ABSTRACT
The SITE Project is studying the problems and issues involved as school staff, with the help of the employers and outside support agencies (eg colleges), attempt to develop and implement school-focused in-service education and training (INSET) programmes. Schools have responded to an external project stimulus, requesting them to identify their in-service needs, and then support agencies have attempted to meet their school-formulated INSET programmes. The programmes frequently involve an increase in school-based activities, eg classroom consultancy, work with visiting experts, talks to staff at the school by a visitor, and the formation of teacher co-operative work groups supported by an outsider. Some, but not all, project schools have moved towards planned INSET programmes. Staff motivation towards and participation in INSET has been increased and various change effects have been identified. Despite school difficulties in conducting a needs analysis and certain logistic difficulties of the approach for support agencies, the school-focused approach appears to have considerable potential for the development of schools and for more effective teacher involvement with INSET.
