Annual Conference 2026 Teacher Developers sample programme

Thursday 8th January 2026, at the University of Nottingham, is the designated Teacher Developers’ Day at our Annual Conference, with a curated series of sessions chosen to appeal to those who support other teachers at all stages of their careers, through initial teacher education, professional development and subject leadership. Friday and Saturday also include many sessions which will appeal to teacher developers. Below is a sample of sessions you might choose, with some sessions including options for those who are more focused on either primary or secondary science. Of course, there are many other choices a teacher developer could make - this is just an example. A full programme is available via our Sched application. 

 

Thursday 8th January

Time slot Title of session Speakers
From 07:45 onwards Register for conference
08:00-08:45Exhibition open for visitors
08:45-09:40The significance of trainee teachers learning through pupilsAshley Beattie
09:55-10:50Teacher Developers keynote: The curriculum reviewJon Hutchinson
10:45-11.15Tea / coffee / exhibition browsing
11:15-12:10Curriculum making for climate change education OR Teacher recruitment and retention – international case studiesClaire Seeley; Chris Shepherd
12:25-13:20Supporting neurodivergent science teachers: inclusion, identity and practical strategiesRachel Hartley, Carole Kenrick
13:35-14:30Lunch / exhibition open OR Intellectual Preparation: a model for rapid departmental improvementJessica Wood
14:45-15:40Bringing CASE In from the cold: how is it going? OR What should leaders prioritise to improve primary science in their schools?Alex Black, Natasha Serret; Alex Farrer, Michelle Sleath
15:40-16:10 Physics and Tea with the Institute of Physics
16:10-17:05Teaching in ways that help children to learn in primary science OR Three crucial changes Physics Partners made to improve our physics CPDNicola Treby, Vanessa Matthews; Alan Denton
17:10-17:40Meet the ASE Teacher Developers’ Committee
17:30-19:30ASE Reception ASE Reception for networking and ASE Book of the Year prize giving, followed by a pay as you go bar open until 22:00.

Friday 9th January

TimeslotTitle of sessionSpeakers
From 07:45 onwards Register for conference
08:00-08:45Exhibition open for visitors
08:45-09:40Use of AI in curriculum implementation OR Supporting purposeful practical work in primary scienceAndy Chandler-Grevatt; Lynne Bianchi, Sarah Earle, Grace Marson
09:55-10:50Harnessing GenAI for the next generation of primary/secondary science teachersSuzanne Swan
10:45-11.15Tea / coffee / exhibition browsing
11:15-12:10Primary keynote: Reflections on the 2025 state of primary science in the UK report OR Strengthening professional growth through learning communitiesLynne Bianchi, Martin Pollard, Clare Harvey; Helen Sizer, Tina Whittaker
12:25-13:20Lunch / exhibition open OR Networking Lunch for 11-19 sponsored by Educake
13:35-14:3011-19 Keynote: TBATBA
14:45-15:40Bring back concept mapping to develop vocabulary and meaning in science OR Talking Science: Tackling the stubborn challenges of the disadvantage gapAlex Sinclair, Emily Montenero; Louise Archer, Athene Donald, Lee Elliot-Major, Marianne Cutler
15:40-16:10 Tea / coffee / exhibition open for browsing
16:10-17:05Exhibition browsing and networking
19:00-22:00ASE Social: curry and quiz evening

Saturday 10th January

TimeslotTitle of sessionSpeakers
07:45 onwardsRegister for conference
08:00-08:45Exhibition open for visitors
08:45-09:40Finding the silver bullet – why girls choose A level physics OR Let’s PLAN to moderate disciplinary knowledgeGill Clarke; Naomi Hiscock
09:55-10:45Why did they leave? Exploring the reasons physics teachers left teaching OR Frontier Science: What are executive functions and how do they help children learn maths and science?Mark Whalley, Stuart Farmer; Lucy Cragg
10:45-11:15Tea / coffee / exhibition open for browsing
11:15-12:10Panel: Working together to improve science educationJo Foster
12:25-13:20High quality fieldwork: shared lessons for science and geographyRebecca Kitchen
13:35-14:30Lunch / exhibition open for browsing
14:45-15:40Practical applications of AI to improve teaching and reduce workloadEuan Douglas
15:40-15:55Tea / coffee
15:55 - 16:50Dialogue and oracy in practicals – can talk improve practical science? OR Engaging science researchers in the primary classroomChris Harrison, Peter Munroe; Joy Parvin
16:50Conference ends!