The Professional Learning Network has developed a number of different programmes to support teachers and leaders from other schools. We coordinate the expertise within the Professional Learning Network to deliver training by experienced staff that is up to date and relevant to our schools.
Please do not hesitate to discuss with us how you would like to be involved. We welcome any ideas on how we can all work together to improve and enhance practice and welcome suggestions for your own professional learning.
For any enquiries or suggestions please contact:
Verity Boreham: Director Professional Learning Network
E: adminpln@lyonshall.org.uk
T: 01376 552393
Book continuing professional development programmes:
To book, please download and complete a booking form and return it to adminPLN@lyonshall.org.uk at least a week before the CPD.
Early Career Framework Programme – Cohort 2 from September 2023
Professional Learning Network is delighted to be working with Ambition Institute to deliver the DfE funded Full Induction Programme at no cost to your school. Our two-year programme will be delivered by a team of facilitators who are experienced practising teachers and can adapt the materials to respond to the context of our schools. For more information please contact Lelia Berkeley plnecf@lyonshall.org.uk
National Professional Qualifications – Next cohort starting October 2023
To apply
Please drop Amanda Card an email to express your interest and she will send you an application form.
Amanda Card
E: npq.pln.admin@lyonshall.org.uk
Professional Learning Network will continue to deliver the whole suite of reformed Specialist and Leadership NPQs across all phases and settings. For more information click on the NPQs which are of interest Specialist, Leadership
Our Programmes 2023-2024
Please click course name for further details:
DfE funded Early Career Teacher Programme (ECT) in partnership with Ambition Institute
DfE funded National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) in partnership with Teach First
Primary – Developing Teacher Programme (DTP)
Primary – Developing Leadership – Outstanding Teacher Programme (OTP)
Our Networks
MATHS NETWORK
Facilitated by Kirsty Drake, SLE at Great Bradfords Junior School and Liz Millane, Lyons Hall Primary School
Meetings at Lyons Hall Primary School from 9.00am – 12.00pm
Autumn Term: Tuesday 8th November 2022
Spring Term: Tuesday 7th March 2023
Summer Term: Tuesday 6th June 2023
ENGLISH NETWORK
Facilitated by Beverley Simmons, SLE at Great Bradfords Junior School
Autumn Term: Monday 9th October 2023, 1.30-3.00pm at Lyons Hall Primary School
Spring Term: TBC
Summer Term: TBC
SENCO NETWORK
Facilitated by Vicky Childs
The SENCO network meets half termly and is very well supported by SENCOs from all phases. It also receives support from the Specialist Teacher Team and the Educational Psychology Team
Meetings held at Lyons Hall Primary School 9.30am-12pm
Autumn Term:
3rd October 2023
24th November 2023
Spring Term:
31st January 2024
5th March 2024
Summer Term:
21st May 2024
2nd July 2024
EYFS PRACTITIONER NETWORK
Facilitated by Jodi Denny, John Bunyan Primary and Nursery School
The EYFS practitioner network meets termly at a twilight meeting and is very well supported. Members share good practice and resources.
Meetings at Lyons Hall Primary School, 4.00pm for a 4.15pm start – 5.30pm
Autumn Term: Thursday 17th November 2023
Spring Term: Thursday 9th March 2023
Summer Term: Thursday 15th June 2023
EAL NETWORK
Facilitated by EAL Champions
Next meetings:
ATTACHMENT NETWORK
COMMUNICATION NETWORK
Sessions led by Jacky Wragg and suitable for all support staff working with children with SLCN needs (including those involved in MITA SLCN project and those who are Talkboost/ELKLAN trained).
The sessions will run from 1.15pm to 3.15pm at Lyons Hall Primary School
Next meetings:
SCIENCE NETWORK
Facilitated by Sarah Gardner and Kirsty Evans
4.15 – 5.15pm St Peters C of E Primary School, Coggeshall (currently via Zoom)
Autumn Term: Thursday 1st December 2023
Spring Term:
Research and Development
Achieving a good balance across the priorities for teaching schools will have a positive impact on the development of our alliance and evidence-based teaching. We integrate R&D activities into our Initial Teacher Training, Professional Learning and Leadership Development and School to School Support work.
Please do not hesitate to discuss with us how you would like to be involved. We welcome any ideas on how we can all work together to improve and enhance practice.
The Learner to Learner Project
In the Learner to Learner project learners will be working together to conduct research in their own and other schools around the topic of ‘What makes learners happy and achieve in schools?’ Learners work within mixed groups of Year 8 and Year 5 learners from across the six schools taking part.
Supporting Schools to improve outcomes for Children in Care
Parental Engagement Research Project
A learning network case-study entitled ‘Engaging Parents of Disadvantaged pupils’ has been led by Jenni Saward, SLE at Notley Green Primary School.
This has been a worthwhile research project. It has enabled schools to link together and discuss the different strategies, ideas and systems that they have in place in order to support disadvantaged families. Before embarking on the case-study, Jenni conducted her own research of written studies in order to have a sound knowledge of strategies ‘studies’ claim to be effective and compare them to the strategies actually being used in schools. Following this, many schools were contacted to give specific details on what is working well for them. The information and data was then collated and findings were presented at a Pupil Premium Conference.
The case-study is available to all the learning network community here.
The presentation from the Pupil Premium Conference is available here.