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Eight pioneering Norfolk schools have celebrated their involvement with the General Teaching Council for England’s Teacher Learning Academy and the positive impact their participation in the scheme has had on teachers’ professional development.
A total of 182 teachers across the county have enrolled with the Academy and many of these teachers had their hard work recognised at a Teacher Learning Academy celebration evening hosted by Norfolk County Council at Norwich Professional Development Centre on the 14 July.
The Teacher Learning Academy is a catalyst for teachers’ development and improvement. Individual teachers develop projects linked to the work they are doing in the classroom. The projects are presented to and discussed with other teachers, helping to develop each others’ teaching practice whilst gaining formal recognition for their work.
Teachers from across Norfolk shared examples of their work, which have included topics such as; developing literacy, raising boys’ achievement, developing student leadership and promoting student confidence.
Five schools in the county are Teacher Learning Academy Centres or Schools, meaning that the schools have trained staff who can verify local teachers’ work and support other schools in their area. There are also a growing number of schools in Norfolk that have their own trained Teacher Learning Academy leaders supporting teachers’ submissions and coaching.
Keith Bartley, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for England, says:
‘Norfolk is particularly special to me as I worked at Taverham High School for seven years and I was seconded by the County Council to help develop support for teacher learning. Norfolk has always been at the forefront of learning and development for teachers and I am proud to be associated with the professional development work that continues to thrive. I am delighted to have seen excellent examples of how Teacher Learning Academy projects are being shared, not only between teachers but also between schools across the county. With the support of Norfolk County Council, local schools have been able to take full advantage of the professional development opportunities brought about from the Teacher Learning Academy, seeing tangible benefits for the schools, teachers and pupils.’
Anne Roe, Norfolk County Council Teacher Learning Academy leader, says:
‘Having been privileged to be involved in the pilot work done by the Teacher Learning Academy at both local and national levels, we were convinced of the potential of the Academy to support, recognise and value the high quality work we see every day in schools. Our expectations have been exceeded, and the impact of the high quality research and actions demonstrated by those teachers within Norfolk who have engaged with the Teacher Learning Academy has added significantly to the knowledge base and to the learning experiences of all those, pupils and teachers, who have been involved.
Adrian Tebbutt, Norfolk County Council Teacher Learning Academy leader, says: ‘The opportunity to recognise these achievements and to share them with a wider audience has been most welcome and we look forward to extending the work of the Teacher Learning Academy in Norfolk in the future.’
