Inreach

PCS is a learning community for all staff and students. Inreach describes activities that support the development and training of all staff at PCS to further enhance the education and opportunities for our students. Our aim is to embed the links between Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with Professional Standards, the School Development Plan (SDP) and Professional Review (Performance Management).

The range of CPD opportunities offered at PCS include:

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
These are groups of teaching and learning staff who come together regularly to discuss how the school can meet one of three priorities from the SDP. Within these groups, staff will be working on one objective identified during their professional review meeting and will work on the objective independently or with other members of the PLC. For example, during the 2009-10 academic year, one PLC were discussing ways to promote independence in learners. They decided to trial strategies from 'The Teachers Toolkit' (Paul Ginnis), observing each other to evaluate the usefulness of these strategies in developing independence.

Research and Development Team (RDT)
This team was established in 2001 and initially comprised of Advanced Skills Teachers (ASTs) and Fast Track Teachers. Since then the team has evolved into a group of lead practitioners from all faculty areas who discuss and trial whole school strategies. In April 2009, the team used materials developed and published by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) to develop Assessment for Learning (AfL). The materials took the form of 9 structured sessions called 'Teacher Learning Communities' (TLCs). Each session has a similar format with staff discussing a range of strategies which they trial whilst being observed by another member of the group, giving feedback in the next session.

Lesson Observations
PCS has an open-door policy whereby staff are invited to observe each other with a focus that links to their professional review. Staff are asked to reflect on their learning experiences from the observations, rather than making judgements.

Professional Qualifications
Staff are encouraged to undertake studies to gain professional qualifications that will further enhance their work within the school. We currently have staff following Level 2 and Level 3 NVQs, M-Level and D-level Education qualifications. In addition, many staff have gain certified qualifications such as First Aid at Work, Manual Handling and Minibus Driving Licence.

In-house staff training sessions
We have a range of staff training sessions throughout the academic year. These are led by a range of staff within the school, as well as some external staff. There is a formal programme for New Staff, NQTs and ITT students, as well as training sessions for all staff on issues such as Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) to Year 9 students, Thinking Skills and Provision for Able, Gifted and Talented students.

Coaching and Mentoring
Many teaching staff at PCS are trained as coaches or mentors to support the development of NQTs, ITTs or colleagues. These sessions take place either within the school day or after school to suit the needs of colleagues involved.

Learning experiences from CPD activities are shared across team meetings in the school. To disseminate further, staff are asked to complete a 'CPD record' which is available on the internal network to allow all staff to access.