Continuing Professional Development Policy

Policy for Continuing Professional Development

BLANDFORD ST MARY CEVA PRIMARY SCHOOL POLICY FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

POLICY FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT At Blandford St Mary CEVA Primary School, we believe that an integral and essential element of career progression is promoting professional development for all teaching and non-teaching staff. All staff should receive high-quality training that is relevant, benefits the individual and the school. Professional development should:

improve the individual’s knowledge, skills and understanding improve motivation, confidence and job satisfaction provide guidance for career development provide staff with a sense of control over their own development maximise potential of resources develop expertise throughout the school meet the needs of high priority in the School Development/Improvement Plan help raise standards of teaching and pupil attainment be provided by those with the necessary expertise and skills and be based on current

good practice and National Curriculum requirements disseminate good practice include the use of ICT.

Identification and Provision of Needs All Curriculum areas require INSET provision in some form, either for all staff or for individuals. Training needs are identified in a number of ways. This could result from:

changes introduced by the DfEE, QCA inspection (including school inspection) or advice from an external body a Curriculum review/evaluation at the end of the school year analysis of results that highlights areas of weakness/low standards an individual member of staff’s objectives for performance management changes in the School Development/Improvement Plan.

The provision of INSET in any Curriculum area is consistent with the school’s Staff Improvement Policy. Priority is given to those areas where standards fall below expectations. The Curriculum Team and Curriculum Co-ordinator for each Curriculum area have an essential role to play in the identification of INSET needs. Once identified, INSET needs are recorded and assigned priority by the Head Teacher. In some circumstances, such consultation might include other members of the Senior Management Team. The needs of individual staff are taken into consideration after the Performance Management Review and included in the Staff Development Policy.


The Curriculum Co-ordinator and the Head Teacher consider, and prepare for, the needs of all staff and the school. The School Improvement Plan and Standards Fund allocation for the current or next school year has an impact on the range of INSET that can be supported. If there is limited funding, priority will be given to training that will raise standards where it is most needed. INSET can be provided for any Curriculum area by: school staff who have a particular expertise or experience; the local INSET cluster group of Primary schools; Advisory Teachers; University/College INSET courses. The training arranged for individuals or the whole staff could take place:

after school in ‘twilight’ sessions on INSET Days on Co-ordinator Days during the school day, subject to supply cover being available.

The Headteacher and the Curriculum Co-ordinator review the effectiveness of any INSET provision. Such reviews take into account the course evaluation forms and the INSET Day evaluations compiled by members of staff. Resources

Planned use of Standards Fund budget (see INSET file) Planned expenditure of the school budget in relation to the priorities of the school Improvement Plan (See School Development/Improvement Plan for details.).

Evaluation At Blandford St Mary CEVA Primary School, we use various means of evaluating professional development, including:

internal evaluation forms course evaluation forms training day evaluations feedback at meetings Handouts evidence in classroom practice.

The Head Teacher reports to the Governing Body on Professional Development through the Headteachers Report to the Governors. The policy will be reviewed annually by the Governing Body in consultation with the Head Teacher and staff.


Further Information

Useful Documents and Resources DfES Professional Development – Support for Teaching and Learning (Circular 0008/2000) The Stationery Office Teacher’s Guide to Successful Professional Development ISBN 0117025682