Siobhain Canney, Assistant Headteacher at Ickburgh School

"I have previously undergone training on behavioural patterns and the behavioural change wheel; however, today’s training was very much dissected and easy to understand.

The work that Marie is doing is paramount to a better understanding of both children and adult behaviours."

A staff member at Our Lady's and St Joseph Primary School

Join Marie Gentles OBE, one of the UK’s most influential voices in behaviour and wellbeing, for a dynamic two-part training experience that will shift how your school understands, interprets, and responds to behaviour.

🔍 What’s It About?

Marie’s Gentles Guidance model reframes behaviour not as a problem, but as communication - grounded in emotional safety, trauma-informed care, and inclusive, relational practice.

You’ll explore:

• 💬 Perceptions of behaviour & communication

• 🧠 Trauma, SEND, and professional attachments

• 🛠️ Containment strategies for both adults & children

• 🤝 Multi-agency collaboration & compassionate leadership

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Primary teachers & teaching assistants

• SEND or inclusion leads

• Pastoral & SLT members

• Anyone supporting pupils with SEMH or behavioural needs

👣 No experience needed—ideal for individuals or full staff teams.

🎯 What You’ll Gain

• A clear, compassionate model of behaviour support

• Tools for self-reflection and staff mindset shifts

• A no-blame, no-shame approach to emotional safety

• Strategies that empower children and the adults who support them

📦 What’s Included:

✅ Full-day Training Session with Marie Gentles
✅ 2x Online Q&A Clinics (registration included)
✅ Part of your Collaborative or Access Training Package – no additional cost

🧑‍🏫 About Marie Gentles OBE
Former headteacher of an outstanding PRU/SEMH school, advisor to the DfE, and subject of the BBC’s Don’t Exclude Me. Marie brings 20+ years of hands-on expertise in transforming the behaviour conversation in schools.

⚠️ Spaces are limited and first come, first served.

🎟️ Click here to show interest and secure your team’s place.

Strengthen your school’s safeguarding culture with this vital full-day training for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputy DSLs. Gain the knowledge, confidence, and legal grounding needed to lead safeguarding with clarity, care, and compliance.

📅 Available Dates (All in-person at the Tomlinson Centre)

• Thursday 11 September 2025

• Thursday 8 January 2026

• Thursday 16 April 2026

• Tuesday 9 June 2026

🎯 Book early - sessions fill fast!
📍 All sessions run 9:30–16:30 and are delivered in person.

🔐 What You’ll Learn

• Legal responsibilities of DSLs

• Handling disclosures and making referrals

• Preparing for Ofsted on safeguarding

• Responding to allegations against staff

• Working with Hackney Children's Social Care

• Developing a safeguarding-first school culture

🎯 Course Objectives

• Understand and act on current safeguarding legislation

• Share, record, and escalate concerns appropriately

• Lead on school-wide safeguarding policy and culture

• Promote safe, reflective practice across staff teams

• Apply whistleblowing and safe working procedures

✅ Who Should Attend?

• New or recently appointed DSLs or Deputy DSLs

• Staff about to undertake the DSL role

📌 Pre-requisite: Completion of Introduction to Safeguarding (or equivalent)

This half-day refresher session supports Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputies to stay current with safeguarding legislation, local procedures, and Ofsted expectations. It’s an essential update for DSLs who completed their full training two or more years ago.

You’ll revisit key safeguarding principles, reinforce safe working practices, and refresh your understanding of referral processes, record keeping, and managing allegations.

📅 Upcoming Dates (All at the Tomlinson Centre)

• Wednesday 18 September 2025 – 1:30pm to 4:30pm

• Monday 20 January 2026 – 9:30am to 12:30pm

• Tuesday 21 April 2026 – 1:30pm to 4:30pm

• Thursday 18 June 2026 – 9:30am to 12:30pm

Spaces are limited – book early to secure your preferred date.

🎯 What You’ll Refresh

• DSL roles and responsibilities

• Early identification and support for pupils at risk

• Procedures for record keeping and referrals

• Safe professional boundaries and whistleblowing

• Preparing for Ofsted

• Handling allegations against staff

✅ Who Should Attend?

• DSLs or Deputy DSLs in primary or secondary schools

• Must have previously completed full DSL training

This refresher should be completed every two years.

