CPD Team

In October 2009, the CPD Network set out some of its priorities for CPD for CfE. One interesting priority discussed was the needs of colleagues.This Scottish Government funded programme will be of value in addressing this priority.

The StaffWise Toolkit is an organisational resource for improving staff wellbeing in Scottish schools and early education centres.

It provides local authorities, managers and individual staff with a simple and effective set of tools for achieving excellence in wellbeing at work.

This practical resource includes audits, guides and policy information, which promote good management practice and effective ways of working. The content and format can help employers and managers fulfil the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive Stress Management Standards with confidence and ease.

StaffWise offers a positive framework for creating the conditions in which wellbeing will thrive.

I have just had a smashing (not to say privileged) few days visiting the CPD festivals in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council and Highlands Council.

One striking feature of all 3 events was the decreasing reliance on external CPD providers and the increase in local, practitioner-led CPD. For much of the time, I was ‘manning’ a table with a rolling display and sets of the eminently collectable CPD postcards but I also managed to fit in some visits to keynotes and seminars. I had a number of rewarding conversations as a result. Here are just some of them:

• with a number of supply teachers including Lorena (see la historia de Lorena)
• with Margaret Alcorn and Ian Smith (the latter of Learning Unlimited) on the links between professional learning communities and Learning Rounds
• with Carol McManus of Orkney Islands Council on how CPDFind can be improved to support local authority CPD
• with Neil Stewart of the Glow team on how we can make more use of CPDFind to raise awareness of the growing amount of CPD using and on Glow
• with Morag MacDonald of Storlann and how tools such as Glow and CPDFind can support their valuable work in Gaelic education
• with Eddie Broadley (area adviser at LTScotland) on how CPDReflect might be used to support development of curriculum maps
• with senior Highland Council colleagues on how CPDReflect might be used to exemplify their Learning Teaching and Assessment Policy

Many thanks to all for their warm welcomes and particularly to Donald MacLeod, Carol McManus and Terry Kerr of the CPD Network.

We asked hundreds of teachers how they selected their CPD – and here’s the top ten answers.

1. From my professional review and development
2. After self evaluation and reflection
3. Using local authority catalogue
4. From local authority
5. From my manager
6. From colleagues in my department/stage/team
7. From online resources
8. Match against CfE experiences and outcomes
9. From school CPD Leader
10. Match against CfE principles and practice

We’d love to hear your views on CPD – complete the CPD Survey here.

You never know, you might be the lucky winner of a £50 book token.

As part of its associate scheme, the National CPD Team are looking for a member of the CPD Network to assist with the development of a professional community to support reflective practice (assisted by Con Morris).

The successful applicant will help develop an online professional community to support CPD leaders and others in the development of a reflective culture.

Key tasks might include:

• highlighting key research and resources
• showcasing tools for reflecting on practice (including CPDReflect)
• creating a forum where practitioners can share experiences and resources
• hosting and moderating online discussions and online meetings
• ensuring specific CPD opportunities are posted on CPDFind

Andrew Brown of the LTScotland Glow Team will set the ball rolling by asking the question “Can we do CfE without online CPD?” He will demonstrate a range of professional learning using online technology and get the 1st of the collegiate sessions underway.

Colleagues from a range of national organisations such as HMIE, SQA, GTCS and DTS have kindly agreed to share the stage and demo and discuss their existing online CPD provision and their plans for the future. Colleagues taking part are:

• Jean MacMillan from Determined to Succeed
• Douglas McMillan from SQA
• Mairi McAra from GTC Scotland
• Ken Muir and Sally Fulton from HMIE

Each will demonstrate their current online CPD provision, outline their plans/thoughts/expectations for the future and take some time to focus on their role in CPD for CfE. There will be ample time for questions from the floor and Glowmeet. This session will be hosted by Roddy Stuart.

Jaye Richards (teacher in Cathkin High School) and Ollie Bray (DHT in Musselburgh Grammar) will lead a session on how online technology forms a key part of their own professional learning.

In this session, Con Morris of the National CPD Team will look at how CPDFind has developed over the last 2 years, give participants a sneak preview of the changes being made and host a discussion on its future.

Sheila Smith of the National CPD Team will lead a conversation for new (and newish) members of the CPD Network.

We want to hear from you on this one. Members of the Glow team will give you a whistlestop tour of how Scottish educators are already using Glow for their professional development. If you, or some of your colleagues do, then let us know as soon as possible and it will feature. Of course, you might be keeping it for the ‘Open Mic’ session!