Teaching & Learning INSET Day – Rotherham Hub: Strengthening Practice Across the Trust

On Monday 23rd February, our Rotherham Hub held its third Teaching and Learning INSET Day – an inspiring and highly collaborative event designed to strengthen classroom practice and deepen expertise across all phases.

Staff from across our schools came together for a day of high-quality professional development, with a programme built around key priorities for teaching and learning. Throughout the day, colleagues engaged in a series of targeted workshops, including:

• SEND: The Graduated Response
  A practical session exploring early identification, adapting provision, and ensuring support is responsive and robust.
• Transcription
  Strategies to strengthen handwriting, spelling, and fluency, supporting pupils to become more confident, capable writers.
• Early Years Mark Making
  A hands-on workshop examining the developmental stages of mark making and how practitioners can nurture early writing behaviours.
• Oracy
  Approaches to building pupils’ spoken language, confidence, vocabulary and communication skills through structured talk.
• De-escalation
  Practical techniques for maintaining calm environments, reducing conflict, and supporting pupils to regulate effectively.

Across all sessions, staff had access to high-quality CPD led by specialists from within and beyond the Trust. Colleagues left with a range of evidence-informed strategies that can be implemented immediately in classrooms – helping to secure consistency, raise expectations, and improve outcomes for all learners.

The day also provided valuable opportunities for professional dialogue, peer collaboration, and sharing best practice across schools. This collective learning culture continues to be central to our Trust’s vision: one where every member of staff is supported to reflect, refine, and continually grow in their practice.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the planning and delivery of the day, and all staff for their engagement and commitment. Together, we continue to shape a strong, inclusive and ambitious learning experience for every pupil in our Trust.