Maths - Plashet School - Winner of the 2025/26 Bernice McCabe Award

This year, the Mathematics department has made significant strides in improving teaching and learning, driven by our vision that every student regardless of background or ability should experience mathematics as meaningful, enriching, and accessible.

A major focus has been on staff development. Through CPD with EAL specialists, PTI courses, and ongoing work with the Maths Hub and NCETM, teachers have gained greater confidence in inclusive strategies, mastery teaching, and curriculum design. 

This has led to more consistent, student-focused lessons that emphasise reasoning, discussion, and high expectations for all.

They have also built stronger cross-curricular links, particularly with Science, Art, and D&T. By aligning schemes of learning and collaborating with colleagues in other departments, they have ensured that key mathematical concepts are taught with greater coherence and relevance across the curriculum. This has enhanced both staff collaboration and student understanding.

Alongside this, they have promoted a culture where maths is not only rigorous but also enjoyable. Competitions, enrichment projects, and real-world applications have shown students the creative and practical sides of maths, reinforcing their identity as mathematicians.

As an all girls schools, Plashet are continually trying to make improve the experiences for their girls. The cumulative impact of this work has been a stronger, more empowered department and a more connected, purposeful experience of maths for their students. Moving forward, they aim to refine our resources, strengthen our partnerships, and continue embedding the belief that maths is for everyone—because every citizen is a mathematician.

Science - Southend High School for Boys - Highly Commended for the BMC Award

A theme running though The PTI and DPP has been widening access to all pupils, regardless of background or means. The KS3 Science Extension Awards encourage pupils to engage their parents and carers in their science projects, whether that be interviewing them for a podcast on their favourite element, or engineering a working projectile weapon. Their departmental displays highlight scientists whose backgrounds match our diverse pupil intake - and do not shy away from highlighting the reasons behind their long-overlooked work. They proudly display Classic Kit from the past in our living ‘museum rooms’ – barometers, Soxhlet extractors and the famous Millikan Drop experiment. When dusting off this vintage kit from the past, there is a  sense that there has been a 'dumbing down' of lab work as its reach has expanded. Instead, the school hopes to celebrate and utilise the subject expertise of their to bring them back to life and into the classroom - for example using the Soxhlet extractors to extract capsaicin from chilli peppers and limonene from orange peel.

Teachers in the department are encouraged to develop their passion. Especially with the extension tasks, science awards and displays, it has been a case of 'pick what you're interested in and run with it'. Southend's team of teachers and technicians work together, often voluntarily and in their own time, to unlock opportunity and challenge for every pupil. Their Department offers every Challenge, Competition, Olympiad and runs a plethora of day-trips, lecture visits to the RI, ecology field studies in Sussex and international trips to Amsterdam, Geneva and the European Space Camp in Belgium.

Whilst there is still work to do, the school's work with The PTI has provided not only the framework but also the support, resources and networking opportunities to help them make the goal of providing opportunity and challenge for every pupil a reality.

English - The Whitstable School - Highly Commended for the BMC Award

Over the last academic year, The Whitstable School's DDP membership has had a strong and positive impact on the wider English department. Janet, who attended the English Subject Enrichment Residential in 2024, developed her subject knowledge, confidence and pedagogical skills through the residential and access to high-quality Staffroom resources and shared these insights with colleagues. This helped empower teachers across the department to feel more confident as subject advocates and to enrich their curriculum planning.

The strategies introduced, such as drama-based engagement, performing poetry aloud and more structured group work increased challenge and improved students’ independence and analytical skills. Their DDP learning also informed the revision of several schemes of learning, ensuring pupils of all backgrounds were introduced to diverse, demanding and culturally rich texts such as The Crucible, Purple Hibiscus and themed poetry collections.

By sharing PTI ideas, this has contributed to departmental CP, promoting reflective discussion and supporting less experienced teachers to lead. This strengthened collaboration, improved marking consistency and raised expectations across the department. Beyond the classroom, enrichment activities, including theatre trips, competitions and wider reading initiatives helped extend pupils’ engagement with challenging material.

Overall, the department's work with The PTI has strengthened curriculum quality, supported staff development and ensured that all pupils access an ambitious and enriching English education.