This summer the GTC launched a new award to recognise and celebrate teachers’ excellence in professional development. Meet the first winners.
Three teachers have each received an inaugural GTC Award for Excellence in Professional Development.
Presented with their trophies at Teaching Awards ceremonies in London, the North West and the West Midlands, winners David Torn, Elizabeth Maguire and Cheryl Buckley were chosen from a shortlist of Teaching Awards finalists. In the judges’ opinion, each demonstrated a particularly strong commitment to their professional learning and development, engaging colleagues and contributing beyond the classroom.
Chief Executive of the GTC, Keith Bartley says: ‘A commitment to professional development is an integral part of teachers’ dedication to providing the best for their students. It’s right that teachers’ achievements are recognised and celebrated.’
Chief Executive of the Teaching Awards, Caroline Evans, adds: ‘We’re delighted to support the GTC in their celebration of individual teachers who demonstrate real passion for developing their skills and those of others.’
The new awards are part of a pilot scheme intended to emphasise the commitment of the GTC to promoting and recognising professional development. If successful, the scheme will be rolled out across England next year.
Inspiring aspiring managers
Such is David Torn’s commitment to professional development that this term he begins a new role as professional tutor.
The London region Secondary Teacher of the Year’s new post – at St Edwards Church of England comprehensive school in Romford, Essex – involves supervising newcomers to the profession, alongside helping other more experienced colleagues meet their continuing professional development needs.
Formerly the school’s head of history, David is particularly keen to help aspiring middle managers, having embarked on courses such as Leading from the Middle and Leadership Pathways himself. ‘The pace of change is so fast that it’s vital for teachers to focus on what they want to do in their own career, developing their own learning,’ he says.
Outside the comfort zone
Don’t be afraid of the new is the advice of West Midlands Secondary Teacher of the Year, Cheryl Buckley. ‘You need to make every effort to step out of your comfort zone,’ says the PE teacher at Baxter College in Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
Cheryl’s particular focus of interest is assessment for learning, leading a whole school staff session on the issue. ‘Unless pupils can recognise their own learning needs, they can’t take responsibility for being more independent learners,’ she says. But once they make the leap, the rewards can be immense, she believes, not least improving confidence and self-esteem.
Of her school, she says: ‘There’s a great ethos and I’m really lucky working here. All the staff are involved in improving teaching and learning to ensure that pupils
get the best deal. If you have a good idea, no one will ever say ‘you can’t do that’. Instead the attitude is, ‘that’s brilliant. Now how can we make it work?'
Overseas development
For Liz Maguire visiting other schools, both at home and abroad, has paid huge dividends for her teaching practice. ‘There’s nothing like getting out to another school and seeing how differently things are done. You always pick up something you can bring back,’ says the North West Primary School Teacher of the Year.
Elizabeth, who teaches at Forefield infant school in Liverpool, has successfully achieved places on two overseas trips arranged through Teachers’ International Professional Development. The first was to South Africa and took place four years ago. ‘We saw all kinds of schools, some in areas of high deprivation while others were greatly privileged,’ she recalls. ‘My school has a strong tradition of continuing professional development. We’re always looking for opportunities to share knowledge, making links with other schools and learning from each other.’
Back home, for a number of years Elizabeth has been involved in mentoring colleagues new to the profession. ‘I learn from them too. Often they will have a different slant and that keeps your own thinking fresh.’
Of her GTC award she says: ‘I’m just delighted. It felt like it came from those I worked with, and was a result of the feedback my school had given about me.’