This practical training session is designed to support Year 6 teachers in understanding the Teacher Assessment Framework (TAF) for writing and to build confidence in moderating pupil work against national standards. The session provides guided opportunities for discussion, reflection, and calibration with peers.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Deepen your understanding of Year 6 writing standards

• Unpack and apply TAF statements confidently

• Collaborate with colleagues to moderate writing using real pupil work

• Reference national exemplification and moderation guidance

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New Year 6 teachers looking to build secure judgement

• Experienced Year 6 teachers wanting up-to-date moderation practice

• Ideal for schools preparing for moderation or internal reviews

👩‍🏫 Facilitator: Claire Tregear, Primary Assessment Lead & Moderation Manager

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Packages

This leadership-focused training uses official Standards and Testing Agency (STA) KS2 Moderators Training materials to support schools in moderating Year 6 writing. The session aims to enhance leadership understanding of the Teacher Assessment Frameworks (TAFs) and sharpen moderation practices in line with national guidance for 2024–25.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Deepen understanding of the three national standards for KS2 writing

• Improve accuracy in assessing and moderating Year 6 writing

• Strengthen strategic oversight of moderation across your school

• Engage with the same training content used nationally with STA moderators

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Year 6 teachers

• Assessment leads

• Middle leaders, deputy heads, and headteachers

📌 Note: This session is not required for trained KS2 moderators.

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Packages

This hands-on twilight session is designed to help Year 6 teachers confidently identify whether their pupils' writing securely meets the expected national standards. It's ideal for anyone who finds it difficult to interpret when writing meets a standard “securely enough.”

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to make accurate, secure judgements using real pupil writing

• How to identify and address gaps in writing evidence

• Practical strategies to support next steps in teaching writing

🧾 What to Bring

Teachers are required to bring pupil writing books showing one example each of:

• Working Towards (WTS)

• Expected Standard (EXS)

• Greater Depth (GDS)

These will be used during the session for live moderation and discussion.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Year 6 teachers

• Suitable for both new and experienced practitioners

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Packages

📌 Limited to 20 participants – early booking recommended!

This essential session supports teachers and school leaders in the planning, organisation, and administration of the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check. Whether you’re new to the process or looking for the latest updates, this training ensures you’re fully prepared to deliver the check smoothly and confidently.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to organise and administer the Year 1 Phonics Check

• Access key documentation, guidance, and DfE updates

• Ensure your team meets all implementation requirements

• Understand timelines, roles, and responsibilities involved

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Year 1 teachers

• Teaching assistants supporting phonics

• Leaders and staff responsible for planning or overseeing the check

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Packages
📌 Free for Hackney schools
📌 £90 + VAT per participant for non-Hackney schools

Limited places available – book early to secure your slot!

Hackney’s Sustainable Schools’ Community (HSSC) supports schools at every stage of their sustainability journey - from those just getting started to those refining and delivering ambitious climate action plans.

Now in its second year, this collaborative network helps schools:

• Appoint and empower a sustainability lead

• Develop and implement a whole-school action plan

• Access local and national resources

• Embed sustainability into school culture and curriculum

🌱 What’s Included?

• Peer-led sessions to share ideas, successes, and challenges

• Updates on DfE policy and the new Hackney Sustainability Curriculum

• Access to practical tools including:

  • National Education Nature Park

  • The Harmony Project

  • Count Your Carbon (free tool)

• Case studies from Hackney and national trailblazer schools

Whether you’ve already written a Climate Action Plan or are just starting out, this network is designed to meet you where you are - and move your school forward.

🗓️ 2025–26 Meeting Dates

• Tuesday 21st October 2025,  2 - 3 pm - ONLINE.  

• Tuesday 18th November 2025, 1 - 3 pm - IN PERSON.

1) Learn how to be a healthier, happier school - cut your carbon with Let’s Go Zero
Join us for an online session with Let's Go Zero to help schools, colleges, and nurseries reduce their carbon emissions. The session will be led by Holly, a climate advisor for Let's Go Zero. Holly will teach us how to use the 'Keep Britain Tidy "Count Your Carbon Tool' - which is a free, full-scope carbon footprint calculator. It supports all educational settings to calculate, understand, reduce and track carbon emissions. We will also discuss how this information can be used to help develop a DFE-compliant climate action plan

• Tuesday 21st October 2025,  2 - 3 pm - ONLINE.  

• Join using the meeting link HERE or email kelly.sullivan@hackney.gov.uk to send you an invite to the online workshop.

2) Have you developed a DfE-compliant Climate Action Plan and now require assistance in implementing those actions within your school? Join Hackney Council and members of the UCL Climate Action Unit for an in-person meeting. We will explore strategies for fostering community-wide engagement, involving students, staff, and governors in planning and action, and implementing initiatives across key areas: decarbonisation, adaptation, biodiversity, consumption  and climate education/green careers.

• Tuesday 18th November 2025, 1 - 3 pm

• Abney Park Cafe, Stoke Newington High St, London N16 0LH

• Spaces are limited. Please RSVP to kelly.sullivan@hackney.gov.uk

Attend one or attend all - every session is a step toward making your school more sustainable and climate-resilient.

