Train to teach with LEO Academy Trust!

LEO Academy Trust is incredibly proud to work in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching as an Associate College to deliver Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) from September 2025. 

Associate Colleges are successful school trusts, selected because of their wealth of in-house expertise in professional development and their deep relationships in their local areas. This collaboration allows us to be at the forefront of educational excellence, providing local teachers with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, learning and development. Together, we are shaping the future of teaching and learning, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education.

Applications for our primary ITT courses are now open for September 2025! Our initial teacher training is a fully immersive school-centred programme - aspiring teachers will be in the classroom from the very start. But full immersion does not mean that you will be thrown in the deep end: our trainees are mentored and have central training once a week.

To apply for a place on our ITT programme, please click here. 

To register your interest to find out more information, please click here.

To explore our ITT site, please click here.

LEO Professional Learning Opportunities 2024-2025

There are lots of professional learning opportunities on offer for 2024-2025.

Take a look at our new LEO Professional Learning Brochure here which contains the dates and times of upcoming training sessions.

• Network Learning Community Sessions

• Early Career Teacher Professional Learning

• Subject Specific Professional Learning

• Writing Networks

• Google Professional Learning

• Leadership Professional Learning

• Coaching opportunities

LEO & SET Early Career Teacher Subject Specific Sessions 

There are lots of subject specific professional learning opportunities for our ECTs on offer for 2024-2025.

Take a look at our new ECT Subject Specific Professional Learning Programme here which contains the dates and times of upcoming training sessions.

Olevi Professional Learning 

There are lots of Olevi professional learning sessions taking place this term. Take a look at our Olevi Professional Learning Programme here which contains the dates and times of upcoming training sessions. An overview of teach of the sessions on offer can be found below.

Power of Coaching  Programme

Practitioners will gain a deeper understanding about the power of coaching and the impact that great coaching has on learning - being able to confidently apply several strategies to deepen the thinking of pupils; inspire colleagues to develop and grow; and become a more reflective and energised professional. As a credible coach, professionals will be able to coach informally, formally and in a structured way using the OLEVI Analytical Coaching programme.

The dates for this programme are as follows:

Thursday 8th May, 2025 - 3.00pm - 5.00pm

Thursday 5th June 2025 - 3.00pm - 5.00pm

Click here to book.

Disciplinary Literacy, PedTech, and Flexible Working with Shareen Wilkinson, Mind the Gap Ep96 S5E12

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner is joined by Shareen Wilkinson, Executive Director of Education at LEO Academy Trust, and author of books for both children and teachers. Shareen shares insights from her new book, Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Schools, offering a fresh, practical lens on reading, writing, and speaking across the curriculum. Together, they explore what it really means for primary pupils to “write like historians” or “speak like scientists,” and why disciplinary literacy isn’t just a secondary school concern. Shareen explains how rich talk, purposeful writing, and deep subject knowledge can—and should—start in Early Years, and reflects on how flexible working and thoughtful use of edtech can empower teachers and support inclusion. From phonics to AI, this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and practical strategies for educators leading literacy across the curriculum.

Click here to watch.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

St Matthews Research School

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

I have been very fortunate to work in maths education across all key stages. My work in primary schools has taught me so much that I can apply to secondary, and vice-versa, but if I was asked to share one idea that I have seen in primary schools that could have impact across all key stages, it’s the use of the prompts.

Click here to find out more.

Five Ways: Components of Building Schema

Tom Sherrington

I find the concept of schema-building incredibly useful when thinking about curriculum design and teaching. It’s a really a spatial metaphor more than anything physical/concrete – but it has fantastic explanatory power and can help teachers consider the whole process of securing each student’s understanding of a set of ideas. I”ve written about this before – there’s lots of overlap in these posts – but a good idea is always worth revisiting so here’s the Five Ways version.

Click here to find out more.

Manipulatives: helping to make problem-solving 'concrete'

By EEF

So much fantastic work has been done on using manipulatives within maths lessons. For example, counters in ten frames can be used to model addition calculations that border ten. This highlights efficient mental strategies, helping children to move beyond counting strategies. Similarly, place value counters can be used to conceptually understand a column subtraction, modelling the process of regrouping. In these instances, the manipulatives can bring to life the key mathematical ideas, leading children to a deeper understanding.

