Commenting on the report from EPI showing that giving teachers a
formal entitlement to high-quality training and development would
only cost the government an extra £210m in funding a year, Sara
Ford, Deputy Director of Policy at the Association of School and
College Leaders, said:
“The time is right for all staff working in education in England,
not just teachers, to be given a welcome entitlement to
high-quality continual professional development (CPD) as part of
their employment.
“As we emerge from the significant disruption caused by the
pandemic, the EPI report demonstrates that the government could
invest in staff without breaking the bank and prompt significant
benefits in terms of pupil attainment, whilst boosting earnings
and encouraging more staff to stay in education.
“Whilst any increase in funding would be welcomed, it is
important that school staff get the appropriate CPD for their own
circumstances and that this is not micro-managed by government by
making funding available for approved programmes only. Schools
are best placed to quality assure provision.
“The variance in spending on CPD is one symptom of the
inconsistency of funding across the country and this needs to be
addressed so that all schools and colleges receive per pupil
funding that allows them to invest in high-quality training.
“CPD should not be seen as an additional cost but as an
investment in the education staff of this country and we urge the
government to take the EPI’s findings on board and give them a
timely boost as they tackle the significant task of education
recovery.”