📅 Session Details

• Tuesday 21 October 2025, 9:30–10:30am
  For Primary School Leaders
  🔗 Join via Google Meet

• Wednesday 22 October 2025, 9:30–10:30am
  For Secondary & Special School Leaders
  🔗 Join via Google Meet

🔍 What You’ll Learn

John Kennedy will share and explain key updates including:

• Proposals to replace ungraded inspections with full inspections every 5 years

• Changes to how monitoring inspections are carried out

• What this means for state-funded schools in terms of readiness, data, and curriculum

• Insight on Ofsted priorities and areas of focus for 2025–26

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Headteachers and senior leaders in primary, secondary, and special schools

• Anyone preparing for inspection or involved in school improvement planning

No registration required. Just save the date and click the meeting link to join.

📩 For any follow-up queries, contact cpdadmin@hackney.gov.uk.

This 5-part online series offers school leaders and governors up-to-date insights into the latest expectations under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) - with a particular focus on Ofsted’s new report cards, evolving evaluation areas, and inspection readiness.

Each session explores a different theme, providing clear and concise updates, leadership takeaways, and opportunities for reflection.

🗓️ Session Schedule & Links

1. Thursday 13 November 2025, 4:00–5:30pm
   Leadership and Governance
   🔗 Recording | Slides

2. Thursday 20 November 2025, 4:00–5:30pm
   Curriculum, Developing Teaching, Achievement
   🔗 Recording | Slides

3. Thursday 27 November 2025, 4:00–5:30pm
   Behaviour and Attitudes, Attendance
   🔗 Join via Google Meet

4. Thursday 4 December 2025, 4:00–5:30pm
   Personal Development, Wellbeing & Inclusion
   🔗 Join via Google Meet

5. Governor Overview Sessions

   • Thursday 11 December 2025, 5:00–6:30pm
     🔗 Join via Google Meet

   • Tuesday 3 March 2026, 9:00–10:30am
     🔗 Join via Google Meet

🎯 Why Attend?

• Gain clarity on Ofsted’s new “report card” structure

• Understand how inspection judgements are evolving

• Align leadership practice with current expectations

• Hear what matters most under each EIF judgement area

• Prepare senior teams and governors with confidence

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Senior Leaders

• Governors

• School Improvement Leads

• Middle Leaders involved in curriculum or wellbeing

📩 No registration needed. Just use the links above to join.

For questions or support, contact cpdadmin@hackney.gov.uk.

💷 £62.50 + VAT per person

This Level 1 Makaton training introduces participants to the core principles of Makaton signs and symbols, helping educators and support staff improve how they communicate with pupils who have speech, language, or communication needs.

Makaton is widely used across mainstream and special schools to enhance understanding, interaction, and independence for learners at all levels. This training replaces the first part of the former Makaton Foundation Workshop and is nationally recognised.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Signs and symbols from Stages 1–2 of the Makaton Language Programme

• How to support pupils with communication needs across settings

• How Makaton can be introduced and used in the classroom or at home

• Practical tips for using Makaton to enhance learning and inclusion

👥 Who Should Attend?

• SENCOs

• Teachers, TAs, and LSAs in primary, secondary, and special schools

• Staff involved in communication and learning support

No previous Makaton experience is required.

📅 Upcoming Dates (All in-person at the Tomlinson Centre)

• Thursday 20 November 2025

• Wednesday 5 February 2026

• Thursday 11 June 2026

Limited places available on each date - early booking strongly advised.

This nationally accredited Level 2 Makaton course builds on Level 1 to deepen your knowledge of both signs and symbols up to Core Vocabulary Stage 4. Participants will explore how to apply Makaton meaningfully throughout the school day to support children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.

Level 2 also introduces concepts from AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and multi-modal communication, and includes time to practise and revise signs in a fun, interactive environment.

Together, Levels 1 and 2 are equivalent to the previous two-day Makaton Foundation Workshop.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Signs and symbols from Stages 3–4 of the Makaton Language Programme

• How to embed Makaton into daily classroom routines and interactions

• How to support communication through AAC and multi-modal strategies

• Confidence in applying Makaton with learners across different settings

👥 Who Should Attend?

• SENCOs, teachers, TAs, LSAs in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16

• Staff working in mainstream or special education

• Participants must have completed Makaton Level 1 prior to attending

📌 Not included in the Hackney Training Package

Designed specifically for primary teachers, these twilight online sessions will support staff in delivering the KS2 Spanish curriculum with greater confidence and skill. Facilitated by Raquel Tola Rego, each session blends language development with teaching strategies, helping teachers strengthen both their own Spanish and their ability to engage pupils in meaningful language learning.

