NAAE are pleased to welcome Jessica Squires, Physical Education Consultant for Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Professional Development Service (LPDS), and Regional Lead Advocate for the Association for Physical Education (afPE).

Jessica will address the critical importance of physical literacy in early childhood and introduce afPE’s Early Years Screening Programme. This initiative responds to growing concerns that some children begin school with underdeveloped motor competencies—often due to limited physical activity, prolonged screen exposure, or extended time spent in prams and car seats. While schools routinely assess phonics and numeracy, the ability to move effectively is equally fundamental to a child’s overall development.

The session will also highlight the role schools play in supporting physical development, particularly in improving motor competency and suppressing primitive reflexes. These efforts are essential for enhancing coordination, balance, proprioception, and agility—ultimately enabling children to engage more confidently across all areas of learning.

Date: Thursday 27th November

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Location: online

Cost: Members plus one guest free.

Please book through Eventbrite here

Teaching a Thematic Curriculum in English with Anthony Cockerill

Looking back to his influential blog post on teaching a thematic curriculum in English, Anthony explains the intention behind the concept.

In a subject as multi-dimensional as English, it’s crucial that our focus on curriculum sequence and substantive knowledge doesn’t limit strong disciplinary practice. Looking back to his influential blog post on teaching a thematic curriculum in English, Anthony explains the intention behind the concept and advocates for classroom approaches that embrace multi-modality, creativity and dialogue.

Before becoming Director of the National Association for the Teaching of English and editor of Teaching English, Anthony was Head of Department at an 11–18 school in North Yorkshire. He blogs and writes about English teaching.

Date: Thursday 13th November

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Location: online

Cost: Members plus one guest free. 

Please book through Eventbrite here 

Exploring the DfE Writing Framework 2025

The DfE’s Writing Framework, published in July 2025, provides evidence-based guidance on enhancing writing instruction from Reception through to Key Stage 2. It aims to help schools meet National Curriculum expectations and foster a love of writing among pupils. In this session, Ross Young will provide an overview of the framework’s key components, followed by critique and reflections. There will also be ample opportunity for questions and discussion.  

Ross Young is the founder of The Writing For Pleasure Centre and co-author of How To Teach Writing; Writing For Pleasure: Theory, Research & Practice; The Science Of Teaching Primary Writing; Motivating Writing Teaching and Getting Children Up & Running As Writers: Lessons For EYFS-KS1 Teachers. 

He is a PhD researcher with the National Literacy Trust at the University Of Edinburgh’s Literacy Lab, investigating the writing lives of children and young people. He also holds a master’s degree in applied linguistics in education. 

As a passionate writer-teacher, Ross now works across the UK and internationally, helping teachers and schools develop extraordinary young writers. 

He helps convene The United Kingdom Literacy Association’s Teaching Writing Special Interest Research Group. 

Ross was the lead researcher on ‘What is it Writing For Pleasure teachers do that makes the difference?’ He has advised the Department for Education in England, the National Literacy Trust and Education Scotland. His work continues to focus on the learning and teaching of young writers and is informed by his ongoing collaboration with classroom teachers and early years educators.

Date: Monday 13th October

Time: 4.00 pm to 5.30pm

Location: online

Cost: Members plus one guest free. Non-members £5

Please book through Eventbrite: here

NAAE Roundtable – The DfE Writing Framework with Ellen Counter

Following our successful round table events last year, we are delighted to host our first discussion of 2025-26 in partnership with Ellen Counter, Deputy Lead Adviser for Primary English at HfL Education.  

Ellen will open the event with a concise overview, setting the stage for discussions in relation to the DfE Writing Framework. Her insights will focus on unpicking some key threads from the Framework, considering positive aspects and areas which may be under-represented or open to misinterpretation. This introduction will act as a springboard for our subsequent dialogue, encouraging participants to explore how as strategic leads and advisers, we might mediate key messages from the DfE Writing Framework and support the schools we work with.

Our roundtable events are exclusively for NAAE members and their registered guests. We hope you can join us for this informal professional dialogue.

Date: Monday 29th September

NAAE and English Association roundtable discussion

An invitation to NAAE members to join us for an informal professional dialogue around the current landscape

Following our first successful round table event in January, we are delighted to host another discussion in partnership with Dr Becky Fisher and Professor Robert Eaglestone from the English Association.

Becky and Bob will open the event with a concise overview, setting the stage for discussions. Their insights will frame the key priorities for English education, providing valuable context to the CAR interim report and its implications for deeper subject exploration. This introduction will act as a springboard for the subsequent dialogue, encouraging participants to engage meaningfully with the evolving educational landscape and to share their aspirations for the future of English education.

Once again we’d like to invite NAAE members and their registered guests to join us for this informal professional dialogue. We hope you can join us.

Date: Tuesday 1st July

Returning to Non-Fiction reading in English – an update

An update on some of the threads emerging from the work of a joint project between Just Imagine and NAAE.

In March 2024, Nikki facilitated a NAAE webinar, ‘Rethinking Non-Fiction and Progression in Reading’ out of which grew a joint project between Just Imagine and NAAE. As a group of English specialists, we’ve been exploring the range of children’s non-fiction, considering how great texts might be woven into the rich tapestry of reading that children encounter in English lessons. A year into our research and investigation, we are delighted to share an update on our journey and some of the threads emerging from our work.

We’ll consider some key questions:

· How can we be ambitious and discerning in our choice of non-fiction texts within the English curriculum?

· How can we make the best use of “intelligent interdisciplinarity”, building on children’s subject knowledge, whilst maintaining the integrity of English as a distinct subject?

· How might we effectively teach reading non-fiction so that children learn about the author’s craft?

This webinar will be co-facilitated by Nikki Gamble and members of the project team.

Date: Saturday 17th May

Time: 10.30am to 11.45 am

Location: online

Cost: Members plus one guest free. Non-members £5

Please book through Eventbrite here