CPD in school

A CPD trainer demonstrates a practical exercise for science APP

CPD trainer Deborah Herridge introduces an exciting practical mummification exercise for use in Key Stage 1 and 2 science and history lessons, helping teachers use the primary science APP criteria. Talking to a group of primary science teachers, Deborah shows how a tomato can be mummified using similar techniques to the method employed by ancient Egyptians, relating science to a history topic. The changes to the fruit can then be recorded over a few weeks, enabling teachers to cover the Assessing Pupil's Progress criteria for 'observing and measuring' over time.

APP for Primary Science - Mummification with Deborah Herridge

How best to deal with tackling a theft and who to punish

A CPD video showing a dramatic reconstruction of a Year 5 teacher's reaction when one of her pupils reports a theft. The video is designed to prompt debate amongst staff on how this issue should best be dealt with. Based on true events, the drama shows how the teacher suspects a girl of the chocolate bar theft, after she has found her behaving suspiciously in the cloakroom during break time. However, without proof, how should she approach the situation? Should she accuse the pupil she suspects? Is she right to punish the entire class until the guilty party admits to the theft?

Behaviour Breakdown - Punishing the Whole Class

A look at the relationship between a teacher and a TA

What should teachers and TAs do if their working relationship breaks down over the management of classroom behaviour? Use this CPD video to discuss what each should do, in this dramatisation of a real life situation. The dramatisation tells the real story of how a TA is verbally abused by a Year 6 pupil after challenging his disruptive behaviour. The class teacher refuses to accept the TA's account of the event and prevents her reporting the incident. Should the teacher be more supportive of his TA? Should the TA take up the matter with the head of year? Is it the teacher's role, not the TA's, to enforce good behaviour in the classroom? The video is designed to be used as a springboard for discussion between staff on how this issue should best be dealt with.

Behaviour Breakdown - Teachers Versus TA

Looking at the inclusive issues surrounding a nativity play

Based on a real account, this CPD video presents the dilemma of whether a primary school should put on a secular pantomime instead of a traditional nativity play, to promote inclusion. This drama recreates a heated argument between primary teachers discussing the annual Christmas nativity play. A classic school quandary designed for you to use to set up discussions with colleagues on what to do when professionals disagree. The headteacher encounters unexpected opposition to the proposal from some staff members and an argument ensues between Christian and atheist teachers. One member of staff storms out of the meeting room. How should the argument have been resolved? The protagonists involved question their behaviour and ask the viewer if and how they could have reacted more positively.

Can Christmas be Inclusive?

Three coaching examples in action, with the benefits outlined

See different coaching situations in action, with this whole-school, CPD-in-school video for primary and secondary teaching staff. The video begins on day one of a three-day training session, with trainer Mike Hughes introducing the principles of coaching. Mike demonstrates one of the most commonly used methodologies in coaching and mentoring - the GROW model. This focuses on goal setting, helping to identify issues, where the teacher would like to be and how they are going to get there. Mike makes it clear that one of the great strengths of a coaching relationship is that it enables the teacher to take control of their own development and to be in charge of identifying the issues they want to explore. The video also eavesdrops on a real coaching session at Wymondham School, Suffolk, which has introduced coaching as a whole-school approach. Also see a reconstructed case study about how a new headteacher used one-to-one coaching with experienced coach Graham Powell to change the dynamics of her senior management team and improve her personal wellbeing.

Coaching in Schools

CPD advisor John Carey asks pupils what makes a good teacher

John Carey, senior adviser with Durham LEA and a specialist in professional development, offers practical CPD advice at Christ Church Primary. He stresses the advantages of school-based CPD and speaks to deputy head, Colette Morris, about the school's policy of encouraging staff to share ideas and collaborate with one another. Staff at the school feel training is essential if they are to progress and develop their skills. John sits in on a peer observation session and demonstrates how children's views can be a rich source of CPD. He asks students for their views on what makes a good teacher. While he stresses the positive aspects of the school's learning culture, he highlights the need for more preparation where staff can get the best out of good ideas like peer observation. For more information on this programme see the resources and support materials page. You can also find the subtitle document for this programme on the resources and support materials page.

Continuing Professional Development - Primary - One School's Experience

Delivering CPD through sharing and enhancing staff skills

This programme shows how Hillcross Primary School delivers CPD across the school by sharing and enhancing the skills of its staff, who learn from each other. Teaching assistants at the school, set in the London Borough of Merton, explore the effectiveness of special needs software, while nursery nurses are trained to take a full part in team teaching in reception. The programme also focuses on some of the informal professional dialogues that take place in the school. A literacy coordinator and a Year 2 teacher analyse their Key Stage 1 SAT results, while an NQT reports back to the headteacher on a monitoring project. The SENCO briefs the deputy head on the training implications of the school's latest PANDA figures.

Continuing Professional Development - Primary - Within the School

A whole-school INSET day focused on CPD

Millais School for Girls in Horsham, West Sussex, delivers Continuous Professional Developement (CPD) across the school by sharing and enhancing the skills of all its staff. The programme features a whole school INSET day focused on CPD. It shows: <ul> <li> The design and technology department sharing ideas and transferable skills </li> <li> The science staff experiencing a sample lesson </li> <li> The English and modern languages staff improving their use of ICT </li> </ul> Support staff at the school are involved as well, as the maintenance supervisor trains the head of drama to work safely at heights and a laboratory technician explains new techniques to her head of department.

Continuing Professional Development - Secondary - Sharing Skills

A look at how staff learn from each other at Beech Hill school

This programme shows how staff at Beech Hill primary school has developed successful strategies to learn from each other. New teachers at the school get a choice of mentors, deciding which is most appropriate to approach for advice. The staff recognise the benefits of team teaching and, by combining a number of ways of working together, they have succeeded in creating a positive attitude towards in-house professional development. The programme also highlights a successful cross-school partnership of two ASTs who decided to join forces with the aim of improving boys writing skills.

CPD for Teachers - Working Together

A school shares how it offers and implements CPD for all staff

Cranmer Primary School in south London shows how it has created an environment where everyone's potential is recognised and all staff are encouraged to take advantage of CPD. Along with creating training opportunities and encouraging staff to extend their skills, everyone who works at the school is expected to share responsibilities. Joint headteachers Clive Rockwell and Irene Leeves believe strongly in distributed leadership, for themselves, teachers and support staff. Several members of the school's wider workforce who are taking part in the training share their stories. These include site manager Dave Turner, HLTA Mandy Simpkins, and Heather Callick who is on the Graduate Training Programme.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Whole school

> Primary CPD in school