Continuous Provision | 22 June 2022
Anna Ephgrave – Planning in the Moment as Children Play
Anna Ephgrave has been teaching for over 27 years. Her most recent post was Assistant Head Teacher responsible for the Early Years and Year One at Carterhatch Infant School, which was graded as Outstanding in its most recent inspection. Anna is an independent consultant, trainer and author, supporting practitioners both in the United Kingdom and abroad. She has written two very successful books for David Fulton, Routledge: The Reception Year in Action and The Nursery Year in Action.
The session will give delegates an understanding of the power of child-initiated play. This will include a consideration of the role of the adult within play – which is to ‘observe, assess, plan and teach’ within an interaction. There will be some practical suggestions to support staff to develop their environments and the experiences on offer to help with curriculum coverage. |
James Johnson – Continuous Provision
Panel Discussion
VNET associate Jude Twani will chair a panel discussion including local schools, EYFS leads and James Johnson exploring issues around continuous provision and sharing experience in the local contest.
Special pricing for VNET members!

- Date: 22 June 2022
- Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Venue: King's Centre, 63-75 King Street, NR1 1PH

Anna Ephgrave

James Johnson

Jude Twani
Getting it right in the classroom | 4 November 2022
Join us as we launch our flagship projects for 2022/23!
Developing Teaching Excellence – Mark Burns
Mark will introduce some research informed approaches to develop teaching excellence. Building upon more than a decade of proven track record in supporting teacher development, Mark will introduce ways to deepen dialogue, develop strategies to ensure feedback is impactful, and establish a shared language for teaching excellence.
The project will go on to support busy leaders to build impactful routines and habits in teams to develop the understanding about, and impact of, teaching over time. It will also unpick the common barriers that inhibit growth and provide strategies to overcome them.
Oracy – Emily Partridge and Plymouth Marjons
Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with other through spoken language. Through oracy children develop and deepen their subject knowledge and understanding. Children learn to talk and learn through talk.
To launch the Oracy Project colleagues from Plymouth Marjons University will explore the research base behind the Alumnis Oracy Framework.
Behaving Together – Sarah Johnson
Sarah will launch the Behaviour Project by exploring the nature of emotional health and well-being and the real implications of this on the way children are seen to act within the school.
Working on the assumption that behaviour is our innate form of communication and working on ways to support rather than control. The project will go on to help build a reflective toolkit for teachers and those interested in the pastoral care of children.
Each member school has TWO free places!
This conference is for VNET members only.

- Date: 4 November 2022
- Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Venue: King's Centre, 63-75 King Street, NR1 1PH

Mark Burns

Emily Partridge

Sarah Johnson
Leadership Conference | 10 March 2023
Join us for an opportunity for reflection, growth, and networking
Stephen Tierney – Being, Knowing, Doing
Phronesis is an ancient Greek word associated with good judgement and good character. At its core, it is about the ability to discern how best to act. Practical wisdom involves acting thoughtfully and virtuously and encouraging others to do the same. Stephen Tierney describes virtue, thought and action – which coalesce in effective leadership – as the Way of Being, Way of Knowing and Way of Doing. Each of the three Ways consist of a number of elements termed the Basics.
- The Ways of Being: Purpose & Introspection
- The Ways of Knowing: Specialism & Strategy
- The Ways of Doing: Implementation, Networking, Guardianship & Expertise
Stephen will help leaders explore their own capabilities and potential. Leadership can be learnt. The three Ways represent a mirror to help leaders reflect upon and improve their practice.
Viv Grant – Leading an inclusive and diverse school
Viv Grant is an executive coach, author and public speaker. She has been in the teaching profession for over thirty years. When she was just 31 and expecting her first child, she was appointed as one of the youngest heads in the country to turn around a failing primary school.
It was because of her experiences as a head, that Viv developed a deep interest in approaches for supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of school leaders. She is often called upon nationally and internationally to speak at conferences on the subject.
As an executive coach, Viv now works extensively with headteachers and school leaders, helping them to overcome the challenges of their roles, so that they are able to maintain their humanity, joy, love for the profession and the communities they serve. As a pioneer in the field, the coaching provided by Integrity, has recently been the subject of an evaluation/research report for the National Education Union (NEU).
Her book “Staying A Head” is considered a seminal work in this area. Recognised as an expert in the field, she has contributed to various books and periodicals on the subject. As an expert commentator, her contributions have also been featured in The Guardian, London Live, Sky News, Radio Four, Woman’s Hour and the World at One.
Each member school has TWO free places!
This conference is for VNET members only.

- Date: 10 March 2022
- Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Venue: King's Centre, 63-75 King Street, NR1 1PH

Stephen Tierney

Viv Grant
Did you miss the November 2021 conference?
Login to access all recordings and resources from the conference here: