Middle Leadership Ready! 2025-26

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Alban Education are delighted to run this four session programme providing essential skills for outstanding middle 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.

What are the objectives or outcomes?

This programme will support you in:

  • Reflecting on your personal strengths
  • Developing skills of leadership
  • Exploring your own vision and values
  • Drawing together theory and practice
  • Sustaining effective leadership

Who is this course for?

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

Twilight sessions will take place at Sandringham School from 4.00pm to 5.30pm on the following dates:

Session 1 Tuesday, 18th November 2025 Management or leadership? Understanding leadership styles
Session 2 Monday, 26th January 2026 Leading effective meetings and managing people
Session 3 Tuesday, 10th March 2026 Application of data (including tracking SEND data)
Session 4 Monday, 18th May 2026 Coaching and unlocking potential

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

Meet the facilitators

Primary Lead

tbc

Secondary Lead

Amy Stothard, Director of Learning, Music, Sandringham School

Amy Stothard is an experienced form tutor and is currently the Head of Music at Sandringham School. She has been working in education for 13 years and has worked with tutor groups and students with a wide range of needs. She is passionate about the impact that form tutors have on the day to day experience of students, their wellbeing as well as on their longer-term outcomes.

 

 

Network | Secondary Literacy 2025-26

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Alban Education are delighted to be running our successful Literacy Network for Secondary Phase which will promote most recent research, resources and approaches for Literacy within the current Ofsted framework.

Booking in advance will secure one place on all three sessions for your school however a different staff member may attend each session if the focus is more relevant for them.

Your booking is for all three sessions in advance.  Delegates may join part way through the year and will be charged on a pro-rata basis.

Face to face sessions will be held at Sandringham School termly as follows:

  • Wednesday, 5th November 2025 – 09:30-11:00
  • Friday, 6th March 2026 – 09:30-11:00
  • Tuesday, 12th May 2026 – 09:30-11:00

Sessions will focus on:

Empowering Literacy Leadership: Designed to build subject leadership expertise in literacy through evidence-informed input, practical tools, and peer collaboration.

Current and Relevant Content: Each session explores national priorities (e.g. Reading Framework, Ofsted focus, English Hubs) and timely topics such as oracy, disciplinary literacy, transition, and AI in education.

Collaborative and Reflective Structure: Sessions include input, case studies, group planning, and peer sharing—creating space to reflect on and plan for impact in your setting.

Who is this course for?

Suitable for any secondary school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, librarians who have any responsibility for literacy across the curriculum.

What are the objectives or outcomes?

  • To offer practical ways in which schools can successfully adapt their current provision of literacy, to maximise impact
  • To examine the key literacy demands within the current Ofsted framework
  • To share the most recent research and resources to support literacy provision in schools
  • To provide a networking opportunity for schools to collaborate and share best practice

Meet the facilitator

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.

Sixth Formers into Teaching 2025-26

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Join us on Thursday, 25th September 2025 to find out more about delivering our Sixth Formers into Teaching programme in your school setting.

Who is this for?

Secondary Phase | Heads of Departments, Sixth Form Leaders, Careers Advisors

Meet the facilitator

Carolina Unsain, Head of Spanish, Sandringham School

Carolina is an experienced Head of Spanish at Sandringham School and a teacher of Spanish and French. She is passionate about teaching and learning and has lead staff development and curriculum changes in the MFL department over the last eleven years. She has a background in TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) and has worked in international environments in the UK and abroad leading the academic provision for students of primary and secondary age as well as adults. She is hoping this session will give you the tools and structure to deliver this new exciting programme and inspire future generations of teachers.

New to Teaching in England 2025-26

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Alban Education are delighted to run our New to Teaching in England programme for the second year running to enhance the induction of new colleagues joining schools from abroad.

These sessions will take place at Sandringham School from 4pm to 5pm on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 23rd September 2025
  • Monday 20th October 2025
  • Monday 24th November 2025

This programme will be charged at £45 for all three sessions however delegates are welcome to join part way through and will be charged on a pro-rata basis if necessary.

Who is this course for?

Newly qualified and experienced teachers who are teaching in England for the first time from abroad

What are the objectives or outcomes?

