Professional Development at Markham College is centred on a collaborative approach, where teachers work with other practicitioners to improve their practice, and there are different formats this takes.

In each of the three sections of the school there are compulsory whole school INSET sessions. These are used to address whole section aims for the current year. Usually these will start with a whole section input, and then opportunities to discuss with colleagues.

Teachers also work in department or year groups to develop their subject knowledge, and subject/age related pedagogies with their teams. This happens both in normal meetings and in specially organised Departmental T&L Meetings, where the focus is on improving teaching and learning within our smaller departments/age groups.

The CPD Options Programme allows staff to choose from three possible formats to work on their development:

• Teaching WalkThrus

• Instructional Coaching

• Growth Coaching

Each of these fills a slightly different purpose, and will benefit teachers at different stages of their development. Each option is designed to last one bimester (9 weeks), though they can all be extended to last two bimesters when required.

Whichever option teachers decide to take, it is important that they are actively engaged in reflecting on their practice. This is aided with short reflection documents designed to get teachers thinking about some of the key questions related to their chosen option.

These reflection documents can also be used to form the basis of any performance conversations with line managers.