Effective Practices in Continuing Professional Development: Lessons from Schools

Peter Earley is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Management at the London Centre for Leadership in Learning at the Institute of Education, University of London. His central research interest is leadership and professional development and he has recently completed studies of accelerated leadership development programmes and an evaluation of the National Professional Qualification for Headship pilot programme.

Vivienne Porritt is Executive Director for the London Centre for Leadership in Learning, Institute of Education, University of London. She sees the continuing professional development of all colleagues as central to achieving improvement, working with schools, local authorities and national agencies to support a coherent approach to CPD.

Liz Francis taught in London schools for five years prior to working for 14 years in a number of government agencies including the QCA where she worked on public examinations and 14-19 policy. Liz left QCA to work for Suffolk LA as a senior adviser during which time she also worked as an Ofsted inspector. She is currently Director of Workforce Strategy at the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

Sara Bubb has an international reputation in staff development and new teacher induction. As well as being a senior lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of London, she is England’s advanced Skills Teacher network leader and was the TES new teacher expert. She is directing the DCSF research project on outward-facing schools.

Steve Illingworth is a Secondary Strategy Teaching and Learning Consultant for a Local Authority in the North West of England. For most of the period covered in this study he was Acting Secondary Strategy Manager for the LA. In both of these roles, he has supported several of the borough’s secondary schools with the development of their coaching programmes.