Overcoming obstacles to writing progress
Join an evidence-rich CPDL programme to improve progress in and though writing KS2 and lower KS3, October 2025 to February 2026
A programme of professional learning for teachers and school leaders, backed up with tried-and-tested resources, to help schools improve writing outcomes, particularly for learners who struggle most.
Following a highly successful programme partly funded by EEF, we are inviting schools across middle England to take part in a new phase of development which maps directly onto the new national Writing Framework.
Reported benefits schools and pupils include:
· “Observation of children’s English books has demonstrated a greater degree of coherence in writing”
· “RTI gave pupils the building blocks to write successfully, and the chance to innovate within their writing”
· “It is targeted support aimed at children who will benefit greatly. We delivered it regularly and the children know the routine now. The explanation of each intervention was fabulous”
Participants will access:
• Physical & digital guidance with clear, accessible resources and tools, to help participants and their colleagues implement strategies for tackling major writing barriers to writing progress learners face
• 3 (2 full day, one half day) CPDL sessions run by expert facilitators, demonstrating the RTI approach for your focus pupils and protected time to plan and support implementation tailored to the specific needs of a focus group of pupils and their class
• Ongoing, remote support to anticipate, identify and respond to implementation challenges at a time and format that suits you
• A library of classroom resources produced by peers and colleagues from other participating schools
Expected Outcomes
In its previous phases, focus, vulnerable pupils (and often their classes as a whole) have made several months of progress in just 5 weeks.
School leaders have also all created detailed, evidence-based plans for scaling up the approach across year groups and the participating key stage.
The programme will comprise:
• A full day introductory session where participants are introduced to RTI and plan to implement it for a focus group of identified pupils experiencing obstacles to progress in and through writing
• A full day check-in session where participants share progress they have made, explore obstacles they have encountered and ways of overcoming them, and learn about possible changes and additional interventions to support further progress
• A half day celebration session where participants reflect on the progress pupils have made, share resources, identify key things they have learned, and plan how to secure further improvement at scale
• Between-sessions finalisation and implementation of lessons which incorporate and build on tailored, carefully selected, interventions
• Monitoring of pupils’ responses, related fine tuning and accessing and providing necessary professional support.
What we need from you:
• All schools must include 1-2 educators (this can include support staff, but must also include a classroom teacher) and one leadership colleague
• Participating schools must send at least one colleague to each session and bring the whole team to the launch session, and to implement and complete monitoring logs for at least one intervention
• The cost to take part is £600 per participant, covering materials and CPDL
• The programme will launch on the 17th of October and run to February 2026
• Training will take place at The Moat House Hotel, Lower Penkridge Road, Acton Trussell, Staffordshire, ST17 0RJ
• Sign up now to reserve a place on this practical, progress and pupil-oriented programme! Please fill out the application form here: https://forms.gle/GrALYqVpG24bnrLJA