Whether you're new to teaching Spanish or seeking fresh ideas and resources, this series will help you align your planning to curriculum objectives and improve classroom delivery.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Practical Spanish language skills for everyday classroom use

• Techniques to engage KS2 learners in language learning

• How to link planning to curriculum objectives

• Access to teaching resources and pronunciation support

🗓️ Session Dates

• Thursday 18 September 2025

• Thursday 25 September 2025

• Thursday 9 October 2025

Thursday 16 October 2025

🕓 All sessions run from 4:00–5:00pm online

👥 Who Should Attend?

• KS2 teachers delivering or supporting Spanish in primary schools

• MFL leads and language coordinators

• Teaching assistants supporting language instruction

🧾 Included in the Hackney Primary Collaborative Training Package
💷 Free to attend for Hackney primary schools

Observe expert Spanish teaching in action and gain practical strategies to try in your own classroom.

Led by Raquel Tola Rego, Lead Primary Spanish Practitioner for Hackney, these half-termly sessions are designed for primary language teachers and MFL leads to watch live modelled lessons and engage in professional reflection and planning.

🧠 What to Expect

• Observe a live KS2 Spanish lesson taught by a specialist

• Explore effective language teaching strategies in context

• Join a reflective discussion and coaching session

• Take away ideas to adapt and apply in your own setting

🗓️ Session Dates

• Thursday 2 October 2025

• Thursday 6 November 2025

• Thursday 22 January 2026

• Thursday 26 February 2026

📍 All sessions run from 1:15–3:15pm at Parkwood Primary School

👥 Who Should Attend?

• KS2 class teachers delivering Spanish

• MFL subject leaders

• TAs or support staff involved in language instruction

Curious about how to combine Spanish and Humanities meaningfully in your curriculum? This training introduces CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) — a powerful approach where language learning and subject content are taught together.

You’ll explore how trial lessons in Hackney schools have successfully integrated the two subjects while still meeting National Curriculum expectations for both.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• What CLIL is and how it works in primary and secondary classrooms

• How to design lessons that teach Spanish through Humanities topics

• Insights and findings from local trial lessons and reports

• Practical strategies to bring dual-focused instruction into your own setting

“CLIL is an approach which leads to a dual-focused form of instruction where attention is given to both the language and the content.”

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Spanish subject leads (Primary and Secondary)

• Humanities leads looking to innovate their curriculum

• Teachers with an interest in integrated or bilingual learning approaches

This annual session brings together primary and secondary colleagues to strengthen transition in Spanish between Year 6 and Year 7. Through shared moderation of pupil work, joint planning, and alignment with the National Curriculum Programme of Study, this session aims to build continuity and raise standards in language learning at the point of transfer.

🎯 What You’ll Do

• Moderate and review Year 6 and Year 7 Spanish work

• Plan and evaluate learning against NC Programme of Study objectives

• Discuss common expectations, gaps, and progression routes

• Strengthen collaboration between primary and secondary MFL teams

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Middle Leaders in MFL

• Spanish Teachers in Years 6 and 7

• Support Assistants working in language or transition support

• Suitable for both primary and secondary schools

This two-day accredited course delivers the full paediatric first aid syllabus, tailored to the needs of early years and childcare settings. Through a combination of theory and practical training, staff gain the skills and confidence to respond to real-life emergencies involving babies and young children.

Meets all EYFS statutory requirements and is ideal for settings preparing for Ofsted.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• CPR and recovery positions for infants and young children

• How to manage choking, wounds, bleeding, burns, shock, seizures, and allergic reactions

• Emergency response planning and incident reporting

• The legal responsibilities of paediatric first aiders in early years settings

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Staff in maintained settings and PVIs

• Early years staff responsible for children’s safety and emergency care

• EYFS team members preparing for or maintaining compliance with first aid regulations

📅 Upcoming Course Dates (2-Day Training)

Each course includes two full days (attendance on both is required):

• Wed 18 & Wed 24 September 2025

• Thu 9 & Thu 16 October 2025

• Thu 4 & Thu 11 December 2025

• Thu 15 & Thu 22 January 2026

• Sat 7 & Sat 14 February 2026

• Tue 3 & Tue 10 March 2026

• Tue 21 & Tue 28 April 2026

• Tue 5 & Tue 12 May 2026

• Thu 18 & Thu 25 June 2026

• Tue 7 & Tue 14 July 2026

📌 Sessions run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Participants must attend both days to receive certification.

