1. Continuing Professional Development for NQTs

2. The National Picture
The government is clear that CPD is a vital part of teachers’ ongoing development in terms of improving pupil outcomes;
Teaching is a craft which is learned through on-the-job-learning and continuous development;
CPD increasingly takes place in multi-agency settings e.g. schools, regional & local alliances and Trusts (e.g. PTSA run CPD for NQTs);
The National College for School Leadership;
Universities offer Masters’ programmes.

3. Before you start….reflect….
Consider your own career development; is teaching a long-term career for you?
If so, plot your landscape: Headship? Head of Department? Subject Leadership? The best damn teacher you can be? South-West? Family commitments?
Know your own skills and development points;
Individuals are increasingly responsible for their own CPD, including making a substantial financial contribution.

4. More reflection…..
Each NQT should have access to a mentor with whom they can talk over their CPD needs;
Masters’ CPD is important for career progression and demonstrates a number of things to employers:
High levels of self-organisation, self-initiative, planning, communication, critical reflection and insight, etc.
Commitment to self-improvement and career progression;
Essential in a highly competitive market-place (particularly in the south-west);
Enables geographical mobility.

5. Masters’ at USMSJ 3 years part-time;
No need to attend the university except on 3 or 4 Saturdays per year;
Several enrolment ‘windows’ annually;
Content-free modules, enabling participants to create their own assessments based on their practice and professional development needs;
Tutor-supported learning;
On-line and distance-learning materials.

6. Masters’ at USMSJ (contd)
It’s not free – you will have to make a contribution. Your school may help with fees or not (ask them);
Fee contributions will vary, depending on whether or not your school has a trained, in-house mentor to tutor-support assessments at Masters’ level;
Payments by instalments spread the fee load;
Requires a high level of self-planning and self-organisation.

7. Comments from previous students
“It was hard – I had to give up holidays and weekends …my family were fantastic and gave me the space I needed.”
“My tutor was great – there when I needed her and her encouragement and feedback was brilliant”.
“My Dissertation research has led to my school developing a programme for Year 4 story-writing – you can see the increased improvement in writing skills – there is a real buzz in the school”.
“I would say to other teachers don’t do it without your eyes fully open to the commitment (and sacrifices) you have to make – but it’s worth it”.
“I loved the freedom of being able to design your own essay and project titles – it made it really meaningful”.

8. Further information…
Dr Karen Stockham