Conferences

Early Language - In Person 2025/26

08 Oct,2025 09:30:00 - 17 Jun,2026 11:30:00
Conferences

Early Language Programme

Supporting Early Language Developmentis a CPD programme developed by a group of English Hubs with support from Speech and Language UK.

The programme has been developed as part of a project to create a more consistent medium level support (MLS) offer across the English Hub network which will streamline workload for hubs and create more equal access to CPD on early language nationally for schools accessing support from hubs. The programme will be exclusively available via English Hubs.

Date

Time

Session

08/10/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Session 1: What is language and how it isdeveloped

Aims of the session:

  • Introducing a model to understand what we mean by language (form, content, use)
  • Discussing why it is so important for language to be a key focus in early years classrooms
  • Exploring the role of attachment in language development, what this is and what it looks like.
  • Discussing a "building blocks" model of language development, what this is and what it looks like
  • Learning about typical language development in 1-5 year olds
  • How we can use book sharing as a method to build attachment and early language skills

26/11/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Session 2: Supporting talk in schools

Aims of the session:

  • A simple model to guide general principles for supporting continued language development through interaction
  • The impact of people - Interactions and how to manage talk environment
  • What does good quality talk look like and when to step in - strategies
  • Creating opportunities for talk

21/01/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Session 3: Teaching words and making them stick

Aims of the session:

  • Explore the theory behind how children learn words and how they are stored
  • Understand the 'words gap'
  • Develop and understanding of strategies to develop vocabulary
  • Explore Tiered words and levels of language

18/03/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Session 4: Identifying and supporting SLCN

Aims of the session:

  • How many children may have difficulties with talking and understanding words
  • The impact of SLCN on learning, emotional and social development and behaviour
  • Why identification is important and tools to use
  • How to apply strategies into practice to support children with SLCN
  • The importance of working with parents
  • The relationship between SLCN and EAL and SLCN and SEMH

06/05/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Session 5: Making change: sustainingchange

Aims of the session:

  • Develop understanding of change theory and reflect on school context, considering implications for creating the school Action Plan
  • Link knowledge from prior sessions (including any information gathered from gap tasks to robust action planning)
  • Understand the ways in which change can besustainedthrough specific action planning
  • Create a targeted and sustainable Early Language Action Plan
17/06/2026 09:30 - 11:30

Session 6: Sharing the school improvement journey
Free Event |
Event details

Early Language - Virtual 2025/26

15 Oct,2025 15:45:00 - 01 Jul,2026 17:00:00
Conferences

Early Language Programme

Supporting Early Language Developmentis a CPD programme developed by a group of English Hubs with support from Speech and Language UK.

The programme has been developed as part of a project to create a more consistent medium level support (MLS) offer across the English Hub network which will streamline workload for hubs and create more equal access to CPD on early language nationally for schools accessing support from hubs. The programme will be exclusively available via English Hubs.

Date

Time

Session

15/10/2025

15:45 - 17:00

Session 1: What is language and how it isdeveloped

Aims of the session:

  • Introducing a model to understand what we mean by language (form, content, use)
  • Discussing why it is so important for language to be a key focus in early years classrooms
  • Exploring the role of attachment in language development, what this is and what it looks like.
  • Discussing a "building blocks" model of language development, what this is and what it looks like
  • Learning about typical language development in 1-5 year olds
  • How we can use book sharing as a method to build attachment and early language skills

03/12/2024

15:45 - 17:00

Session 2: Supporting talk in schools

Aims of the session:

  • A simple model to guide general principles for supporting continued language development through interaction
  • The impact of people - Interactions and how to manage talk environment
  • What does good quality talk look like and when to step in - strategies
  • Creating opportunities for talk

04/02/2026

15:45 - 17:00

Session 3: Teaching words and making them stick

Aims of the session:

  • Explore the theory behind how children learn words and how they are stored
  • Understand the 'words gap'
  • Develop and understanding of strategies to develop vocabulary
  • Explore Tiered words and levels of language

01/04/2026

15:45 - 17:00

Session 4: Identifying and supporting SLCN

Aims of the session:

