A former police hostage negotiator and an author will be among the speakers at a conference looking at how schools can balance the demands of exams with inspiring pupils.

Norwich Evening News: An education conference is going to be held in Norwich by Tim Taylor. Picture: Steve BeaumountAn education conference is going to be held in Norwich by Tim Taylor. Picture: Steve Beaumount (Image: Archant)

Tim Taylor, a freelance teacher trainer and visiting lecturer at Newcastle University, will organise the conference in Norwich to talk to teachers about how they can balance the pressure of league tables and inspections with making education fun.

School leaders, parents, teachers and governors in the area are invited to attend.

Mr Taylor published A Beginner's Guide to Mantle of the Expert last year, which focuses on an approach to teaching developed by professor Dorothy Heathcote in the 1980s.

It is imagination based, and encourages pupils to become the experts in whatever they are learning about.

Mr Taylor said: 'For the last 10 years or so, the school curriculum has slowly but surely narrowed more and more. First in year six, because of SATS tests and now across the whole of primary education.

'It's not enough just to complain about it. We have to be able to come up with alternatives and say why they're better. It's about regaining our confidence to speak up and say what's important, what needs to change and what we know helps children to learn better.'

He said small changes to the system - such as Ofsted announcing a focus on a broad and balanced curriculum - suggested the balance was beginning to shift.

'It's time to raise the issue of balance – a balance that creates learning environments that stimulate, excite and engage our students, while still ensuring that they develop the necessary knowledge and skills to excel when it comes to sitting the SATs,' he said.

Richard Mullender, a former police hostage negotiator, author Hywel Roberts, author, teacher and blogger Debra Kidd and speaker Mary Myatt will be talking on the day.

The conference will take place at St William's Primary School, at Williams Loke in Thorpe St Andrew, on Tuesday, September 5.

For more information, please contact timtaylor4@me.com

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