Creating, or reviewing, the policy should be a reflective process involving staff, trade unions, school governors, and the school’s leadership. The governing body can then formally adopt the finished policy to demonstrate its importance for the school.
A policy might have the following features:
- an introductory section including a definition of CPD
- a statement of the school’s principles and philosophy relating to professional development, explaining why CPD is important for staff
- procedures to guide staff in identifying, evaluating and disseminating CPD activities.
- recognition that teachers have a contractual entitlement to effective, sustained and relevant professional development throughout their careers.
School policies should be based on an understanding of good practice and include procedures that can be followed consistently. The CPD policy should make expectations and entitlements clear. The most effective policies are those developed through staff collaboration and consultation.
A CPD policy could include concise statements about:
- your vision of what CPD should achieve
- the values and culture that support CPD
- who the CPD is for
- roles and responsibilities
- the CPD characteristics that are effective in your school
- processes, procedures and practice
- evaluating the impact of CPD
- links to other policies, staffing and pay
- your annual CPD plan
- how the annual CPD cycle works in your school and relates to school improvement and performance management
Effective CPD policies include input from the people they affect, and are regularly updated. Your policy should ensure individuals are aware of each other’s roles and responsibilities and the support and development opportunities open to them.
Your CPD policy could be part of a more general school development plan or a separate document. Whatever form it takes it should demonstrate that the school has identified CPD needs, specified CPD activities and explained why the activities are the most appropriate way to fulfil those needs.
Examples of continuing professional development policies
You will find several examples of CPD policies in practical resources for identifying and supporting school and staff CPD needs.
You can also download Reviewing your School Policy for CPD (PDF, 81KB) for further examples that could help you design a policy.
