Focus Trust MAT Professional Development (PD) Group

Please note: This event booking is only applicable for invited registration for schools/settings within Focus Trust MAT. If you are not part of this group, please contact us for further guidance.

Discussion with leaders around what is effective responsive teaching in the mainstream classroom and how this can lead into individualised Professional Development projects in settings across the primaries linked to Trust priorities. 

Project Focus - Overview
Schools are going to consider what effective responsive teaching looks like across their settings. The findings will then help to formulate the PD project that enables settings to develop a deeper understanding of responsive teaching through exploring inclusive practice strategies, early intervention and promoting independence.

They will then reflect on their own baselines from the work carried out, using their knowledge and skills and reflecting on others’ views.

They will have the opportunity to explore, research and trial ideas in practice and use this knowledge to improve SEND/Responsive Teaching in their settings.

Identify a project and Baseline 
In order to help participants to narrow down their foci, we will look at the varying barriers and strengths identified from baselines and build an understanding of what this looks like in their Primary Schools. We will look at the needs/struggles of children and young people with SEND and how they are supported in response to their needs and how to develop independence and life skills in the classroom. Settings will then consider and plan to implement their own school approaches responsive teaching strategies.  Throughout, there will be opportunities to consider what questions they need to ask? Theoretical prompts will be provided to enable participants to develop a clear understanding of SEND and Responsive Teaching such as EEF and NDTI.

The session will end with a focus to clarify their project focus and begin to consider and collect baseline evidence. Design an improvement plan and implement the plan

Participants will be asked to share what were their findings from their baselines and come prepared to discuss their strengths and difficulties, with potential development points to share. They will consider their vision and ethos for the project and how they will implement the appropriate strategies and support in practice through the creation of an Action Plan. 

Participants will have the opportunity to share barriers and obstacles to their improvement plan, they will problem solve together. The session will end with the development of an action plan with an agreed timeframe

Gather feedback and evaluate outcomes and impact
In advance of the session, schools will have collated feedback/ evidence to discuss and share information to show improvements so far and any issues blocking the improvement project.

The core aspect of session will allow participants to explore how they will evaluate the success of their project. 

All participants must complete an end of project survey as well as a short case study in the final session. The partner lead will be required to complete an overarching case study on the impact of participation in the project in their schools, two weeks after the final session. All case studies will be submitted online.
 

Dates and times of sessions

• Session 1: 25th September 3.30-4.30pm (online) - Explore and prepare to identify a project.

Sharing of WSS resources Sharing context, ideas for projects around responsive teaching. Develop clear visions, baselines, stakeholders and active ingredients.

• Session 2: 5th November 9.30am-3pm (in-person, location details to be sent via email) - Implement the plan

Breaking down the focus of the project into a one-page action plan to support implementation. Considering barrier for stakeholders, what needs to happen, what will be implemented, who will support, what will be the short, medium and long term impact and outcomes be? Collaborative examples of responsive teaching and bank of wider Trust strategies. 

• Session 3: 8th January 2026 3.30-4pm (online) - Sustainability and Change

Reviewing what has been implemented so far, what is working well and any adaptations /improvements needed. Consider what needs to happen to develop this as every day practice, long term sustainability. 

• Session 4: 5th February 3.30-4pm (online) - Gather feedback & Evaluate outcomes and impact

What has gone well? What have been the challenges? How is this different from other settings and how has this changed since the start of the project? What more do I need to do? What has been the difference and impact and long term sustainability. Completion of case study/Adapted Action Plan and next steps. 

There will be opportunities for 1:1 or group support sessions according to request with additional support from MAT Regional SENCO and SEND Leads.

If you have any questions, please contact the Whole School SEND team.

By signing up you are demonstrating a commitment to attend these sessions.