Faculty of Education Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hub
We are delighted to be able to present you with a range of opportunities to engage with our academic colleagues across the Faculty of Education in relation to their areas of expertise and research. As a faculty, our vision is “to work collaboratively with others to enhance life chances” and we hope that this is another way we can do this.
If there are any particular topics you would like to see appearing more regularly or you have suggestions for others, please contact us on [email protected] to let us know. We have themed the CPD offer into:
- Behaviour and wellbeing
- Curriculum
- Early career teacher sessions
- Evidence-based practice
These sessions should meet your needs, but let us know if there are other sessions or additional content that would be helpful. We have the expertise to support professional development across education including, but not limited to:
- Practitioner research for teachers
- Learning outside the classroom
- Special educational needs
- Dyslexia
- Leadership
- Early years education
- Primary curriculum and pedagogy
- Secondary curriculum and pedagogy
- Mentoring and coaching
- Subject-specific support in sciences, mathematics, modern languages, physical education and computing
Available sessions
Our department CPD sessions aim to support our partners, staff and professionals working in a wide range of settings. Sessions are designed and delivered online or in person by our own expert early years, primary and childhood education, and secondary and further education teams here in the Faculty of Education.
Paid sessions
MBSR is an accredited Mindfulness and wellbeing programme with over 30 years of academic research behind its success. Your staff will have access to this expertise and will be fully supported with their professional and personal wellbeing over the 8 week journey of the course.
Course Description
In the foreword to the 2022 Teacher Wellbeing Index, CEO Sinead McBrearty describes teachers as an ‘exhausted workforce’, stating that ‘stress and overwork’ have become ‘normalised in the education sector’ (Education Support, 2022). Teacher wellbeing is also part of the Ofsted agenda with the profession having the ‘highest rates of work-related stress, depression and anxiety in Britain’ (Ofsted, 2019). As a Headteacher, this is something that you will already be more than aware of – this is the lived experience of teaching for so many colleagues. Please keep reading, because this is your chance to break that cycle…
Building effective new habits and approaches to managing stress takes time – it’s neuroplasticity after all! And, because of this, it’s not something that can be achieved with a 1-day course. What if you could bring a wellbeing and Mindfulness programme to your staff that would give them weekly online support for 8weeks (and beyond) as they learn stress-reduction strategies and improve their wellbeing at the same time? This programme exists, and it is called Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction.
What is Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction (MBSR)?
MBSR is an accredited Mindfulness and wellbeing programme with over 30 years of academic research behind its success. Your staff will have access to this expertise and will be fully supported with their professional and personal wellbeing over the 8week journey of the course.
MBSR can help to:
- Reduce staff absence.
- Reduce SLT time dedicated to supporting individual staff who experience stress and low morale.
- Reduce the negative impact of stress on your staff.
- Improve / strengthen staff resilience and robustness.
- Positively affect your staff wellbeing.
- Be Ofsted ready – strengthen your whole-school approach to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Course Delivery:
8 weekly online sessions of 2hrs, plus one optional retreat day session.
By combining Mindfulness and neuroscience, your staff will be guided and supported by Natalie Reynolds, a Nationally Accredited Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction teacher, who has almost two decades of Secondary Education teaching experience and has spent the last 9 years in Higher Education as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Edge Hill University. The focus of Natalie’s PhD is investigating the effects of MBSR as a method to reduce psychological distress, improve wellbeing and positively affect retention in teachers during the post-pandemic period.
Course fee: £349.00
Book hereThis level 5 qualification is for class teachers, HLTAs and TAs in Edge Hill Partner schools. It is recognised by afPE and Sports Leaders UK with the aim of the course to improve the overall delivery of the physical education curriculum within partner primary schools.
Outcomes:
– Guaranteed to increase delegates’ confidence, competence and PE subject knowledge
– Proven to raise standards across the curriculum and contribute to whole school improvement
– Effective and sustainable use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium
Course aims
– The qualification teaches delegates how to understand the requirements of the primary school physical education curriculum, the links between the principles of pedagogy and child development and how using a range of activities can impact on ‘good or better’ teaching and learning within primary school physical education.
– Delegates will also learn how to develop plans for units of work that cover the primary school physical education curriculum and that use assessment to impact on learning and progress. Delegates will deliver, teach, evaluate and review the plans for units of work and will learn how to use the outcomes of the unit of work to inform future planning.
– Delegates will learn how to lead sustainable development within primary school physical education. This includes understanding the roles and responsibilities of a physical education subject lead.
– Delegates will receive a certificate once they have passed the course.
Cost: £575
Course code: 11964
Format: Face-to-face
Time and date: TBC- Get in touch- session timings to be agreed with partners
Free CPD
Early Years Education FREE CPD sessions
March
When? Tuesday 5 March 2024, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Delivered by: Dr Karen Boardman, Head of Early Years Education
Information:
Early Reading for under-threes – what this is and what it is not Description: This session is focused on the use of communication, language and quality talk for under-threes within their daily routines and activities. This session invites practitioners to think about agency, advocacy and ethics of care.
