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 this year. These priorities are 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.

This term, we have continued to have fantastic engagement with the 2025-26 Primary Network with 60 schools having attended one or more network meetings.

It has been wonderful to see so many different schools attending each of the subject 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 summer 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.

Attendee views on the short-term impacts of Primary Network meetings varied across the range of subjects offered. Science colleagues found the focus on understanding working scientifically beneficial in helping to ensure that these skills are planned for and assessed within the curriculum.

Maths subject leaders found the practical ideas that teachers can use to help children to learn times tables, with a focus on preparing children for the Multiplication Tables Check, would be easy to implement in the short-term. They also found the adaptability of these games and how they can be adapted to help children to secure other number related concepts would be extremely useful for all year groups.

MFL colleagues found the focus on phonics and understanding how this should be mapped and revisited across year groups would be useful in helping children learn a language. English subject leaders felt that the focus on sentence level teaching gave them a range of techniques which they could take back and implement within their own schools.

"I will add phonics to a clear map and show how it is revisited so that my colleagues understand this when teaching MFL."

"Lots of ideas to take away for working on sentence level techniques in the classroom."

"I will ensure working scientifically skills are consistent with curriculum planning."

Colleague responses on the long-term impacts of the Primary Network meetings varied across the different subjects. History subject leaders found the focus on understanding how different substantive threads of knowledge progress from EYFS to Year 6 was beneficial. They also felt it was useful to explore how children can be assessed against these substantive threads over time rather than just focusing on assessing the knowledge within a block of learning.

Geography colleagues enjoyed the focus on understanding what geographical enquiry entails and how this progresses across school. Many Geography subject leaders felt that they could begin working on developing geographical enquiry within schools moving from adult led enquiries to those which are more child led by the time children are in Years 5 and 6.

Computing colleagues found the focus on assessment beneficial along with how to evidence children's learning so that it is clear what progress they are making.

Maths subject leaders found the focus on assessment, feedback and adaptive teaching would have a significant impact back in their own schools to improve learning outcomes for children.

"There were lots of ideas for linking substantive concepts through the school along with ideas on assessment and retrieval of these concepts."

"The assessment ideas will be shared across school so that assessment of Computing will improve."

"We will work with our teachers to develop the ways that children's learning is assessed and teaching is adapted in maths lessons across school."

At the end of each subject network meeting, attendees were asked to complete a short evaluation for the meeting they attended. 80 attendees completed the evaluation.

Attendees were asked to rank how useful the meeting was. 100% 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, evaluations 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.

In many of the network meetings this term, attendees were asked to bring books or examples of planning to share with colleagues. This is something that delegates have found extremely useful as they have been able to share examples from their own school whilst taking ideas from other colleagues which they can use in their own setting.

Colleagues also found having the opportunities to share and listen to ideas from other subject leads beneficial as this 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 enjoyed networking with others and sharing resources. It was useful to discuss ideas for assessment in Computing."

"It was useful to have professional discussions around how adaptive teaching and questioning can be used in geographical enquiries."

"It was useful to moderate my science books with others. As a school, we are cautious but it gave me confidence that our assessment is secure."

Most primary networks will take place via Zoom. Science and RE will continue with face-to-face meetings and the venues for these were included on the network calendar that was emailed out. Invites for all meetings will be emailed to all subject leads at least three weeks before each meeting is due to take place. The table below shows the dates and times when meetings will take place

In our summer term meetings, we will continue to address the overarching priorities for the Primary Network. We will continue to focus on understanding how assessment and adaptive practice can be used to ensure the progress of all learners including those who are Pupil Premium or high attaining and those with SEND. We will also look at how we can embed progressive practice in quality first teaching. In addition, subject network leads will also try to provide opportunities to address 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.