Mental Health Knowledge for Managers 2025-26

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Mental Health Knowledge for Managers is a new course available to start from 26th January 2026 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: Tuesday, 21st April 2026

Session 2: Wednesday, 13th May 2026

Session 3: Wednesday, 10th June 2026

Session 4: Tuesday, 30th June 2026

 

BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2026

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
3.15 – 4.45
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 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 background is in secondary Music and Creative Arts teaching and senior leadership but her work now encompasses system leadership across all school phases from Initial Teacher Training through to Executive Leader development.  Karen’s work aligns with the DfE Recruitment and Retention remit for Teaching School Hubs and also promotes the work of curriculum hubs to ensure school leaders are providing the best professional development opportunities for their colleagues.

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.

 

MTPT Cradle to Classroom

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We offer a “Cradle to Classroom” package of coaching and transition support to colleagues working in education.

Our different programmes and workshops support you at each stage of your parenting journey, and help you to make choices about your personal and professional life that are right from you.

The full Cradle to Classroom programme is open to support staff, leaders and central Trust colleagues, not just teachers – this includes fathers who have taken an extended period of parental leave.

FURTHER DETAILS ON CRADLE TO CLASSROOM HERE

Emma Sheppard
Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project
Inspiring, empowering and connecting teachers choosing to complete CPD on parental leave.

Book in a call with me: www.calendly.com/emmasheppard

www.mtpt.org.uk
@mtptproject #MTPTproject
www.facebook.com/MTPTproject
Join us as a member!

MTPT Sustain and Grow Group Coaching

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Teaching and leading in our schools can feel all-encompassing at the best of times. Add a young family into the mix and life can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. At The MTPT Project, we see too many amazing, experienced teachers and leaders burn out, feeling forced to choose between their careers and their families.

But teaching and leading can be compatible with family life – even the most family-friendly career choice going!

Join us on our Sustain and Grow group coaching programme this September to take control of your work and home lives.

All sessions run online (zoom) from 3.30pm to 4.30pm

DATES FOR AUTUMN 2025 TUESDAY COHORT – ongoing

  • Tuesday 23rd September
  • Tuesday 21st October
  • Tuesday 25th November
  • Tuesday 13th January
  • Tuesday 10th February
  • Tuesday 10th March

DATES FOR AUTUMN 2025 THURSDAY COHORT – ongoing

  • Thursday 25th September
  • Thursday 23rd October
  • Thursday 27th November
  • Thursday 15th January
  • Thursday 12th February
  • Thursday 12th March

DATES FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2026 TUESDAY COHORT

  • Tuesday 20th January
  • Tuesday 24th February
  • Tuesday 24th March
  • Tuesday 21st April
  • Tuesday 19th May
  • Tuesday 16th June

DATES FOR SPRING./SUMMER 2026 THURSDAY COHORT

  • Tuesday 22nd January
  • Tuesday 26th February
  • Tuesday 26th March
  • Tuesday 23rd April
  • Tuesday 21st May
  • Tuesday 18th June
BOOK DIRECT ON EVENTBRITE HERE

Workshop places are fully-funded for state-school colleagues in England thanks to support from our regional school, MAT and TSH partners. Please do thank your local organisation on social media or in person for their support.

Emma Sheppard
Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project
Inspiring, empowering and connecting teachers choosing to complete CPD on parental leave.

Book in a call with me: www.calendly.com/emmasheppard

www.mtpt.org.uk
@mtptproject #MTPTproject
www.facebook.com/MTPTproject
Join us as a member!

Network | Design & Technology and Food & Nutrition Teachers 2025-26

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Welcome to our established Design & Technology and Food & Nutrition Teachers network for 2025-26.

This network is a chance for Teachers of Design and Technology and Food and Nutrition to meet to discuss current issues in Education, to create cross school relationships and share ideas and best practice.

Termly sessions will take place from 4-5.30pm on the following dates at St George’s School

Session 1: Tuesday, 4th November 2025

Session 2: Tuesday, 24th February 2026

Session 3: Tuesday, 2nd June 2026

Sessions will be £30 in advance or £10 a session if joining part way through the year.

On this programme participants will:

  • Discuss current best practice and new ideas.
  • Discuss ways we can stay up to date with our ever-changing subject.
  • Discuss how we can use blended learning within our subject area.
  • Share quick wins and teaching and learning tips.
  • Share ideas on how best to set- up industry links in the community and how to harness them to provide opportunities for students

Areas of focus:

  • Sharing good practise.
  • Inspiring students with industry links.
  • Networking with other colleagues.

Who is the course for?

All teachers of Design and Technology from ECTs to HoDs.

