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Last year several early career teachers (ECTs) in Southwark, south London took part in a pilot early professional development (EPD) programme. The programme was devised by deputy head Liz Day and delivered and developed further by Claire Purcell and Emma Cooke, advanced skills teachers (ASTs) who teach Key Stages 1 and 2. In the autumn term they worked with four ECTs from their own schools. They considered the ways in which teacher learning is best achieved, and produced a programme that provided:
Thanks to the success of this work, they managed to secure funding from the local authority (LA) to deliver a pilot programme. This funding enabled them to invite twelve more teachers from neighbouring primary schools.
ECTs identified their own learning and an action research focus for the project. Their focus was developed through the EPD programme and supported by the GTC Teacher Learning Academy (TLA).
An overview of the programme is available here (PDF, 18KB).
The group met for three days during the spring and summer. At these meeting they coordinated their action research projects and developed a range of skills including peer observation, mentoring and co-coaching skills, with the support of AST special coaching.
Support for career development was a key feature of the programme. The teachers had the opportunity to get support in considering their career pathways in the context of national, local and school priorities. They also had opportunities to represent their school at LA events and to lead whole school or subject-based initiatives.
The feedback from the ECTs shows that the programme was a great success.
ECTs said the programme positively impacted their confidence in leading projects. The programme provided opportunities to explore their CPD, reflect on their strengths and clarify their career directions.
ECTs recognised that the programme focused on ways to help raise pupils' attainment and progress, including recognising pupils’ learning styles and support for their target group. ECTs believed it made a big impact on pupils’ development.
ECTs reported that the programme had made a huge impact on their future directions, as shown by these statements:
”I’m much clearer now about my aspirations and how to achieve them”
”I’m perhaps coming round to considering a more managerial role”
”It’s given me confidence to promote an idea and see it through”
This programme is an example of an organised CPD programme for teachers who had just completed their induction. Consider the questions below and what you can learn from the Southwark EPD pilot.
