Vacancies

Professional Development

Beaconsfield High becomes a Professional Development School

In November 2002 we succeeded in our application to become one of 16 Buckinghamshire primary and secondary Professional Development Schools. We will be part of a Buckinghamshire / Teacher Training Agency national initiative aiming to develop the best practice, locally and nationally, in all aspects of professional development.

What are the features of a Professional Development School?

At this stage in the Initiative they have been identified as:

• Strengths in induction, mentoring, tutoring, peer training and coaching
• Effective use of reviews and staff portfolios in helping teachers realise their potential through professional development
• A supportive environment for initial teacher training in collaboration with Higher Education Institutions
• A willingness to explore innovative ways of increasing capacity for Initial Teacher Training
• Support for those aspiring to teach, particularly where they come from under-represented communities
• A commitment to enquiry-based leadership and action-research
• A commitment to staff continuing to enrich and extend their professional expertise in the belief that this results in improved pupil learning
• A commitment to working collaboratively with other schools and agencies to achieve the highest standards of professional development

The above characteristics of a Buckinghamshire Professional Development School will be refined, extended and exemplified as the Initiative develops.

Which schools are involved?

Primary schools - Bedgrove Infant, Lent Rise Combined, Waddesdon Village,  The Disraeli, The Downley, Chepping View, Beechview

Special Schools - Prestwood Lodge 

Secondary schools -  Beaconsfield High, Burnham Grammar, Chesham Park Community, Highcrest Community, The Chalfonts Community,  The Grange,  The John Colet, Wycombe High

The National College for School Leadership (NCSL) has offered Research Associate status to two of the Headteachers of the Professional Development Schools. They are Penny Castagnoli from Beaconsfield High and Nigel Cook from Disraeli School.   They will study the most effective means of disseminating the project's outcomes to other schools in the County and nationally. Their findings will inform a seminar at the National College in Nottingham and be published as a research paper.

A survey by the London Institute of Education has identified Buckinghamshire as one of five LEAs in the country providing "pointers to good practice" in professional development. A large working party of Headteachers and Advisers are helping to take forward these initiatives.