Three themes for professional development - mechanisms for change

For school leaders with responsibility for professional development, the start of the new academic year can feel like your moment to shine. The first days back are full of optimism, energy and the opportunity to share the most promising new teaching and learning ideas, along with exciting new research.

Such training days are also frantic and can be content heavy. They can prove too much for the cognitive load of teachers who are preparing to meet new classes and deliver new lessons. Soon they’re over and we breathe a sigh of relief and normal school life begins.

Maybe now, this is a nostalgic anecdote of times gone by. As we become more informed by the evidence around professional development, maybe our plans take a less front-loaded approach. We know that effective professional development can have an impact on the quality of teaching and learning, and this is one of our best bets for improving outcomes for pupils.