💷 Free for Collaborative & Access Package holders
💷 £55 + VAT per person for other settings
🎟️ Book your place now

This practical, one-day course covers the full emergency first aid syllabus and is tailored to the unique needs of childcare and education professionals. It meets legal standards and combines hands-on training with essential theory to ensure staff are confident and compliant in emergency situations.

Participants will receive a nationally recognised certificate valid for three years, following successful assessment.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

Manage key First Aid priorities including:

• Asthma and anaphylaxis

• Basic life support and unconsciousness

• Burns and scalds

• Bleeding control and casualty examination

• Incidents and accident reporting

• Regulations, First Aid kits, and record keeping

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Early years and primary school staff

• PVIs and Childminders

• Staff responsible for emergency first aid in education settings
  📌 Suitable for Early Years, Primary, and Secondary phases

🗓️ Upcoming Course Dates (1-Day Only)

• Thursday 11 September 2025

• Wednesday 3 December 2025

• Tuesday 11 March 2026

• Thursday 4 June 2026

📜 Certification awarded upon successful completion

💷 Free for Collaborative & Access Package holders
💷 £55.00 + VAT per person for other settings
🎟️ Book your place now

This essential training supports schools and early years settings in meeting legal fire safety duties. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to prevent fires, what to do in case of an emergency, and how to contribute to a safer environment for children, staff, and visitors.

Delivered in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, this training leads to a Level 1 Award in Fire Safety Awareness.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Key fire risks in childcare and school settings

• How to reduce fire hazards and prevent outbreaks

• Fire procedures and emergency response roles

• Responsibilities of fire wardens/marshals

• Legal and practical fire safety compliance

📜 Qualification Gained

CIEH Level 1 Award in Fire Safety Awareness
Certification awarded upon successful completion.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Early Years managers, practitioners, and childminders

• Staff with fire responsibilities in nurseries, playgroups, and PVI settings

• Facilities managers and fire marshals/wardens in primary, secondary, and post-16 settings

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Packages

🗓️ Upcoming Course Dates

• Wednesday 26 November 2025, 9:00am – 12:30pm
  📍 The Tomlinson Centre

• Tuesday 1 April 2026,

  9:30am – 12:30pm
  📍 Clapton Park Children’s Centre

This practical course is essential for any school staff member who lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls objects as part of their role. Delivered in line with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, it ensures that participants can carry out these tasks safely and within their physical capabilities.

The training also supports employers in meeting their legal duty to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Safe techniques to lift, carry, push, and pull objects

• How to reduce the risk of injury during manual tasks

• Awareness of manual handling hazards

• The importance of manual handling risk assessments

📜 Qualification Gained

CIEH Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Manual Handling
Certification awarded upon successful completion.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Anyone involved in manual handling tasks in schools or early years settings

• Staff who share guidance or assess risks related to lifting and moving objects
  

📌 Suitable for: Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16 settings

🧾 Included in the Hackney Collaborative and Access Training Package

The Primary Subject Networks offer regular, planned opportunities for subject leads, teachers, and support staff to share expertise, develop subject knowledge, and discuss best practice. Led by experienced facilitators, each session focuses on current priorities and practical strategies, helping subject leaders stay informed and connected.

🗓️ Autumn 2025

• Wed 19 November 2025 – Primary Maths Network with Sarah Betney (Kingsmead Primary School, 4:15-5:30pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Mon 24 November 2025 – Primary EYFS Network with Lisa Clarke & Sam Fennell (Comet Nursery, 1:00-2:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Wed 26 November 2025 – Primary Humanities Network with Sophie Elliott (Lauriston School, 2:00-3:15pm)

  🔗 Book here

• Thurs 11 December 2025 – Primary PSHE and Healthy Schools Sharing Community (Online, 3:45-5pm)

  🔗 Join here

🗓️ Spring 2026

• Thu 22 January 2026 – Sharing Good Practice Network Meeting with Bernadette Clinton (Location TBC, 4:30–6:00pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Thurs 29 January 2026 – Primary Science Network with Kate Roberts & David Burdett (Clapton Girls Academy, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Wed 4 February 2026 – Primary Literacy Network with Kathleen O’Connor & Rosie Condon (The Tomlinson Centre, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Wed 25 February 2026 – Primary Maths Network with Sarah Betney (Kingsmead Primary School, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Mon 2 March 2026 – Primary Computing Network with Richard Dowling (Shacklewell Primary School, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Wed 4 March 2026 – Primary Humanities Network Sophie Elliott (Lauriston Primary School, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

• Mon 16 March 2025 – Primary EYFS Network with Lisa Clarke & Sam Fennell (Comet Nursery, 1:00-2:15)
  🔗 Book here

• Thu 26 March 2026 – Primary Science Network with Kate Roberts & David Burdett (Clapton Girls Academy, 2:00–3:15pm)
  🔗 Book here

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Middle Leaders

• Teachers

• Support Assistants with subject responsibilities in primary schools

🧾 Included in the Hackney Primary CPD Collaborative & Access Packages
💷 £90 + VAT per school for non-package holders (MFL is FREE)
🌐 HTSA members receive free access (contact your headteacher or business manager to receive your code)

Hackney Education has refreshed its approach to school-to-school support with a new programme of Professional Learning Exchanges (PLEs).