Click here to find out more.

What goes up, must come down: Promoting pupil independence through scaffolding

By EEF

We’ve all heard the phrase, ​‘what goes up, must come down’, but when applying this to scaffolds used to promote pupils’ independent working, this can be easier said than done.

Scaffolds are temporary supports which are gradually removed to encourage pupils to work with increasing independence. The importance of careful scaffolding is highlighted in EEF’s ​‘SEND in Mainstream’ guidance report, as well as recommendation two of the EEF’s updated ​‘Deployment of Teaching Assistants’ guidance report.

Click here to find out more.

NEW Canva Teacher Certification: AI In The Classroom  

In this 60 minute interactive course, you'll explore how AI can enhance teaching with Canva’s Magic Studio—all while earning your official certification. 

• Welcome to AI in the classroom

• What is the difference between AI and Generative AI

• How is AI used in the classroom

• What you will learn in this certification

Click here to find out more.

Canva Learning Labs: Ignite Creativity Across Your Classrooms

Discover how to bring learning to life with Canva for Education's engaging and hands-on workshops coming to Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Cardiff.

Click here to find out more.

Gemini and NotebookLM Webinars for Schools

Canopy Education is offering free Gemini Webinars for Schools. This 30 minute online webinar for your staff is an introduction to Gemini and NotebookLM, which are both free tools available as part of Google Workspace for Education. 

Canopy Education CIC is a Community Interest Company based in the UK. We are a skilled team of educators focused on supporting students, teachers, and schools to use technology to improve teaching and learning. 

Google Workspace for Education is available for free for schools to use and includes tools such as Google Classroom, Gemini and NotebookLM.

Click here to find out more.

Metacognition Training Series

Sign-up below to be able to attend the free metacognition webinars and access recordings. All talks are at 15.30pm, with records shared afterwards.

Click here to find out more.

Webinar: ​‘Breaking down the gap’ with EPI and Greenshaw Research School

Date: Thursday 6th May

Time: 3.45pm-4.45pm

• Following’s March’s release of the EPI’s Breaking down the gap – the role of school absence and pupil characteristics, the EPI’s Emily Hunt joins Phil Stock to share findings on higher levels of absence being a key factor in the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

• With:

• Emily Hunt, Associate Director, Social Mobility and Vulnerable Learners
  Phil Stock, Director, Greenshaw Research School

Click here to find out more.

Principles of Powerful Learning - 10 key concepts in the classroom

Date: 5 sessions from Monday 17th March to Monday 12th May

Time: 3.30pm-5.00pm

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

The Principles of Powerful Learning are 10 principles drawn from Cognitive Science that help teachers understand how students think, learn and remember.

Understanding these principles can help teachers optimise the way they explain concepts, design tasks, and sequence learning. The course will break down each of the principles, and provide practical examples and non-examples from the classroom to illustrate each one.

Click here to find out more.

How AI is changing the classroom

Speakers: Dan Fitzpatrick (The AI Educator) and Ryan Graham

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is transforming education. In this exclusive webinar, Dan Fitzpatrick, also known as the AI Educator, and Ryan Graham from Everway (formerly Texthelp) will take you inside the world of AI-powered classroom tools. You’ll learn how companies like Everway are using AI to make learning smarter, more personalised, and more effective for students.

Click here to find out more.

Seesaw Symposium

Date: May 20th

Join Seesaw on May 20, 2025 for the First-Ever Seesaw Symposium—a dynamic virtual event for principals, head teachers, curriculum directors, & tech leaders!

Connect with experts from ISTE, CAST, NAFSCE, leading districts, & literacy guru Wiley Blevins as they share game-changing strategies for:

 Engagement

 Accessibility

 Excellence

 Early Bird Special: Free registration for a limited time!

Click here to find out more.

Adaptive Teaching in Action (Webinar)

Great Heights Research School West Yorkshire

Research Schools Network

Date: Tuesday 3rd June

Time: 3.45-5pm

Cost: Free

According to a recent Teacher Tapp survey, a top priority for leadership is adaptive teaching. If this is the case in your setting, please join Great Heights Research School for a FREE webinar.

We will explore:

• The evidence bases that underpin principles around adaptive teaching and effective pedagogy.