In the sessions we will provide a space to support your questions and upskilling around a range of areas including:

  • Resource and support networks
  • Exam system and assessment in England
  • Standards and Ofsted
  • Staff
  • Outstanding lessons
  • Behaviour management
  • Your questions answered

Supporting staff wellbeing:

  • Network with colleagues across schools who are also new to teaching in England
  • Provide a safe space for questions and issues
  • Enhancing school induction programmes

Meet the facilitator

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.

De-escalation in schools 2024-25

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Alban Education are delighted to offer this new session, ‘De-escalation in schools 2024-25,’ in partnership with Links Multi Academy Trust.

This session will take place on Monday, 16th June from 4pm to 5.30pm at Sandringham School.

The process of de-escalating tense situations helps prevent conflicts from escalating which is crucial for creating a supportive and productive learning environment.

De-escalation is especially important in schools, where young people are still learning how to handle their emotions, navigate conflicts, and interact with peers in constructive ways. The goal of de-escalation is to maintain a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment.

De-escalation contributes to a positive learning environment,  promotes emotional growth, and fosters strong relationships between students and staff. By using calm, respectful, and empathetic strategies, schools can help prevent conflicts from escalating and ensure that students are supported in managing their emotions and resolving disagreements in healthy ways.

Any school booking delegates for all 3 of the following sessions: Understanding and addressing Misogyny in schools, Healthy and Toxic relationships & Empowering young people, De-escalation in schools will be charged at the discounted rate of £20 for all three for one delegate.

Meet the facilitators

Links Academy Trust

Fiona Haynes, Outreach Manager

Fiona’s career started in television where she was employed by Yorkshire Television as a video editor for 15 years. She worked for the News, Documentary and Drama Departments.

Following a move to Hertfordshire in 1998, Fiona changed career to work in schools. She was employed by Sandringham School supporting the Media Department, then moved to the Links Academy teaching Media and managing the network. Since then, she has set up and managed an Inclusion Centre within a school in Hemel Hempstead, worked for the Local Authority as an Integration Officer and now manages the Outreach Team at the Links Academy supporting secondary schools across Welwyn, Hatfield, Hertsmere, St Albans and Harpenden with managing behaviour.

 

Tracy Backhouse, Higher Level Outreach Worker

Tracy Backhouse began her career in HR leading on several programmes at British Telecom, namely their Graduate Recruitment programme, Fastrack leadership programme and BT’s Apprenticeship programme where she also completed her MSc in HR Management and gained her CIPD.

After 15 years with BT, Tracy joined a Law firm as their HR Business Partner managing a team of 18 across offices in St Albans and the City where she was responsible for developing and delivering HR initiatives in line with the firms’ objectives. Alongside this, Tracy designed and introduced a staff mental health programme, to support employee’s well-being.

Tracy began studying for her diploma in Psychotherapeutic counselling in 2019 accruing over 100 clinical hours as a bereavement counsellor for the charity Cruse, whom she still volunteers for on a weekly basis.

Tracy joined Links Academy in January 2022, working on site at Hixberry as Pastoral Leader with responsibility for behaviour and as a Deputy DSL for safeguarding. In April 2023, Tracy joined Fiona in the Outreach team supporting young people who are experiencing social, emotional, mental health and behaviour difficulties across Secondary schools in St Albans and Harpenden. This includes:

  • 1-1 support
  • Group work
  • Staff training
  • Reintegration support
  • Managed move support
  • Signposting and advice & strategies

Healthy and Toxic relationships & Empowering young people 2024-25

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Alban Education are delighted to offer this new session, ‘Healthy and Toxic relationships & Empowering young people,’ in partnership with Links Multi Academy Trust.

This session will take place on Wednesday, 21st May from 4pm to 5.30pm at Sandringham School.

Understanding what a  healthy relationship is can be very confusing to young people especially since it can look different for different people and can evolve over time. There are many nuances involved, and the idea of a “healthy relationship” can vary depending on personal values, culture, and past experiences. But at its core, a healthy relationship should promote well-being, growth, respect, and mutual happiness.

Empowering our young people to understand the dynamics of healthy and toxic relationships is essential for their personal development, mental well-being, and future happiness. Through education, communication, emotional intelligence, and support, we can guide them toward forming healthy, respectful relationships while also equipping them with the tools to recognize and escape toxic environments when necessary.

Any school booking delegates for all 3 of the following sessions: Understanding and addressing Misogyny in schools, Healthy and Toxic relationships & Empowering young people, De-escalation in schools will be charged at the discounted rate of £20 for all three for one delegate.

