Steplab and CUSP: Bringing The Code into everyday practice

Great teaching starts with a shared understanding of what works. But turning that understanding into consistent classroom practice takes time, support and the right professional development (PD).

That's why we're delighted to announce our partnership with Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership (CUSP), bringing The Code by CUSP to Steplab.

Together, we're combining CUSP's evidence-informed approach to great teaching with Steplab's practical tools for group PD, instructional coaching and classroom feedback, helping schools turn teaching principles into everyday practice.

Developed by CUSP, the curriculum partnership established by Unity Schools Partnership, The Code is a structured professional development programme designed to help schools build a shared understanding of great teaching.

The programme breaks down the essential elements of effective classroom practice into eight focused chapters, covering everything from explicit vocabulary instruction and clear explanations to checking for understanding, quality modelling and retrieval practice.

Each chapter provides structured learning opportunities for teachers, alongside guidance for school leaders to support implementation, coaching and reflection.

The aim is simple: to give teachers and leaders a shared language for great teaching, while recognising that effective practice needs to be adapted to different subjects, classrooms and pupils.

Understanding the principles of effective teaching is an important starting point. But it's through regular opportunities to practise, reflect and receive feedback that teachers can embed these approaches into their everyday routines.

That's where Steplab comes in.

By bringing The Code onto Steplab, schools can connect their shared approach to teaching with the practical PD activities that help sustain improvement.

With Steplab, school leaders can:

• 1.
  Bring learning into practice through focused group PD sessions and opportunities for teachers to rehearse new techniques.
• 2.
  Provide regular, supportive feedback through instructional coaching, drop-ins and manageable next steps.
• 3.
  Build a consistent approach to teaching by recognising effective practice, encouraging professional dialogue and keeping PD priorities at the heart of everyday school life.

Together, The Code and Steplab help schools move beyond understanding what great teaching looks like towards building the habits that make it happen consistently.

Schools are already seeing the benefits of using The Code alongside Steplab.

At Breckland School, leaders have been using both approaches to support teachers in developing and refining their classroom practice.

Through The Code's focus on explicit vocabulary instruction, explanations and checking for understanding, staff have developed a clearer, shared understanding of the teaching practices they want to strengthen.

Steplab has supported this work by helping leaders capture examples of effective practice, celebrate progress and keep professional feedback focused on these priorities.

As Gemma Price, assistant headteacher at Breckland School, explains, combining the two approaches gives teachers opportunities to practise, reflect and share feedback that helps them develop stronger teaching habits.

It's a practical example of how a shared teaching framework, supported by regular feedback and deliberate practice, can help schools make professional development part of everyday teaching.

The first four chapters of The Code are now available on Steplab, covering explicit vocabulary instruction, explanation and exposition, checking for understanding, and quality modelling and scaffolding, with further chapters to follow.

For schools already using The Code and Steplab, this partnership creates an opportunity to bring their teaching priorities and professional development activities together.

And for schools looking to strengthen teaching across their classrooms, it offers a joined-up approach to developing teacher expertise through evidence-informed practice, collaboration and ongoing support.

Want to find out more about how The Code and Steplab work together?

Join us on Wednesday 18 November at 4:00pm for a free webinar exploring the partnership and how schools can use The Code alongside Steplab to turn evidence-informed teaching principles into everyday classroom practice.