The PAG Newsletter - Issue 13
Introduction from Tom Legge
Hello, and welcome to lucky Issue 13 of the PAG Newsletter! Over the last month, colleagues at PAG have been travelling across the country visiting clients, attending wave 3 engagement events, and even cycling on the Isle of Arran (more on that below). As such, we have dubbed this the ‘out-and-about’ issue of the PAG newsletter.
The main headline this month is the SEND Wave 3 engagement events, being held by successful local authorities. These events have been taking place both online and in person, and you can read more about them below. Fellow PAG director, Charlotte Pearce Cornish, reflects on the Schools and Academies show, which we attended last month, and we shine a spotlight on our Marketing Executive, Vince Taylor, in this issue’s Profile.
As always, we appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletter. Do not forget to follow PAG on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest insights in the world of education.
Create: Schools News: SEND Wave Local Authority Engagement Events
By Imogen Phillips
The Create: Schools team have been working closely with proposers and local authorities to generate interest around the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for SEND education in England.?
We are currently in Stage 2 of the SEND free school wave. In October last year, local authorities submitted applications to the DfE in order to make their case for a new special free school in the area. Successful local authorities were announced earlier this year, the list was published alongside specifications outlining key details of the school – such as need, age range, and types of placement of the proposed schools.
Proposers are now able to submit expressions of interest by completing the pre-registration form, but must do so by 5 pm on 16th of June. The final deadline for SEND applicants will be midday on the 31st of August, giving proposers plenty of time to prepare their final applications. It is important to note that without pre-registration completed, interested parties will not be able to apply.
Create: Schools has been working closely with all successful local authorities to deliver a series of events covering the specifications, SEND strategy, the application process as well as the support available to those interested in applying.
These events are a valuable opportunity for engagement for local authorities and proposers alike. As events are hosted prior to the pre-registration deadline, they will provide potential applicants with as much information as possible to decide whether or not to go ahead with the application.
The ongoing events have been supported by and delivered alongside Create: Schools, providing an invaluable insight into the free schools process, whilst opening the floor for interesting and engaging discussion.
Information is available through the events page on our website. Please get in touch with us regarding any local authorities you are interested in - if the event details are not on our website, we are happy to share this with you. For further information regarding these events, please contact one of the advisory team directly, or [email protected].?
In the instance where events have already taken place, we urge you to still get in contact with either the relevant local authority or the Create: Schools team as it may be possible to share the slides and discuss any questions you may have.
Additionally, we also have a series of webinars taking place the week of the 12th of June. These will be hosted alongside our range of partners, with a variety of expertise in marketing, finances, legal and capital.?
PAG Wellness: Away Day to the Isle of Arran
After two excellent quarters, it was time for the Growth team to take a well-earned day away from their desks. High performance can breed burn out and this is never truer than in a hybrid/work-from-home (WFH) company where in-person time can come at such a premium. Although PAG does have an office space, we are spread across the UK and Europe. Face-to-face contact is a valuable and limited commodity, and this is why the Growth team makes a conscious decision to use our limited in-person time to reconnect, socialise, and refocus.
Researcher, Gavin MacDonald reflects on the trip and how it has benefited him.
“The wellness day was very beneficial for me, given the relentless pace and deadline-driven nature of our work. In an environment that can often be stressful, the absence of face-to-face interactions due to working remotely means you can often feel lonely with these feelings. However, this wellness trip served as a perfect antidote, fostering camaraderie as we found ourselves reminiscing over the challenging times we've overcome together. This reflection was instrumental in highlighting the depth of our team bonding through these projects, an aspect we could genuinely appreciate while immersed in the beautiful scenery of Arran during one of Scotland’s few days of summer.
“The trip provided a much-needed escape, a serene haven that allowed me to detach from ongoing projects. Admittedly, my tendency to fixate on work-related matters is a trait I struggle with, but the tranquillity of the trip allowed me to disconnect and recharge. Strategically planned in the middle of the week, it effectively broke up the routine, instilling a sense of calmness that has since remained during my daily work life.
“Notably, since our return, I've witnessed a boost in my productivity levels. The shared experience, the memorable moments with my colleagues, have deepened my commitment to support them continually and uphold a high standard of work. This wellness day served not just as a break, but a refresher, a rejuvenator, inspiring a more relaxed and yet, productive work ethos in me.”
You can read more about our growth team’s experiences on the Isle of Arran here.
PAG News: Schools and Academies Show retrospective
By Charlotte Pearce Cornish
It’s always a delight to spend time at the Schools and Academies Show (SAAS). That was even truer this year, when PAG was lucky enough to share an exhibition space with our partners AMR Consult. Speaking with educators from every phase and type of organisation gives us the opportunity to touch base with the sector in real time. Key issues this year were academy conversion, trust growth and, of course, the state of school buildings.
