Free Live Online CPD for Registered Axcis Candidates: 2026–27 Programme
Registered Axcis candidates can access a programme of free live online continuing professional development (CPD) sessions throughout the 2026–27 academic year.
Delivered online via Zoom by experienced education professionals, the programme includes sessions designed for people working across Primary, Secondary and SEND education. Topics range from creating positive classroom environments and adaptive teaching to neurodiversity, autism, attachment, sensory processing and wellbeing.
Who can attend these sessions?
This live online CPD programme is available exclusively to registered supply staff with Axcis Education, Vision for Education or Smart Teachers. If you are registered with Axcis, please use the same email address associated with your Axcis candidate account when booking.
What is included in the live online CPD programme?
The programme is divided into three areas:
You can book one or more sessions through the online booking form. Select Book this session beneath your chosen course. The booking form will open in a new window, where you can confirm the session you would like to attend.
Primary CPD sessions
The Positive Classroom Environment
15 September 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will explore how to create and maintain a positive classroom environment. It will consider how teaching staff can foster positive relationships with pupils and use practical strategies, both during planning and in the moment, to support the classroom.
Quality First Teaching: The Science of Learning
20 October 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will focus on the science of learning. It will explore how pupils learn and how teaching staff can manage cognitive load in the classroom to maximise learning opportunities.
Quality First Teaching: Gathering Information About Learning and Using Feedback
24 November 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will provide an overview of how to gather information from pupils and make effective use of feedback. It will consider when and how to collect information to check that learning has taken place, as well as how feedback can help move learning forward.
Quality First Teaching: Metacognition
15 December 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will introduce metacognition and explain what it means in an education setting. It will look at how metacognitive approaches can be used in the classroom to support learning.
Quality First Teaching: What Does an Inclusive Classroom Look Like?
19 January 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Joanna Isaac, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will explore how to create an inclusive classroom environment and meet a range of needs within one class. It will consider approaches that teachers and education support staff can use to support learning and improve outcomes for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Quality First Teaching: Phonics
23 February 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Sarah Stock, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will help participants develop their understanding of phonics, including the key terminology they need to know and how this knowledge can support classroom practice.
Quality First Teaching: Reading
16 March 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will focus on developing pupils’ reading skills. It will consider the evidence around teaching reading and explore practical strategies for supporting reading comprehension.
Participants are also encouraged to attend the subsequent session on explicit and implicit vocabulary instruction, which builds on the reading training.
Quality First Teaching: Explicit and Implicit Vocabulary Instruction
13 April 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
Building on the earlier reading session, this training will introduce Beck’s model of tiered vocabulary and explore how teaching staff can develop pupils’ vocabulary in the classroom.
Quality First Teaching: Early Maths
18 May 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Sarah Stock, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will focus on teaching early maths. It will explore how young children learn mathematical concepts and the role that stories can play in supporting early mathematical development.
Quality First Teaching: Primary Maths
15 June 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Joanne Sproul, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will focus on teaching primary maths, including how manipulatives and representations can be used effectively in the classroom.
Quality First Teaching: Writing
13 July 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Vicky Gardiner-Earl, NEAT Academy Trust
This session will focus on teaching writing. It will consider what can be learned from the writing framework and how this can be applied from planning through to classroom practice.
Secondary CPD sessions
Classroom Climate and Behaviour for Learning: Part 1
17 September 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This practical session will provide strategies for working with unfamiliar classes, responding to challenging behaviour and addressing low-level disruption.
Topics will include:
- Establishing routines and maintaining high expectations
- Using body language effectively
- Understanding the power of voice
- Developing self-belief
This training takes place across two sessions. Participants are encouraged to register for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Classroom Climate and Behaviour for Learning: Part 2
8 October 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
Part 2 will continue the themes introduced in the first session. It will provide further strategies for establishing routines, communicating expectations and supporting positive behaviour for learning in secondary classrooms.
Building Learning Power and Self-Belief
26 November 2026 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This session will focus on building self-belief in the classroom. Participants will explore the theory behind self-efficacy, why it matters for pupil progress and achievement, and practical strategies that can help pupils develop greater confidence in their ability to learn.
Adaptive Teaching
14 January 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This session will explore why responsive teaching is important in helping pupils reach their learning potential. It will offer practical strategies for adapting classroom practice to meet a range of needs.
Making the Learning Stick
10 February 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This session will focus on memory and how the brain learns. Participants will explore strategies that can help pupils retain knowledge and revise more effectively.
Stretching and Challenging All Learners
11 March 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This session will explore how tasks, questions and classroom challenges can encourage higher-order thinking, deepen learning and help knowledge move into pupils’ long-term memory.