This model promotes growth through collaborative approaches that respond to changing needs and current issues, drawing on the innovation, excellence, and strengths within our borough.

PLEs bring together leaders, teachers, and practitioners across all key stages to share expertise, tackle challenges, and build solutions that work in real classrooms.

🗓️ 2025–26 PLE Dates & Themes

• PLE 1 – Wed 12 November 2025, 12:45pm - 4:00pm
  Empowering New Leaders: Building Effective Teams for Success
  For all key stages

• PLE 2 – Wed 4 February 2026, 12:45pm - 4:00pm
  Fostering Inclusivity and Wellbeing: Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Resilience in Education
  For all key stages

• PLE 3 – Wed 10 June 2026, 12:45pm - 4:00pm
  Harnessing AI in Education: Ethical and Effective Practices for Teachers and Students
  For all key stages

🌟 Additional Opportunities for Secondary and Post-16 Settings

• Symposiums

• Project Hackney × UNESCO

• Continued development of the Student Leaders Forum

• Employer Engagement Breakfast

🕘 10-11:30
💷 Free with a CPD package | £90 + VAT without
🎟️ Book your place now

We have some upcoming 2026 training dates with the lovely Yusuf Erol from Langbrook Finance. 

📅 Thursday 22 January: Internal Financial Controls

📅 Wednesday 4 February: Contract Management

📅 Thursday 26 February: Employment Tax & IR35

🎟️ Book your package now

Hackney Education is offering two high-impact CPD packages for 2025–26, giving schools the choice between breadth and convenience or bespoke, collaborative design.

Both packages include unlimited access to our core and statutory CPD modules and Evidence Snacks Pro, helping your staff stay current, confident, and inspired.

Terms and conditions apply.

Working closely with your senior leadership team, we’ll co-design a bespoke training programme that aligns with your priorities and targets meaningful outcomes for your pupils. You’ll also join a network of schools committed to sharing learning and best practice.

What’s included:

• Co-designed training programme tailored to your school’s goals

• Access to all core modules and statutory training

• Peer-to-peer learning and subject networks

• Structured planning support and impact evaluation

• Evidence Snacks Pro

💡 Just five short planning meetings per year unlock a programme aligned with Ofsted’s expectations and rooted in evidence-informed implementation.

⚠️ Limited places available - this package is being piloted in 2025–26.

Your team gets instant access to a full suite of core CPD opportunities - including safeguarding, Ofsted briefings, subject networks, governance and compliance training - all ready to book throughout the year.

What’s included:

• Unlimited access to all core CPD modules

• Join other schools’ bespoke programmes

• Statutory training and governance content

• Evidence Snacks Pro subscription

• No planning commitments - just book and attend

⚠️ Please note: a small number of courses are excluded. Prices will be shown at checkout where this applies.

Complaints can be a big worry for school leaders, governors, and staff. This interactive session helps participants understand how to manage concerns and complaints from parents and carers effectively and robustly.

You’ll explore strategies for early resolution and parental engagement, as well as the principles of formal complaints policies and procedures. Guidance will also be given on handling complex, persistent, or aggressive complaints confidently and fairly.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to design and manage a robust school complaints process in line with statutory requirements

• The role of governors in policy design, review, and complaints appeal panels

• How to use complaints outcomes to inform school improvement and strategic decision-making

• Best practice in communication and stakeholder engagement

• Tools to resolve and close down complaints effectively

👥 Who Should Attend?

• Headteachers and senior leaders

• Governors and trustees, especially those involved in Complaints Appeal Panels

• School business leaders and administrators supporting complaints handling

• Staff in schools, federations, or partnerships seeking to strengthen parental engagement

🎟️ Book here (foundation | advanced) to secure your place on one of the sessions.

Effective governance is at the heart of strong schools. This session gives governors, clerks, and trustees insight into their crucial role in supporting and challenging school leaders to deliver and sustain excellent educational and wellbeing outcomes.

