The Radclyffe School was delighted to host an inspiring morning of professional development during our INSET training day, bringing together staff from across departments for a series of engaging CPD sessions. The focus of the morning was on deepening our understanding of key educational priorities, sharing best practice, and continuing to build a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
We were honoured to welcome three highly respected guest speakers who shared their expertise and experiences with our teaching staff.
Geoff Barton, a former English teacher and Headteacher with over 32 years in education, led a session on “Literacy: Talk as a Way into Extended Writing.”
Drawing on his extensive experience, including his former role as General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Geoff explored how purposeful classroom talk can underpin stronger literacy and support extended writing. His insights reminded us of the power of oracy as a foundation for learning across subjects.
Sue Cowley, a renowned educator, author, and trainer, delivered a thought-provoking session titled “Adaptive Teaching – Pitching to the Top: Making Students Work Harder.”
Sue’s wealth of practical experience in behaviour management, early years, and creative teaching approaches offered valuable strategies for challenging all learners and maintaining high expectations. Staff found her session both energising and immediately applicable to their own practice.
We were also thrilled to welcome back Helen Howell, Assistant Headteacher at William Hulme Grammar School and a former member of staff at TRS.
Helen’s session, “Using Retrieval Effectively and Supporting the Move Towards Independence,” provided practical guidance on helping students embed knowledge more effectively and become more self-reliant learners.
It was a pleasure to reconnect with Helen and to see the continued impact of her passion for English and effective learning strategies.
Throughout the morning, staff attended each of the three sessions in rotation, ensuring that everyone benefited from the breadth of expertise on offer. The day encouraged thoughtful reflection, reinforced effective classroom practice, and introduced new strategies that will enrich teaching and learning across the school.
We are proud of our staff’s commitment to professional growth and grateful to our guest speakers for contributing to such a rewarding and thought-provoking morning.
Opportunities like these strengthen our shared vision of excellence in education and ensure that every student at The Radclyffe School continues to thrive.
