. From the shift from paper to electronic record keeping, the introduction

From your perspective, what are the main advantages of being part of a collective of education recruitment and training companies?

There are so many advantages to being part of Connex Education collective group of companies.

Collaboration and connection are key benefits, being part of Connex provides networking opportunities with professionals in the education field, leading to collaborations and partnerships. For our schools and MATs they can come to us for a complete package of services to support their recruitment and development needs.

They gain access to a diverse pool of talented educators, a streamlined recruitment process, and our expertise in the education sector. Individual customers are provided with customised training programs tailored to their roles, ensuring continuous professional growth for educators. Our services are cost-effective, saving customers time and resources. With a focus on customer satisfaction, we tailor our solutions to meet their specific needs.

From my perspective I get to work with a highly motivated team of experts who have a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, and access to help candidates and schools with Connex Academy’s products and partners.

What was your experience of joining Bluestones Group?

Joining Bluestones Group has been a great experience.

One of the things I truly appreciate is the collaborative environment across the organisation. Working alongside dedicated colleagues and educators, I have had the chance to contribute my ideas, engage in discussions, and constantly learn from others.

What makes this experience truly special was the direct impact I can make on individuals and communities through various educational initiatives. Being part of an organisation that prioritises education and Social Value means that my work has a real, tangible effect on people’s lives.

Where do you see Connex Academy three years from now?

I think we will see Connex Academy as a leading professional development provider recognised internationally. We will have a wide variety of professional development and ability to personalise learning experiences that cater to the individual needs, interests, and abilities of each user.

As Connex Academy continues to evolve and provides an enhanced learning platform, Connex Academy will play a crucial role in delivering customised content and educational resources. We will continue to grow our partnerships to provide our education community with innovative curriculum and professional development solutions that schools and individuals are requesting. Whilst maintaining the exceptional quality of our courses and content provided, we will develop school communities and educators by providing research-based, flexible online qualifications, and continued professional development.

Our mission is to enable schools to thrive, develop, train, and retain their whole school workforce and for individuals to gain access to development, progression opportunities and unlock their potential. Ultimately providing impactful education environments for their students.

Georgie McIntyre

Georgie is the Managing Director of Connex Academy. She has an extensive background in the education sector and now leads one of the most popular learning and development providers in the form of Connex Academy.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

See our other insight articles

Insight from Mike

To help explain what it’s really like joining and being part of Bluestones, we felt it’d be easier to share insight from those who have

29/06/2022

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AI in education

MC — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:45:10 +0000

School staff are no strangers to change and having to adapt to new technologies. From the shift from paper to electronic record keeping, the introduction of personal computing devices such as iPads in the classroom, or even the delivery of coding in lessons, teachers are well-versed in technological change.

In their latest Staffroom Newsletter, the team at Connex Education Partnership have explored the latest technology challenge facing the education sector, by considering how the advances in AI are likely to impact the education sector and schools in particular.

The official view

With media frenzy building over ChatGPT, Google Bard, and other AI tools, the latest iteration of these Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is another example of the need to reflect upon and refine school-based practice to better align education to available technologies. Described by Education Secretary (Gillian Keegan MP) as a ‘game changer’, AI is heading our way and requires us to be well informed to make the most of the opportunities, whist being ready to react to the challenges.

On the one hand, the development of large language models (LLMs) such as those used by ChatGPT or Google Bard could have a positive impact on reducing staff workload. Conversely, however, the challenges around potential student plagiarism and the impact on learning cannot be underestimated. To this end, the JCQ* (Joint Council for Qualifications) have published guidance for schools. You can download the ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Assessments: Protecting the Integrity of Qualifications’ PDF from this page.

The Department for Education has also shared a statement in response to the development of AI and the potential implications for education settings which can be read HERE; and indeed, AI was one of the focus areas in Gillian Keegan (MP)’s recent address to the BETT Show Ed Tech event. Her full address can be read HERE.

Detecting AI use

Detecting AI usage by students can be a challenging task, as technology evolves rapidly and becomes increasingly sophisticated. However, various methods can be employed to identify AI-generated content. For instance, educators can use plagiarism detection tools (see below) that are specifically designed to flag content generated by AI models. These tools employ advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to compare student work against a vast database of existing content. Additionally, monitoring the timing and consistency of student responses can help identify instances where AI may have been utilised.

