Professional development that prepares teachers to undertake new roles and responsibilities is referred to as role-induction.
TDA research in 2006 found that 86 per cent of second-year teachers and 90 per cent of third-year teachers take on additional responsibilities or roles.
You and your school or local authority can work together practically to prepare you for the early stages of a new role. Role-induction should begin as soon as possible, preferably during your induction period. This is something that should be covered in your performance management discussion.
Work/life balance
Teachers in the early stages of their careers may need support in acquiring an appropriate work/life balance. The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document clarifies the expected hours a teacher will work per year and what these hours may cover. You can find out more about teachers' expected workload on the Teachernet website.
The national agreement sets out teachers' entitlement to an appropriate work/life balance. Find out more about the national agreement.
Early professional development for role-induction
Evidence from case studies and practice shows that the most beneficial types of early professional development (EPD) for teachers taking on new roles are perceived to be:
- coaching and mentoring, both by peers and specialists
- collaborative working (including shadowing) alongside experienced teachers in their own and other schools
- peer support
- networking, and
- observing and being observed.
Whichever approach is adopted, it should match your personal needs and aspirations. Remember that no one model of role induction will fit all circumstances. Read more about identifying your development needs.
Both you and your school are likely to benefit more from you becoming a proactive participant.
Find out how schools and local authorities induct teachers into new responsibilities. You could use some of these ideas in your performance management discussions and induction reviews, to help to plan your own role-induction.
Read about preparing for leadership and management roles.
