Professional Development opportunities
As we continue to work collaboratively, building the expertise of the teams around us, we hope that the following links offer further excellent professional development opportunities.
Reception Teaching
Excellence in Reception Teaching
This is a new course designed for experienced teachers who are or will be teaching reception year in a mainstream school. It lasts two years and is accredited by the DfE. Applications are now open for Spring 2027 with Ambition Institute and Autumn 2027 with National Institute of Teaching. For more information follow the links:
https://www.ambition.org.uk/programmes/excellence-in-reception-teaching/
https://niot.org.uk/programmes/Reception
Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE)
• RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series – Autumn 2026:
This series will focus on three key areas of reception provision: creating effective and inclusive learning environments, using Good Level of Development (GLD) reports to support improvement, and strengthening practice for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Each session will combine expert perspectives with practical examples to support reflection, professional dialogue and continuous improvement in reception practice.
Find out more and register here: RISE Reception webinars Autumn 2026
RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series: autumn 2026 by DfE Live Events | Eventbrite
Online training package for early years educators
Funded by the Department for Education and developed and delivered by Dingley’s Promise, the new online early years training is designed for all early years educators working with children aged 0-4 to strengthen inclusive practice and better identify and support the needs of children with SEND. The online courses can be accessed in a flexible way and are suitable for early years educators of all levels and in all types of settings, including childminders.
These materials are available at: Early Years CPD Training - Dingley's Promise
Attendance & Behaviour
• RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs: The RISE Attendance & Behaviour Hub
Registrations are now open for the January 2027 regional support offer of the programme. All mainstream schools are eligible to participate in the regional support offer, including schools currently receiving targeted RISE support. The programme brings together schools from across the region to tackle shared attendance and behaviour priorities through practical, school-led collaboration and peer learning. Schools joining the programme will benefit from:
Run by schools, for schools, the programme provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, share effective practice and strengthen approaches to attendance and behaviour.
All interested schools should complete the Expression of Interest
Form by 6 November 2026. RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs: Expression of Interest
SEND & Inclusion
New SEND and Inclusion Training Materials Now Available
The Department for Education has published the first set of SEND In-House Training Materials to support schools and post-16 settings in delivering professional development on SEND and inclusion. The training materials form part of the government's wider commitment to strengthening support for children and young people with SEND and are designed to help settings build staff knowledge, confidence and understanding of inclusive practice.
The free, editable materials include structured training content, facilitator guidance, practical strategies and activities for discussion and reflection. They are designed to reduce the time needed to develop training materials locally and leaders can tailor them to their setting and use them during INSET days, staff meetings, staff development days and wider professional development programmes.
Developed by Ambition Institute for DfE, the materials complement other SEND professional development opportunities, including the NPQ for SENCOs.
This first set of materials covers:
- Introduction to proposed SEND reforms and inclusive teaching
- Introduction to Areas of Development
- Speech, Language and Communication Development
- Supporting guidance for leaders and facilitators
Additional training materials will be published throughout the academic year, including further Areas of Development, practical teaching resources, case studies and professional development support materials. Find out more and access the materials:
Universal SEND Services – Neurodiversity CPD
On 29 September, new neurodiversity ‘train the trainer‘ materials are being published to support schools and post-16 settings to embed a strong understanding of neurodiversity across the whole setting’s approach to inclusion.
From 29 September, you will be able to access the materials here: https://www.wholeschoolsend.org.uk/page/neurodiversity-awareness
Unity Research School
Inclusive Teaching in Focus: An Autumn Reflection Series (30th November - 11th December)
As part of the DfE-funded network of Teaching School Hubs and Research Schools, we are working together to ensure that schools across the region can access high-quality, evidence-informed professional development. East Midlands Research Schools Network's latest collaborative offer is the Inclusive Teaching in Focus: An Autumn Reflection Series.
They are hosting a 2-week communication event with the aim is to unpack the EEF Inclusive Teaching Guidance: Guide to Inclusive Teaching | EEF
Event Details: Inclusive Teaching in Focus: An Autumn Reflection Series
Literacy
Autumn Term activity for the National Year of Reading
The final term of the National Year of Reading focuses on the termly theme ‘in the community,’ the autumn term aims to take reading beyond teaching spaces to celebrate the vital roles that wider communities play in fostering a love of reading in young people.
What’s included?
• Free CPD webinars and resources
• Broadcast Go All In Together! Events for your children and young people
• In-person events and conferences across the UK
• Rewards and prizes for participation