Some of the more prominent AI detection tools include:

Reliability of AI detection tools

It’s important to remember that while these tools have improved significantly in recent years, they are not infallible. False positives and false negatives can occur, leading to misidentification or missed instances of AI usage. Therefore, it is crucial for educators to use detection tools as a starting point and supplement them with human judgment and contextual understanding. Educators should also remain updated on the latest advancements in AI and work closely with technology providers to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of detection tools.

The future of AI in education

As the technology continues to evolve, the future of AI in education holds immense potential. AI can be used to personalise learning experiences, streamline the creation of teaching material, adapt curriculum to individual needs, and provide real-time feedback to students. AI can also help educators gain valuable insights into student performance, enabling data-driven decision-making and targeted interventions.

However, striking a balance between human interaction and AI-driven education will be crucial to preserve the essential elements of creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction in the learning process.

Our view

At Connex, we believe that technology is broadly a force for good and where used appropriately and with the correct controls, it can significantly enhance the student and educator experience. Undoubtedly, there will be AI creeping into the classroom in many different ways, and we must learn to adapt, integrate where it can add genuine value and benefits, and police where it can be abused. Only by being vigilant, adapting to change, and remaining aware of the various fast-paced technological changes can our education system continue to provide the high-quality service it does to our nation’s students.

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Education charity partnership

MC — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:07:27 +0000

Connex Education Partnership has partnered with the team at Magic Breakfast with the aim of raising 1 million breakfasts for hungry children to help ensure no child goes to school too hungry to learn.

In the UK, one in four children experience food insecurity* and struggle to access nutritious meals. This has a detrimental impact in many ways, not least on their education, mental health and wellbeing. Magic Breakfast is a registered charity providing nutritious breakfasts to children and young people in the UK, who may otherwise arrive at school feeling too hungry to learn and thrive.

Over 200,000 children and young people are on roll at Primary, Secondary, ASL / Special Educational Needs Schools and Pupil Referral Units that the charity works with, in disadvantaged areas of Scotland and England , but they want to do so much more! Connex Education Partnership shares this vision and is committed to making a positive difference to the lives of children in the communities in which we operate.

Paul Broderick, CEO of Connex Education Partnership said:

“We at Connex Education are absolutely thrilled to announce our partnership with Magic Breakfast to provide one million nutritious breakfasts to children that need it the most. This incredible initiative aligns perfectly with our Social Values Programme.

As a company, we are committed to using our business to create positive social change in the communities we serve, and we know that this partnership will enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people who need it the most.

We know we’ve set ourselves an ambitious target, but we are determined to achieve it. Our motto is “Do the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do!”

Help us reach 1 million breakfasts!

If you're able to make a donation, please do so by clicking the donate button below.

DONATE HERE

About Magic Breakfast

Magic Breakfast is a registered charity providing healthy breakfasts to children and young people in the UK who arrive at school too hungry to learn, and expert support to their schools. Over 200,000 children and young people are on roll at Primary, Secondary, ASL / Special Educational Needs Schools and Pupil Referral Units that the charity works with, in disadvantaged areas of Scotland and England.

Providing breakfast ensures that children start their school day with the energy and nutrition they need to be able to make the most of their morning lessons.  Magic Breakfast also undertakes research, and campaigns for long-term solutions to end hunger as a barrier to learning.  

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Podcast listeners soar

MC — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:34:28 +0000

Connex Education Academy is celebrating a new milestone with their ever-popular education-focused podcast, After the Bell, as it’s now logged over 2,000 listeners.

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, the podcast provides quick tips and discussions with education experts. Covering a wide range of topics for everyone, including Early Career Teachers, aspirational or existing middle learners, support staff specific training, and Maths and English teachers.

Find out more about the After The Bell Podcast series HERE, or get listening now by following on the links below.