Getting Students Exam Ready
22 April 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This session will focus on helping students prepare for exams by developing their exam technique and study skills.
Working Effectively With School Systems
13 May 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This practical session is designed to help supply teachers understand and navigate key school systems confidently from the moment they arrive.
It will cover safeguarding expectations, reporting procedures, seating plans, behaviour policies and essential communication routines. Participants will explore how to find information quickly, make informed decisions without prior knowledge of the setting and work in line with school expectations.
Filler Ideas for Supply Staff
17 June 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This practical, fast-paced session will provide supply staff with a selection of reliable, low-preparation activities that can be used when planned work is unavailable or completed earlier than expected.
It will introduce adaptable activities for different subjects and year groups, including literacy challenges, creative-thinking prompts, retrieval games, discussion routines and independent tasks. Participants will leave with ideas that can help keep lessons structured, productive and positive.
Strengthening Mental Health and Wellbeing
8 July 2027 | 5pm–6pm
Delivered by Eve Hedley, Hedley Education Solutions
This practical session will explore evidence-based strategies that can help teachers strengthen mental health and resilience.
It will cover recognising early signs of need, building resilience, managing workload and making better use of downtime. Participants will leave with practical techniques that can support their own wellbeing and that of their pupils.
SEND CPD sessions
Neurodiversity
24 September 2026 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will help participants build their awareness of neurodiversity. It will include practical strategies and techniques that can be incorporated into classroom practice.
Autism
15 October 2026 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will help participants develop their understanding of autism, including some of the barriers to learning that autistic pupils may experience. It will include straightforward strategies that can be used to support pupils in the classroom.
Trauma-Informed Approaches
12 November 2026 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will build participants’ knowledge of trauma and how it can affect pupils in education settings. It will introduce clear trauma-informed approaches that can be used to support learning in the classroom.
Attachment
10 December 2026 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will develop participants’ awareness of attachment and how attachment difficulties can sometimes create barriers to learning. It will also provide practical strategies for supporting pupils in the classroom.
For additional information, read our guide to attachment difficulties for education supply staff.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
21 January 2027 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will introduce Adverse Childhood Experiences, often referred to as ACEs. It will include important considerations and practical strategies that can help participants support pupils in the classroom.
ADHD
18 February 2027 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will focus on developing participants’ understanding of ADHD and the barriers to learning that pupils may experience. It will introduce clear strategies for supporting learning in the classroom.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
18 March 2027 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will introduce Oppositional Defiant Disorder, commonly known as ODD, and some of the challenges pupils may experience. It will also provide participants with introductory techniques that can help them support pupils in the classroom.
Sensory Processing
15 April 2027 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will focus on building participants’ awareness and understanding of sensory processing and why sensory needs may require support within the classroom.
Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
6 May 2027 | 4.30pm–6pm
Delivered by Karen Ferguson, Linrow Education
This session will develop participants’ awareness of behaviour and the factors that may influence how pupils communicate through their behaviour. It will consider ways of analysing behaviour and introduce strategies that can be used to support pupils in the classroom.
How do I book a live online CPD session?
Use the online booking form to select the Primary, Secondary or SEND sessions you would like to attend.
You will be asked to provide the email address connected to your candidate account and confirm the branch with which you are registered.
A link to join each session will be emailed directly to registered attendees one working day before the training is due to take place. If you have any questions about your booking, please contact your local branch.
Are the live online CPD sessions free?
Yes. The sessions are completely free for registered supply staff with Axcis Education, Vision for Education or Smart Teachers.
There is no charge to reserve a place, but please only book sessions you reasonably expect to attend. This helps training providers plan effectively and allows as many registered candidates as possible to benefit from the programme.
What is the difference between the live programme and the Axcis Academy?
The sessions listed in this article are scheduled live online events taking place at specific dates and times.
The Axcis Academy provides registered Axcis candidates with access to a wider selection of online and on-demand professional development opportunities and resources.
Together, these resources can help candidates continue developing their knowledge, strengthen their classroom practice and prepare for opportunities across mainstream and SEND education.
Not registered with Axcis?
Free live online CPD is one of the benefits available to registered Axcis candidates.
If you are looking for teaching or education support work across mainstream or SEND settings, you can begin the process of registering with Axcis. As a nationwide teaching agency, we recruit teachers, teaching assistants and education support staff for temporary and permanent opportunities in schools and other education settings.
Submitting an enquiry does not provide immediate access to the live CPD programme. Your registration with Axcis must be completed before you can attend these sessions.
Continue developing your education career
Professional development can help you build confidence, refresh your knowledge and develop practical approaches that you can take into different education settings.
Explore the Axcis Academy and our CPD, training and career development opportunities, or speak to your local Axcis team about the support available to you.