CPD Team

The “On Our Doorstep” event on the 17 March at Stirling Management Centre provided an opportunity for 37 colleagues to reflect on the potential of partners  in providing CPD for all teachers from sources which may previously have not been  seen as relevant unless working in specialist services.
The presentation from the independent sector outlined their model of CPD and partnership working ; the school library service was profiled as a  source of collaborative working in addressing , for example , literacy across the curriculum; psychological services was presented as another viable resource for all teachers , particularly highlighting the source of reference materials available on line ; a CD Rom produced by Social Work  Services for We Can & Must Do Better for Looked After Children is full of information and suggestions on how to deal with a range of issues which are not unique to children who are looked after; guidance being finalised by the Allied Health Professionals in partnership with Education rehearses examples of collaborative working in schools which has relevance for all staff.

The information and approaches suggested by the contributors has relevance to all the key agendas impacting on the profession – CfE : GIRFEC & ASL. We would encourage colleagues to explore these avenues which provides teachers with independent access to CPD as well as providing focus for collegiate discussion.

PARTNERSHIP WORKING – CPD ON OUR DOORSTEP !

Curriculum for Excellence places great emphasis and value on partnership working – the CPD Network reflects that in practice. The seminar on the 17 March will profile the contribution from a range of partners who may not have always been recognised as having an impact on the professional development of teachers and support staff, or whose traditional role may have been focussed on colleagues with particular remits : eg pastoral care, additional support needs, behaviour support.

Colleagues from the school library service, social work services, psychological services, the independent and voluntary sector, health  and SQA will outline resources and experiences which are relevant to the professional development of all staff in 7 minute presentations which will set the scene for “Open Space” follow up activity of discussion and sharing.

We realise that our sample range is not exhaustive and hope that pre, during and post the seminar colleagues will be able to share similar or different examples from their own authorities.   If you have partnership working on your doorstep please share it with us on the CPD blog.

See link below to an article published in this week’s TESS describing the complexity associated with describing and providing “good” CPD for teachers and other educators with an interest in CfE.

I’d love to hear any comments

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6028170

I have just finished a couple of workshops at Orkney Islands Council’s Integrated Children’s Service Learning Festival. A bit of a mouthful but well worth the visit. Marilyn Richards oversaw an impressive range of both local and imported CPD talent and, as is always the case, the hospitality was tremendous! It was a coincidence that Marilyn won the ‘CPD Puggy’ prize in my workshop, honest!

 It was also great to welcome a new member to the CPD Network, Carol McManus (pictured above), who has taken on the CPD management remit in Orkney. What was less than great was the flight to Lerwick in the height of the storm! I have included a wee slide-show below of the highlights.