More about Connex Education Academy

Connex Education Academy, states:

Our mission is to enable schools to thrive, develop, train and retain their whole school workforce

And outlines its aims as:

Support schools and individuals to unlock their potential to provide impactful education environments for students.
Develop school communities and school leaders by providing research-based, flexible online qualifications, and continued professional development.
Ignite new career pathways for teaching assistants, support staff, teachers, and school leaders.
Improve whole school approaches to a positive mental health and wellbeing culture.

Online CPD courses

Offering an extensive library of flexible online CPD courses for whole school workforces.

Explore CPD courses

Qualifications & certificates

Providing a range of formal, nationally recognised qualifications that are aimed at hose looking to start a career as a Teaching Assistant or Cover Supervisor, through to Senior School Leaders looking to up-skill in their current role.

Explore formal qualifications

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Education businesses join Connex Education

MC — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 08:30:31 +0000

Connex Education Partnership, the education specialist recruitment business within the Group’s portfolio has today announced that two of its sister companies – The International Teaching Partnership and The ECT Partnership are being rebranded as they officially become part of the Connex Education brand.

The International Teaching Partnership, which helps classroom practitioners and school leaders find roles in schools across the UK and internationally, will now become Connex Education International. And The ECT Partnership, which supports newly qualified teachers find their perfect first permanent teaching role, will now become Connex Education Early Career Teachers.

The education recruitment companies sit within the Bluestones Group’s education sector, operating as a collective group of education services under The Classroom Partnership banner.

Paul Broderick, Divisional CEO of The Classroom Partnership had this to say about the announcement:

We are proud of what we have achieved with The Classroom Partnership and are excited to bring Connex Education Partnership, The ECT and International brands closer together.

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ADHD awareness month

MC — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:45:16 +0000

As it’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) awareness month, our education supply business Connex Education Partnership, has taken this opportunity to raise awareness and provide a better understanding of what ADHD is and how it can impact children in education.

In their expansive article, they’ve discussed misconceptions about ADHD and how it can impact genders differently, explained what causes emotional dysregulation, and provided some resources that may help in education settings.

Interestingly, we think this article is particularly insightful, as it has been written by a team member who has ADHD.

You can find out more about ADHD here: https://bit.ly/3yRpsz0

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Thirsty Scholars Partnership podcast anniversary

MC — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 08:52:29 +0000

One year on from the very first episode of the ‘After the Bell’ podcast, Thirsty Scholars Partnership – the learning and development business within the Group’s education division, is delighted to still be providing educational insights to their listeners.

Launched to provide those interested in the education industry with an easy to follow, informative podcast it has proven successful having gained a loyal following over the past year.

Georgie McIntyre, Director of Learning & Development at The Classroom Partnership in the Group’s education division, who launched the podcast back in September 2021 said,

The podcast was created to support anyone within the education industry, from people who have just started their career in education to those who have been teaching for 30 years, we wanted to share experiences and advice with everyone.

I have thoroughly enjoyed creating each episode and speaking with some fantastic people along the way. I’m very much looking forward to continuing the podcast for years to come!

Listen on Spotify now, by clicking the link below… and never miss an episode or catch up on our entire back catalogue of podcasts on Anchor (click the image below).

Some highlight episodes

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Tutoring success with Connex Education Partnership

MC — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 10:00:54 +0000

New figures published today (19 July), show the growing impact of the Government’s National Tutoring Programme (NTP), with almost 1.8 million courses started so far this year across an estimated 80% of schools.

Connex Education Partnership, the education supply and tutoring specialist business in the Bluestones Group portfolio of companies, is proud to be an NTP approved Tuition Partner, providing support to children and young people whose education has been most affected by the disruption of the pandemic.

The Government report goes on to state, “with almost 600,000 course starts in the last two months alone, the boost in tutoring means the programme has now reached just under 2.1 million courses in total”.

Connex Education explain on their website HERE how all schools, SEND settings and AP in England can take advantage of subsidised high-quality tutoring and interventions when working with Connex Education Partnership. And as a well-established national education supply partner, the business is well-placed to work closely with tutors, education professionals and establishments that require this support.

Paul Broderick, CEO at Connex Education Partnership commented,

“The National Tutoring Programme is an essential initiative, designed to get students back on track following disruptions caused by the pandemic. As an approved multi-year supplier, we’re committed to utilising our national network of education professionals to support the programme and ensure every academic environment that requires tutors can access them through us”.

