Moving Beyond “One-Off” CPD in Primary Languages
How Primary Languages Network Has Been Doing What Ofsted Now Calls For
Ofsted’s recent review of teacher training and professional development has struck a familiar chord. Their findings emphasise what many educators have long known: one-off training sessions don’t work. Quick bursts of input may inspire, but they rarely lead to meaningful, sustained change in classroom practice.
At Primary Languages Network, this principle has been at the heart of our approach from the very beginning. We believe that true professional development happens inside the classroom, not outside of it. For non-specialist teachers, confidence and competence in language teaching grow when support is embedded in day-to-day practice — not delivered in isolation.
CPD That Lives in the Classroom
That’s why our scheme of work doesn’t stop at providing high-quality lesson resources. Each lesson is supported by our Virtual Teacher model, where teachers team-teach alongside an expert practitioner. This structure allows non-specialists to build their language knowledge, pronunciation, and classroom strategies in real time, with real pupils, in their own classroom environment.
It’s a CPD model that works because it’s continuous, contextual, and confidence-building. As one of our teachers recently shared:
“The Virtual Teacher has completely changed how confident I feel delivering languages. I learn alongside the children every week, and I can see my own progress as well as theirs.”
— Testimonial from our website, primarylanguages.network
From Introduction to Ongoing Growth
Our in-person and online training sessions are designed not as stand-alone events, but as springboards — helping teachers and coordinators understand the system, gain key skills, and start strong. From there, the real development begins, through:
Half-termly Network Sessions – collaborative CPD rooted in current practice.
Regional Roadshows and Annual Conferences – opportunities to connect, share, and grow.
Online Training Suites – easy-access modules for continuous skill development.
Consultations and Language Health Checks – providing schools with bespoke support to ensure long-term success.
This blended approach ensures that language coordinators and class teachers aren’t left to “sink or swim” after a single training day. Instead, they have a partner in their professional journey — one that evolves with them.
Sustainable Professional Growth
One-off CPD can be stressful, time-consuming, and often disconnected from classroom realities. Our structure is different by design. It reduces pressure on coordinators, supports non-specialists over time, and builds a culture of ongoing professional improvement.
So while Ofsted now calls for a move away from one-off sessions, at Primary Languages Network we’re proud to say — we’ve been there for years.
“The ongoing support and network meetings have been invaluable. I always come away with practical ideas and feel part of a community.”
— Teacher feedback, Primary Languages Network