Focus Five: the why
Focus Five is a bespoke package of four training sessions aimed at teachers in the third, fourth and fifth year of their careers. It is designed to build upon the strong foundations of the Early Career Framework that is provided in the ECT years, building towards leadership in different spheres.
The course takes a two-stage approach: one session on curriculum leadership or pastoral leadership or leading on SEND, where participants move forward in their research and have hands-on sessions with experienced leaders in these areas.
Each session will include pre and post reading and suggestions for ‘next steps’ via a mini leadership project in your chosen area. The course is aimed at aspiring middle leaders: either colleagues who have started a leadership role or are aspiring towards that. Previous participants have used the programme to move further in their career.
The intention of Focus Five is to provide reflection and challenge thinking even further. Each initial module will involve planning and trialling a curriculum/pastoral/SEND project back at school. The final session is the chance to share your journey so far with our school leaders and your peers.
A Make It Happen Teachmeet is offered at a midway point to share progress and encourage success.
Session 1 – 25 November 2025–– Aspiring Curriculum Leaders Project
This day focuses upon developing subject knowledge and strategies to ensure high impact, front loading expectations and what excellent learning looks like in a classroom setting. It also draws on latest best practice in terms of curriculum design for early career teachers who aspire to leading in their subject area. It is based upon the latest research, as well as content from the latest research.
It starts the journey in our own classroom, then moves forward into the beginning of a coaching scenario, making this session particularly useful for those early career teachers stepping up to become heads of subject, faculty or phase and have practical influence outside of their own classroom setting
We will be joined in the morning by new curriculum leads, who will share their journey into the role whether in a primary or secondary setting, as well as their first few successes in tweaking the curriculum.
Post-session, the expectation will be for delegates to lead on a curriculum-based project, to share at the final session.
Session 2 – 20 January 2026 – Aspiring Pastoral Leaders Project
Building on the great sessions present in the Early Career Framework, this session goes a stage further, focusing on getting the best out of students through pastoral leadership to help students achieve challenging personal goals. It focuses strongly on different approaches and research around expectations, successful behavioural strategies and the latest thinking around well-being.
Teachers in the early stage of their careers have a drive to improve outcomes for their students and may well be interested in leading in a pastoral role. There are not many courses to build this side of our role so this session offers practical strategies to be effective, using the latest research and the personal journeys of new and established leaders (primary and secondary)to affect change in their own schools.
Session 3 – 3 February 2026 – SEND aspiring leaders Project
This session is appropriate for both colleagues in mainstream or specialist settings who wish to start their leadership journey in inclusion. The session will build on the key SEND principles covered in the Early Career Framework and focuses on getting the best out of students through effective SEND leadership.
This dynamic session will explore SEND best practice and develop strategic tools to lead an aspect of SEND provision with confidence and clarity. You will learn how to champion equality through case studies and practical examples to ensure that every learner thrives.
Session 4 – 16 June 2025 – Stepping Up to Leadership
Many of our early career teachers have already taken on some form of responsibility, so this session focuses upon the key skills to build into these new roles, as a precursor to future leadership study. It will focus upon leadership in and out of the classroom, including coaching and leading a team, a pastoral leadership role and its demands. It will touch upon practical ideas like leading meetings as well as more abstract concepts like motivation.
**Please note that delegates must have attended either the curriculum or pastoral or SEND session prior to attending the final Stepping up to Leadership session.**
The day will look like:
- Keynote with Dave Cotton – an opening keynote, discussing purpose, vision and goals – our ‘why’ and ‘how’.
- Seminars with Executive Principals (primary/secondary) – personal journeys into leadership – team dynamics and operations – how to build your skillset and relay the vision. Leadership behaviours. Building substantial evidence. There will be a chance in this session to share your current initiatives/project with your peers and the leaders.
- Team Belonging with Delia Nicholson and Vicky Purdy: building a culture of psychological safety and key takeaways based on the most effective current research to start developing the concepts covered in the morning.
- LUNCH
- Team Development – building a coaching culture to help grow yourselves as an effective team
Dates:
Book a place
Session 1 – Aspiring Curriculum Leaders Project
Tuesday 25 November 2025
Session 2 – Aspiring Pastoral Leaders Project – Tuesday 20 January 2026
Session 3 – Aspiring SEND Leaders Project – Tuesday 3 February 2026
Session 4 – Stepping up to Leadership – Tuesday 16 June 2026
Location:
Retford Education Centre DN22 7EA
Duration:
All session are 08:30-15:30
Cost:
£75 per session or £150 for any 3 sessions of your choice.
Please note that Session 4 – Stepping up to Leadership is a compulsory session and is not included as a stand alone option. Therefore you must attend at least one of the three sessions listed above.