Find out more about Connex Education’s National Tutoring Programme offering on their website HERE, by watching the explainer video below, or by downloading their 2020/21 NTP Tuition Impact Report HERE.

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Thirsty Scholars Partnership launch new learning platform

MC — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:07:14 +0000

Thirsty Scholars Partnership, training provider for the education sector and part of the education division has launched a brand new website and learning platform.

As one of the market-leading training providers to the education sector, Thirsty Scholars Partnership provide online training, CPD and formal qualifications to schools and individuals across the UK and internationally. Thirsty Scholars Partnership has launched a new website to support the growth of their business, and to provide a seamless platform for learners to track their progress, study at their own pace, with easier navigation to view content and learn on the go.

The most important feature of the new website is the new learning platform that has been developed to showcase the development in courses, alongside their new course releases, webinars and podcasts.

Speaking about the launch, Frazer McAlister, Managing Director said:

I am delighted to announce that Thirsty Scholars Partnership has just launched its brand new online CPD platform.
We’ve worked tirelessly over the past few years with our team of expert content writers and course developers, to build a growing library of video-based courses aimed at up-skilling teaching and non-teaching staff in schools.
Now we have a custom-built platform to showcase these market leading courses, along with the improved functionality and reporting that will allow our clients to easily track and manage the professional development of their staff.
Our new and existing learners will have a greatly improved learning experience and one that evolves over time as we add exciting new features to the platform.
This is a huge milestone for our organisation and one that positions us to excel and increase our presence in the school training market.
We are dedicated to professional development and growing community of like-minded Thirsty Scholars!

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National Tutors’ Conference sponsored

MC — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:51:43 +0000

The Classroom Partnership and Connex Education Partnership recently sponsored The Tutors’ Association’s National Tutors’ Conference.

The two brands in the Group’s education division sponsored The Tutors’ Association’s National Tutors’ Conference which was held online, in October this year.

One of The Classroom Partnership’s directors, Stephen Emsley, was on the panel to discuss how to get started as a tutor; whilst our director of learning and development, Georgie McIntyre was a guest host at the conference in the afternoon.

Georgie presented a session on the Tutoring Communication Triangle that has been developed as a framework and is used by our organisations to work with tutors, schools, and learners.

Read the full news release HERE.

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Education Archives - Bluestones Group

Insight from Georgie

Georgie McIntyre, Connex Education Academy‘s Managing Director, talks to us about the education staffing, learning and development sector, and her career to date.

AI in education

Georgie McIntyre

See our other insight articles

Insight from Alison

Insight from Mike

AI in education

The official view

Detecting AI use

Reliability of AI detection tools

The future of AI in education

Our view

Education charity partnership

Connex Education Partnership has partnered with the team at Magic Breakfast with the aim of raising 1 million breakfasts for hungry children to help ensure no child goes to school too hungry to learn.

Help us reach 1 million breakfasts!

About Magic Breakfast

Podcast listeners soar

Connex Education Academy is celebrating a new milestone with their ever-popular education-focused podcast, After the Bell, as it’s now logged over 2,000 listeners.

More about Connex Education Academy

Online CPD courses

Qualifications & certificates

Education businesses join Connex Education

ADHD awareness month

As it’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) awareness month, our education supply business Connex Education Partnership, has taken this opportunity to raise awareness and provide a better understanding of what ADHD is and how it can impact children in education.

Thirsty Scholars Partnership podcast anniversary

One year on from the very first episode of the ‘After the Bell’ podcast, Thirsty Scholars Partnership – the learning and development business within the Group’s education division, is delighted to still be providing educational insights to their listeners.

Some highlight episodes

Tutoring success with Connex Education Partnership

New figures published today (19 July), show the growing impact of the Government’s National Tutoring Programme (NTP), with almost 1.8 million courses started so far this year across an estimated 80% of schools.

Thirsty Scholars Partnership launch new learning platform

Thirsty Scholars Partnership, training provider for the education sector and part of the education division has launched a brand new website and learning platform.

National Tutors’ Conference sponsored

The Classroom Partnership and Connex Education Partnership recently sponsored The Tutors’ Association’s National Tutors’ Conference.