KALE aims to support the professional development of leaders.

We do this in a variety of ways including:

  • co-ordinating peer networks to examine themes and topics of interest to leaders; some of these are local and others bring leaders together across the county
  • signposting to professional development opportunities offered by partners in the local education system, such as Teaching School Hubs and Curriculum Hubs
  • building capacity for local leaders who can cascade professional learning through networks and training

From September 2023 KALE is launching the Kent Education Evidence Hub (KEE Hub), to provide a platform for colleagues to:

  • take part in evidence-based training,
  • join networks to support the implementation of evidence-based practice,
  • collaborate to explore school development themes and the evidence of effective practice
  • train as Evidence Champions can play a lead role in developing a culture of evidence-informed teaching, leadership and school improvement.

Kent Education Evidence Hub – The KEE Hub

From September 2023 KALE is launching the Kent Education Evidence Hub (KEE Hub), to provide a platform for colleagues to:

  • take part in evidence-based training,
  • join networks to support the implementation of evidence-based practice,
  • collaborate to explore school development themes and the evidence of effective practice
  • train as Evidence Champions can play a lead role in developing a culture of evidence-informed teaching, leadership and school improvement.



Early Career Framework

Since September 2021, all Early Career Teachers (ECTs) are entitled to statutory induction arrangements that include:

  • 2-years of new, funded, high-quality training
  • 5% time away from the classroom for teachers in their second year
  • a dedicated mentor and new training for these mentors

To deliver this entitlement schools can choose from one of three routes:

  1. Use an ECF Lead Provider to deliver the Full Induction programme (FIP)
  2. Deliver your own training using freely available DfE-accredited materials that include session guidance and study materials
  3. Design and deliver your own training covering the full content in the early career framework

Whichever option you choose your appropriate body will verify that the programme has covered the full depth of the Early Career Framework.

You can read the annual summary evaluation of the national roll-out of the early career framework induction programmes here

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

The NPQ suite of programmes was revised in 2021. The new suite now includes a number of new programmes and some significant changes from the ‘legacy’ NPQs.

NPQs are fully funded by the DfE for most schools in England for the duration of the 2023/24 academic year. These include:

Specialist NPQs

NPQ in Leading Teaching
NPQ in Leading Teacher Development
NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture
NPQ in Leading Literacy
NPQ in Leading Primary Maths (from February 2024)

Leadership NPQs

NPQ in Senior Leadership
NPQ in Headship
NPQ in Executive Leadership
NPQ in Early Years Leadership
NPQ SENCO (from Autumn 2024, tbc)

Teachers and leaders can choose from any of the nine Lead Providers accredited by the DfE to deliver NPQs.

In Kent the local provision is offered by:

  • The Thames Gateway Teaching School Hub, working with LLSE
  • The Kent Teaching School Hub, working with Ambition 

Teaching School Hubs

There is a network of 87 Teaching School Hubs across England. Each Hub plays a central role in supporting schools in a defined geographical area to develop teachers and leaders. Their core focus is on:

  • Working with ITT accredited providers to deliver and/or enabling Initial Teacher Education
  • Providing Appropriate Body services for Early Career Teachers
  • Working with ECF Lead Providers to deliver the Early Career Framework Full Induction programmes
  • Working with NPQ Lead Providers to deliver the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
  • Providing some additional CPD opportunities

Kent schools are served by 2 Teaching School Hubs

Curriculum Hubs

There are a number of Hubs in Kent, all led by local schools. They each offer fully funded CPD for Primary and Secondary teachers and leaders.

English Hub | Kingsnorth Primary School | Kingsnorth Primary School - English Hub
Maths Hub | Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (Medway) | Kent and Medway Maths Hub
Behaviour Hub Partner School | Aquila Trust – St Mary of Charity | Behaviour Hub | St Mary of Charity Primary School
Science Learning Partnership | Rainham Mark (Medway) | Science Learning Partnerships
Music Hub | Kent Music | Music Education Hub, Kent Music
Computing Hub | Dartford Grammar School & Maidstone Grammar School | Dartford Grammar School - Computing Hub Maidstone Grammar School Computing Hub
Language Hub | The Skinners' Kent Academy & Dartford Grammar School | The Wells Language Hub

The Hubs jointly run a termly breakfast briefing. Schools will receive a flyer or can contact either of the two Hubs.

info@ktsh.org.uk or enquiries@TGTSH.org.uk

A short video introducing the Hubs is available here.