Useful Information and Tools

What’s the big idea?
The key to effective CPD is to make it the heart of a strategic process for school improvement. For printable version of this webpage click here. Text in bold are links to a document.

Who says so?
Ofsted created a report called The Logical Chain in which it describes the most effective practice as ‘a logical chain of procedures which place continuous professional development at the heart of the school’s planning for improvement’ (Ofsted, 2006) . The TDA created a report called Reviewing your school policy for CPD in which it states that CPD should be part of an annual cycle which links together a school’s SIDP, Performance Management, lesson observations and SEF (TDA, 2007).

Where to start?
Use our CPD Audit Tool to assess how effective your school’s CPD processes are to promote a learning community in which the whole school staff are involved in workforce development

How do you establish a learning community?
Work together to create a Teaching and Learning Policy involving teachers, support staff and students. Also ensure that the document is informed by the school’s SIDP and SEF.

How do you identify individual needs?
Create a Yellow Pages audit for staff to identify specific strengths and areas for development relating to the T&L Policy, SIDP and SEF. Then make a Yellow Pages directory of who to ask for support in any particular area.

How to link in Performance Management?
Create a PM Review form that enables staff to identify objectives that are linked to the SIDP. Use their Yellow Pages form to identify areas for training. For staff going through Threshold or leadership training, encourage them to provide training and mentoring on their strengths to show evidence of standard P10.

How to link in INSET and CPD
On the first INSET day of the year, the SLT should present the whole school aims linked to the SIDP

• Departments should then use the document to inform their DIDP and personal Performance Review objectives
• A series of CPD twilights can be put on in response to the Yellow Pages audit and SIDP
• staff doing leadership training and/or going through threshold can help to deliver the sessions
• Peer observations can replace one INSET day to share good practice
• Request forms for external CPD should refer to a focus from the SIDP, DIDP, or PM review objective

Observations
Observations can be much more than a tool to provide evidence of accountability. They are one of the best ways to demonstrate effective practice and encourage us to reflect on new areas for development.

• Create a Formal Observation Form that links to your T&L Policy, SIDP and PM review.
• Use a similar form without OfSTED criteria for Peer Observations
• Use a Yellow Pages Directory to help staff identify who to observe for specific issues.
• Use data from Formal Observations to invite staff to attend specific CPD twilights and identify new trainers/mentors
• Observations provide evidence of impact for the SEF

Mentoring
Identify staff who require support and provide them with a mentor. Teachers doing leadership training or going through threshold should be encouraged to be mentors. Use a mentoring agreement form to establish the partnership.

Student Voice
Create T&L groups for each Key Stage to discuss what helps students to become better learners. Explain new initiatives such as work cards and discuss how they are used best. This provides evidence of impact for the SEF.