ABSTRACT
HM Inspectorate’s role is primarily to give professional advice to the Secretary of State and the Department of Education and Science. This advice is based on first-hand observation of, and judgement about, what goes on in educational institutions throughout the country. Equally, in its various activities HM Inspectorate helps to promote good practice at local and institutional level, not least through the exercise of inspection, which in itself makes an important contribution to the professional development of teachers.
Recent years have made it clear that successful professional development involves the partnership of teachers and providers. In particular, it involves a creative self-assessment of needs within schools, and an appropriate high-quality response from the providers, building on their specialist strengths.
Three research projects currently in progress are helping to provide a satisfactory theoretical framework for professional development, incorporating the elements of partnership. These projects have established international links through the OECD/CERI project on school focused in-service training.
