Diverse Academies Trust Professional Development (PD) Group

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

To support Middle Leaders (MLs) in developing a robust understanding of statutory requirements relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and to strengthen their capacity to lead inclusive, adaptive curriculum design and delivery.

Key Aims:

• Clarity on Statutory Duties:

Work collaboratively with Trust Leads, SENCOs, and Curriculum Leads to ensure that MLs are fully informed of the statutory obligations associated with SEND.

• Curriculum Review and Adaptation:

Enable MLs to evaluate their current curriculum offer, ensuring it meets the needs of all learners. This includes identifying areas for improvement and considering evidence-based strategies for adaptation, informed by research on effective adaptive teaching.

• Tools and Support for Staff:

Provide MLs with access to a range of curriculum planning templates and practical approaches for supporting teaching staff. The focus will be on fostering adaptive practices that align with student needs.

• Monitoring and Measuring Impact:

Equip MLs with strategies to monitor the implementation of adaptations and assess their impact on the progress and attainment of students with SEND.

• Implementation Framework:

All professional development and practice development will be underpinned by the Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) Implementation Guidance Report, with a focus on sustainable, evidence-informed improvement.

Dates and times of sessions

• Session 1: 24th September 9am-3pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Leadership Styles
Policy to practice
Curriculum Offer for SEND
Implementation as a process
High Quality Teaching

• Session 2: 22nd October 2-4pm (online)

Implementation Cycle– gathering evidence (Explore Stage & Prepare Stage)
Adaptive Practice 
Templates

• Sessions 3: 19th November 2-4pm (online)

Implementation Cycle – Delivery Stage
Leading Teams – Understanding your Team – Knoster Model

• Session 4: 21st January 2-4pm (online)

implementation cycle – Sustain Stage
Assessing progress
Monitoring provision through a SEND Lens

• Session 5: 25th February 9am-3pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Celebration of projects and production of Case Studies
Next steps for schools and The MAT

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

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