Meet the facilitator

Scott Tweeddale, Head of Technology, St George’s School

Network | Art Teachers and Leaders 2025-26

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Join our fun, creative and informal Art Network. We aim to create a supportive and creative community where art teachers can connect, share ideas and collaborate with one another. Offering opportunities for ongoing professional development through practical workshops, webinars and guest speakers and sharing our resources.

Face to face twilight sessions will be held termly from 4pm to 5.30pm at Sandringham School. The network will be charged at £30 in advance for the year or £10 per session when joining part way through.

Session 1: Monday, 6th October 2025

Session 2: Monday, 2nd February 2026 – Printmaking

Session 3: Monday, 1st June 2026

Last year’s activities included:

Collage based workshop.                     Creating a textiles piece with Sara Button

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Sketchbook making

Who is this course for?

  • Primary and secondary art teachers from ECT to HODs.

Meet the facilitator

Sarah Gidden, Sandringham School

Sarah is a fine artist specialising in oil painting and photography. Sarah has taught art to all ages from infants to University of the third age. With over 20 year teaching experience she is passionate about art and education. After becoming a mum to twins in 2011 Sarah enjoyed a career break to raise her family and develop her art skills further. She has exhibited in many galleries including The Collective Gallery , The Nude Tin Can and St Albans Museum as well as Courtyard Arts in Ware and The Broadway in Letchworth.

 

Liz Kelly, Director of Learning (Visual Arts and Arts Coordinator), Sandringham School

Network | Geography Teachers 2025-26

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This network is for Geography teachers who would like to meet to discuss current issues in Secondary Geography Education and to work collaboratively.

The group will meet termly with twilight sessions running from 4.15pm to 5.45pm on the dates below.

  • Meeting 1: Thursday 13th November 2025 @ Fearnhill School,  Letchworth

Agenda for Meeting 1

  1. Sequence of topics in Geography at all key stages
  2. Use of AI including: use of GIS and use of AI for marking (Gillian)
  • Meeting 2: Thursday 12th February 2026 at Monk’s Walk School

 

  • Meeting 3: Thursday 18th June 2026 (venue tbc)

Your booking will include all three dates for £30 and reporting instructions will be sent prior to each event.

Late joiners will be charged pro-rata at £10 per session.

Who is this course for?

All Geography teachers – any experience.

What are the objectives or outcomes?

On this programme participants will:

  • Discuss opportunities and challenges linked to all key stages of the Geography curriculum (KS1-KS5)
  • Explore how Geography contributes to whole school cross-curricular initiatives
  • Discuss changes in assessment in Geography
  • Share best practice [to include objectives from other facilitators]

Areas of focus

The course will include:

  • Facilitated sessions
  • Developing pedagogy
  • Ideas for collaboration
  • Reflection and review

Meet the facilitator

Janet Ruffhead is currently Head of Humanities at Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School and has been Head of Geography for the past 17 years. She has thirty five years’ teaching experience and has worked in a number of schools in the West Midlands and at International schools in West Africa and South India.

She has held the role of Global Dimension Co-ordinator for over 10 years and has run whole school inset as well as supported staff in developing exciting and interactive resources across all subject areas. She has more recently led successful initiatives to support PP pupils and work to improve their resilience and self-confidence and arranged master classes and workshops for more able students

Testimonials from delegates

“Invaluable as a lone teacher of Geography, to meet with other teachers and share ideas and resources.”

“I have really enjoyed networking with other secondary Geography teachers, exploring topics and issues that affect us all.”

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

Network | History Teachers 2025-26

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Alban Education are delighted to launch a History Teachers Network for the academic year of 2025-26.

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

  • Thursday 6th November 2025

The first session will be looking at the topic of ‘considering controversial history’ and the use of sensitive language in the classroom.

  • Thursday 26th February 2026
  • Thursday 4th June 2026

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

Who is this course for?

All history teachers – any experience welcome

What are the objectives or outcomes?

On this programme participants will:
  • Discuss opportunities and challenges linked to all key stages of the history curriculum (KS1-5)
  • Reflect on the impact of curriculum reform since 2019 and the progress made with regards to representation in the history curriculum
  • Consider the use of oracy in the history classroom
  • Share best practice amongst delegates

Areas of focus:

The course will include:

  • Facilitated discussion
  • Developing pedagogy
  • Ideas for collaboration
  • Reflection and review

Meet the facilitator:

Ruth Davies is currently Assistant Director of Learning of History at Sandringham School and has 20 years of teaching experience across a range of secondary schools in Leeds, Hertfordshire and North London. She has previously been both Head of History and Head of Humanities and has worked across schools to ensure history departments collaborate and support each other with curriculum development. As an experienced Edexcel examiner and participant in Parallel Histories, Ruth is committed to ensuring CPD offers the opportunity for informative collaboration and ideas on practical classroom implementation.

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 Framework

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