“Knowledgeable and dynamic”
Katie King, Assistant HOD, Dragon School
Knowledge – rich curriculum
Teachers , especially in Secondary schools often cite subject-based CPD as more effective than generic training, as they can see a direct effect on their own teaching and therefore the attainment of the classes that they teach; certainly teachers enjoy training within their subject discipline and there are certainly instances where there would be little point in doing generic training – in areas such as exam technique for example.
Ofsted Inspections of Schools
The Ofsted framework from September 2019 focuses on the school’s curriculum.
‘The curriculum is a framework for setting out the aims of a programme of education, including the knowledge and understanding to be gained at each stage (intent); for translating that framework over time into a structure and narrative, within an institutional context (implementation) and for evaluating what knowledge and understanding pupils have gained against expectations (impact/achievement).’
Sean Harford, National Director, Education at Ofsted
Subject knowledge & pedagogy has become more important as schools & colleges have moved towards a ‘knowledge rich’ curriculum under the new Ofsted framework. Subject leaders and coordinators have never had a greater responsibility for ensuring progress in skills, knowledge and understanding from different starting points in their subject areas.
“Teachers should have to prove their subject knowledge is up-to-date at regular intervals to maintain their qualified status”
Professor Daniel Muijs , Ofsted, Head of Research
Research also shows that strong subject knowledge contributes significantly to outstanding teaching pedagogy. Teacher credibility ( the belief and trust pupils have for their teacher) scores and effect size of 0.9 in Hattie’s Visible Learning which is (almost) equivalent to a two grade leap in GCSE grades!
Our subject specific courses are delivered by experts in their field with insight, depth and passion. They are designed to help your in-service teachers update or develop their current subject knowledge or to train to teach other specialist subjects. As a departmental or whole school training event they give an invaluable opportunity to foster expertise and academic rigour.
“It was exceptionally useful, highly relevant & personalised to our school. I cannot recommend highly enough!”
Dr Dawn Casserly, Headteacher, St. Paul’s School for Girls
Our subject-specific courses can cover changes in exam expectations, support teachers delivering in a subject area they are less familiar with and provide a range of strategies and approaches to bring a subject to life.
Why choose Subject Knowledge training for Teachers?
Our subject knowledge courses will help your teachers:
- Gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject and associated specialist pedagogy
- Develop critical reflection skills
- Acquire some of the tools to become an outstanding teacher
- Gain confidence in teaching their chosen subject
- Get experience of action research and evaluating impact on pupil progress to help with career progression
- Discover innovative ideas, techniques and activities to use in the classroom
Arrange for a Mock Deep Dive in your school or subject area
Contact our Inspection team to arrange a ‘Mentoring Dive’ to reassure your team & allay any fears
JMC Inspection Team
A selection of our subject enriching courses are listed below but if you can’t find the area you are looking for use our enquiry form and we can source a lead practitioner to meet your needs.
