Every year, school‑led initiatives drive innovation across the system. These projects allow us to test new ideas, learn directly from classroom practice, and draw on wider educational research. By sharing what works and constantly exploring new ways of supporting our learners, we stay at the leading edge of effective education in Camden.
Initiatives 2024 – 2025
Across the 2024–25 school year, a range of initiatives were undertaken to strengthen teaching, learning, and wellbeing across our schools. These projects focused on developing staff expertise and enhancing opportunities for pupils, with a particular emphasis on inclusion and support.
Building Expertise for Complex SEND in Mainstream Classrooms
A cross‑school project that built support‑staff expertise in responding to complex SEND, giving Teaching and Learning Assistants practical strategies, confidence, and stronger collaborative networks to deliver more inclusive support in mainstream settings.
Strengthening PSHE in Schools
A borough‑wide initiative led by Christ Church Primary that strengthened PSHE leadership and practice across Camden by combining school‑based expertise with collaborative network support. Through bespoke mentoring, curriculum development, and targeted training for PSHE leaders and Early Career Teachers, the project equipped schools with practical tools, greater confidence, and more coherent approaches to safeguarding, wellbeing, and Relationships and Health Education. By building strong professional networks and modelling high‑quality practice, the initiative helped schools deliver more relevant, inclusive, and engaging PSHE for all pupils.
Educational Psychotherapy in Schools
A whole‑school initiative led by Fleet Primary School that strengthened in‑house therapeutic expertise by training the Mental Health Lead in Educational Psychotherapy. Through 1:1 therapy, group interventions, and staff development, the project equipped the school with practical, trauma‑informed strategies to support pupils with complex emotional needs. By embedding therapeutic practice into daily school life and fostering strong collaboration with families and staff, the initiative created a more emotionally aware, resilient, and connected school community.
Talk Routines in the Early Years
A borough‑wide project led by Torriano Primary School that strengthened Early Years oracy practice by equipping leaders with practical strategies, structured talk routines, and the confidence to drive language‑rich learning. Through evidence‑informed training, peer visits, and collaborative planning, EYFS teams developed the skills and networks needed to narrow vocabulary gaps and embed high‑quality talk across classrooms—creating more engaged, confident and articulate young learners.
Curriculum Mentoring
A school‑led initiative from Christ Church Primary that strengthened curriculum leadership across Camden by providing personalised, peer‑to‑peer mentoring for new and emerging subject leaders. Through tailored coaching, joint planning, and practical support with monitoring, feedback, and curriculum design, the programme built confidence, deepened subject expertise, and improved curriculum coherence in participating schools. By fostering trusting relationships and creating a collaborative network of leaders, the initiative helped schools drive stronger teaching, clearer progression, and better learning outcomes for pupils.
Supporting Transition to Reduce Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
A cross‑phase initiative led by Fleet Primary School and Acland Burghley School that strengthened transition support to reduce Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) among vulnerable pupils. Using trauma‑informed, relational approaches, the project built continuity between primary and secondary settings through student‑led workshops, peer mentoring, data analysis, and family‑focused support. By prioritising belonging, visibility, and trusted relationships, the initiative helped schools identify risk early, improve engagement at key points of transition, and create safer, more connected pathways for pupils moving into secondary education.
Debating Curriculum
A collaborative initiative led by Eleanor Palmer Primary that created a structured, inclusive debating curriculum for KS2, enabling pupils across eight Camden schools to build confidence, reasoning, and oral communication skills. Through co‑designed lesson structures, scaffolded resources, and targeted teacher CPD, the project made debating accessible to all learners—including disadvantaged pupils, EAL learners, and those with additional needs. By embedding fortnightly debating lessons and establishing clear progression across Years 3–6, the initiative strengthened oracy, widened participation, and helped schools plan for borough‑wide competitions and shared professional learning.