• How we can utilise the guidance reports around effective implementation and professional development to support your strategy.

Click here to find out more.

Evidence in the Classroom: Memorable Explanations

Bradford Research School

Date: 10th June

Time: 4.00-5.15pm

Cost: Free

Research evidence can enhance what we do in the classroom. In this webinar series we look at core components of classroom practice and ask how evidence can help us to enhance these classroom practices.

Teachers always need to explain concepts. But how can we explain effectively so that the explanations are not forgotten? Join Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, to explore:

• The benefits and pitfalls of models, concrete examples and analogies

• Building schemas: using and adding to students’ understanding of a topic.

• Managing working memory demands: making sure the explanations don’t overload our students’ working memories.

Click here to find out more.

Sustainable School Improvement

Date: 11th June 2025

Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

Join us for an insightful webinar focused on sustainable school improvement strategies, designed to empower educators and school leaders with practical approaches to fostering continuous growth and success.

Click here to find out more.

Evidence in the Classroom: Questioning for Teacher and Student Learning

Bradford Research School

Date: 17th June

Time: 4.00-5.15pm

Cost: Free

Research evidence can enhance what we do in the classroom. In this webinar series we look at core components of classroom practice and ask how evidence can help us to enhance these classroom practices.

Teachers ask a lot of questions. But how can we ensure we ask the right questions at the right time? Join Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, to explore:

• How we should design effective questions for retrieval practice

• Formative assessment questioning approaches

• The value of consistent questioning routines

Click here to find out more.

Evidence in the Classroom: Modelling to Reveal the Expert Schema

Bradford Research School

Date: 23rd June

Time: 4.00-5.15pm

Cost: Free

Research evidence can enhance what we do in the classroom. In this webinar series we look at core components of classroom practice and ask how evidence can help us to enhance these classroom practices.

Modelling is an important element of developing student expertise. We reveal not only how to do something, but the thought processes behind it. Join Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, to explore:

• How to build and reveal schemas

• Managing working memory demands: making sure the explanations don’t overload our students’ working memories

• How to model processes of planning, monitoring and evaluation

Click here to find out more.

Maths Webinars - Maximising Maths: Metacognition and Manipulatives 

Please complete this form if you would like access to the recordings. Please do not re-share the link with others, this will compromise our engagement data. 

Click here to find out more.

Google Leader Series: London

Get ready for a thought-provoking day, inspired by driving positive pedagogical impact. 

Embark on a journey of inspiration alongside fellow leaders. Join the community for a day of engaging discussion and insightful material as we explore leading and learning in the AI era. 

Save the date: Friday, 27th June, 10am-5.30pm

Agenda coming soon

Join the discussion around leading in the AI era and how we can maximise the benefits of AI, while keeping students & teachers safer online. We’ll be covering what a ‘relationship-first’ approach to AI looks like, helping folks think about learning at their own pace as to how & where the power of AI might be leveraged. 

• Hear from industry experts: Find out how AI is empowering learners and helping leaders lead.

• Connect with the community: Share ideas with fellow leaders and discover how to leverage the latest advancements in education technology.

• Learn from the learners: Hear directly from students while they teach us about technology-enabled learning.

• See it for yourself: Experience first-hand the latest products and features transforming learning for schools, teachers and students. 

• Continue the conversation: Share your insights, make valuable connections, and build a lasting network of education change makers.

Click here to find out more.

Evidence in the Classroom: Timely and Impactful Feedback

Bradford Research School

Date: 3rd July

Time: 4.00-5.15pm

Cost: Free

Research evidence can enhance what we do in the classroom. In this webinar series we look at core components of classroom practice and ask how evidence can help us to enhance these classroom practices.

There are many ways that feedback can take place in the classroom. Done well, it can move learners forward, but it can also be a huge drain on teacher workload. Join Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, to explore:

• How we lay the foundations for effective feedback

• How to appropriately time feedback

• The ways that pupils respond to feedback

Click here to find out more.

Evidence in the Classroom: Building Classroom Motivation

Bradford Research School

Date: 9th July

Time: 4.00-5.15pm

Cost: Free

Research evidence can enhance what we do in the classroom. In this webinar series we look at core components of classroom practice and ask how evidence can help us to enhance these classroom practices.

