Celebrating excellence in subject leadership

Maths - The Warren School - Winner of the 2024/25 Bernice McCabe Award

The Mathematics department at The Warren school won for their work creating a department and a curriculum that fosters a deep love for mathematics in students, in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.

One of the department's key focuses has been increasing the number of students choosing A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, particularly encouraging more female students to enrol. Historically, A-level Mathematics classes have had a higher proportion of male students.

To recognise student achievement, the department introduced the Mathematician of the Week award, a practice that has now spread across other departments. Through twilight sessions, teachers have established links between the GCSE higher tier and AS-level, exposing Year 11 students to Year 12 content early on. This approach helps ease the transition to A-level while deepening students' understanding of crucial GCSE skills.

The department also seeks to enthuse students beyond the curriculum with various subject-based activities. Students in KS4 participate in the UKMT Intermediate Challenge and every student in Year 8 visits the Science Museum every year to learn how Mathematics connects to aspects of real life. The department leads on aspects of the National Extended Diploma in Engineering at post-16, a successful option that now has female students as part of the cohort every year.

Professional development within the department is priority. Staff are encouraged to observe KS5 lessons to deepen their subject knowledge. This initiative has been instrumental in expanding the KS5 teaching team, which has grown from only male staff in 2017 to a more balanced team of seven in 2024. Regular meetings include time for staff to share good teaching practices and resources, with a strong focus on problem-solving and developing higher-order thinking.

The Warren School also fosters strong links within and beyond the school community. The annual Futures Evening provides students with opportunities to hear from professionals in careers related to mathematics. The department also organises trips to career fairs and universities, helping students explore pathways and applications of mathematics in the real world.

The Warren School has undergone a transformation since being placed in special measures in 2013 when the school did not achieve floor standards in GCSE passes in English and Mathematics. In May 2024, the school was judged as outstanding, and progress in Mathematics at GCSE is now in the top 10% nationally. Mathematics is the most popular A Level subject in the Sixth Form and in the 2024 cohort female students make up more than half. 

The Music Department at Wymondham College has been nominated for raising the profile of music at the college and building strong musical connections with its newly established Wymondham College Prep School.

A key focus for the department has been raising the profile of music within both the College and Prep School. The challenges brought by the financial climate and the effects of the pandemic, which saw a drop in both instrumental and vocal lesson numbers, have been met with a variety of strategic actions. The department has increased collaboration between the College and Prep through joint performances at events like carol services, Easter concerts, and the College’s largest annual musical event, which features both Prep and College students. Instrumental lessons have also been extended to Prep School pupils, with instrumental demonstrations in assemblies to boost the uptake of minority instruments.

Collaborating with the prep school includes senior school music teachers working directly with Prep School students and inviting them to participate in the College’s extensive extra-curricular music programs, including concerts and other musical events. Instrumental and vocal staff also provide lessons to Prep School pupils, further strengthening the musical bridge between the two schools. This has meant increased confidence among younger students, stronger attendance at events, and a growing recognition of the department within the school community

Since joining the PTI, the department has reviewed and updated its schemes of work and learning journeys, incorporating insights from CPD. The focus remains on teaching through hands-on musical activities—whether singing, performing, composing, or listening—underpinned by extensive use of modelling in the curriculum.

The Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department at Priory School was nominated for developing their MFL curriculum and raising the profile of languages through extracurricular events and in the community.

Inspired by the PTI Department Development Programme, MFL teachers at Priory school adopted a proactive approach to enhancing their skills and the curriculum. The team consists of eight MFL teachers and a Latin teacher, representing various nationalities, including English, Spanish, Italian, Swiss, and French, so collaboration was prioritised. By regularly engaging in observations to refine teaching methods, encouraging teachers to contribute to curriculum planning through regular department meetings, and all committing to professional development, the department developed a challenging, innovative curriculum, focussing particularly on phonics and updating schemes of work in line with new GCSE specifications. These changes significantly boosted student engagement and improved language proficiency.

Collaboration has also been developed beyond the school gates. The department strengthened community networks by sharing best practices with other schools. They hosted a European Bake Sale raising funds for Macmillan Nurses which showcased students' creativity while raising the profile of languages within the wider community. During Year 6 taster day, primary school students were encouraged to explore the joy of language learning.

Activities beyond the classroom, such as trips to Spain and France, have been key in enthusing students. For example, the department took over 30 students on a five-day trip to Spain, while a three-day trip to Dieppe, France, engaged 20 students. The pen-pal exchange program with students from Jaén, Spain, and their visit to Priory deepened students’ cultural understanding further through bilingual activities and a trip to Brighton. This cultural exchange has been building over a period of nearly 10 years and is valued by the school and community alike.