Extraordinary Leaders
Empowered Staff
Expert Schools
TDT: The smart, heart, humble education charity for professional development
We help give you the clarity, confidence and capacity to build and lead a culture of expertise in your school or trust, where empowered staff thrive so that children succeed.
Our reflective, diagnostic approach gives leaders confidence that effective professional development is prioritised and that all staff participate meaningfully in tailored, evidence based training that builds expertise in an empowering way. External evaluations of our work show positive impact on teaching and learning, morale and teacher retention.
Using a strong international evidence base of what constitutes successful teacher professional development, we work with partners across the education sector to promote the principles of effective and impactful Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through:
TDT Programmes
Offering and continuously developing our flagship suite of Professional Development Programmes to support school and system leaders in implementing effective staff development strategies.
Expert Schools Programmes,
National Professional Qualifications,
Associate Qualification in CPD Leadership, Pedagogical Coaching, Collaborative Enquiry
TDT Expert School Network
Stimulating demand for high quality CPD through the growing national and international network of schools and colleges engaging in our programmes. Our Expert Schools Network Membership provides world class, evidence informed professional learning, knowledge sharing and research. We foster collaboration and networking opportunities among teachers, school and system leaders, and educational organisations.
Advocacy
Publicising and disseminating research and insights, campaigning and advising government to raise the status of professional development.
We play an active role in advocating for the importance of teacher development at policy level; working with policymakers, educational bodies, and government agencies to shape policies that prioritise and support high-quality professional learning opportunities for teachers.
Our values and approach
Smart
We are SMART – all of our work is deeply rooted in evidence. We want to know what works and seek out the brightest and the best minds to help shape our programmes, research and advocacy.
Heart
We have HEART – teaching and learning is about people and connection. Even the strongest evidence for improvement will be ineffective if not implemented by expert, empowered teachers at the front of the classroom.
Humble
We are HUMBLE – we are always curious, we are always learning. We are led by the evidence, but we also have the humility to keep testing our understanding and adapt.
What teachers and school leaders say:
Our story in numbers
%
of teachers and school leaders would recommend their TDT NPQ to a colleague
*Percentage of respondents in survey
”The course material is utterly brilliant. Such high quality and carefully crafted. The spirit and ethos of TDT is forefront.”
NPQ Facilitator
Number of teachers and school leaders who have participated in TDT NPQs
Number of schools that have benefited from TDT's Diagnostic Review
%
of school leaders would recommend the Diagnostic Review as part of their school development planning
*Percentage of respondents in survey
%
of teachers and school leaders would recommend the TDT Associate Qualification in CPD Leadership to a colleague
*Percentage of respondents in survey
Our Research and Insights
Read about the research that underpins our work and our insights into effective CPD
Newsletters
Sign up to our monthly intelligence briefing for everyone interested in professional learning
Our Impact
On school improvement, teaching and learning, morale and teacher retention
Our Blog
Choose wisely. Not all NPQs are created equal
Choosing to undertake an NPQ can be a difficult decision. Do you have the time? Will it be worth the effort? Will it benefit the children and young people you work with? So far, feedback from thousands of graduates around the country is a resounding yes, so if you are...
Improvement through Empowerment
Following today's publication of the new IPPR report, our Co-CEO (Innovation & Research), David Weston, responds and reflects on some of the key recommendations. In the landscape of education, an important transformation is on the horizon. The recent report...
Building a trust-wide wellbeing culture
Building a trust-wide wellbeing culture In this guest blog, Ben Levinson OBE shares with us his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges of creating a meaningful wellbeing culture across a Trust At TDT’s upcoming conference, I will be part of a panel discussing...
Curiosity, concepts and the power of story – unleashing expert teaching through curriculum in our schools and trusts
Curiosity, concepts and the power of story - unleashing expert teaching through curriculum in our schools and trusts In this guest blog, Mary Myatt shares with us her thoughts on how developing and using high quality materials and texts in the classroom helps ...
“Great leaders do not create followers, they create more leaders” Tom Peters
From hero headteachers to empowered expert teams, how can professional development help avoid burnout in schools? We’re pleased to welcome guest blogger and valued TDT partner Jane Kennedy, Lead Advisor Professional Learning & Commercial Engagement for Education...
CPD Entitlement for Teachers: Have Your Say!
Teachers, leaders - we need your help! The best available evidence indicates that great teaching is THE most important lever schools have to improve outcomes for all pupils, regardless of background, challenge or need. Our core charitable mission here at TDT is to...
CPD: Creating a thriving school culture
Five years on from the publication of Unleashing Great Teaching, co-author David Weston considers the CPD landscape in schools, the growing evidence-base, and some of the practical implications for our work to create thriving school cultures. Five years after we...
Unlocking Excellence: Your Guide to our NPQs Webinar video, 14th September 2023
Find out more about our entire suite of National Professional Qualifications by watching this Q&A session hosted by TDT Co-CEO, Gareth Conyard with insights from our NPQ team and some of our past and present NPQ participants....