“I really appreciated how organic the delivery was”
Shelley Chapman, Head of Teaching & Learning, The Marist School
Subject Knowledge Courses
Subject Knowledge & Pedagogy INSET for Multi-Academy Trusts
“Teachers should have to prove their subject knowledge is up-to-date at regular intervals to maintain their qualified status” Professor Daniel Muijs , Ofsted, Head of Research Are you Planning your…
Primary INSET : Challenging High Achievers in Maths lessons
I feel particularly inspired. Unlike many courses, this felt achievable. Alison Tanner, Year 5/6 Teacher Cameley Primary School Maths is an exciting subject. The National Curriculum provides a framework to…
INSET : Improving Reading in Secondary Schools
‘Really helpful – lots of ideas regarding whole school literacy, as well as in department. An excellent understanding / knowledge of how the Ofsted framework will impact schools – thank…
Secondary INSET : Outstanding Maths Teaching
“Superbly clear, inspiring, and backed by outstanding subject knowledge.”Tom Bowley, Millfield School, Head of Maths
Science INSET : Challenging able pupils in Science
“Impactful , positive & inspiring – highly recommended “ Jenny Carruthers HOD , Cleeve School The PISA 2022 report reveals that in the UK, 10% of students were top performers…
INSET: Reasoning in EYFS and KS1 Maths
Coming away from the KS1 Maths reasoning course I felt inspired to share the guidance and motivate staff at my school to integrate and teach reasoning. I love how we…
INSET: Developing Reasoning in KS2 Maths
A great hands-on course with valuable messages of how to deepen reasoning in KS2 Maths with all abilities. The children are already reasoning at a deeper level in such a…
INSET: Building confidence in KS3 & 4 Physics teaching
This INSET builds subject knowledge, confidence and pedagogy for those teaching KS3 and KS4 Physics without a Physics specialism. Non- specialist teachers in Science at Key stage 3 &4 Science…
INSET: Challenging the most able Physics students
Does your teaching stretch the most able Physics students? Are your students able to access top marks in public exams? Are you preparing your students to study Physical Science and…
Literacy opinion: Closing the Vocabulary Word Gap
“Nothing matters more than words.” Geoff Barton (General Secretary, ASCL) Even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were concerns about literacy & vocabulary barriers to the curriculum, with a quarter of students…
INSET: Primary Science Investigation & Scientific Enquiry
For primary school children to operate as successful scientists, they should be taught a wide range of essential science investigation & enquiry skills. These skills should build upon earlier opportunities…
INSET: Improving Memory & Learning with Cognitive Science
“Incredibly engaging and Inspiring” Katherine Letts, Assistant Head, St Laurence School Teachers of all subjects can benefit from Cognitive Science. It includes two disciplines: cognitive neuroscience, which looks at how…
Ofsted INSET : Preparing for an English Deep Dive
“Really useful for what a deep dive means and what to say to Ofsted” Justin Jones, Head of English, KLB School The Ofsted Ready English Department: Preparing for a Deep…
Ofsted INSET : Preparing for a Science Deep Dive
“Absolutely brilliant, I feel so much more informed and energised” Katherine Letts, Director of Science ( Core Leadership Group) , St Laurence School Ofsted Ready Science Teaching : Preparing for…
INSET : Raising Achievement in Primary Literacy & Reading
“Thank you again for the INSET on the Primary Curriculum, the staff were buzzing afterwards! “ Karen Coles, Director of Studies, Fulham Prep School Supporting a rich and ambitious Primary…
INSET: Improving Literacy through Metacognitive Strategies
“Fab ! Best thing I’ve ever been on”. N. Betts, Assistant Head, Sandbach High School Support your pupils to embrace metacognitive strategies to improve literacy outcomes. How can we get…
Ofsted INSET : Preparing for a Maths Deep Dive
“Thank you, you made everything seem less scary” Richard Stubbs, Head of Maths, Abbey Park School The Ofsted Ready Maths Department: Preparing for a Deep Dive The current Ofsted framework…
Science INSET: Outstanding Science lessons
‘Schools need to raise pupils’ aspirations and enjoyment of science and ensure that they nurture the talents of our potential young scientists of the future.’ Ofsted Report ‘Success in Science’…
INSET: Metacognition in STEM / Science / Maths Teaching
“Left inspired!” Kim Carmichael, Head of Science, Longcroft School Train your pupils to think for themselves • Do your pupils prefer recalling information to “real” thinking? • Are you fed-up…
Secondary INSET : Raising Attainment in Biology A level
“Left inspired!” Kim Carmichael, Head of Science, Longcroft School Improving the performance of lower attaining A level Biology students How do you make the new Biology specifications more accessible to…
INSET: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science
“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School
INSET : Improving Boys Literacy & Reading
Highly engaging and motivated the staff Rochelle Thompson, Deputy Head, Kings School Boys Literacy : History of Underachievement Boys’ underachievement in literacy is a significant concern for schools across the…
Secondary INSET : A/A* Strategies for Biology A level
Challenging able Biology students to reach their true potential “Really worthwhile and applicable, felt like I was actually learning something!” Jack White-Foy, Dulwich College Does your Biology teaching really stretch…