Meet the facilitators

Links Academy Trust

Fiona Haynes, Outreach Manager

Fiona’s career started in television where she was employed by Yorkshire Television as a video editor for 15 years. She worked for the News, Documentary and Drama Departments.

Following a move to Hertfordshire in 1998, Fiona changed career to work in schools. She was employed by Sandringham School supporting the Media Department, then moved to the Links Academy teaching Media and managing the network. Since then, she has set up and managed an Inclusion Centre within a school in Hemel Hempstead, worked for the Local Authority as an Integration Officer and now manages the Outreach Team at the Links Academy supporting secondary schools across Welwyn, Hatfield, Hertsmere, St Albans and Harpenden with managing behaviour.

 

Tracy Backhouse, Higher Level Outreach Worker

Tracy Backhouse began her career in HR leading on several programmes at British Telecom, namely their Graduate Recruitment programme, Fastrack leadership programme and BT’s Apprenticeship programme where she also completed her MSc in HR Management and gained her CIPD.

After 15 years with BT, Tracy joined a Law firm as their HR Business Partner managing a team of 18 across offices in St Albans and the City where she was responsible for developing and delivering HR initiatives in line with the firms’ objectives. Alongside this, Tracy designed and introduced a staff mental health programme, to support employee’s well-being.

Tracy began studying for her diploma in Psychotherapeutic counselling in 2019 accruing over 100 clinical hours as a bereavement counsellor for the charity Cruse, whom she still volunteers for on a weekly basis.

Tracy joined Links Academy in January 2022, working on site at Hixberry as Pastoral Leader with responsibility for behaviour and as a Deputy DSL for safeguarding. In April 2023, Tracy joined Fiona in the Outreach team supporting young people who are experiencing social, emotional, mental health and behaviour difficulties across Secondary schools in St Albans and Harpenden. This includes:

  • 1-1 support
  • Group work
  • Staff training
  • Reintegration support
  • Managed move support
  • Signposting and advice & strategies

Olevi Power of Coaching Autumn 2025

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New dates to follow for the Autumn Term – please email cpd@albaneducation.co.uk to register your interest

Designed by Olevi and facilitated by experienced school leaders and teachers, Olevi Power of Coaching will allow practitioners to gain a deeper understanding about the power of coaching and the impact that great coaching has on learning, being able to confidently apply a number of strategies to deepen the thinking of pupils, inspire colleagues to develop and grow, and become a more reflective and energised professional.

This programme will take place over 1 1/2 days and will be delivered face to face at Sandringham School as follows:

  • Day 1: Autumn Term tbc 9am to 3pm
  • Day 2: Autumn Term tbc 9am to 12 noon

Full attendance across both days at this programme will enable you to utilise models and approaches to coach pupils and professionals to improve learning, thinking and well-being; professionally challenge expectations and begin to shift mindsets; and model courage, humility and discipline when engaging with coaching conversations.

Who is this course for?

This programme is open to teaching and non-teaching staff who have a role in leading the development of teams and individuals.

This programme could be valuable to teachers supporting the Early Career Framework.

Testimonial

“An excellent experience, tailor-made to the range of course participants.”

 

Meet the facilitators

Jo Cavanagh, Director of Initial Teacher Training, Alban Teaching School Hub and OLEVI Power of Coaching Facilitator

 

 

 

 

 

David Williams, Teacher of MFL and OLEVI Power of Coaching Facilitator

 

 

 

 

OLEVI Outstanding Teaching Assistant Programme Summer 2025

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The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Programme is for teaching assistants who are, or who have the potential to be, outstanding in their roles. It is intended to develop the potential for Teaching Assistants to have a wider impact on improving the quality of teaching and learning across the school. Designed and facilitated by experienced school leaders and teachers the OTAP forms part of the OLEVI Teaching & Learning Syllabus which has gained a national reputation for raising standards in teaching and learning.

Dates

The Summer 2025 cohort of the OLEVI Outstanding Teaching Assistant Programme will take place as follows with all sessions running from 12:00 to 15:00.

Session 1 Tuesday, 29th April 2025 Sandringham School
Session 2 Wednesday, 14th May 2025 Sandringham School
Session 3 Tuesday, 3rd June 2025 Sandringham School
Session 4 Wednesday, 11th June 2025 Sandringham School
Session 5 Wednesday, 9th July 2025 Townsend Church of England School

Who is this course for?

