Exploring how we further develop challenge for more able students within the primary curriculum
Half-day online workshop focusing on History, Maths and Science for school leaders and practitioners
Primary subject workshops
History, Maths, Science
Thursday 11 June 2026; online Member and multi-delegate discounts available
How can we further develop challenge for more able students within the primary curriculum, thereby improving challenge for all?
Our regular subject workshops explore the importance of challenge across the primary curriculum, this time focusing on History, Maths and Science. Drawing on current research and effective practice, each workshop focuses on
sharing subject- and phase-specific guidance and practical ideas for effective teaching.
This event will bring together school leaders and practitioners to explore these themes, spending the core part of the workshop within subject/phase groups before returning to the wider picture in a final discussion and reflection
(see below for full programme).
Delegates will leave with an understanding of consistent themes in providing challenge across the curriculum, with practical actions for implementation in the classroom.
Feedback from our last primary workshop event:
“It was great having a subject specialist sharing their knowledge. I have got lots of ideas that I would like to try.”
“Such wonderful ideas, very practical and easy to start using immediately. Really useful links to other resources and websites, and lots of ideas for new texts to use! Just what I needed.”
“Excellent examples and resources which can be used in lessons and that can be adapted to various classes.”
Programme
9:00am
Welcome
9:05am
Challenge across the primary curriculum Dr Keith Watson, NACE Curriculum Development Director
A focus on the importance of challenge across the primary curriculum. Reflecting upon NACE research, we will identify the types of activities that can promote challenge and act as a basis for more subject-specific guidance that will be delivered in the
workshops that follow.
A) Challenge within the primary History curriculum: Andy Foster
B) Challenge within the primary Maths curriculum: Caroline Kennedy
C) Challenge within the primary Science curriculum: Ed Walsh
11:30am
Comfort break – log into main session
11:35am
Leading challenge across the primary curriculum Dr Keith Watson, NACE Curriculum Development Director
A focus on the role of the subject leader in being a ‘challenge champion’ for their subject including examples of how NACE schools have developed challenge across the school. This includes ideas for CPD, planning proformas and monitoring the subject.
11:45am
Please complete your feedback surveys
11:50am
Reflection and questions
12:00pm
Finish
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.
Andy Foster History
Andy has worked as a subject leader and advanced skills teacher in history, as well as in school leadership. He has worked as a history examiner at GCSE and A level. Andy works in a variety of education roles, including training history teachers as a university lecturer. Andy has worked in school improvement for a local authority as well as leading school reviews. Andy’s first love in education is history. He is keen that history teachers challenge and inspire their students and ensure that students learn how historians find out about and represent the past.
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.
Ed Walsh Science
Ed was a teacher and a subject lead for science before working in school support in primary and secondary phases. He was the Science Lead on the Cornwall Primary SCITT programme and is the Primary Science Quality Mark Hub Leader for Cornwall. He was a PSQM Senior Regional Hub Leader and is now Development Lead. Ed is one of the authors of the KS2 teacher resource book 'Understanding Children's Ideas in Science' for the Association for Science Education and regularly leads sessions at the ASE Conference and other CPD events. He is a Senior Facilitator for the National STEM Learning Centre.
Secondary subject workshops One-day online workshop exploring how we further develop challenge for more able students within the secondary curriculum. Thursday 18 June 2026; online
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