Introduction
Collette Wade was Deputy Headteacher at Thomas A’Becket Infant School, a large 6-form entry school in West Sussex.
Collette took part in our Associate Qualification in CPD Leadership and at the same time, the whole school engaged in a Diagnostic Review as part of the Building Expert Schools Programme.
What was the challenge?
Having taken on the role of Deputy Headteacher, Collette was keen to move the school from good towards excellence. She felt that improving the CPD provision amongst staff was the most effective way to do this. Collette attended a conference and it was during a presentation by TDT founder David Weston that she felt her inspiration for what the school needed to do next to achieve its goal.
What did we do?
Teacher Development Trust began with helping Collette gain a solid understanding of the research around CPD: why and when it is effective and how to build a school culture that supports it. She found the national live online sessions led by TDT Professional Learning Leads to be of real value and these were complemented with one-to-one coaching calls throughout. This enabled her to stay on track and feel comforted that she had someone to reach out to should she need it.
As the whole school was also carrying out a Diagnostic Review as part of the Building Expert Schools Programme, she was able to identify a clear idea of staff attitudes towards professional development as well as an overview of everything that was currently on offer as part of their CPD provision. The Diagnostic Review and the individual development of her own CPD Leadership that Colette undertook amplified the impact of each activity.
‘The course leaders were incredibly knowledgeable…there’s so much information that you leave the course just buzzing!’
What has been the outcome so far?
Collette feels that working with TDT has had a huge impact on her school’s staff development. By exploring and understanding both the research and the current context, Collette and her colleagues continue to grow in their approach to developing practice together.
One of the most successful things she has implemented, as an organic impact of the programme, was a new staffing structure in which there are more opportunities for collaboration amongst subject teams.
They additionally rolled out a coaching approach both at Thomas A’Becket and across the locality. This proved fundamental to the development of reflective practice and professional development. Developing her skills as a leader of staff development has enabled Colette to shift perspectives on the impact of CPD within the school team, moving them into a more consistent, sustainable approach that’s backed by research.
‘We’ve never used research so much in terms of informing decisions and providing the reasoning behind why we’re doing things.
What’s working well?
Collette has been committed and highly engaged in her work with TDT and was able to start to transform CPD at Thomas A’Becket with confidence, bringing the staff body with her to a place of collective efficacy and understanding.
Laying the groundwork for a research-driven, collaborative culture has paved the way for a successful new staff structure and coaching programme. TDT’s facilitation and practical support empowered Collette to drive sustainable improvements and shift school perspectives on CPD, resulting in more impactful, evidence-based practice throughout the school.
