CPD leader - Teaching Expertise

The Welsh Assembly Government has taken a lead on recognising the individual professional needs of teachers. Gary Brace, chief executive, General Teaching Council for Wales, explains. read more

Do mistakes and critical professional learning go together? Should we plan for evaluation? Cliff Jones presents a list of questions to encourage reflection. read more

An effective professional development system is essential for your setting. Steve Mynard explains how to set one up. read more

Much remains to make the 14-19 vision into reality. Gareth Griffiths, 14-19 provision and attainment director at the Learning and Skills Council looks at progress in developing the diplomas and establishing collaboration between schools, FE colleges and training providers. read more

The vocational nature of teaching has been eroded by successive government initiatives and we need to take action to preserve it, says Alex Alexandrou, chair of the International Professional Development Asscociation. read more

What helps new teachers feel welcome in a school? Colin Smith looks at the early professional learning (EPL) of teachers, and discusses the key areas to look at when welcoming new teachers into your school, with reference to research in real schools

Ruth Bradbury explains why it is vital to create development plans for support staff in schools, and outlines a range of practical measures to make the process more manageable in your own school. read more

Judy Durrant and John Bartholomew of Canterbury Christ Church University describe developments that are leading to real and sustainable improvements in CPD and pupil’s learning. read more

Forthcoming changes will require education professionals to engage with and influence policy. Cliff Jones presents a framework to help CPD leaders develop a comprehensive approach to these challenges. read more

Teacher and group facilitator Celia Baly describes the challenge of getting out of the way so that children and young people can talk about how emotions affect their experience. read more

Sara Bubb of the Institute of Education in London discusses the implications of research into adult learning for their professional development. read more

In answer to concerns about a lack of strategic leadership in CPD, Vivienne Porritt, CPD consultant to the London Challenge, describes how a regional framework for CPD is being built in the capital. read more

Publishing research is an excellent form of professional development says Stephen Merrill. read more

Lisa Crosswood describes the benefits of a modular Masters degree in Education. read more

With closer cooperation between schools and FE colleges in 14-19 education on the horizon, Lee Davies provides an overview of recent changes to CPD for teachers in further education

This articles discusses using the National Programme for Specialist Leaders of Behaviour and Attendance (NPSLBA) to transform behaviour and raise attendance

Communication is by its very nature a two-way process. Children need to have these skills if they are to particpate in shared and meaningful communications. In this Inset package, based on the need for effective communication and engagement as described in the Common Core, Roger Hurn provides information and activities to help your staff think about ways of helping children to practise and develop their communication skills.

In her second article on training, Sally Eaton looks at some everyday opportunities. read more

The Effective Early Learning (EEL) Project, aims to improve the quality of children’s learning in early years settings. Pauline Cox explains the project's aims. read more

Pauline Cox explains what was involved in taking part in the Effective Early Learning (EEL) Project

Dr Hugh Starkey discusses two pilot CPD courses, part of a new DfES initiative on citizenship. read more

Cynthia Jones argues that active internationalism is an essential part of CPD for citizenship

Petra Luck describes the benefits of learning alongside colleagues from around Europe. read more

Planning, preparation and staff INSET for a Black Achievement Festival to coincide with Black History Month read more

The Education and Skills Committee report on SEN includes a brief but important analysis of the role of the SENCO, which highlights a major gap between policy rhetoric and reality. read more

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and Lead Professional (LP) work are key elements in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. This evaluation of authorities trialling the new approach will be of interest to SENCOs who will become increasingly engaged as the national roll-out continues for these processes for multi-agency working. read more

This project has shown how some 'blockages' to greater global awareness in schools can be unblocked. The challenge now is to share and learn from our experiences. By Sandy Betlem, NEAD. read more

An INSET session on 'the global dimension in citizenship education' was run by the Head of Citizenship at Eaton Bank, Congleton in Cheshire. read more

When setting out classroom rules and telling students what you expect of them, do you ever consider turning this round and asking students what they expect of their teacher? read more

Do you subscribe to the notion that: 'There is no such thing as failure - only feedback', so that whatever mistakes we make, we're left with the new learning that has emerged? read more

Jo Lewis describes some active games and motivational techniques.

A fading tan isn't all that remains of Rosemary Cairn's CPD experiences in the Caribbean!

How can we take positive steps to ensure that colleagues feel valued, their skills acknowledged and their personal qualities appreciated?

You left the meeting with a sense of excitement about all those excellent ideas. Yes, some of them are really unusual, and they could work! They'd make a difference. Optimism exists! Three months later... nothing. Did the meeting really happen? Why isn't anyone talking about it? What happened? Rob Sheffield's final article in a series of 3 looks at the final stage of problem-solving. How can we implement ideas for change so they gain acceptance from others and improve our lives at work? read more

It often takes time to sort out problems that have arisen over the lunch break. What measures can we take during this time to make sure that afternoon classroom behaviour is still condicive to work and an effective learning environment?

Getting that new job is terribly exciting. The adrenalin rushes as you realise you are the chosen one and gives a great buzz from the day the news breaks... and for some time afterward. read more

Cliff Jones analyses the new draft guidelines for performance management. read more

How can all the different initiatives, programmes and requirements be linked up to support the professional learning of your colleagues? Cliff Jones takes a look at some of the components. read more

The role of self-review is gaining in importance. Cliff Jones considers why teachers need to look at their own practice and presents a useful tool for critical professional learning. read more

The Training and Development Agency (TDA) is inviting applications for funds to support postgraduate professional development (PPD) programmes. read more

Since the Training and Development Agency (TDA) acquired responsibility for CPD it has been systematically setting about finding out how continuing professional development in schools can operate in order to take forward government policy. read more

Alison Fox looks at the social constructivist underpinnings of CSP and explains how she put the theory into practice in her postgraduate work with teachers in Scotland. read more

CPD Update has often pointed out that the further implementation of changes to 14-19 education will create demand for professional learning. We have also made the point, reflected in the recent legislation, that, in order to respond effectively to these changes, schools, together and separately, will have to work with FE colleges. This means collaborative professional learning across a number of boundaries. read more

The title of this resource bank might mislead leaders of CPD into thinking that there is little in it for them. This would be a mistake. Although it is focused upon teacher education it is also a treasure trove for anybody interested professional learning. read more

Recording your learning experiences can provide fresh insights. Kelly Christey of Westlands School, Sittingbourne, describes the initial problems and subsequent benefits of keeping such a journal and her tutor, Kit Field of Canterbury Christ Church University, explains why his students on the MA in Leadership and Management for Learning are asked to keep them

Many teachers who have gone through the Critical Skills Programme (CSP) have declared it has changed the way they teach forever. Why does the programme raise such enthusiasm? Colin Weatherley, manager of CSP in Scotland, looks at its development and explains its strengths. read more

Rob Sheffield examines three techniques to help your school staff team explore problem solving

How can school leaders and managers create an environment in which highly effective work can take place at all levels and all times? Former deputy head John Jackson suggests an approach. read more

Richard Jenkin and Alan Tucker present accounts of the impact of postgraduate professional development (PPD) on learning and teaching gathered from schools across Cornwall. read more

A recent review of the impact of networks of at least three schools has found evidence that networks can be ‘an effective vehicle for improving teaching, learning and attainment’. read more