Teacher-led Continuing Professional Development | Championing Autonomy in Professional Development

Our sponsor ONVU Learning considers how teacher-led CPD as classroom experts can make a difference to positive outcomes for teaching and learning.

"Professional development is the strongest lever school leaders hold for increasing long-term student outcomes. Great leaders find ways to implement PD to maximise its impact, to prioritise long-term benefits over shiny quick fixes, and to make time for PD by reducing the time teachers spend on less effective things." 
Professor Rob Coe, Director of Research & Development Evidence Based Education, Theory of Change Report

Introduction to Teacher-Led Continuing Professional Development
Who is the teacher you remember that made a difference in your life?
Were they inspirational? Encouraging? Caring?

Chances are you remember them because of how and what they did to help shape you, which would have been informed by how they applied their professional learning to your learning.

Schools are intricate environments that necessitate defined leadership for daily operations.
Yet, when it comes to continuous professional development (CPD), the traditional hierarchical management may not be the most effective.

With his extensive experience as a former teacher, Multi Academy Trust senior leader and Ofsted inspector, Matt Tiplin proposes a re-evaluation of these practices to foster an environment of support, rather than scrutiny. Matt champions a shift towards evidence informed teacher-led CPD, advocating a bottom-up approach that places teachers at the core of their professional growth.

READ MATT TIPLIN'S BLOG | Improvement through empowerment Part 2 | personalising CPD in schools

Challenges of Traditional CPD Models
Traditionally, CPD programmes are orchestrated by senior leaders who determine the needs and strategies for staff development. This approach assumes that those at the top are best equipped to design and implement professional growth opportunities. A notion that Matt disputes.

By recognising teachers as classroom experts, there is a compelling case for granting them greater control over their professional development. Senior leaders can become expert orchestrators to achieve strategic improvement aims and release themselves from the burden of presumed expertise in every CPD topic.

The same approach is advocated in the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) "Improvement through Empowerment" report and explored in-depth in Matt’s recent blog:  Personalising CPD in Schools.
 
Innovative CPD Practices
To transform CPD into a more dynamic and responsive system, Matt suggests several practical changes:

• Peer Learning Opportunities | encourage teachers to invite colleagues to observe new techniques they are trying, or to visit others' classrooms for the same purpose.
• Coaching Conversations | replace traditional feedback with coaching-style dialogues that focus on developmental progress.
• Teacher-Driven INSET Days | Empower teachers to set the agenda for INSET days based on their own identified needs, fostering more targeted and relevant professional learning.

Supportive Frameworks for Reflective Practice
Matt emphasises the importance of creating non-judgmental, supportive environments that encourage self-reflection. Teachers might, for example, video their lessons for private review or share them with a trusted colleague.

The use of 360-degree video technology enables the teacher to capture the entire classroom and review every student’s response to learning. This approach helps teachers to analyse autonomously their practices and to identify areas for improvement without the anxiety of external evaluations.
 
Setting Clear Goals and Communication
Adopting teacher-led CPD requires clear guidelines and open lines of communication.
​Establishing realistic goals and regular check-ins can help maintain focus and ensure the effectiveness of the CPD efforts. By supporting a culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, schools can foster a more forgiving and progressive atmosphere.

Engage with ONVU Learning at Upcoming Events
Excellent Teachers Create Excellent Memories Webinar | Thursday 11 July 2024 from 0830 - 0900

As we aim to enhance educational experiences, the principles discussed mirror the themes of the upcoming webinar "Excellent Teachers Create Excellent Memories."

This FREE webinar will delve into how empowering educators through innovative CPD can create enriching and memorable learning experiences.

It will be an essential session for educators committed to elevating their teaching and fostering impactful educational journeys.

​Join us to explore how embracing teacher autonomy can revolutionise educational practices.
You can also meet the ONVU Learning Team at the SWIFT Summer Conference on Thursday 13 June 2024.

REGISTER HERE | Excellent Teachers Create Excellent Memories Webinar

FIND MORE information about ONVU Learning HERE

​By Matt Tiplin 
Matt is a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), Former Ofsted HMI, Secondary School, MAT Leader, and Teacher of Geography. He is also currently the Chair of Governors of a Community Primary School and the VP of ONVU Learning.