Primary Inset Drives Whole School Improvement Together

Lydiate Learning Trust recently hosted its first Primary INSET Day at Vortex House, bringing colleagues together for a focused session on whole school improvement.

The day explored how schools can strengthen impact through clarity of intent, effective curriculum design, and consistently strong classroom practice. The session combined strategic reflection with practical approaches, enabling staff to connect wider improvement priorities directly to everyday teaching.

Teachers and leaders from Knotty Ash Primary School and The Grange Primary School worked collaboratively throughout the day, sharing approaches and refining thinking on what drives sustained impact in the classroom. Mark Burns, an experienced education trainer and professional learning designer, supported colleagues to focus on the conditions that make learning stick and turn research into consistent classroom impact.

The training provided a valuable opportunity for busy teachers to reflect on best practice and select a ‘Plus One’ area to develop through applied strategies over the next term.

One teacher commented, “The day gave us the opportunity to reflect on our practice, share best practice and think about making manageable and lasting changes.”  Another colleague reflected, “It was practical, focused and directly linked to what we do every day with pupils.”

The Trust’s focus on collaborative professional development remains central to its improvement strategy, ensuring staff across our schools benefit from shared expertise and aligned priorities. Roanne Clements, Executive Primary Headteacher at LLT added, “Days like this help us step back, refocus, and ensure we are driving improvement in the right areas with consistency and purpose.”

The INSET day reinforced a clear commitment across the Trust: sustained improvement is built through shared understanding, disciplined focus, and high-quality teaching and learning.