  • How many children may have difficulties with talking and understanding words
  • The impact of SLCN on learning, emotional and social development and behaviour
  • Why identification is important and tools to use
  • How to apply strategies into practice to support children with SLCN
  • The importance of working with parents
  • The relationship between SLCN and EAL and SLCN and SEMH

20/05/2026

15:45 - 17:00

Session 5: Making change: sustainingchange

Aims of the session:

  • Develop understanding of change theory and reflect on school context, considering implications for creating the school Action Plan
  • Link knowledge from prior sessions (including any information gathered from gap tasks to robust action planning)
  • Understand the ways in which change can besustainedthrough specific action planning
  • Create a targeted and sustainable Early Language Action Plan
01/07/2026 15:45 - 17:00

Session 6: Sharing the school improvement journey
Free Event |
Event details

Transforming Your School’s Reading Culture - In Person 2025/26

14 Oct,2025 09:30:00 - 16 Jun,2026 11:30:00
Conferences

Transforming School Reading Cultures

The Transforming School Reading Cultures programme consists of 5 research-based professional development sessions aimed at primary English/Reading Leads. The sessions will take you through pedagogical theory and best practise surrounding reading for pleasure. They will provide opportunities to gain knowledge of the subject alongside the confidence to manage, drive and sustain meaningful change in your own school.

The five sessions are free of charge, but to be eligible, schools need to have robust phonics approach embedded (with strong screener outcomes) and must commit to attending all of the sessions.

Programme Aims:

  • Understand the research underpinningRfPpractice and pedagogy
  • Widen knowledge of children’s literature
  • Transform whole school reading culture in your school
  • Develop the leadership skills to initiate and sustain change
  • Become advocates forRfPand share experiences and best practice

Date

Time

Session

Location

14/10/2025

09:30 - 11:30

A Whole School Culture

Reading for Pleasure - Session 1

1. Explore the research around Reading for Pleasure: the benefits and what works

2. Analyse current RfP provision in own schools

3. Begin work on RfP Strategic Development plan

4. Develop knowledge of children’s literature

In Person

18/11/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Creating whole school change

Reading for Pleasure - Session 2

1. Review participant RfP Strategic Development plans

2. Explore research on change theory and reflect on individual school contexts and consider implementation of Strategic Development plan in light of this.

3. Explore the research on teacher knowledge of children’s reading practices and consider strategies to develop this.

4. Consider how to document the impact of RfP work.

In Person

03/02/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Creating a reading school: structural changes

Reading for Pleasure - Session 3

1. Consider the whole school changes required to create an RfP culture

2. Explore the research on the impact of ‘texts that tempt’

3. Consider the place of decodable readers and ‘book bands’ in wider book stock

4. RfP pedagogy in focus:

a. Reading aloud

b. Reading time

In Person

10/03/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Creating a reading school: behavioural changes

Reading for Pleasure - Session 4

1. Review the Strategic Development plans - reflect on successes and identify next steps

2. Further exploration of change theory

3. RfP pedagogy in focus:

a. Social reading environments

b. Informal book talk

In Person

16/06/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Celebrating impact and sustaining change

Reading for Pleasure - Session 5

1. Celebration - an opportunity to celebrate the impact of participants’ work and share success

2. Reading communities - explore research on reading communities and consider ways to support reading at home

3. Evaluate Strategic Development plans and consider next steps

4. Engage with research on sustaining change

In Person

Please contactMichael Kimber (michael.kimber@tcat.education)for more information.

Free Event |
Event details

Transforming Your School’s Reading Culture - Virtual

23 Oct,2025 09:30:00 - 18 Jun,2026 11:30:00
Conferences

Transforming School Reading Cultures

The Transforming School Reading Cultures programme consists of 5 research-based professional development sessions aimed at primary English/Reading Leads. The sessions will take you through pedagogical theory and best practise surrounding reading for pleasure. They will provide opportunities to gain knowledge of the subject alongside the confidence to manage, drive and sustain meaningful change in your own school.

The five sessions are free of charge, but to be eligible, schools need to have robust phonics approach embedded (with strong screener outcomes) and must commit to attending all of the sessions.

