ABSTRACT
The staff development should be one of the prime concerns of the headteacher who is seeking excellence in the education that the children in the school receive. Staff development involves more than simply drawing teachers' attention to the existence of courses being offered by the Local Education Authority (LEA). Several policy initiatives at local and national levels have combined to emphasise the desirability of every school having a carefully designed staff development policy. LEAs are required to demonstrate that their bids for Grant Related In-service Training funds are based upon the needs of the schools. An 'integral approach' to staff development enables heads to respond more convincingly and more effectively to the consultation procedures initiated by the LEA. Staff development is an integral part of developing the school, not something which may be thought of as an optional extra and which relates only to the needs and interests of the individual teacher.
