Continuing Professional Development

The College places great value on Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This can take many forms, including sessions run in College, external courses, web-based training, peer training and mentoring, personal reading and discussion with colleagues. Our annual residential staff/governor conference in September gives CPD opportunities to everyone. Other CPD is planned according to the needs of individual members of staff, teams, and The College as a whole. We can usually allow each member of staff one day's external training each year. Priority will be given to requests in line with the targets in The College SEF and Improvement Plan; Department SEFs and individuals' Performance Management Reviews. You should liaise with your mentor/line manager to agree what external CPD would be most beneficial. You then need to complete The College's Application for Training form (P Drive, CPD folder) and send it to Gill Minikin. Support for personal professional development through Masters' Degrees etc will be considered by the Principal.

CPD Records

You are strongly advised to keep a record of your CPD in your Personal Professional Portfolio to help you with your Performance Review and to keep your Curriculum Vitae up to date. Gill Minikin, the Senior Leader in charge of CPD will also keep a record, so make sure you keep her informed.

CPD Evaluation and Feedback

All CPD is evaluated. This helps in our aim of continuous improvement. During Performance Manager meetings you will be able to discuss how your training has helped you to develop professionally, and to improve performance at The College. When you have been on a course you need to feed back to colleagues to share what you have learnt.

College-based CPD Opportunities

Training opportunities will be offered to support staff, according to their role, generally within their normal working ours. Support staff are welcome to attend any of the twilight CPD sessions, by agreement with their Line Manager. The CPD day on 4th January will be a non-working day for teaching staff. In lieu of this, full-time teachers need to attend a minimum of 5 x 1 hour twilight CPD sessions, which they will select from a range of options. Arrangements for part-time stff will be negotiated individually. Sessions will be run on different days of the week, to accommodate other commitments. Staff will be asked to identify the training they will attend by the end of their Performance Management Review.

Teacher Learning Academy

Teacher development through research or investigation into an aspect of professional practice can be accredited through the Teacher Learning Academy. Each teacher wishing to secure TLA accreditation may be allocated one half day of supply cover in order write up
their presentation.

Expenses Claims

You are entitled to claim for course fees, travelling expenses and meals. The current rate for travelling expenses is 40p per mile for the first 100 miles and 20p per mile thereafter. You will need to estimate your total expenses claim when applying for CPD. Claims forms
are in Reception and the Finance Office. If more than one person is going to the same training event it is expected that they will share a car.

Career Development

• You should discuss any ideas for your career development at your Performance Management review. Sue Tanner is also available at any time to help you
• If you apply for another position, internally or externally, please let Sue Tanner know BEFORE the application is submitted
• Help with your application is available from your line manager or any member of the SLT
• Always ask your referees that they are willing to support you BEFORE applying for a post
• Please inform Sue Tanner if you (i) are called for interview and/or (ii) if you accept another position