Professional Development
The Trust puts great emphasis on staff development, Samuel Ryder Academy for example has been awarded the CPD Mark for its bespoke CPD programme. Staff are encouraged to be active in their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and we have generous training budgets so can offer internal and external training opportunities to develop skills and assist with career development.
Sir John Lawes School is a nationally recognised Teaching School; there are 4 SLEs within the Trust and the Head of Sir John Lawes is a NLE. Because of their Teaching School status, all schools within the Trust have easy access to the excellent training programmes offered by the Alban Teaching School Alliance.
Samuel Ryder Academy is Hertfordshire's Apple Regional Training Centre. As an Apple Distinguished School and Regional Training Centre, Samuel Ryder Academy host and run a number of opportunities for continued professional development across the county, as well as offering the opportunities for professionals to visit the school to see the technology in action.
Within the schools, Teaching and Learning briefings are held weekly to share excellent tips and good practice. There is an across the Trust T&L team who promote the sharing of good practice, organise curriculum and/or middle leader conferences as well as the annual all staff Trust INSET. School staff conferences are an annual event; alongside twilight INSET, cross Trust and Consortium training and so much more.
Alban Teaching School Alliance
As part of the Alban Teaching School Alliance, we access a range of professional learning opportunities in all areas of education, as well as contributing to the courses they offer.
Their programme include:
- Courses which run through the school year
- Peer-to-peer networking events
- Senior and middle leadership development
- Developing practice (Improving Teacher Programme and Go! from Good to Outstanding Learning)
- ‘New to’ support for those taking on new responsibilities
- Bespoke examination board training
- A yearly conference
For more details on the Alban TSA and the programmes on offer, please visit their website www.albantsa.co.uk