Professional Development and Training

We are pleased to provide you with the Professional Development and Training Brochure for the academic year 2009 – 2010.

This brochure outlines a package for Continuous Professional Development provided by The Learning Trust. This offer is current and you will be informed of ‘additional’ opportunities’ as and when they become available throughout the academic year.

In July 2009 we launched ‘The Tomlinson Centre’. This purpose designed building houses the majority of our continuous professional development training.

July 2009 will see a new Government White paper outlining further proposals to support raising standards. This will be through a move away from central determination of strategy, to more bespoke training and support for schools that recognises their context and needs. In consultation with schools we will be looking at how we can further improve and develop the support provided by The Learning Trust to professionals working in schools, settings as well as Hackney’s wider children’s workforce.

This year’s educational development programme consists of national, regional and local initiatives delivered centrally or as bespoke in-school training. All our course providers/facilitators are highly trained and have expertise in their fields.

1. Leadership

We offer an extensive range of senior leadership training, including:

Leadership conferences to address issues of leadership, including a residential conference for headteachers
Bespoke training and support for new and acting headteachers
Residential conference for deputy and assistant headteachers
Senior leadership training for deputy and assistant headteachers
Network meetings for NQT co-ordinators
Succession training, a pilot for primary leaders in conjunction with the NCSL that also has a focus on increasing the numbers applying for leadership positions in faith schools and to increase the number of leaders of Black and Minority Ethnic heritage;
Pre and Post NPQH Leadership Development opportunities for aspiring leaders of schools with a religious character and/ or leaders of Black and Minority Ethnic heritage – we are working in partnership with NCSL to provide a programme of Targeted Support for pre-NPQH and post-NPQH graduates who aspire to headship in the next five years. This programme will be funded and will include workshops, mentoring and coaching.
Leadership development opportunities for aspiring leaders of Black and Minority Ethnic heritage will also be offered in collaboration with NCSL.
Middle leadership meetings for subject practitioners, SENCOs, strategy managers and other specialist post holders;
Training for newly appointed or aspiring middle leaders are offered in conjunction with the London Centre for Leadership and Learning.
Courses on current issues, many of which are linked to the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda and the development of children’s services in Hackney.

All these courses run alongside the leadership training offered through the national strategies.

2. The Whole School Workforce

There is a wide range of courses/training for school support staff including:

NVQ Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status
Accredited ICT course at level 1 - Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) & Level 2 - European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
Support Work inSchools (SWiS) Level 2 & 3

4. Subject Courses

In addition to courses covering all aspects of the Early Years, Primary, Secondary and National Curriculum, we continue to offer courses that meet the needs of all pupils, including:

Gifted and Talented, EAL and pupils with Special Educational Needs.
Use of ICT across the curriculum.
Health education, personal development and citizenship.
Raising the quality of teaching and learning in PE and school sport and help schools achieve the target of all pupils taking part in and enjoying at least two hours of high quality PE and sport.

5. NQT Induction Programme

There is a full training offer to support school based induction for Primary and Secondary NQTs. This programme will be enhanced by a programme of continuing support to those in their second year of teaching.

6. Bespoke Training (School Based Specialist Training Package)

Schools can request specialist training tailored to the individual school’s situation and context, at a time that fits with your School Improvement cycle. Schools requesting school based training need to demonstrate that:

Training is liked to the School Improvement Plan.
Sufficient time (staff meeting or INSET Day identified when applying) is allocated to deliver the requested training.

While the ‘bespoke’ package may be tailored to the school’s need, it cannot be substituted for consultant support.

The range and content of the courses we will provide is enhanced by very good feedback from the course evaluations, as well as discussions with Headteachers, Senior and Middle Leaders, Teachers, Newly Qualified Teachers, Support Staff and Trainers.

We believe there is something for everyone in this brochure. We look forward to welcoming you to the courses.