This article describes the work and experiences of a group of nine excellent science teachers from specialist science colleges across England who successfully championed the aims of the 'Getting Practical - Improving Practical Work in Science' programme in 2009-10. The group were recruited and supported as lead practitioners on the basis of their skills and passion for science pedagogy by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), a contributing partner to the programme. They successfully fulfilled their role by disseminating high-quality training and offering support to networks of schools to implement the professional development element of the Getting Practical programme.