Programme Aims:

  • Understand the research underpinningRfPpractice and pedagogy
  • Widen knowledge of children’s literature
  • Transform whole school reading culture in your school
  • Develop the leadership skills to initiate and sustain change
  • Become advocates forRfPand share experiences and best practice

Date

Time

Session

Location

23/10/2025

09:30 - 11:30

A Whole School Culture

Reading for Pleasure - Session 1

1. Explore the research around Reading for Pleasure: the benefits and what works

2. Analyse current RfP provision in own schools

3. Begin work on RfP Strategic Development plan

4. Develop knowledge of children’s literature

Online

27/11/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Creating whole school change

Reading for Pleasure - Session 2

1. Review participant RfP Strategic Development plans

2. Explore research on change theory and reflect on individual school contexts and consider implementation of Strategic Development plan in light of this.

3. Explore the research on teacher knowledge of children’s reading practices and consider strategies to develop this.

4. Consider how to document the impact of RfP work.

Online

12/02/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Creating a reading school: structural changes

Reading for Pleasure - Session 3

1. Consider the whole school changes required to create an RfP culture

2. Explore the research on the impact of ‘texts that tempt’

3. Consider the place of decodable readers and ‘book bands’ in wider book stock

4. RfP pedagogy in focus:

a. Reading aloud

b. Reading time

Online

19/03/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Creating a reading school: behavioural changes

Reading for Pleasure - Session 4

1. Review the Strategic Development plans - reflect on successes and identify next steps

2. Further exploration of change theory

3. RfP pedagogy in focus:

a. Social reading environments

b. Informal book talk

Online

18/06/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Celebrating impact and sustaining change

Reading for Pleasure - Session 5

1. Celebration - an opportunity to celebrate the impact of participants’ work and share success

2. Reading communities - explore research on reading communities and consider ways to support reading at home

3. Evaluate Strategic Development plans and consider next steps

4. Engage with research on sustaining change

Online

Please contactMichael Kimber (michael.kimber@tcat.education)for more information.

Free Event |
Event details

Reading Ambition for All - In Person 2025/26

23 Sep,2025 09:30:00 - 19 May,2026 11:30:00
Conferences

Reading Ambition for All Programme

The Reading Ambition for All programme consists of 5 research-based professional development modules aimed at improving reading outcomes for children, including those with SEND.

Programme Aims:

  • Improve outcomes for children needing additional reading support.
  • Ensure quality-first teaching based on the latest research.
  • Utilize evidence-based strategies to enhance reading skills.
  • Promote adaptive teaching for children with SEND in mainstream settings.

Module Content:

  1. Guiding Principles: Teaching SEND in mainstream schools, including EEF guidance and understanding common SEND misconceptions.
  2. Understanding Needs: Ensuring access to learning, addressing barriers, and using assessments to support pupils.
  3. Adaptive Teaching: Implementing adaptive teaching and appropriate classroom adaptations.
  4. Leading Reading: High expectations for every child, using assessments to create effective support.
  5. Supporting Complex SEND: Adapting teaching for children with complex SEND, including multi-sensory approaches and expert support.

Date

Time

Session

Location

23/09/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Module 1: The guiding principles of teaching SEND in mainstream schools

  • Guidance:
    • EEF guidance: SEND in mainstream schools
    • The SEND code of practice
  • Common SEND misconceptions
  • How to address misconceptions in your setting
  • Ofsted blog:Pupils with SEND who have fallen behind

In Person

25/11/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Module 2: Understanding children’s needs; ensuring access to learning for all

  • Early literacy experiences(EEF guidance: Preparing for literacy)
  • Factors impacting literacy access(EEF guidance: Literacy at the transition)

In Person

20/01/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 3: Adaptive teaching and appropriate adaptations to use in class

  • Using adaptive teachingwhile retaining fidelity to your SSP programme
  • Assessment for Learning (AfL)strategies in classroom practice
  • Breaking teaching into smaller stepsto support pupils
  • Using SSP programmeto help pupils with:
    • Mapping phonemes to graphemes
    • Blending
    • Segmenting
  • Working with teaching assistantseffectively

In Person

24/03/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 4: Leading Reading: High expectations for every child; using assessment to create specific and effective support using your SSP programme

Aims:

  • Understand why reading is a priority for all pupils
  • Audit for the reader throughout this module
  • Understand the role of leaders in ensuring success for all pupils, including those with SEND
  • Identify and implement support for all pupils

Content:

