Our Research on Effective CPD

With support from globally leading partners, researchers and advisors, TDT curates and disseminates rigorous evidence to support school leaders with their staff development approaches.  We are fortunate to work with thousands of professionals whose lived experience informs the improvement and development of our work. Below, you can find a selection of research and reports we have led or played a central role in developing.

a group of school leaders collaborating

Developing Great Teaching

This important review of reviews provides a foundational summary of the features of effective professional development in schools.

The key finding was that CPD opportunities that are carefully designed and have a strong focus on pupil outcomes have a significant impact on student achievement.

The elements that constitute “careful design” include:

  • The duration and rhythm of effective support.
  • The consideration of participants’ needs.
  • Alignment of professional development processes, content and activities.
  • The content of effective professional development.
  • Activities associated with effective professional development.
  • The role of external providers and specialists.
  • Collaboration and peer learning.
  • Leadership around professional development.

 

These elements have informed design of the 7 Domains of People Powered School Improvement, along with our programme and Online Learning Modules.

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Creating a CPD entitlement that works – our findings
In response to the Labour Party’s mission document, we began to explore their proposal of an entitlement to continuous professional development. 
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Findings from the ECF Review
TDT’s newly published exploratory study, gratefully enabled by funding from the Gatsby Foundation explores how England’s flagship Early Career Framework (ECF) programme for new teachers might be enhanced in terms of flexibility, subject focus, and sustainable capacity building. 
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Teacher Autonomy: How does it relate to job satisfaction and retention?
Retention of teachers is important, never more so when recruitment and retention figures are falling and schools increasingly struggle to recruit the staff they need. 
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Developing Great Teaching: Lessons from the international reviews into effective professional development
This review - Developing Great Teaching   provides a foundational summary of the features of effective professional development in schools.
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DfE Standards for Professional Development
Our founding CEO, David Weston, was asked to chair the CPD Expert Group who shaped the current Standards for Teachers’ Professional Development.
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Culture of Improvement: Reviewing the research on teacher working conditions
The Culture of Improvement report demonstrates why a ‘cut-and-paste’ approach to professional development is so limited.
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