John Carey, senior adviser with Durham LEA and a specialist in professional development, takes a critical look at CPD at Christ Church Primary and offers a few tips. He stresses the advantages of school-based CPD and speaks to Deputy Head Colette Morris, about the school's policy of encouraging staff to share ideas and collaborate with one another. The staff appreciate this and think training is essential if they are to progress and develop their skills. John sits in on a peer observation session. All agree that more preparation time was needed to decide on the specific observation objective, and for both the watcher and the watched to look for CPD benefits. John also demonstrates that children's views can be a rich source of CPD. Overall he is positive about the school's learning culture but feels it is crucial that good ideas like peer observation are carefully structured for staff to get the best out of them.

Video Series: Continuing Professional Development - Primary
Release Date 2006