SAAS is a great opportunity to meet clients old and new, as well as see some familiar faces. Spotting the name of a school which my mum used to lead 10 years ago on a name badge, I dashed to introduce myself – only to realise that the person I’d collared had also taught with my mum at a previous school ten years before that. Proof, were any needed, of how small and wonderful the world of education can be…
Watch this space for news of SAAS in the autumn – we’ve got news to share and some wonderful partners to join us in exhibiting!
Profile: Vince Taylor
In this Profile, we are delighted to introduce our Marketing Executive, Vince Taylor. Since joining PAG a little over 18 months ago, Vince has taken the lead in running our marketing campaigns and is an integral member of our Growth team. He is based in Canterbury and enjoys playing football on the weekends.
Vince’s experience prior to joining PAG, is immensely varied having started out at 18 as a classroom assistant at a secondary school primarily with SEND children. Since then, he has gone on to work at and eventually manage an Apple Store, before moving into house removals and groundwork/construction for around 4 years, doing anything from building bridges to fitting insulation.
What kind of projects do you work on at PAG?
I’m effectively in charge of all of the outward communications of the business; this can range from website copy and press releases to image creation and email marketing. I ensure all of our campaigns are going to the right people, at the right time, and with the right wording, update both PAG and Create: Schools websites, manage social media channels, and a lot more!
Do you have a project that you are particularly proud of or enjoyed working on and why?
When I arrived at PAG, I set my mind to rebranding the company by updating not only the overall brand, but by improving and updating the website and visual content we produce. This was never briefed to me and was something I took on not only because I wanted to prove myself and my abilities, but because I thought it would genuinely help the company.
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What’s your favourite way to relax after a long day at work?
I have a few ways I like to wind down, but I’m not really someone that gets easily stressed. I would say playing video games is a big way I like to relax, as is walking my dog, I also regularly play football on the weekends and watch as much football and basketball as I can, although you can’t really call watching West Ham relaxing!
Do you have any other fun stories from your time at PAG?
It won’t be funny to read, but Gav M falling off his bike on Arran will always be a highlight for me. Sorry, Gav.
You can read the full profile on our website here.
Sector News: KCSIE 2023
By Tom Legge
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023 is due to come into force on 1st September 2023. For a number of years, Lorna Ponambalum has been first with a comparison between the two documents, highlighting the key changes from 2022. You can access this comparison here
While we urge all involved in governance to read the entire KCSIE document, a large proportion of the changes relate to online harm and requirements around filtering and monitoring.
Five Top Tips for Away Days!
By Alex Cornish
1. Structure is fine, forced fun is not.?
?A loose, low stakes objective for your day is great but don’t treat your team like children. Corporate activities or team building “fun” are painful way to waste time and money.?On our last trip we set out a basic goal of renting some bikes and cycling for a long lunch. No axes were thrown, no speeches were made.?
2. Input is great but don’t be afraid to make the call
There’s nothing worse than trying to find a restaurant/destination that meets everyone’s exact taste. You can be respectful of dietary or cultural needs, without catering to every single personal preference.?Give your team a few options, then stick with one. It’s fine to challenge people a bit and there’s nothing better than seeing a colleague enjoying something for the first time.
3. Plan everything then let it go on the day.?
?It’s important to plan and to be detail focused to ensure a trip starts off smoothly. Folks appreciate a good itinerary and a sense of what’s to come but don’t stress out if things change on the day. The point of the day isn’t to do X or Y, it’s to spend time together, besides improvisation will come a lot easier if everyone is relaxed. After all, your job isn’t to make the trains run on time. *
?*unless this is, in fact, your job.
?4.?It’s still work, and don’t forget it.
?One of the worst mistakes you can make, and this is easy to do, is forgetting people are still at work on an away day. Respect personal boundaries and their life outside of the office. You might be fine taking the last train home if it means another hour at the picnic, but other people will want to be in bed. Plan to travel during office hours and keep an eye on the mood during the day.?
5.?Variety is king
?A favourite pub or restaurant is a beautiful thing. Make no mistake, I love consistency, but you don’t want away days to get boring. Even the smallest of budgets can go a long way if you are mixing things up. Why not try a different cuisine each time you eat? Don’t fall into a complacency trap, don’t get stuck in a routine.
Live Bids
For more information on current opportunities, you can check out the live bids page on our website here.
Thank you for reading this edition of The PAG Newsletter! You can check out our previous issues here. Make sure to follow PAG on LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates on all of our exciting projects!