  • Knowing your SSP programme
  • Understanding assessment: Know what each pupil needs
  • Ensuring consistency: Everyone knows how we teach reading
  • Staff deployment and tracking

In Person

19/05/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 5: Supporting children with SEND complex needs

  • Teach Us Too video
    • The SEND curriculum pathways for a more complex pupil profile
  • A pupil’s profile needs:
    • Ensuring the pupil’s engagement in learning
    • Expert support addressing:
      • Complex hearing problems
      • Complex vision impairments
      • Multi-sensory impairment
      • Communication difficulties
      • ADHD and ASC
  • Support for complex needs:
    • Letter formation, writing and recording adaptations
  • Giving voice to non-verbal pupils:
    • Speech output/articulation
    • Making appropriate adaptations using your SSP programme

In Person

Please contactMichael Kimber (michael.kimber@tcat.education)for more information.

Free Event |
Event details

Reading Ambition for All - Virtual 2025/26

30 Sep,2025 09:30:00 - 02 Jun,2026 11:30:00
Conferences

Reading Ambition for All Programme

The Reading Ambition for All programme consists of 5 research-based professional development modules aimed at improving reading outcomes for children, including those with SEND.

Programme Aims:

  • Improve outcomes for children needing additional reading support.
  • Ensure quality-first teaching based on the latest research.
  • Utilize evidence-based strategies to enhance reading skills.
  • Promote adaptive teaching for children with SEND in mainstream settings.

Module Content:

  1. Guiding Principles: Teaching SEND in mainstream schools, including EEF guidance and understanding common SEND misconceptions.
  2. Understanding Needs: Ensuring access to learning, addressing barriers, and using assessments to support pupils.
  3. Adaptive Teaching: Implementing adaptive teaching and appropriate classroom adaptations.
  4. Leading Reading: High expectations for every child, using assessments to create effective support.
  5. Supporting Complex SEND: Adapting teaching for children with complex SEND, including multi-sensory approaches and expert support.

Date

Time

Session

Location

30/09/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Module 1: The guiding principles of teaching SEND in mainstream schools

  • Guidance:
    • EEF guidance: SEND in mainstream schools
    • The SEND code of practice
  • Common SEND misconceptions
  • How to address misconceptions in your setting
  • Ofsted blog:Pupils with SEND who have fallen behind

Online

02/12/2025

09:30 - 11:30

Module 2: Understanding children’s needs; ensuring access to learning for all

  • Early literacy experiences(EEF guidance: Preparing for literacy)
  • Factors impacting literacy access(EEF guidance: Literacy at the transition)

Online

27/01/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 3: Adaptive teaching and appropriate adaptations to use in class

  • Using adaptive teachingwhile retaining fidelity to your SSP programme
  • Assessment for Learning (AfL)strategies in classroom practice
  • Breaking teaching into smaller stepsto support pupils
  • Using SSP programmeto help pupils with:
    • Mapping phonemes to graphemes
    • Blending
    • Segmenting
  • Working with teaching assistantseffectively

Online

31/03/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 4: Leading Reading: High expectations for every child; using assessment to create specific and effective support using your SSP programme

Aims:

  • Understand why reading is a priority for all pupils
  • Audit for the reader throughout this module
  • Understand the role of leaders in ensuring success for all pupils, including those with SEND
  • Identify and implement support for all pupils

Content:

  • Knowing your SSP programme
  • Understanding assessment: Know what each pupil needs
  • Ensuring consistency: Everyone knows how we teach reading
  • Staff deployment and tracking

Online

02/06/2026

09:30 - 11:30

Module 5: Supporting children with SEND complex needs

  • Teach Us Too video
    • The SEND curriculum pathways for a more complex pupil profile
  • A pupil’s profile needs:
    • Ensuring the pupil’s engagement in learning
    • Expert support addressing:
      • Complex hearing problems
      • Complex vision impairments
      • Multi-sensory impairment
      • Communication difficulties
      • ADHD and ASC
  • Support for complex needs:
    • Letter formation, writing and recording adaptations
  • Giving voice to non-verbal pupils:
    • Speech output/articulation
    • Making appropriate adaptations using your SSP programme

Online

Please contactMichael Kimber (michael.kimber@tcat.education)for more information.

Free Event |
Event details