Using AI in Primary education settings: facilitation of the DfE support materials 2026

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Join Dan Smith, one of the contributors to the DfE teacher support materials for the safe and effective us of AI in schools, and Ben Conway who will navigate and work through the programme in a collaborative and constructive way to suit your primary school’s needs.

3 online sessions will take place across the Summer and Autumn 2026 terms from 4:00pm to 5:30pm on the following dates:

  • Session 1: Tuesday 9th June 2026
  • Session 2: Tuesday 29th September 2026
  • Session 3: Tuesday 1st December 2026

Who is this course for?

All teachers and support staff in primary education

Resources

Resources that you will be guided through are ‘Using AI in education settings: support materials from the DfE.’

The three sessions will cover the four modules included in these support materials:

Understanding AI in education: module 1

Interacting with generative AI in education: module 2

Safe use of generative AI in education: module 3

Use cases of generative AI in education: module 4

Meet the facilitators

Dan Smith

Deputy Director of Teaching School: Early Career Lead

Previous Computing Hub lead, Dan has been at the forefront of Computing education, including Artificial Intelligence for many years. His work too as Deputy Director of the TSH has seen him lead EdTech initiatives in support of the Early Career Framework in conjunction with Best Practice Network.

 

Ben Conway

Executive Principal, Aspire Academies Trust

Ben Conway is an experienced Executive Principal, headteacher and school leader, with strategic responsibility for curriculum, teaching and learning, and digital strategy at Aspire. He has a strong track record of school improvement and leads work on the effective and ethical use of digital technologies, including AI, leadership development and assessment.

Mental Health Knowledge for Managers 2026-27

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Mental Health Knowledge for Managers is available on a rolling basis and will be undertaken online, at your own pace, in 25 minute blocks amounting to 3 hours total training time.

Please book to the left and full instructions will be shared with you for you to undertake this programme.

Brief Overview

Designed using the latest statistics and real-world scenarios, this fully accessible course brings together seven streamlined modules in one package.

Course modules:

  • Supporting employee mental health.
  • Understanding equality.
  • Managing workplace stress.
  • The mental health conversation cycle
  • Understanding reasonable adjustments.
  • Managing performance.
  • Balancing life and work.

Who is this course for?

Open to anyone in a school community, teachers, leaders, support staff and governors.

Meet the Facilitator

Mental Health First Aid England.

Senior Leadership Ready! 2025-26

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Alban Education are delighted to run our established Senior Leadership Ready programme this year with four sessions providing essential skills for outstanding senior leadership.  This will be cross-phase with specific primary and secondary facilitators every session allowing delegates to benefit from tailored training specific to their individual setting.

This will consist of 4 twilight sessions which will take place from 4.00pm to 5.30pm at Katherine Warington School in Harpenden.

(session 1 is now 13th May, not 21st April as previously published)

Session 1: Wednesday, 13th May 2026

Session 2: Wednesday, 10th June 2026

Session 3: Tuesday, 30th June 2026

Session 4: Tuesday, 14th July 2026

A minimum of 75% attendance is required in order to receive certification on this programme.

What are the objectives or outcomes?

  • Are you preparing to move into a Senior Leadership role or newly appointed in post?  This programme will support the development of essential skills and knowledge required to be a senior leader in school.  Relevant for all phases of school.

Who is this course for?

  • For colleagues new to senior leadership roles
  • For colleagues moving to senior leadership roles
  • For aspirational senior leaders

Meet the facilitators

Cathy Longhurst, Headteacher, Mandeville Primary School

Cathy is an outstanding Headteacher with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Primary teaching phase.

 

 

 

Amy Francis, Katherine Warington School

Amy is an experienced educator and currently the Induction Lead at Katherine Warington School in Harpenden. She has held roles as a curriculum lead in MFL, Lead Practitioner, Induction lead, SENCO and Assistant Headteacher (T&L).  Amy has  been working in education for 27 years. She studied French at the University of Liverpool, before completing her PGCE and starting her teaching career in the same city, then moving to teach in London. Amy’s extensive experience of inner city teaching has led to the passionate belief that regardless of circumstance or challenges, every child has the right to achieve and fulfil their potential; and this is achieved through high quality education, led by those who have the highest expectations of the students they teach and nurture.

She added to her educational portfolio in 2019 by qualifying as a SENCO and took up this new role at Katherine Warington School where she had  the privilege of being a member of the founding leadership team; designing curriculum, policies and practices for a brand new school. She is an Alban Education Expert (previously SLE) and a Harpenden parent.

 

 

Flourishing Teacher Programme 2025-26

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NEW! Flourishing Teacher Programme – Launch Spring 2026

NEW national programme in partnership with the National Society of Education and delivered locally and online. Aimed at those beyond ECF, perhaps in Years 4 – 8 of their teaching journey – developing depth of thinking on the art and craft of excellence in pedagogy; exploring five modules on Purpose, Relationships, Learning, Resources and Wellbeing; tailored coaching. Investing in flourishing teachers to support and sustain their ongoing retention and enjoyment of our profession.

