Learn from each other

Please take a few moments to tell us about something that works well for you or your school. We can then spread your good practice to the rest of the network!

Not just one, but many tantalising ideas provided by colleagues who attended Connect’s Personalising CPD event in Chorley (15 November 2007).

'There are over 100 graduates in the school, some with MAs and PhDs. If we can’t see how to move our practice on and raise student achievement, then who can?' This statement epitomises the Kirkley High School’s ‘can do’ approach which stems from a belief in the professional ability and judgment of the staff to drive practice forward. Read more about their approach to professional development and teaching and learning.

Read about the projects we have been running with local authorities and schools since late 2006.

‘There is a case for arguing that the Every Child Matters policy represents one of the biggest challenges to the very nature of the professional learning that will be fit for purpose for the modern age.’ Read how Graham Handscomb, Principal Adviser, Best Practice and Research, Essex, thinks we should be meeting the professional development challenge.

Find out how Patricia Griffin, head teacher at Waulud Primary School in Luton, takes a teacher enquiry approach to school improvement and professional development. (Summer 2007)

Geraldine O’Grady, a teacher in an East London school, visited South India to present a paper on the values and practices of inclusion. Here she writes about the impact of international outreach on teacher learning at home. (Summer 2007)

What do you think of the new arrangements? What do you see as the opportunities and challenges? We put these questions to Michelle Cassidy, CPD adviser at Southwark LA. (Spring 2007)

Connect held two meetings at the end of last term to discuss the issues involved in tailoring CPD to staff needs. Read about what was discussed and learnt. (Spring 2007)

Martin Beedle, Assistant Head Teacher for Professional Learning, Ossett School and Sixth Form College, Wakefield, shares his ideas with us. (Spring 2007)

Cliff Jones, editor of CPD Update magazine, gives his views on the new national standards and professional learning. (Spring 2007)

Dawn Lawrence-Hearn organised a personalised training day for the Deal and Sandwich cluster, using the expertise within the network to great effect. (Spring 2007)

Head teacher Brian Ball talks to Connect about effective personalised CPD in Summerlea Community Primary School in West Sussex. (Spring 2007)

The Park School is an 11–16 special school for pupils with complex learning difficulties in Woking, Surrey. This report was written by Paul Walsh, deputy head. (Spring 2007)

No time to plan collaboratively? Fed up with the meetings after school that don't seem to go anywhere? (Spring 2007)

'Philosophy for Children' (P4C) develops thinking skills, and not just in pupils. Julie Winyard has introduced P4C into 13 schools in Suffolk as part of her work as a school workforce adviser. (Autumn 2006)

Connect members Jim Lewis and Francisco Da Costa give us their views on 'Learning Teachers: Making Practitioner Research Work'. (Summer 2006)

Ludiya Besisira, a Waltham Forest head teacher, says that by shadowing your fellow teachers, you can learn from and build on existing good practice. (Summer 2006)

What we can learn from supporting the professional development of teaching assistants? (Spring 2006)

Including unattached teachers in the full range of CPD activities. (Spring 2006)

Lesley Saunders reflects on research-informed professional practice. (Spring 2006)

'Teacher's Toolbox' is the name used at The Highfield School, Letchworth for the regular after-school professional development sessions led by teachers for teachers. (Spring 2006)

‘......but I do know someone who can!’ How many times have we heard resourceful people say this? (Spring 2006)

Church Aston Infant School centred its curriculum on the theme of ‘Space’ to trial ‘personalised learning’. (Autumn 2005)

Terry Ellis, who attended our ‘Special Settings Focus Group’ meeting, told us that Beckmead School for Boys provides extra time for collaborative continuing professional development. (Autumn 2005)

This month’s idea is from Avelyn Dell, Withernsea High School. (Autumn 2005)

East Sussex Children’s Services Authority (CSA) demonstrates a strong sense of commitment to its small schools. This begins at the highest level with the Director of Children’s Services taking an active interest in promoting the professional development of all staff in small schools. (Autumn 2005)

Four headteachers of small and rather isolated schools on the top of the moors just outside Huddersfield have chosen to form a small network or cluster, known collectively as ‘Heights’. (Summer 2005)

'At Tollgate Primary, we start our staff meeting or professional development session in a classroom, just for five minutes, to showcase and share our own good practice.' (Summer 2005)

This month’s idea is from a number of schools in Networked Learning Communities. (Summer 2005)

This month’s idea is from Debbie Wilson, Springhead, North Yorkshire. (Summer 2005)

One school’s approach to professional development through peer observation. (Spring 2005)

This month’s idea is from Kate Stapleford, year 5 teacher, Northern Parade Junior, Portsmouth. (Spring 2005)