Motivation theories can helps us to find simple approaches that can make it easier to opt in. Join Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, to explore:

How success is the most important factor in student motivation
The way routines for learning can support student motivation
The role of joy, wonder and awe in developing intrinsic motivation

Click here to find out more.

Google for Education - Edu on Air: K12 EMEA

Edu on Air: Stay Ahead in EdTech

Google for Education presents Edu on Air, a continuous learning series bringing you the latest in education technology, tailored for K12 schools across the EMEA region.

🔍 What to expect?

✅ Product updates – Stay informed on Gemini, NotebookLM, Google Workspace for Education, and Chromebooks.

✅ Hands-on demos – Explore new features and real-world applications.

✅ Community meetups – Connect with educators, leaders, and IT experts.

🎯 Choose your track:

🔹 Education Leader – Insights on leadership, resource optimization, and productivity.

🔹 Educator – Practical tools and strategies for classroom success.

🔹 IT Admin – Security, interoperability, and tech management.

Click here to find out more.

How TAs can support learning and improve attainment

Date: 18th June 2025

Time: 3.45-5.45pm

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

We delve into the EEF’s new guidance report Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants and consider the positive impact TAs can have on pupil achievement through the right support, setting and tools.

Attendees: SENCos and senior leaders in primary and secondary schools

Click here to find out more.

Google for Education IT Admin Summit 2025

Date: 20 June 2025 

Time: 9:15 - 17:30 BST

Venue: 

Google London

6 Pancras Square

London

N1C 4AG

GB

Join Google for Education for a free in-person day of hands-on technical learning for network administrators and other IT professionals in education across the UK & Ireland. Choose from tailored breakout sessions, whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, and gain practical, hands-on experience.

Click here to find out more.

Festival of Education

Date: 3-4 July 

Venue: Wellington College.

The Festival of Education is an unparalleled opportunity for educators to immerse themselves in a broad spectrum of educational content, fostering both professional and personal growth.

With hundreds of leading speakers and thousands of attendees, the Festival offers an expansive array of sessions covering the latest trends, research, and innovations in education. From challenging debates and expert lectures to hands-on workshops and panel discussions, there is something to inspire every educator.

We are thrilled to confirm that our Free Ticket Scheme for the Festival of Education, generously funded by Wellington College, will operate again for 2025. This initiative, which began in 2022, is designed to make the Festival accessible to educators from state-funded schools and FE colleges.

Applications for the 2025 scheme are open until the end of Friday 11 April.

Click here to find out more.

Turning Pages, Changing Futures conference

Fri 4 Jul 2025 

10:00 AM - 4:30 PM 

British Library, NW1 2DB

Free to attend

Reading for Pleasure is a powerful force for change. It opens doors, expands horizons and empowers children to shape their own futures. But too many young people face barriers to reading; barriers rooted in economic inequality, limited access to books and systemic challenges.

This conference, brought to you in partnership with the British Library, brings together teachers, school leaders, researchers and authors to explore how we can build inclusive reading cultures to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of reading.

📖 Keynote speakers: Leading voices in literacy, education, and social justice

🎤 Panel discussions: Teachers, reading culture experts and school leaders on breaking barriers

📚 Workshops: Practical strategies for building a reading culture in all contexts

💬 Author conversations: Stories that inspire and connect

Click here to book your place.

Bitesize explanations - video series

Bitesize Explanations Video Series  

Subscribe to this brilliant video series where Jade Pearce,  Evidence Leaders, will explain an evidence informed strategy and how it can be applied within the classroom.  

You will receive one video per half term, directly to your inbox.  

The videos will include:

Autumn 1- Retrieval Practice 

Autumn 2- Interleaving

Spring 1- Cognitive Load Theory 

Spring 2- Responsive Teaching

Summer 1- Feedback 

Summer 2- Effective 'We do' modelling 

Click here to find out more.

Explorify Hosts Podcasts

In each podcast episode, an Explorify Engagement Leader hosts a conversation about an aspect of primary science with a guest expert. In their chat they share stories, tips and tricks and they signpost to other support and great resources. 

Click here to find out more.

Introduction to Generative AI Learning Path with Google

This learning path provides an overview of generative AI concepts, from the fundamentals of large language models to responsible AI principles.

