How can we ensure the needs of the most able learners are met, and create cognitively challenging learning environments and experiences for all? Drawing on the latest evidence, including NACE’s own published research and current examples from Challenge Award-accredited schools, this one-day conference will bring together school leaders and practitioners to share what’s working, explore the underlying science
of learning and its applications, and identify next steps to develop and embed effective leadership and practice for cognitive challenge within their own contexts.
Following the challenges of the past 18 months, this is an opportunity to come together with fellow leaders and practitioners to reconnect, refocus and re-energise. Alongside inspiring keynotes, the conference will feature
dedicated strands for school leaders and for classroom teachers, each broken down into dedicated primary and secondary sessions (see below for full programme details). Delegates will leave with an understanding of what
cognitive challenge means, what it can look like in the classroom, and practical actions they can take back into school.
Members
Attendee Price
£300.00
or £270 per ticket when purchasing two or more tickets
Non-members
Attendee Price
£370.00
or £340 per ticket when purchasing two or more tickets
Welcome and context-setting Rob Lightfoot, NACE CEO
9:10 – 10:00am
Keynote: educational neuroscience
Julia Harrington,BrainCanDo How can schools apply educational neuroscience with genuine benefits for learners? Julia Harrington, founder and CEO of BrainCanDo and headmistress of Queen Anne’s School, shares insights from BrainCanDo's
endeavours to bring clarity, research rigour and high standards to this rapidly emerging and often misunderstood field.
10:00 – 10.45am
Creating a culture of cognitive challenge
Christabel Shepherd,NACE Challenge and Curriculum Development Director
What do we mean by “cognitive challenge”, why does it matter, and what does it look like in practice? NACE’s Christabel Shepherd sets out key principles,
aims and responsibilities for both leaders and teachers.
10:45am
Break
11:15am
Morning workshops (choose one)
LEADERSHIP (A) Primary (B) Secondary
Leading your school: Curriculum organisation and design Primary session: Christabel Shepherd, NACE Challenge and Curriculum Development Director
Secondary session: Rob Lightfoot, NACE CEO
Workshops for school leaders, with dedicated primary and secondary strands, exploring the organisational structures within which cognitively challenging learning can occur.
PRACTICE (C) Primary (D) Secondary
Classroom practice: Moving the teacher from facilitator to activator Primary session: Dr Keith Watson, NACE Curriculum Development Director
Secondary session: Rob Buck, Assistant Headteacher, Maiden Erlegh School
How can a teacher create a cognitively challenging classroom? This session will explore the varying roles of the teacher, including as a facilitator and activator
of learning. This includes the importance of developing independence and designing tasks that have potential multiple solution pathways.
12:45pm
Lunch
1:45 – 2:45pm
Keynote: Creating a language-rich climate for learning using effective questioning and classroom discourse
Christabel Shepherd,NACE Challenge and Curriculum Development Director
A language-rich environment – steeped in effective questioning and classroom discourse – is key to the provision of challenge for all learners; this
keynote focuses on how leaders and teachers can embed and sustain this.
2:45pm
Afternoon workshops (choose one)
LEADERSHIP (A) Primary (B) Secondary
Leading your school: Deepening the culture and climate for cognitive challenge Primary session: Christabel Shepherd, NACE Challenge and Curriculum Development Director
Secondary session: Rob Lightfoot, NACE CEO
Building on the morning session, the afternoon workshop will explore the conditions needed to create cognitively challenging learning environments.
PRACTICE (C) Primary (D) Secondary
Classroom practice: High challenge / low threat Primary session: Dr Keith Watson, NACE Curriculum Development Director
Secondary session: Rob Buck, Assistant Headteacher, Maiden Erlegh School
Building on the morning session, we will explore the idea of tasks that are low threat but high ceiling which can help develop a cognitively challenging classroom.
The aim of ‘teaching to the top’ will be considered, including the difficulties that need to be overcome to achieve this high aim. The session will also emphasise the importance of self-regulation, metacognition and growth mindset in developing
a cognitively challenging classroom.
3:45pm
Your next steps: taking this back into school Key takeaways from each workshop strand
4:05-4:15pm
Final reflections and next steps Rob Lightfoot, NACE CEO
4:15pm
Close
Conference leaders
Rob Lightfoot
NACE CEO
NACE's incoming CEO, Rob is an experienced senior leader and more able lead, with extensive experience of developing and delivering training in this field.
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