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One CPD idea that works: Key stage collaborative CPD
December 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.
Their solution removes some of the stumbling blocks associated with providing or accepting CPD opportunities. These include:
- teachers’ reluctance to leave their classes;
- the appropriateness or effectiveness of ‘twilight’ teacher learning events;
- budget constraints.
Beckmead School’s CPD idea that works:
The school is divided into three teams corresponding with key stages 2, 3 and 4.
Every half term, two teams take responsibility for providing a day of special activities, both on and off site, for all the pupils. The activities are designed to add an extra dimension to their normal curriculum. The remaining key stage team is then able to focus on CPD for the day.
Benefits include:
- collaborative CPD opportunities that taking place within the school day and not when participants are tired or hurried;
- the key stage teams valuing the time to plan, learn or develop special learning activities together;
- team-based as well as individually centered CPD;
- teachers knowing that their pupils are in good hands;
- Curriculum is enlivened and enriched - fitting well with ‘Enjoyment and Excellence’ agenda;
- pupils behaving well because the activities are enjoyable and creative;
- pupils enjoying the change from routine;
- significant budget saving on supply cover can be used for other CPD activities;
- avoiding the difficulties of trying to identify three or four competent supply teachers, who know the school, all for the same day.
Further reading:
Phillipa Cordingley’s research for the EPPI Centre:
http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/EPPIWeb/home.aspx?page=/reel/review_groups/CPD/review_three_abstract.htm
Sandra Leaton-Gray’s research on CPD commissioned by Esmee Fairbairn and Villiers Trust:
http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/pooled/articles/BF_NEWSART/view.asp?Q=BF_NEWSART_156919