Find out more here.

Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma

In the show, Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe, Tom and Emma interview experts from the US, UK and beyond, and share timely insights on K-12 trends; research-based approaches in need of greater reach; and innovative strategies to close global gaps. 

Click here to find out more.

The Open University - Open Learn

Design your own CPD with these free resources from The Open University, created for teachers and teaching assistants working across the UK.

All the content in this hub has been selected by academics across The Open University, specifically for teachers, teaching assistants and support staff working across the secondary, primary and early years sectors, including those involved in home education, special schools and pupil referral units.

Click here to access a range of online professional learning sessions from a range of areas.

Geographical Assiocation

FREE CPD VIDEO SUPPORT from @The_GA committee EY and Primary.

Click here to find out more.

LGFL School Staff Training 

LGfL in school support, training and conference events are integral parts of the LGfL Energise curriculum service provided at no extra charge for schools.

Click here to see the training opportunities that are on offer.

Free short online course: Learning for a Sustainable Future

Join a personal and professional global learning journey towards a sustainable future. What on Earth could be more important?

Click here to find out more.

Becoming a Google Certified Coach

A Google Certified Coach is someone who is :

→ Eager to support educators

→ Wanting to drive impactful technology into classrooms

→ Looking to learn research-proven strategies & skills

Does this sound like you? 

Click here to find out more.

On-demand training at your fingertips

View the Google on-demand series of webinars designed to help schools and educators in the UK and Ireland get the most out of Google Workspace for Education and Chromebooks.

Whether you are an educator, Senior Leadership or IT Administrator you can find a session to suit you. 

Click here to find out more.

Adobe Professional Development Courses

Find out all about the free professional learning opportunities on offer from Adobe.

Creativity for all

Adobe Creative Cloud Express in the Classroom

Engaging Video Projects in the Classroom

and many more...

Click here to find out more.

Free online professional development webinars for educators

Oxford University Press has a range of digital webinars to help you continue your professional development online. You can find links to recordings of previously-held webinars, as well as register your interest for upcoming sessions. The recorded webinars are available to watch on demand via Brainshark and you will receive a CPD certificate after watching each one.

Click here to find out more.

Financial Education - Free Online Teacher Training

Complete a free online course, in your own time and at your own speed…

The engaging eLearning courses are self-paced and take between 1.5-2.5 hours to complete.  Along the way you will:

• Learn how financial education can be made real and relevant to the young people you work with

• See where financial education most effectively fits within your curriculum

• Discover key tools to assist in the development of financial education

• Find out how to access further support and resources to aid financial education delivery

• Develop a financial education Action Plan for your own

Click here to find out more.

Developing Reading for Pleasure

Join the Open Learn FREE Developing Reading for Pleasure  badged online course.

Developing the skill to read and the will to read are interrelated, however, this course focuses on the latter; it is an exploration of Reading for Pleasure and its significance for children’s lives and development. You will consider current research, debates and challenges that impact on children’s reading and gain knowledge and strategies to help you promote reader engagement across schools, homes and communities.

Click here to find out more.

Online PE CPD for Teachers

England Football's Online PE CPD for Teachers course is designed to increase confidence in the delivery of engaging, inclusive, high-quality Physical Education lessons through the invasion game of football.

Click here to find out more.

Free Anti-Bullying CPD online training

The following online training courses are available: 

• What is bullying? 

• Bullying and the Law 

• Bullying and SEN/disability 

• 10 principles to reduce bullying

• Preventing bullying

• Responding to bullying

• Cyberbullying (Online bullying)

• Young Carers and Bullying 

• Looked After Children and Bullying

• Mental Health and Bullying

• Sexual Bullying

• Bullying and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people 

Click here to find out more.

Are you following @LEOtraining5 on Twitter yet?

If you would like to stay up to date on all things training at LEO Academy Trust and beyond then make sure you follow @LEOtraining5 on Twitter.

• Get notified when new PL videos are added to the LEO YouTube page.

• Receive reminders of upcoming courses and events.

• Keep up to date with what is happening at LEO training events as and when they are taking place.

• Explore other PL opportunities on offer outside of the Trust.

Click here to to visit the page now.