The Secret of the Crystal Chandelier  

Singing, screen and stage star Toyah Willcox was the special guest speaker at the Crystal Chandelier’s Summer Conference held at the Riviera Centre in Torquay on Wednesday, June 18.

The conference, titled ‘The Secret of the Crystal Chandelier’, was a celebration of the project’s success. Since its launch in 2005 the project has supported more than 1,500 teachers in the region to undertake professional qualifications.

Project manager and Learning South West's Deputy Chief Executive Paula Jones welcomed delegates and set the scene for the day.



Crystal Chandelier project manager Paula Jones welcomes delegates.

Later in the morning conference delegates heard from Pauline Moylan, regional manager for LLUK, about workforce development and Joan O'Hagan, from NCETM and Sandi Wales, SfL advisor for the LSC SfL Unit, updated delegates on the emerging numeracy strategy.



Sandi Wales from the LSC SfL Unit updated delegates about the numeracy strategy.

Delegates also enjoyed a new financial literacy play, 'No Worries', from Licence 2 Skill. 'No Worries' used drama to highlight debt problems, both in and out of the workplace. It focused on two characters that get into financial difficulties for different reasons and includes the effects this has on their health and relationships.



Jacky Bonney and Lucy Walker from Licence 2 Skill perform 'No Worries.'  



Delegates share information about themeselves and their contribution to the Crystal Chandelier project.

Delegates discuss the main successes of the project.

After lunch delegates heard from keynote speaker Toyah Willcox. Throughout Toyah’s highly successful and diverse career she has maintained a deep interest in social issues and is particularly passionate about education.

Conference delegates heard from Toyah about her school years and how her dyslexia affected her educational experience and career. You can read Toyah's speech by clicking here.

Toyah Willcox was the keynote speaker at the 2008 Summer Conference.



The Crystal Chandelier project team join Toyah on stage. 

Later in the afternoon delegates spent time thinking about how to give numeracy a higer profile in the region and explored ideas for innovative ways to get more adults involved in developing their skills.  

 

Skills for Life practitioners and other stakeholders discuss ideas about how to engage more adults in developing their numeracy skills.



Some willing volunteers took part in a numeracy activity involving multiplication tables and a ball of string!



Tish Cooney, CTL teacher Ed. Wiltshire College, takes part in afternoon discussions.