ECT Training 2026-27

The ECT Training offer has been commissioned by Professional Development Leicester (PDL) and will be delivered by Leicester City Council's SEND Support Service. As both of these initiatives are funded via de-delegation, all opportunities are offered at no extra charge, or subsidised cost for Leicester City maintained primary schools.

How to book:
Individual booking links for each training opportunity can be found within the course information below. Please contact SendBusinessSupport@leicester.gov.uk if you have any queries.

Autumn Term

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £60 for non-maintained city primary schools, all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Date & Time: Friday 13th November 2026, 9am - 5pm, New Parks House

Overview

We will provide an introduction to working in Leicester City covering the make up and some statistics to give context. Following this we will look at the Leicester City BERA and how it supports with creating an inclusive classroom. We will also cover the importance of relationships in the classroom, how to monitor progress in SEND, especially as measuring progress for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities isn't always linear, as standard data tracking tools often miss the incredible breakthroughs happening in your classroom every day. The aim will be to understand SEND assessment and gain confidence to recognise, record, and celebrate every milestone.

Book Here - Maintained Schools
Book Here - Non Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Wednesday 18th November 2026, 9am - 1pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Thursday 3rd December 2026, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview:

This session will give the confidence, strategies and relational mindset needed to create emotionally safe, well-regulated and inclusive classrooms. It will also include managing behaviour and relationships.

Possible gap tasks may include:

  • Implementing a new relational routine
  • Trialling a regulation strategy with a focus pupil
  • Reflecting on a behaviour incident using a SEMH lens

The twilight session will be a follow up from the gap task and an opportunity to raise any questions and share evidence of what has been successful.

Book Here - Maintained Schools
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Spring Term

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Tuesday 14th January 2027, 9am - 12.30pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Thursday 28th January 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview

This session will explore how children learn and approaches to adapting teaching.

This will be a half day training session to introduce ECTs to the main ideas about supporting children and young people with learning to learn in the classroom. Psychological models and frameworks will be introduced which explore Executive Functioning, Metacognition, and self-regulation and how to support children with these in the classroom through practical activities. Psychological evidence-based practice regarding the Learning Hierarchy, Mediation, scaffolding, Engelmann’s Theory of Instruction and Growth Mindset will be introduced along with practical ideas about how ECTs can implement these with children in their class.

The session will conclude by exploring adaptive teaching strategies using the psychological models introduced and how these can be used to meet the needs of all learners.

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Cost: Free to Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Tuesday 2nd February 2027, 9.30am - 12pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Monday 8th February 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview

Gain practical strategies to recognise and support Speech, Language and Communication Needs in the classroom. Learn simple, effective approaches to develop understanding, vocabulary, expressive language and communication, helping all learners to engage, participate and achieve.

Course aims for Session 1:

Explore the key features of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and gain practical strategies to support understanding, vocabulary, expressive language and classroom interaction. Leave with simple, effective approaches to help all learners communicate confidently and access learning.

Course aims for Session 2:

Reflect on your learning and share experiences of supporting pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Guided by an LCI Specialist Teacher, explore what worked in practice, refine communication-friendly strategies, and identify practical next steps to strengthen inclusive teaching.

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Book Here - Non-Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Tuesday 23rd February 2027, 9.30am - 12.30pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Tuesday 9th March 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview

This engaging half-day course explores practical approaches to supporting children with SEND in the early years. Designed for practitioners, the session focuses on inclusive practice, early identification, and creating enabling environments where every child can thrive.

Course aims for Session 1:

Participants will develop their understanding of SEND in the EYFS, explore strategies to support communication, wellbeing, and learning, and reflect on the importance of partnerships with families and professionals.

The session will also cover the graduated approach, reasonable adjustments, and supporting positive outcomes for every child.

The course combines current guidance, practical strategies, and discussion opportunities to build practitioners’ confidence in supporting the diverse needs of children in their setting.

Course aims for Session 2:

A focused space for practitioners to reflect on SEND practice in the early years, revisit key learning, share experiences, and explore how inclusive environments, early identification, and strong partnerships with families support positive outcomes for children. Participants will consider successes, challenges, and next steps in developing child-centred practice.