With governance becoming increasingly complex - and with greater accountability around standards, finance, and risk - this training will strengthen confidence and equip you with the tools to lead effectively.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• The three core functions of governance:

  1. Setting vision and direction

  2. Holding leaders accountable

  3. Overseeing financial performance

• Addressing today’s challenges: cost-of-living pressures, staffing, and learning recovery

• Embedding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in governance practice

• Why diverse governing boards improve outcomes for pupils

• The ethical behaviours expected of governors, with practical examples

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Clerks supporting governing boards

🎟️ Book here to secure your place on one of the sessions.

• From Adaptive Teaching to Inclusive Learning

• Middle Leadership Training and Change Management

• Reading Fluency & Disciplinary Literacy

• And much more!

This programme will support teachers in developing inclusive, responsive classroom practices that ensure all learners - including those not meeting curriculum expectations - are supported in ways that foster agency, access, and progress. This programme de-links inclusion from being solely about SEND, encouraging a school-wide shift in mindset.

Starts 20th January 2026

📅 22 Januray 2026 | 4:00 – 5:30pm

💷 Included in CPD package or subscribe through Hackney Education for £200 +VAT (full price is £300 + VAT)
🎟️ Complete this form to sign up.

Pobble is a digital tool designed to facilitate effective and consistent discussions in writing assessment and moderation sessions for teachers, allowing you to access borough and nation wide benchmarking and moderation sessions with teachers outside your school to share good practice and to discuss next steps in supporting your pupils in their writing. Our benchmarking sessions are available to all Year 1 - Year 6 class teachers as well as English and Assessment Leads in schools.

If you want to find out more about what Pobble is and how it could support your school, contact us at cpdadmin@hackney.gov.uk.

Benchmarking Sessions

📅 The Year 6 Exchange: A Forum for Collaboration and Support | Monday 8th December 3.45pm - 4.45pm OR Thursday 11th December 9.30am - 10.30am

📅 Pobble Twilight Years 1 - 6 ONLINE | Thursday, 22nd January 2026, 4:00 – 5:30pm

📅 Years 1 - 6 Pobble ONLINE Meeting | Thursday 12th March 2026, 4:00 – 5:30pm | TBC - school to host

📅 Year 5 / 6 Cross School Moderation | Thursday 30th April 4pm - 5.30pm | Led by Pobble, register here (invite only)

Moderation Sessions

📅 Moderation of Writing in Year 6 

Thursday, 4 Dec 2025, 1:30pm - 4:30pm | The Tomlinson Centre, Queensbridge Rd, London E8 3ND, UK

📅 KS2 Moderators In Person Training Day 1 HOLD

Thursday 15th January 2026 8am – 5pm | Mandeville Primary School, Oswald St, Lower Clapton, London E5 0BT, UK (final details tbc)

📅 KS2 Writing Moderation Training for Leaders, Middle Leaders and Year 6 Class Teachers

Thursday, 12 February 2026, 1:30 – 3:30pm (tbc) | The Tomlinson Centre, Queensbridge Rd, London E8 3ND, UK

📅 Moderation of Writing in Year 6: Securing judgements for borderline pupils

Thursday, 19 March 2026, 4:00 – 5:30pm | The Tomlinson Centre, Queensbridge Rd, London E8 3ND, UK

📅 KS2 Moderation: Meeting for all schools to be moderated

Monday, 18 May 2026, 4:00 – 4:45pm | ONLINE

📅 KS2 Moderators In Person Protocols Training Day 2 HOLD

Tuesday 19th May 2026, 8:30am – 5pm | Mandeville Primary School, Oswald St, Lower Clapton, London E5 0BT, UK (final details tbc)

🕘 Thursday 12 March 2026 | 8:30-4pm
💷 £180 inc VAT
🎟️ Book your place now

This annual conference allows Headteachers to hear from national speakers on themes related to leadership and learning. It will offer the space to learn from, be inspired by, challenge and discuss current approaches with other education professionals.

⭐ FEATURED SESSIONS ⭐

🧭 Calibrating the Compass: Voice, Identity, and the Journey Ahead

Speaker: Valerie Bloom MBE, Poet and Author

💻 AI is NOT a School Priority: Practical Strategies for Leading AI in Schools

Speaker: Chris Goodall, Head of Digital Education at Bourne Education Trust

🫱🏼‍🫲🏿 Building Financial Resilience and Workforce Stability in Uncertain Times

Speaker: Stephen Morales, CEO of Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)

🕘 Wednesday 20 May 2026 | 8:45-4pm
💷 £50 inc VAT
🎟️ Book your place now

The annual conference includes keynote speakers, practical workshops, lunch, exhibitors and much more. Sessions are led by recognised experts and are great occasions where Hackney early years settings can share their views and best practice and meet with other early years practitioners from across the borough and keep up-to-date with current early years issues.

