ABSTRACT
Schools will not improve unless teachers, individually and collectively, develop. Teacher growth is at the heart of school development. While teachers can often develop their practice on an individual basis, if the whole school is to develop then there need to be many opportunities for the staff to learn together. Collaborative learning need not be something extra to do; it can often occur as part of teachers working together. However, it is crucial that staff development activities are, in the main, focused on the classroom. Staff development programmes need to help teachers develop as teachers and as analysts of the pupils’ learning.
Professional learning is central to school improvement.
The school needs a policy for staff development.
Staff development should be classroom focused.
The school should be organized for professional learning.
