Continuing Professional Development(CPD)
We're keen to support schools to access high-quality, DfE-approved professional development to ensure schools and teachers can benefit from the right support at the right time. Browse the below and look out for our termly Info Hub Alerts. You can view our most recent newsletter below.
Gov.uk School Improvement Support
Support available to help all schools improve, including resources on teaching, development, curriculum, leadership, governance and finance.
Subject hubs (English, Maths, Music, Languages) are DfE‑designated networks designed to help schools develop expertise in specific subjects and disciplines. They work alongside other school improvement programmes like the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications.
Support from subject hubs is either fully funded or subsidised, and all state‑funded schools and colleges in England, including special schools and alternative provision, are eligible.
Some hubs only target specific phases of education:
- English hub support is for primary schools
- Languages hub support for secondary schools
The Thames West Language Network offers CPD sessions, webinars, teach meets and resources aimed at high-quality language teaching and curriculum design. Its activities include practical training focused on languages education support on classroom practice and language pedagogy.
This is one of the Department for Education’s national centres of excellence for early language and reading. Support for schools includes free training and events focused on early language, phonics and reading instruction, school audits to evaluate current early reading provision and support improvement planning, School-to-school support (up to 6 days) from literacy specialists, funding for resources and free places at showcase events. The Hub also offers structured, funded support for improving early English/literacy teaching, targeted to schools in need.
NCETM London Central and West Maths Hub
A local Maths Hub supporting schools to improve maths teaching (EYFS through post-16). The Hub facilitates professional development, CPD cohorts, mastery programmes, leadership events and resources tailored to maths teaching.
The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) is funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners and marks a significant investment in improving the provision of computing education in England. It is delivered by STEM Learning and is made up of the following programmes:
They provide teachers with a comprehensive range of evidence-informed, high-quality support, including free resources and training courses.
A DfE initiative aimed at improving school outcomes and narrowing attainment gaps. Rise offers strategic resources, guidance and tools to support teaching, leadership and culture development across regions and phases.
RISE helps ensure that every pupil, from early years through all key stages, has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their starting point. Rise London is tailored with resources and improvement frameworks relevant to London schools.
RISE attendance and behaviour hubs programme - GOV.UK
The RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs Programme offers schools in England targeted support to improve pupil attendance and behaviour. Through the programme, schools can access expert guidance from lead schools with strong practice, tailored professional development, tools for self-assessment and action planning and opportunities to observe effective approaches in other schools.
How to join the programme
To join the RISE attendance and behaviour hubs programme and receive support, register your interest using their online form.
The attendance and behaviour hubs: guidance for partner schools has information on what’s expected from partner schools in the programme and how they will benefit from it.
Check the RISE attendance and behaviour hubs page for a list of schools in each region.
Early years Stronger Practice Hub - GOV.UK
The stronger practice hubs support early years settings and childminders in their area to adopt evidence-based practice improvements.
Through collaboration and shared learning, hubs:
- promote training and tools that reflect the latest, evidence-informed research and best practices in early childhood education, ensuring that professionals feel confident and equipped to meet the diverse needs of children and families
- encourage equity and inclusion by helping settings identify and address barriers to learning so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their best, particularly those with socio-economic disadvantage
- foster a culture of continuous improvement, where early years professionals are supported to reflect on their practice, share insights and grow together as a community
- support pedagogy and help practitioners make informed decisions that nurture each child’s curiosity, confidence and wellbeing
- Click here for Hub locations, resources and programme information.
SEND training
SEND and Inclusion In-House Training Materials - Schools and Post-16
The DfE has published free, editable SEND and inclusion training materials to help schools and post-16 settings build staff knowledge, confidence and inclusive practice. Developed by Ambition Institute for the DfE, the resources include training content, facilitator guidance, practical strategies and discussion activities. They can be adapted for INSET days, staff meetings and wider CPD, reducing the time needed to develop training locally.
The first set covers: Proposed SEND reforms and inclusive teaching, Areas of Development, Speech, Language and Communication Development, Guidance for leaders and facilitators. Further resources, including additional Areas of Development, teaching resources and case studies, will be published throughout the academic year.
Access the resources for Schools: SEND and Inclusion Training for Mainstream Schools here and resources for Post-16 settings: SEND and Inclusion Training for Post-16 Settings here.
SEND 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
Universal SEND Services – Neurodiversity CPD
Alongside these new SEND CPD materials, schools and post-16 settings can continue to access the Universal SEND Services training programme. New neurodiversity ‘train the trainer‘ materials have been published to support schools and post-16 settings to embed a strong understanding of neurodiversity across the whole setting’s approach to inclusion.
You can access the materials here: https://www.wholeschoolsend.org.uk/page/neurodiversity-awareness
Excellence in Reception Teaching
Excellence in Reception Teaching is a Department for Education accredited national professional development programme designed for experienced teachers working in, or moving into, Reception classrooms.
The programme is designed to fit around teaching commitments, combining online learning, self-study and live training across approximately two school terms. Funded places are available for teachers working in most state-funded schools and academies.
Suitable for:
- Experienced Reception teachers
- Teachers who have completed induction
- Teachers preparing to move into a Reception role
You can choose from one of the following DfE-approved providers:
- Ambition Institute
- Best Practice Network
- Church of England
- LLSE
- National Institute of Teaching
- University College London (UCL) Institute of Education
On successful completion, participants receive a DfE-accredited certificate.
Please get in touch if you require any further information: info@teachwestlondon.org.uk
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