Best Practice Network

As councils explore new ways to improve efficiency, transform services and support their communities, there is a growing demand for staff who can confidently use AI safely and responsibly.

The fully funded AI Practitioner for Local Government Level 4 Apprenticeship helps council staff develop practical skills needed to identify AI opportunities and improve processes within their current role.

Who's it for?
✅ Service Managers and Team Leaders
✅ Heads of Service and Operational Leads
✅ Project, Programme or Transformation Officers
✅ Business Analysts and Service Improvement Leads
✅ Data, Systems or Digital Officers
✅ Performance, Governance or Compliance Officers
✅ Customer Services, Contact Centre or Casework Leads
✅ Administrative or Business Support Staff with responsibility for systems and processes

Whether you're already experimenting with AI or looking to build your confidence, this programme will help you become the lead of safe and effective AI adoption within your council.

Applications for the September intake are now open, submit yours today to secure your place.

👉https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wpZgD0

Attending the Nursery Management Show this week?

Make sure to stop by Stand D40 and meet the Best Practice Network Early Years team.

Whether you're looking to develop your team, explore apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen SEND provision or learn more about Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT), our team will be on hand to answer your questions and discuss how we can support you and your setting.

📍 Stand D40
📅 Thursday, June 26
📌 NEC Birmingham

If you're attending, we'd love to meet you. Come and say hello, and discover how we can support your setting's workforce development and professional growth.

Still interested in starting a Teaching Assistant apprenticeship in September?

Early bird applications are now closed but you can still register your interest and receive updates on the next steps!

Explore pathways for classroom support, SEND, specialist teaching assistant roles and speech, language and communication support.

Whether you are building confidence in your current role or thinking about how you could support pupils in a more focused way, you can register your interest today.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wlLpL0

Applications close this Sunday, June 21!

Are you ready to take the next step in your Early Years career?

Our Early Years programmes support practitioners, graduates, leaders and employers to build skills, gain qualifications and make an even bigger impact for children in the Early Years.

Programmes include:
✅ Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)
✅ Early Years SENCO Level 3
✅ Early Years apprenticeships, including Level 2, Level 3 and Level 5

Don’t miss your chance to apply. Submit your application before the deadline this Sunday, June 21.

Explore the programmes and apply today:
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0whGkK0

Did you know you can complete an NPQ alongside a level 4 or level 5 apprenticeship? Join our upcoming webinar to find out all about our newly expanded suite of Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs, featuring 4 brand-new programmes alongside 2 updated pathways.

📅 Date: Wednesday, June 24
🕒 Time: 3pm

During the webinar, you'll learn all about the Apprenticeship Levy funding, explore the benefits, pathways available and get your questions answered in a live Q&A.

Sign up 👉 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wfckg0

We are thrilled to launch Excellence in Reception Teaching, a new Department for Education funded professional development programme for reception teachers.

Designed specifically for Reception, this course helps teachers deepen their understanding of early child development, strengthen classroom practice and use practical, evidence based approaches to support more children to achieve a good level of development.

For school leaders, it is a valuable opportunity to improve the quality of Reception teaching and strengthen the foundations of learning across your school.

For practitioners, it offers focused, specialist CPD that recognises the unique skill, care and expertise involved in teaching Reception well.

The programme covers:
🌱 Child development
🏫 Classroom practice and teaching
🤝 Effective partnerships
✨ Inclusive practice

Short, focused and practical, the programme takes a minimum of 20 hours over two school terms, combining flexible self study with live facilitated sessions that fit around busy school life.

Register now for the first intake in September
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wdDZB0

Experienced TA ready to specialise?

The Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5 Apprenticeship supports experienced teaching assistants to deepen their expertise and take on more targeted support in school.

Choose from specialist areas including SEND, social and emotional wellbeing and curriculum provision.

Applications are open now for the autumn cohort, starting this September.

Early bird deadline: Sunday, June 21

Click & Secure your Early Bird Application

On Friday, we celebrated our Primary & SEND PGTA June 2025 cohort 🎓✨

A huge congratulations to our brilliant student teachers on completing their Initial Teacher Training journey and taking this exciting next step into the classroom.

Your hard work and passion for education have shone through, and we are so proud to celebrate everything you have achieved.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our Primary & SEND ITT team for their ongoing support, guidance and dedication throughout the year. As you can see, they had a wonderful time celebrating with the cohort!

Here’s to the beginning of an exciting teaching career ahead. We cannot wait to see the difference you will make 🌟

AI is already being used by teachers in schools, the question is: is it being used safely, effectively and ethically?

The AI Practitioner for Schools Level 4 Apprenticeship trains school staff to become in-house AI leads within their setting.

An AI Practitioner can support schools by:
✅ Creating clear staff guidance aligned with school policies
✅ Improving data accuracy, reporting and internal processes
✅ Reducing repetitive workloads and improving efficiency
✅ Deliver a substantial workplace project that creates measurable impact

Suitable for:
✔️ Teachers with an interest in AI
✔️ Head teachers and senior leaders
✔️ School Business and Operation Managers
✔️ Data or MIS Leads
✔️ Trust Operations or Central services staff

Applications for the Autumn intake close on Sunday, June 28.

Apply now to secure your place.
➡️https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w87pS0

✨ We're proud to share that Best Practice Network and The Gallery Trust have won the Trust Collaboration Award at the MAT Excellence Awards 2026.

This recognition celebrates the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to developing high-quality pathways into teaching for those working with children and young people with SEND.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and grateful to everyone across both organisations who has contributed to this work.

Thank you to the MAT Excellence Awards for this recognition, and congratulations to all the winners and finalists.🏆💫