Specialism and Curriculum Networks (SCN)

The Specialism and Curriculum Networks directorate (SCN) aims to enable a high quality national and regional education support service for all the Trust's specialist school programmes.
SCN provides expert advice to the DfES and schools on all subject specialisms for which the Trust is responsible, as well as the rural dimension, and 14-19 and vocational education programmes.

Specialist subject advisers offer expert support for each specialism. Advice and support by SCN is rooted within national school improvement initiatives, in particular, transforming secondary education and remodelling the school workforce. This involves supporting each specialism but also enabling and sharing of best and innovative practice across all of the specialisms and particularly strategies to tackle under-performing schools and groups of pupils.

SCN enables and supports:

• Newly designated schools - by organising the DfES Induction Conferences, providing specialist conferences, contacting and networking all schools shortly after designation.
  
• National and regional lead practitioner networks - in each subject specialism.
  
• Annual conferences - in all specialisms.
  
• Language colleges - in the roll out of the National Language Strategy.
  
• Research, test-bed and sponsorship proposals - with strategic external partners eg DfES Innovation Unit, National Academy of Gifted and Talented, HEIs.
  
• Dissemination of best and innovative practice - via the Trust's websites, Best Practice publications and to strategic partners eg DfES Innovation Unit.
  
• The development of subject specialisms - via expert subject panels including key external partners and practitioners, headteacher steering groups and lead practitioner networks, to create strong specialism networks nationally and in the regions, so that the Trust provides leadership in all specialisms.
  
• Vocational and 14-19 – SCN is heavily involved in the development of vocational education programmes and the maximising of specialist schools' contribution to 14-19 reform.