CANCELLATION ON THIS PROGRAMME IS REQUIRED BY 5TH DECEMBER.  AFTER THIS DATE A LICENCE FEE WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE EVENT OF NON-ATTENDANCE.

Starting January 2026 – this is a one year programme which will take place on the following dates:

Module Dates
Induction and Module 1: Purpose Wednesday 7th January 2026
Sandringham School, St. Albans
9.00 – 2.30
Module 2: Relationships Wednesday 25th February 2026
Virtual
2.00 – 3.30
Module 3: Teaching and Learning Tuesday 21st April 2026
Virtual
9.00 – 10.30
Module 4: Resources and Expertise Wednesday 10th June 2026
Virtual
2.00 – 3.30
Module 5: Wellbeing Tuesday 8th  September 2026
Virtual
now 2:00-3:30
Consolidation and Celebration Event Wednesday 4th November 2026
Sandringham School, St. Albans
1.00 – 4.30
DOWNLOAD FLOURISHING TEACHERS PROGRAMME BROCHURE HERE

Who is this course for?

  • Teachers in years 4 – 8 of teaching.
  • Experienced classroom practitioners wishing to enhance their teaching practice in a transformative development space.

Meet the Facilitators

Karen Taylor-Paul NPQEL FCCT FRSA is the Director of the Alban Teaching School Hub which oversees outstanding professional development for teachers at all stages of their careers across over 300 schools in Hertfordshire.  Her teaching career started in secondary Music teaching and Arts leadership before moving onto wide-ranging senior leadership roles. Karen’s role now encompasses system leadership across all school phases from Initial Teacher Training through to Executive Leader and Trust development; she ensures DfE policy and system change are implemented in schools across the whole Golden Thread of professional development.   Karen’s work aligns with the DfE Recruitment and Retention remit for Teaching School Hubs and also promotes the work of subject hubs and Universal RISE to ensure school leaders and teachers are informed on the best evidence-based professional development opportunities for their schools to benefit the outcomes of every child.  Karen sits on a number of regional and national professional development advisory boards.

There will also be invited speakers across a range of topics.

 

Annabel Brown

Annabel Brown is a former EEF Research School Director and current NPQ Facilitator at Alban Teaching School Hub, with extensive experience in supporting schools to embed evidence-informed practice. As a Senior English Advisor and experienced English teacher, she brings a wealth of expertise in curriculum design, coaching, and professional development, all grounded in her ongoing classroom practice. Through her leadership of the Literacy Network, Annabel draws on her background in whole-school improvement, disciplinary literacy, and reading fluency to support literacy leaders and teachers in developing strategic, research-informed approaches that make a real impact.

 

Network | Early Years 2025-26

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Join our Early Years Network for all teachers in nursery and reception run by Alban Education in collaboration with Acorns Early Years Training Centre.  An excellent opportunity to learn from experienced leaders, to share knowledge and discuss common challenges.

Face to face twilight sessions will be held termly from 4pm to 5.30pm at Ludwick Nursery School on the following dates:

  • Thursday, 13th November 2025
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 25th June 2026

This network is £30 in advance for all three sessions or delegates joining part way through the year will be charged at £10 per session.

Who is this course for?

This network is for qualified teachers working in EYFS.

What are the objectives or outcomes?

This network will be for anyone within EYFS and PVI settings. It will be an opportunity to share best practice, network with colleagues and keep up to date with latest research, policy and practice.

Meet the facilitators

Helen Ackerman, Headteacher Ludwick Nursery School and Director Acorns Early Years Training Centre

Lucy Parker, Deputy Headteacher Ludwick Nursery School and Director Acorns Early Years Training Centre

Contact Us

Alban Education
Sandringham School
The Ridgeway
St. Albans
Herts, AL4 9NX

Email: cpd@albaneducation.co.uk
Phone: 01727 799560
Laura Lusardi: ext 4251
Marketing & Communications Manager

Our 5 Pillars

Early Career Teacher Programme

Appropriate Body Services

National Professional Qualifications

CPD

Initial Teacher Training

Contact Us

Alban Teaching School Hub
Sandringham School
The Ridgeway
St. Albans
Herts, AL4 9NX

Email: enquiries@albantsh.co.uk
Phone: 01727 799560

Sophie Walsh: ext 4281
Business Director

Laura Lusardi: ext 4251
Marketing & Communications Manager

Victoria Angel: ext 4400
Appropriate Body Services

Dan Smith: ext 4548
Early Career Teachers

Jo Cavanagh: ext 4271
email: teaching@albantsh.co.uk
Initial Teacher Training

Alban Education Courses