Learning in the Great Outdoors (KS1)

Aims

To promote high quality teaching and learning in the Great Outdoors. To provide opportunities for self-reflection through the sharing of good practice from a range of case studies.

Programme Content

Explore how to create engaging and enabling outdoor learning environments and experiences for Key Stage 1 pupils. Share a number of case studies demonstrating good practice to promote self-reflection and school improvement.

Physical Development and Movement in the Nursery Setting

Aims

To increase knowledge and understanding of the curriculum requirements of Physical Development and Movement. To support the development of children's physical skills through indoor and outdoor play. To provide opportunities for self-reflection through the sharing of good practice from case studies.

Programme Content

This professional learning will lead to increased understanding of the curriculum requirements surrounding Physical Development and Movement in the Nursery Setting. Practitioners will gain an increased awareness of supporting pupils' physical skills development, leading to improved health and well-being and readiness for learning. Practitioners will be signposted to relevant research and resources to enable them to enhance provision. A number of case studies demonstrating good practice within the area of Physical Development and Movement will be shared to promote self-reflection and school improvement.

Using Manipulatives to develop Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics

Aims

To explore a range of physical and virtual manipulatives which support children in developing conceptual understanding in Mathematics. To consider a range of ideas for using manipulatives effectively to enhance children’s understanding and learning experiences.

Programme Content

This PL opportunity will be a full day ‘in person’ event offered on two days in each locality in different venues. Participants will engage in a wide variety of practical activities in using a range of manipulatives such as cuisenaire rods, pattern blocks, digit cards, counters, Numicon, dominoes, etc. to develop conceptual understanding based on current research. Opportunities to explore virtual manipulatives will also be provided.

Building Synergy - Session 2: How to Baseline, track and measure Impact for Community Use of Schools (CUOS)

These sessions are suitable for Principals and staff with remit for community links.

AIMS:

This two-session series offers schools an opportunity to explore how CUOS can impact children’s learning and school improvement.

After completion of the two sessions schools will be given access to an online portal of information, resources, case studies and a network of contacts to enable them to apply the learning from the sessions.

STRUCTURE/CONTENT:

This session will enable schools to baseline their level of CUOS and chart a pathway ahead to develop their progress.

Focus on how schools measure the impact of CUOS on their children, staff, parents/carers and the wider community.

Guidance provided on how to embed CUOS into a school development plan as a driver for school improvement. This will reference how CUOS relates to ETI’s proposed new inspection process.

Planning for Improvement - Session 1 (Nursery)

Session 1- Engagement

Aims

To deepen the understanding of the benefits of wide stakeholder engagement. Explore a menu of potential auditing tools. Examine a range of resources for schools to use as part of their SDP engagement process.

Structure / Content

This workshop will highlight the need and benefits of engaging all stakeholder in the school development process. Principals will be provided with a range of auditing tools, advice on their use and a possible timetable for implementation.

Planning for Improvement - Session 2

Session 2- Prioritisation

Aims

To examine the challenges in selecting key priorities for the SDP. Explore the benefits of SMART targets and collaborative annual action plans. Sharing approaches to developing realistic and joined-up 3-year plans.

Structure / Content

During this workshop principals will be guided on how to make the most effective use stakeholders feedback gathered during the Engagement Stage. The focus of this workshop will be to provide advice and resources for principals to bring back to their schools to support selection of the main priorities for the SDP.   This will include developing 3-year strategic plans and costed action plans.

Planning for Improvement - Session 3

Session 3- Drafting and Sharing

Aims

To understand the regulations for drafting a School Development Plan (based on updated guidance from DE).  Understand that a concise and easy to read plan is best. Understand how drafting can be shared across the school. Understand the power of sharing and celebrating success.

Structure / Content

School principals will explore the SDP schedule (based on updated guidance from DE) and be given guidance on how to draft a concise, but meaningful document. The importance of sharing the SDP will also be stressed. The benefits of ongoing review and celebration of the SDP will be highlighted.

Planning for Improvement - Session 2 (Nursery)

Session 2- Prioritisation

Aims

To examine the challenges in selecting key priorities for the SDP. Explore the benefits of SMART targets and collaborative annual action plans. Sharing approaches to developing realistic and joined-up 3-year plans.

Structure / Content

During this workshop principals will be guided on how to make the most effective use stakeholders feedback gathered during the Engagement Stage. The focus of this workshop will be to provide advice and resources for principals to bring back to their schools to support selection of the main priorities for the SDP.   This will include developing 3-year strategic plans and costed action plans.

Planning for Improvement - Session 1

Session 1- Engagement

Aims

To deepen the understanding of the benefits of wide stakeholder engagement. Explore a menu of potential auditing tools. Examine a range of resources for schools to use as part of their SDP engagement process.

Structure / Content

This workshop will highlight the need and benefits of engaging all stakeholder in the school development process. Principals will be provided with a range of auditing tools, advice on their use and a possible timetable for implementation.

Planning for Improvement - Session 3 (Nursery)

Session 3- Drafting and Sharing

Aims

To understand the regulations for drafting a School Development Plan (based on updated guidance from DE).  Understand that a concise and easy to read plan is best. Understand how drafting can be shared across the school. Understand the power of sharing and celebrating success.

Structure / Content

School principals will explore the SDP schedule (based on updated guidance from DE) and be given guidance on how to draft a concise, but meaningful document. The importance of sharing the SDP will also be stressed. The benefits of ongoing review and celebration of the SDP will be highlighted.

Developing Middle Leaders

Aims To strengthen the leadership capacity of middle leaders. To explore the core roles and responsibilities of middle leadership. To highlight the benefits of effective middle leadership collaboration.

Module 1: Values & Vision

Resource Content

Guidance on the key role values play in leadership. Advice on managing your strategic and operational vision- balancing long-term goals with day-to-day responsibilities. Practical ways to collaborate to support a shared vision, delegated leadership, encourage innovation, and strengthen team dynamics. Self-Evaluation Leadership Audits

Model 2: Effective & Collaborative Action Planning

Resource Content

Self-evaluation checklists, baselining, target setting and leadership audits, Guidance on supporting the School Development Plan’s priorities. Effective action planning guidance. Connected and collaborative action plans resources.

Module 3: What effective middle leader looks like in action

Resource Content

Planning guides, and frameworks to support strategic thinking and daily operations to manage your roles and responsibilities. Advice on collaboration strategies, building strong teams, facilitating dialogue, being a good role model and leading through influence. Ways to recognise and celebrate success. Leadership reading list, using evidenced informed practice. Introductions to digital tools & AI technologies. Please note: The programme will be facilitated via a dedicated Microsoft Teams site. This site will hold resources to support middle leaders in 3 modules, enabling flexible engagement through a collective or individual approach. The MS Teams site will be available in August 2025 and schools will be notified of how to access the site when it is available.