Book Here - Maintained Schools
Book Here - Non-Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Wednesday 17th March 2027, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Wednesday 14th April 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview:

A practical session exploring how ordinarily available assistive technology in your classroom can support the needs of children and young people (CYP) with SEND.

Course aims for Session 1:

  • Assistive technology can remove barriers to learning and support greater independence. This session helps practitioners understand which tools to use and how to introduce them effectively.
  • Explore practical ways to use accessibility features to remove barriers to learning and support a range of SEND needs through adaptable technology.

Course aims for Session 2:

This session explores the assistive technology available in your classroom and how it supports learning, independence, and the wider skills children and young people with SEND develop to prepare for adulthood.

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Summer Term

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Friday 9th April 2027, 9am - 12pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Wednesday 21st April 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview:

This course will:

  • Provide an introduction to Autism in the classroom
  • Explore how autistic learners may experience communication, interaction, sensory needs and routines
  • Develop a better understanding of individual pupil needs
  • Learn practical strategies to create supportive and predictable learning environments
  • Explore approaches that promote engagement, wellbeing and success for all pupils

The twilight session will:

  • Revisit key ideas from the autism training
  • Share experiences and learning from the gap task
  • Reflect on what worked and discuss challenges
  • Develop confidence in using practical strategies
  • Explore next steps for building inclusive and supportive practice for autistic learners
Book Here - Maintained Schools
Book Here - Non-Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £60 for non-maintained city schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Tuesday 27th April 2027, 9am - 5pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Tuesday 11th May 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview

Explore how physical disabilities, vision and hearing loss affect learning and inclusion. Discover practical ways to support pupils and promote participation.

Course aims for Session 1:

This session will explore the impact of physical disability and/or vision and/or hearing loss on learning, social inclusion and independence skills. It will also provide strategies to support children with sensory and/or physical needs and understand where to go for further support and advice.

Course aims for Session 2:

Reflect on how physical disability, vision and hearing loss can affect learning, inclusion and independence. With support from a specialist teacher, explore practical strategies, share experiences and discover where to access further guidance to create more inclusive, accessible classrooms.

Book Here - Maintained Schools
Book Here - Non-Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Thursday 6th May 2027, 9am - 1pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Thursday 20th May 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview

Explore the key principles of diversity and inclusive practice, with practical strategies to understand pupils' emotional needs, communication styles, and learning differences to create supportive, inclusive classrooms.

Course aims for Session 1:

  • Pupil Needs Reflection: Identify a pupils' needs, what supports them, and one new strategy to try
  • Classroom Mapping: Review interactions in a lesson and reflect on inclusion
  • Strategy Trial: Test an inclusive strategy and evaluate its impact
  • Observation Focus: Identify inclusive practices to adapt from a colleague
  • Pupil Voice Snapshot: Gather pupil views on what helps them feel included
  • Resource Audit: Review accessibility and identify one improvement
  • Micro Case Study: Explore a learner's needs, key learning, and next steps

Course aims for Session 2:

A space to reflect on diversity and inclusive practice, exploring how pupils' emotional needs, communication styles, and learning differences shape their experiences. Through discussion and shared reflection, teachers will explore strategies that support more responsive and inclusive classrooms.

Book Here - Maintained Schools

Cost: Free for Leicester City maintained primary schools. £30 for non-maintained city primary schools and all secondary and Leicestershire schools.

Session 1: Wednesday 26th May 2027, 9.30am - 12pm, New Parks House

Session 2: Monday 14th June 2027, 3.30pm - 5pm, Online

Overview:

Learn practical strategies to support cognition and learning and creating inclusive classrooms where all pupils can engage and succeed.

Course aims for Session 1:

  • Task analysis: Break down a lesson activity into small steps and review its impact
  • Intersection audit: Review instructions and identify one improvement
  • Memory support: Use a memory aid and note changes in learning
  • Scaffolding review: Identify one scaffolding improvement
  • Peer observation: Observe and note two strategies to use
  • Pupil voice: Ask a learner what helps them understand

Course aims for Session 2:

Revisit key strategies for supporting cognition and learning needs. Reflect on classroom practice, share what worked, and explore next steps with guidance from the LCI specialist teacher.

Book Here - Maintained Schools
Book Here - Non-Maintained Schools