Commenting on a study by the Education Policy Institute (EPI)
which considers what high-quality continuing professional
development (CPD) can do to improve staff retention and pupil
attainment, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of
the National Education Union, said:
"The NEU agrees that a boost to the amount of high quality CPD
teachers receive would be extremely welcome by the profession and
a good step in improving retention. We have long called for
teachers to be valued as professionals and the right CPD at the
right time is key to this.
"However, there are many factors at play in teacher retention.
Teachers and leaders will wonder when they are going to find the
time to engage in good quality CPD in a working week that is
already over-full and driven by accountability processes which do
not enhance pupil learning.
"For schools to offer effective CPD to all staff, the government
must make a specific and realistic financial commitment; schools
are cash stretched and therefore time poor. Decisions to agree
time out of class for CPD, no matter how valuable, are made on
financial considerations, the training cost itself and the cover
needed.
"However, a set number of CPD hours is at risk of becoming a
tick-box exercise. The best CPD is focused, timely, and based on
the individual’s needs and aspirations. It comes in many forms
and a range of options neds to be available for teachers
throughout their careers. Our members tell us that too much time
is taken up with learning how to implement the latest government
edict, or on courses with limited value for their teaching. Any
entitlement based on hours must allow for a broad range of
learning for teachers and must include opportunities to evaluate
the impact of their CPD on their pupils' learning."
