ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a vision for the continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers with particular reference to those working in schools for children with severe learning difficulties (SLD). Individual differences amongst SLD children are vast and daily teaching of such pupils demonstrates the complexity of their learning difficulties. Higher education institutions have been the most influential provider of CPD for teachers working with children with SLD. School-driven CPD which addresses teachers' 'personal theory' seems far removed from a competency model of teacher training. A head teacher of an SLD school may have both a general and a specific picture of the CPD needs of his/her school. Schools will have a vested interest in pointing their staff towards good quality, 'needs-led' CPD, which has clear outcomes both for individual teachers and the whole school. It is likely that schools will be given more money direct from the Teacher Training Agency to achieve this.