🕘 Thursday 11 December | 10:20-12pm
💷 Free with a CPD or HR package | £90 + VAT without
🎟️ Book your place now

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting schools with effective sickness management we will be running a virtual training session to ensure that all participants have a clear and consistent understanding of the Sickness Absence Management Policy and Procedure, and the responsibilities that come with it.

📅 Advanced: Wednesday 18 March 2026
🕔 5:00 – 6:30pm | Online
💷 Free for Hackney Schools | £90 + VAT otherwise
🎟️ Book here: Foundation | Advanced

This training equips attendees with the knowledge and skills needed by governors to effectively oversee and challenge the school's financial management.

With governance becoming increasingly complex - and with greater accountability around standards, finance, and risk - this training will strengthen confidence and equip you with the tools to lead effectively.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Funding streams, budgeting, and financial monitoring.

• Governors’ responsibilities in understanding school funding, budget development, and monitoring in line with school priorities and sustainability.

• Ensuring value for money.

• Using tools such as policy development, financial benchmarking, and robust internal controls

• Scrutinising financial reports and identify potential irregularities.

• The financial responsibilities of governors in relation to budget sign-off and the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS), and the responsibilities of the school leaders and the finance officer.

  
  

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Finance officers

• Clerks supporting governing boards

  
  

🎟️ Book here (foundation | advanced) to secure your place on one of the sessions.

This training will equip governors to understand and oversee their school’s approach to ensuring high standards of pupil achievement, based on a well-designed curriculum, delivered by expert teachers. The training will orientate around the new Ofsted framework, providing an opportunity to unpick and clarify the language it uses.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Pupil outcomes data: How it works, what it can tell us and how it can be used.

• Curriculum: What a well designed subject curriculum should look like and how it can work for your school’s community.

• Teaching: What the key elements of strong pedagogical practice are.

• Overall: What questions you could ask to ensure you are well informed, able to set a meaningful strategic direction for your school, and to challenge leaders appropriately.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Clerks supporting governing boards

• Senior leaders

  
  

🎟️ Book here to secure your place on one of the sessions.

🕘 Tuesday 12 May 2026 | 4-7pm

🕘 Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 9-4pm
💷
🎟️

⚠️ Mandatory for new governors, for current governors a refresher is mandatory every 2 years ⚠️

This training equips governors and school leaders with the knowledge and skills required of the role of governance in ensuring a safe school environment, and other stakeholders in understanding how to support the governors in their role. This includes understanding the governors’ responsibilities, relevant legislation such as KCSIE and the Prevent Duty, and how to effectively challenge and support the school's safeguarding practices.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Using tools like policy development and data analysis for trends.

• How governors can best work with school leaders and external agencies.

• How to harness the power and mechanisms of governance to aid schools in creating and maintaining a robust and effective safeguarding framework that protects all children.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Clerks supporting governing boards

• Senior leaders

• Safeguarding leads

  
  

🎟️ Book here to secure your place on one of the sessions.

This training equips governors and school leaders with the knowledge and skills required to effectively enable governors to prepare for and engage with an Ofsted inspection. It covers the legal and strategic roles of the governing board, the specific tools governors can use to fulfill their responsibilities, and how to interface effectively with school leaders and Ofsted inspectors. The training aims to foster a deep understanding of the inspection framework and how to demonstrate the school's strengths and areas for development.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• Using the mechanisms of governance to ensure the school is ready for inspection and that they can articulate the school's vision, strategy, and performance effectively to inspectors.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Senior leaders

  
  

🎟️ Book here to secure your place on one of the sessions.

This training will cover the governing board's strategic role in careers education and guidance, including statutory requirements, the Gatsby Benchmarks, and employer engagement. The training will also address the board's responsibility for monitoring the school's careers programme and supporting the Careers Leader.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to support schools in providing effective and impactful careers education for all students.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Senior leaders

  
  

🎟️ Book here to secure your place on one of the sessions.

Headteacher performance management is a statutory responsibility of Governing Boards. This training will explain its purpose and describe the process, clarifying roles and responsibilities. It will provide advice on ensuring that the performance management meetings you run for your Headteacher are meaningful and impactful.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• The statutory framework.

• The roles of Governors, the external advisor and the Headteacher.

• The link between Headteacher performance management and your strategic leadership of the school.

• Setting and evaluating effective targets.

• Making fair pay decisions.

• Performance management for Executive Heads.

• Further sources of information and advice.

👥 Who Should Attend?

• New governors (as induction)

• Experienced governors (as refresher)

• Senior leaders

  
  

🖥️ e-Learning available via this link