To book onto this please select Tuesday 5 March 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Quality talk for under-threesWhen? Wednesday 13th March 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Dr. Annabel Yale
Information:
This session will look at some of the key theories, principles and processes relating to the development of young children generally and in specific developmental domains. You will explore the perception of babies and young children as competent and complex learners.
Target Audience: Our departmental CPD sessions aim to support our partnership, students, staff and early years practitioners/teachers working in our wider partner settings and/or our international partners.
Learning Outcomes: Sessions are designed and delivered online or in person by our own expert Early Years Education tutors and partner colleagues at Edge Hill University.
To book onto this, please select Wednesday 13th March 2024 on the calendar.
The Child as a Competent Learner- Theoretical Perspectives booking linkWhen? Thursday 21 March 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Hefin Williams – Programme Leader in Early Years Education
Information:
This session will look at the current research around mathematical play and links to current policy. It will also draw on NCETM work around mathematics in reception. It will aim to allow practitioners to share ideas on how to develop an effective mathematics environment.
To book onto this please select Thursday 21 March 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto developing Mathematical opportunities through playApril
When? Tuesday 23 April 2024, 10-12am
Delivered by: John Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
An introductory session focusing upon practical ways to support young children and their emotional well-being. Exploring the impacts of traumatic events and strategies to help in recovery.
To book onto this please selected Tuesday 23 April on the calendar.
Book onto supporting children’s emotional well-beingPlease note this session is in person at Edge Hill University.
When? Thursday 25 April 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Jackie Sumner and Amanda Casey – Senior Lecturers
Information:
This session will help you to understand the principles of Forest School education and undertake a range of practical tasks. You will identify health and safety risks and explore storytelling in the outdoor environment. This session will be delivered outdoors Outdoor shoes and clothing will be required for this session.
To book onto this please selected Thursday 25 April 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto the Forest School TasterWhen? Monday 29 April 2024, 4-6pm
Delivered by: Dr. Alicia Blanco-Bayo – Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
This session will explore the role of relational pedagogies within current assessment practices in Early Years. Aims To discuss how relational pedagogies fit in within current policy and practice. To analyse a range of practical assessment scenarios to reflect on the impact of relational pedagogy.
To book onto this please select Monday 29 April 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Dr Alicia Blanco-Bayo’s sessionWhen? Tuesday 30 April 2024, 3:00-5:00pm
Delivered by: Dr. Maria Reraki – Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
In this session we will explore the characteristics of EAL children as well as how and why these children might be identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEND). We will review current research in the field of bilingualism and how new recommendations on identification and support for EAL learners can be translated into practice. Implications for teacher training will also be discussed.
To book onto this please select Tuesday 30 April 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Dr Maria Reraki’s sessionMay
When? Wednesday 1 May 2024, 9:30-11:30am
Delivered by: Martyn Starkey, Early Years Primary
Information:
This session will explore how to combine computing and music taking account of Ofsted curriculum reviews whilst delivering stimulating lessons to inspire Early Years and Key Stage 1 children to experiment and play with music and audio in the composition of their own unique masterpiece.
To book onto this please select Wednesday 1 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Primary Music and ComputingWhen? Thursday 2 May 2024, 2:30-4pm
Delivered by: Dr Victoria Jamieson – Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
These sessions are designed to support practitioners with stimulating philosophical questions with young children. We will use some of the principles of the community of philosophical inquiry and philosophy for children. This can be a great way for children to connect with one another and other adults. We will look at how we can engage young minds in philosophical thought experiments, philosophical questioning, and logical reasoning. In particular, we will consider ways to encourage children to expand their thinking and develop their perspectives on what is important in life to them. These sessions are designed to be interactive, in which you will engage in some practical activities. Resources and activities will also be shared for you to take away and put into practice.
To book onto this please select Thursday 2 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Big Questions!When? Thursday 9 May 2024, 4-5:30pm
Delivered by: Dr Karen Boardman, Head of Early Years Education
Information:
Teaching SSP outdoors Description: This session is designed to support practitioners/teachers with teaching Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP). This session offers opportunities to explore how to support children with their SSP ‘phonics’ understanding in context outdoors, as an enhancement to the discrete teaching of SSP.
To book onto this please select Thursday 9 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto teaching SSP outdoorsWhen? Friday 10 May 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Rachael Sackville-Jones – Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
Introduction to working with young children on the Autism Spectrum Description: This session will provide an introduction to the shared characteristics of the Autism Spectrum and include information around early identification, diagnosis pathways, adapting provision and different support strategies.
To book onto this please select Friday 10 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Rachael Sackville-Jones’ sessionWhen? Wednesday 15 May 2024, 4-5:30pm
Delivered by: Heidi Winrow – Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
This session will outline and explore the procedures and supporting documentation for teacher induction in England. The session is relevant for school leaders/governors, ECTs and ECT mentors, ECT Induction tutors. Target audience: School leaders/governors, ECTs and ECT mentors, ECT Induction tutors.
