Search for Learning and Development Services and Pathways

This course is aimed at clerks to governing boards who wish to know more about their role with regards to permanent exclusion hearings. This one off session will give you an in-depth understanding of the process.

In most cases, permanent exclusion will be the last resort after a range of measures have been tried to improve the pupil's behaviour.
The role of the clerk leading up to, during and following the hearing is important, and will be covered in this session.

Essential Information

This course is strongly recommended for all governors and is essential for the Designated Child Protection governor(s), the chair/vice chair. It is also recommended to refresh this training every 4 years.

This training looks at:

• safeguarding in the school context
• the role of Child Protection School Liaison Officers (CPSLO)
• the nature of child abuse
• safeguarding Responsibilities
• gole of the governing board, the headteacher, all staff/volunteers
• the role of the Designated Senior Person (DSP)
• child protection policy and procedures
• statutory child protection training timescales
• vulnerability of staff in schools
• management of allegations against staff
• monitoring and review of school practice, policies and procedures
• introduction to audit tools - Annual Schools' Safeguarding Practice Checklist and Annual Safeguarding Report
• an opportunity to ask questions or arrange follow-up contact with your CPSLO.

Essential Information

This full day course is for new governors for schools, academies and MAT's. This course is very important for all new governors so that they can be as effective as possible in helping the governing board in its role to secure school improvement. Delegates benefit from the opportunity to network with new governors from other schools and academies.

We recommend that all new governors attend the ‘Induction for governors’ course within the first 3 months of being appointed. In particular new governors derive maximum benefit if they book onto a course which takes place after they have attended at least one governing board meeting.

The three key roles of the governing board that will be covered during the course are:
1. vision and strategic
2. holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school
3. Financial management and best value

Delegates will also receive an insight into how to get to know your school and taking part in effective meetings. The course will use a variety of teaching strategies including group discussion, case studies and tutor input.

Essential Information

This course is aimed at all governors and headteachers of voluntary aided, foundation schools and academies. This session is suitable for both primary and secondary schools/academies and is aimed at governors of own admission authority schools.

If parents appeal against a decision not to admit their pupil, a governor will have to defend that decision to an independent appeals panel and try to convince them that admitting another pupil would 'prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources.' If the panel is not convinced, they will uphold the parental appeal.

Essential Information

This nationally accredited full day ‘Safer recruitment’ training is suitable for governors and staff of schools/academies involved in the recruitment process. This course is applicable for those who have had no previous training - if you have attended ‘Safer recruitment’ training within the past 5 years’ there is a separate refresher course for those who wish to refresh their accreditation. (Please check if you are unsure)

The principles and actions for safer recruitment derive from the Bichard Inquiry which was formed following the tragic events of the 'Soham case' (2004). The Inquiry's Report highlighted flaws and shortcomings in the recruitment process that allowed Ian Huntley to be employed as a caretaker at Soham Community School. The Bichard Inquiry recommended that all governing boards have members who have been safer recruitment trained and that appointment panels for school leadership posts include at least one governor who has been safer recruitment trained. This course is based on the Safer Recruitment Consortium national programme.

Please note that attendance to the whole day is required in order to achieve accreditation.

The session will:

• raise awareness of the Bichard Inquiry Report and the safer recruitment framework
• look at data and trends in school/academy incidents of abuse
• look at safer recruitment processes and policies
• provide an opportunity to go through the recruitment process

Pre-course reading is available for all delegates to read through before the date of the training, please ensure to read this in advance.

Staff attending from a subscribing school will be charged £100

Essential Information

This full day course is for new governors for schools, academies and MAT's. This course is very important for all new governors so that they can be as effective as possible in helping the governing board in its role to secure school improvement. Delegates benefit from the opportunity to network with new governors from other schools and academies.

We recommend that all new governors attend the ‘Induction for governors’ course within the first 3 months of being appointed. In particular new governors derive maximum benefit if they book onto a course which takes place after they have attended at least one governing board meeting.

The three key roles of the governing board that will be covered during the course are:
1. vision and strategic
2. holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school
3. Financial management and best value

Delegates will also receive an insight into how to get to know your school and taking part in effective meetings. The course will use a variety of teaching strategies including group discussion, case studies and tutor input.

Essential Information

What are effective processes for curriculum construction, debate and renewal?
In reality, how is the curriculum used as a progression model?
Which factors influence the inclusion or omission of content within different curriculum models?
Which factors influence the order of content across different curriculum disciplines within the curriculum?

Following the success of the Primary Curriculum Symposium, HfL are delighted to launch a follow-up CPD offer: Curriculum in Motion. This series of half-day CPD sessions will allow leaders to continue the conversations begun during the Curriculum Symposium and to re-focus on key curriculum questions, such as those listed above. For those leaders who did not attend the Curriculum Symposium, the sessions will provide an excellent opportunity to engage in the topical debates surrounding curriculum design and implementation.

The 5 Curriculum in Motion sessions, which will be spread across the academic year 2019/20, will feature guest speakers, all of whom have considerable experience of forming and shaping bespoke curriculums, designed to meet the needs of learners within their diverse settings. Acting on the feedback from the Curriculum Symposium, each session will feature a speaker who is able to give practical insights into the processes, challenges and considerations associated with visioning and implementing a primary curriculum. In addition, the sessions will incorporate time and space to allow for leaders to consider, debate and respond to the content being presented.

Curriculum in Motion Session Two: 27th January 2020

Keynote: Andrew Percival – Deputy Headteacher and Curriculum Lead at Stanley Road Primary School in Oldham

Developing a curriculum for long-term learning
Over the past two years at Stanley Road Primary School we have worked to develop a coherent ‘knowledge-rich’ curriculum using insights from cognitive science to inform our decision making. In the session, I will outline the process we went through to develop the curriculum and will share examples of curricular planning to exemplify our thinking. Finally, I will explain some of the systems in school that support our curriculum implementation.

Herts Showcase: Penny Barefoot – Headteacher, Bushey Heath Primary School 

Where to begin: Developing your curriculum
Developing the curriculum has been the most exciting and rewarding part of my headship. Starting with post-it notes and squared paper, working closely with the subject leaders and interested parents, we have deconstructed and then reconstructed the curriculum. It has been hard work. It has been fun. It is a journey worth taking.

Essential Information

This course is strongly recommended for all governors and is essential for the Designated Child Protection governor(s), the chair/vice chair. It is also recommended to refresh this training every 4 years.

This training looks at:

• safeguarding in the school context
• the role of Child Protection School Liaison Officers (CPSLO)
• the nature of child abuse
• safeguarding Responsibilities
• gole of the governing board, the headteacher, all staff/volunteers
• the role of the Designated Senior Person (DSP)
• child protection policy and procedures
• statutory child protection training timescales
• vulnerability of staff in schools
• management of allegations against staff
• monitoring and review of school practice, policies and procedures
• introduction to audit tools - Annual Schools' Safeguarding Practice Checklist and Annual Safeguarding Report
• an opportunity to ask questions or arrange follow-up contact with your CPSLO.

Essential Information

This course is relevant to all governors, particularly those with an interest in premises and health and safety.


This session includes:

• an overview of sensible risk management and balancing risk and benefit
• health and safety roles and responsibilities
• practical case studies
• key areas for monitoring and a proportionate approach to safety in schools/academies.

Essential Information

This is an opportunity for new chairs to network with Strategic Leaders of Governance (SLoGs – experienced Chairs).

The Strategic Leaders of Governance have experience with a range of difficult and pertinent issues such as, panels, induction for new governors, building a relationship with your headteacher, Ofsted, governor visits, creating a loyal team and much more.

Essential Information