Ways of working with the new professional standards

Access resources developed by CPD leaders who are working to exemplify the new standards.

Background

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has just published a revised set of professional standards for teachers. These will replace existing classroom teacher standards from September 2007.

Many CPD leaders have already begun to explore the new standards to see how they can be used in schools. In May 2007 Connect brought together a group of these teachers, launching  a small scale project that we aim to continue next year as part of our ‘Personalising CPD’ work.

We would like to hear from any Connect member who is either developing strategies for using the new professional standards, or would like to be involved in future work with us. Email your interest to connect@gtce.org.uk 

To read more about the standards, visit the TDA website.

What we learned at the event

• It is important to engender an ethos and culture within a school that enables all staff to think about the standards they are working to, and about the development of their career.
• The standards serve as a useful tool for identifying development priorities for teachers and are linked to performance management.  This dimension – the link between professional standards and performance management – was the aspect the Connect members looked at. 

The resources

Consider the resources developed below. Much of it is still work-in-progress, but we hope it will stimulate new ideas and approaches for your own work

Toolkit for Standards (PDF,  81kb): in order to avoid duplicating the language of the standards or creating an unwieldy document, a group of Suffolk headteachers (primary, secondary and special), compiled a list of evidence and some FAQs.

Self Evaluation Matrix (Word,  57kb): a tool, based on the standards, to help teachers to assess their own progress and identify gaps in knowledge, skills and experience that require more professional development.

Professional Development Portfolios: a framework (PDF,  23kb): a rationale for the use of development portfolios.

We leave you with two questions.

• Standards are the quality assurance and performance management is quality control – is this a helpful way to view the process and tools?
• How can schools be sure that there is parity and coherence across the school in what is regarded as ‘evidence’? There are issues here regarding reviewer training and transparency of the process for all staff.

Your thoughts on these questions, and any of the above resources, are most welcome. Email connect@gtce.org.uk

Relevant research

You may find the overview of the GTC’s latest Research of the Month – ‘Reflection in action and reflection on action’ – helpful in supporting your performance management reviews.