To book onto this please select Wednesday 15 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto ECT Induction and the ECFWhen? Thursday 16 May 2024, 10:30 am – 12pm
Delivered by: Jamie Allman – Early Years Lecturer
Information:
Developing Emotional Intelligence In Early Years Settings Description: Providing children with the opportunity to understand their emotions and develop their emotional intelligence is an essential aspect of their holistic development. This session aims to identify the impact our emotions have on our capacity to learn whilst providing strategies that can be immediately applied in an early years setting.
To book onto this please select Thursday 16 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Jamie Allman’s sessionWhen? Friday 17 May 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Rachael Sackville Jones – Senior Lecturer in Early Years
Information:
Visual supports and resources can be used with a range of learners and for many different purposes. They can support children with Speech, Language and Communication needs and other SEND such as Autism. They are a positive way to support all children in their communication, in recognising and managing their emotions and supporting the development of behaviour for learning. For practitioners they can reduce confrontations with children and contribute to a positive classroom environment.
To book onto this please select Friday 17 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Rachael Sackville-Jones’ sessionWhen? Tuesday 21 May 2024, 3-5:30pm
Delivered by: Helen Dunn, Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
This session will be useful for Early Years practitioners and Science Subject Leaders. This session will explore the use of stories as a context for learning and developing an understanding of early science concepts and as a prompt for scientific exploration in the Early Years. There will be an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and discuss ideas for using stories to support science teaching and learning in the EYFS.
To book onto this please select Tuesday 21 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Early Years Science through StoriesWhen? Thursday 23 May 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Hefin Williams – Programme Leader for Early Years Education
Information:
Geometry is often an area of mathematics where errors and misconceptions are prevalent. This session aims to develop or reinforce your knowledge of shape and transformations at Key Stage 1 level and will suggest ideas for introducing and practising this knowledge in order to commit it to long term memory.
To book onto this please select Thursday 23 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto developing knowledge of geometry in KS1When? Friday 24 May 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Rachael Sackville-Jones
Information:
Many more girls are now being identified as being on the Autism Spectrum. However, these are often older girls and adults. This session will provide an introduction to recent developments in this area, suggested reading and resources and consider the issue of how as practitioners we should be identifying and supporting younger girls who may be within this group of learners. Consideration will be given to making appropriate referrals for assessment, implementing supportive strategies, and working with parents/carers. This session will include input from parents and practitioners.
To book onto this please select Friday 24 May 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto introduction to Autism in girlsJune
When? Thursday 6 June 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Jackie Sumner/Amanda Casey – Senior Lecturers in Early Years Education
Information:
This session will help you to understand the principles of Forest School education and undertake a range of practical tasks. You will identify health and safety risks and explore storytelling in the outdoor environment. This session will be delivered outdoors Outdoor shoes and clothing will be required for this session.
To book on this please select Thursday 6 June 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto the Forest School taster sessionWhen? Thursday 6 June 2024, 4-6pm
Delivered by: Dr Karen Boardman- Head of Early Years Education
Information:
This session is an outdoor, nature-based session exploring the colours and textures of the season. You will be working in small groups creating a ‘weaving’ tapestry as a basis to inspire very young children to get involved in outdoor creative activities.
To book onto this please select Thursday 6 June 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto ‘Wild Weaving’ outdoor sessionWhen? Wednesday 19 June 2024, 2-4pm
Delivered by: Katie Smith – Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education
Information:
Supporting children to think geographically begins in the early years as children learn to navigate the diverse world that they live in by exploring the physical and social world. Geography as a subject aims to develop and build on curiosity, wonder and enquiry through learning about people and the environment, developing knowledge of place and location, engaging in fieldwork and the development of mapping as a key skill. This session will focus on developing key geography subject knowledge and pedagogy to support children in their geographical learning journey from the EYFS to Key Stage One. It will be useful for ECTs and staff who are new to being a geography subject lead and wish to develop further understanding of how to approach geography in the early years. Target audience: Useful for ECTs and staff who are new to being a geography subject lead and wish to develop further understanding of how to approach geography in the early years.
To book onto this please select Wednesday 19 June 2024 on the calendar.
Book onto Geography in the Early Years (3-7)Bespoke sessions
We can offer bespoke sessions – please get in touch with us to discuss your request.
Contact us
Developing policy and practice by investigating children’s understandings of education using collaborative arts based and photo methodologies: The ‘Visualising Opportunities: Inclusion for Children, Education and Society’ (Voices_Ed) Project
Timings: 1 hour or half day slots
Delivered by: Clare Woolhouse, Reader in inclusive education / Virginia Kay, Senior Lecturer in Primary education & lead for the SENCo Award.
CPD theme: Inclusion / SEND
This session explores ways to understand inclusive education as a broad concept, consider how it is operationalised in various examples and enable practitioners to develop plans for developing their own workshops for exploring challenging topics with their pupils. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. These events can take place online or face to face.
Target audience: School partners, those working in schools or local authority teams.
Learning Outcomes: 1. We will consider the benefits of utilising visual materials to discuss children and young people’s educational experiences. 2. We will discuss the concept and practice of inclusion in relation to real world case study examples produced by children. 3. We will develop ideas to enable attendees to create their own visual resource ‘toolboxes’ for use in their settings.
If you are interested in arranging an event please email Clare Woolhouse or Virginia Kay.