Exploring how we further develop challenge for more able students within the secondary curriculum
1-day online workshop focusing on English, maths and computing for school leaders and practitioners
Secondary subject workshops
2025/26 dates and details coming soon
Thursday 30 January 2025; online Member and multi-delegate discounts available
Watch this space for details of our next subject workshops. To register interest in a particular subject area, please contactcpd@nace.co.uk
How can we further develop challenge for more able students within the secondary curriculum, thereby improving challenge for all?
This workshop event explores the balance of subject knowledge and creativity in how we ensure the needs of the more able learners are met. Focusing on the subject areas of English, maths and computing, we will draw on the latest
evidence and learning to explore the mechanisms of challenge in each subject area and how we can facilitate higher-order thinking.
The day will bring together school leaders, department heads and practitioners to explore these themes in subject breakout groups with time to return together as a group for reflection (see below for full programme details).
Delegates will leave with an understanding of what challenge means for their subject area, what it can look like in the classroom, and practical actions they can take back into school.
Feedback from our last secondary workshop event:
“Informative and well prepared.”
“Really well organised, lovely speakers, nice to have people value your opinions, clear and concise.”
“There were plenty of ideas that I was able to see that we don't do a lot of. I liked the points for reflection and discussion.”
Programme
10:00am
Welcome
10:05am
Challenge across the secondary curriculum Dr Keith Watson, NACE Curriculum Development Director
The balance of subject knowledge and creativity in challenge for more able learners.
10:25am
Comfort break
10:30am
Subject workshops
A) Challenge within the English curriculum
B) Challenge within the maths curriculum
C) Challenge within the computing curriculum
12:00pm
Lunch
12:45pm
Subject workshops
A) Challenge within the English curriculum
B) Challenge within the maths curriculum
C) Challenge within the computing curriculum
2:15pm
Please complete your feedback surveys
2:20pm
Coffee break
2:30pm
Reflections on key themes
3:00pm
Close
Workshop leaders
Dr Keith Watson FCCT Presenter
With over 30 years’ experience of working in educational settings, Dr Keith Watson draws on his experiences as a former MAT CEO, Teaching School Leader and published researcher. Keith led the work on Portswood Primary School being the first school in the country to attain the NACE Challenge Award three times. Keith holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southampton University and regularly publishes articles on a range of educational issues. He is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Chichi Ribbans-Opara English
Chichi Ribbans-Opara is Vice Principal – Curriculum, Learning and Progress at The Skinners Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells. Chichi has been in education for nearly 20 years. For the vast majority of that time, in a range of secondary schools, she has led on the whole-school raising of attainment and progress for more able pupilshigher prior attainers.
Caroline Kennedy Maths
Caroline Kennedy has been teaching mathematics since 2001, working in schools in Greater Manchester. She currently works as a Regional Lead Practitioner for Ormiston Academies Trust where she supports teachers in primary and secondary academies across the North. Caroline is assistant Maths Hub lead for the North Midlands Maths Hub working with the Mastery Specialist programmes and is a NCETM accredited Professional Development Lead.
Kaeren Coverdale Computing
Kaeren is a specialist Computer Science teacher with experience in teaching Computing from KS2 to KS5, with additional whole school responsibility for AI adoption. Up until 2014 she worked in the IT Industry in technical support roles for companies including those specialising in cloud base software development, CRM and database systems. She is also a trainer for the National Centre for Computing Education and a Cyberfirst Ambassador.
Primary subject workshops Half-day online workshop exploring how we further develop challenge for more able students within the primary curriculum. Thursday 21 November 2024; online