Theme 5: developing practice
Rationale
Reviewing, identifying and implementing ways in which practice can develop and become more effective will have a greater impact on children and young people’s learning, attainment and well-being, and the outcomes of reviews will form the basis for improving teaching and learning. As part of this review cycle, teachers have a responsibility to take an active part in identifying and reviewing their own performance and professional development needs so that they can develop their practice and improve their effectiveness through adopting critically evaluated ideas and approaches and sharing and adapting effective practice.
Standards
| C7 | Evaluate their performance and be committed to improving their practice through appropriate professional development. |
| C8 | Have a creative and constructively critical approach towards innovation; being prepared to adapt their practice where benefits and improvements are identified. |
| C9 | Act upon advice and feedback and be open to coaching and mentoring. |
| C35 | Review the effectiveness of their teaching and its impact on learners’ progress, attainment and well-being, refining their approaches where necessary. |
Scope
These standards are about how you review the effectiveness of your teaching and its impact on learners and steps you might take to improve your effectiveness.
For example, aspects of practice covered by these standards might include:
- using your induction entitlement to a 10 per cent reduced teaching timetable to engage in professional development opportunities and activities
- taking opportunities to engage with coaching and mentoring, reflecting with others about your own progress against your identified development needs and the needs of learners
- seeking evidence about improvements to learning, teaching and children and young people’s development and well-being from a variety of sources such as recent and relevant research and the practice of other colleagues, in school and beyond
- applying constructive criticism to new ideas, research and approaches and contributing to change and innovation by taking informed risks to promote and adopt them
- discussing with learners themselves, parents, carers and colleagues issues concerning their well-being, progress and attainment
- using assessment to monitor learners’ work and progress and taking appropriate steps to refine your teaching approach and/or modify planning as required.
Questions
Prompt questions that can be used for discussion with your induction tutor:
- How have you been supported in identifying your professional development needs?
- How have your professional development needs been responded to in your school?
- Have you been given any suggestions or guidance on how to make best use of your induction entitlement of a 10 per cent reduced teaching timetable and how have you applied any such advice?
- What feedback, new ideas and suggestions have you received from coaches, mentors and others and how has this made a difference to your practice?
- What difference has your professional development made to your practice?
- What additional support or guidance do you feel you need?