Primary and secondary school teaching assistants in post or colleagues considering a role as a teaching assistant.

What are the objectives?

OTAP enables teaching assistants to:

  • place a greater emphasis on the purpose and value of the lessons they support
  • raise levels of engagement and achievement in learning
  • use different methods and styles of support to challenge learners
  • innovate and take risks
  • have a bigger impact on the planning and assessment for the learners they support
  • demonstrate a higher level understanding of teaching and learning
  • be able to coach their peers to raise performance

Impact

“The OTAP has raised the profile of the teaching/learning assistant to a position in schools where they are being taken seriously as a profession and valued. It is having a very positive effect on our children’s learning and creating excellent working relationships with other staff members across the school.”

Leah Crawley, Headteacher, Burnt Ash Primary School

Vision

To give the teaching profession the tools and strategies; challenge and inspiration to engage in excellence – raising the quality of teaching practice to ensure every student in every school enjoys outstanding teaching and learning outcomes.

Meet the facilitators:

Emma Beaton, Music Teacher at Sandringham School & ECF Lead for the Alban TSH

With 25 years of experience as a music teacher across all phases from nursery through to Key Stage 5, Emma has worked in a range of schools and settings and was recently awarded a Silver Pearson award for Secondary School Teacher of the Year. Emma is a highly experienced facilitator, working with organisations such as Olevi and Best Practice Network, delivering training for NPQLT, ECF mentors and ECTs. Emma’s expertise spans a range of areas, from music-specific pedagogy to cutting-edge approaches including AI and innovations to support adaptive teaching. Emma is a blended learning enthusiast and advocate for arts education for all. She has recently taken on the role of ECF lead for the Alban Teaching School Hub enabling her to support new colleagues as they enter the profession. She is dedicated to supporting all those who work in education to thrive and build a lasting career.

Kerry McIntyre, Townsend Church of England School

Kerry McIntyre is currently a Lead Practitioner of Teaching and Learning, helping to raise standards and drive forward technology in the classroom. Kerry is also an experienced Faculty Leader and RE specialist who is dedicated ensuring the best outcomes for students. She has been subject mentor for a number of trainees at the Alban Federation and is proud to now see them develop into excellent classroom teachers and leaders. Kerry is an accredited Olevi facilitator aiming to drive Outstanding teacher practice across Hertfordshire.

 

Testimonial

“I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for delivering such a brilliant programme. Although I have been in education for some time now, it was so refreshing to participate in something that was directly relevant to my role as support staff and enabled a large chunk of self reflection and collaboration.
I shall certainly take forward ideas and concepts from the Olevi programme to enhance my own practice.”

 

Network | Art Teachers and Leaders 2024-25

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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, 7th October 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned Art teacher or just starting out, our network meeting is the perfect place to ignite your creativity, gain valuable insights, and find inspiration for your classroom.

The meeting focus will be sharing ideas of how we can raise the profile of Art in our schools. Discover fresh ideas and innovative approaches to engage your students and foster a love for Art.

Guest artist Daisy Smith will lead a collage based workshop and sharing her creative approach to collage which can be used at both primary and secondary level.

https://www.instagram.com/daisymay.smith/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Session 2: Monday, 3rd February 2025

Join our friendly informal and creative group of art lovers who are passionate about creativity. Next session we will be creating a textiles piece with Sara Button a local painter and textile artist.

https://www.sarabutton.co.uk/

Don’t Miss Out!

 

 

Register Today and take the first step towards enriching your art teaching journey.

  • Session 3: Monday, 30th June 2025

Join our friendly bunch of secondary and primary Art teachers in our next creative workshop where we can share ideas inspire each other.

Inspired by our last visiting painter and textile artist, Sara Button we will be creating out own concertina sketchbooks. Sketchbook making is an important part of any creative process and allows us to play and explore ideas.

Please bring along a concertina sketchbook of any size.

We would also love you to bring along some student art projects or sketchbooks you would like to share with the group.

Detail from Sara Button’s sketchbook  https://sarabutton.co.uk/portfolio/

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

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 Teaching 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 4217
email: teaching@albantsh.co.uk
Initial Teacher Training

Alban Education Courses