Primary Practitioner Networks

Priorities have been set by the Local Authority for the Primary Networks to address in their primary network meetings throughout the course of the year. These priorities were based on data analysis, feedback from the Headteacher Survey and Ofsted.

This year, we are focusing on addressing the following overarching priorities in all our primary network meetings:

• To ensure effective strategies are in place to track all groups in each key stage with a focus on assessment and adaptive practice.
• Understanding your subject from the EYFS onwards with a focus on the research from Getting It Right from the Start and Strong Foundations.
• Embedding progressive practice in quality first teaching.

These network meetings provide opportunities for local networking and peer support from schools across the borough. They are also a valuable source of support to those who are new to leading their subject whilst giving more experienced leaders the chance to share their expertise with others.

It's been a fantastic start to the 2025-26 suite of Oldham primary networks with 62 schools engaging for the first round.

It was wonderful to see so many different schools attending each of the Primary Network meetings. Occasionally, there were schools who signed up to the meetings but who were unable to attend. Please do let us know about this as soon as possible so that we can offer available places to other schools.

We look forward to welcoming colleagues to the next round of meetings in the Spring term.

Evaluative feedback is taken after each meeting about the content and what is most useful for attendees. This is then analysed and responded to in the context of the network priorities in subsequent meetings. Delegates are also asked what they would like more support with as part of their role as subject leads so that these can also be addressed.

Many colleagues found the focus on understanding how the subject they lead fits into the EYFS curriculum would be most impactful for them as subject leaders in the short-term. During many of the subject network meetings, delegates explained that they felt confident in understanding how the subject they are leading progresses across KS1 and KS2 but felt considerably less sure about how their subject is taught in EYFS. Many subject leads explained that understanding their subject in EYFS would be a key area of focus on their return to school.

RE colleagues found the focus on implementing the new syllabus throughout school was beneficial for them as subject leads whilst RSE leads found the information on the upcoming changes to the curriculum was important in helping them to reflect on whether the schemes of learning they have in place meets the needs of all learners.

"I have been able to plan a whole school curriculum and have been reminded to be more creative in RE. It doesn't always have to be written."

"I have an improved knowledge of activities that can be used to show children's computational thinking in EYFS."

"I am very confident in my role as history lead for Year 1 to 6. I am less confident in EYFS and this session helped towards understanding goals more in this area.

Colleague's views on the long-term impact of Primary Network meetings varied across the range of subjects offered. English subject leaders felt the focus on understanding the new Writing Framework was important as it would give them time to review their existing approach to the teaching of writing, using the audits provided, so they can identify where changes need to be made. Maths colleagues found the focus on improving children's oracy, so they can confidently articulate their understanding and reasoning, was important alongside developing children's use of mathematical vocabulary so that it is progressive throughout school.

Computing subject leaders found that the session on unplugged computing was an important strategy that could be used to help children explore key concepts before using technological devices. Geography subject leaders found the focus on adaptive teaching to meet the needs of all learners gave them a range of effective strategies they could feedback to colleagues in their schools. It also gave delegates the opportunity to reflect on whether their existing geography curriculums were meeting the needs of all learners. MFL delegates felt that the focus on phonics would have a significant impact in helping to improve children's pronunciation.

"My school will have a more standardised approach to teaching oracy in Maths and I will provide training for staff on explicit vocabulary teaching."

"All the geography activities used were examples of activities we could do in the classrooms. They were all 'out of the box activities' that could be used with children of all ages."

"I will look at some lessons being unplugged and away from computers in all classes to evaluated understanding and address misconceptions."

At the end of each subject networking meeting, attendees were asked to complete a short evaluation for the meeting they attended. 113 attendees completed the evaluation.

Attendees were asked to rank how useful the meeting was. 98.2% of those who attended rated the network meetings as useful or very useful. See below for further comments from participants.

What did colleagues find most useful in this term's Primary Network meetings?

Across all subject network meetings, evaluation revealed attendees found having the opportunity to network with other colleagues and outside agencies was extremely beneficial for them as subject leaders. They valued having the time to build links with other schools so that they can share good practice.

They found having the opportunities to share and listen to ideas from other subject leads beneficial as these gave them ideas to take forward into their own schools.

Attendees also found it useful that sessions were research focused and further helped to develop their understanding of key concepts and strategies within the subjects they are leading. Below are comments highlighting what attendees found most useful.

"I found it useful to discuss history with other history leads. I enjoyed finding out about practices in other schools."

"I enjoyed speaking to other RS leads about how they are implementing the new syllabus in their schools."

"It was good to speak to other colleagues, looking at the Writing Framework and considering how ideas discussed could be taken back to my own school."

When evaluating sessions, delegates are asked what they would like subsequent sessions to focus on. Assessment was a key area identified by delegates across the range of subjects offered. This will be an area that we will prioritise in our future meetings this year.

During the spring term, most subject network meetings will be face-to-face sessions and these will be held at Oldham Event Centre. The only exception to this is RE and this meeting will be held remotely via Zoom.

Invited to all meetings will be emailed to all subject leads at least two weeks before each meeting is due to take place. The table below shows the dates and times when meetings will take place.

In our spring term meetings, we will continue to address the overarching priorities for the Primary Network. We will continue to focus on assessment and adaptive practice so that we can ensure the progress of all learners including those who are Pupil Premium or high attaining and those with SEND. In addition, subject network leads will also try to provide opportunities to address those priorities that those attending have requested more support with.

Please make sure that the subject leads in your school sign up for and attend the summer term network meetings here.