In 2016 cluster groups will have been in operation for 10 years. As with most things in life there is always room for improvement. In 2016 we want to further assist the clusters we already have and also expand the number of cluster groups.

If you are not in a cluster, we would like to invite you to either join an established cluster or set up a new one. Clusters can be formed by local schools, academy chains and federations. Get in touch and we will help you to get started.

Improvements

We have listened to teachers and cluster coordinators in the process of improving our service to you. 

One major improvement is the creation of a new cluster group web page. Here you can find everything you should need to know about cluster groups. Using this site you can:

• Request a visit from one of our Subject Specialists
• Ask about becoming a cluster coordinator – start a new cluster
• Contact the team for information
• See what clusters we are attending.

Help with organising your meetings

We are using Eventbrite to help you plan your cluster meeting. If you tell us the dates, times and location of your meetings and how many delegates you can accommodate, then we can do the rest. If you would like, we can set up an event on Eventbrite to advertise your meeting. On the Eventbrite link people will be able to get all the relevant details, register and even print out tickets. We can then track how many people are coming.

If you look on the web page and see that we are in your area, why not ask us to pop in and see you too? 

More feedback please

If you have any further ideas for improvements to the cluster groups or additional functionality you would like to see on the web page why not contact us? 

About the author

Crawford Kingsnorth - Subject Specialist - GCSE Science

Crawford is currently working on the development of the Biology GCSE Gateway Suite. He was, until recently, a teacher of science and Head of Faculty. He’s passionate about teaching by novel approaches, particularly when used to open science up to students that are currently disaffected by the topic.

Before teaching, Crawford worked as a Higher Scientific Officer for the Civil Service at Horticulture Research International and Rothamsted Research. He has a Microbiology degree from the University of London and a D.Phil. from the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, where he investigated transcription factor induced gene regulation in filamentous fungi.

In his spare time he plays the 96 bass accordion and Irish bouzouki in both a ceilidh band and with a three piece group. He’s also been known to do the odd Morris dance or two. When he has any time left over, he’s trying to maintain his 1967 Series 2a Landrover and an MGB GT with his daughter.