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Meet the Expert

Presenter & Author > Sue Kelly

Sue is assistant Headteacher with responsibility for CPD. She has written articles for CPD Update and Professional Development Today magazine and is on the editorial board of PDT. 

Sue Kelly talks about the importance of having a vision for CPD, and the confidence needed to make this a reality. 

Sue Kelly rightly perceives that although theories of CPD are important, the co-ordinator’s job is very much about practicalities. 

Sue Kelly's best selling book

Check out the free resources page for INSET planning tools. 

Testimonials 

“Excellent, lively and inspirational.” Joy Palmer, Holmesdale Technology College 

Introduction to the series: getting the most out of your Inset time
 
The organisation of  Inset days can be one of the most daunting and challenging aspects of the role of the CPD  leader / co-ordinator in a school. 

“Research into the use of these five (inset) days……..suggests that, initially they had not always been used productively by schools (Harland et al., 1999). Although matters have improved, there is still much variation in how effectively these training days are being used for development purposes, an area of interest to the TTA and the Department for Education  and Skills (DfES)”  Leading and Managing Continuing Professional Development  -  Earley and Bubb 

With  large numbers of staff to provide for  in some schools– over 90 teaching staff in my school alone plus in excess of 80 support staff – it can be an anxious time for even more experienced co-ordinators as we desperately try to match the provision on the day to the needs of large numbers of discerning professionals who bring with them a huge range of skills, experiences and levels of expertise. Add to this the need  to provide value for money and to lead the way in modelling  fundamental principles of effective CPD  at the same time (ie practising what we preach!)   – and it isn’t difficult to understand why a forthcoming Inset day can seriously affect the sleep patterns of  even the most robust CPD leaders. This series of short articles is designed to provide some practical ideas for creative, imaginative and cost effective approaches to planning effective  Inset days in your school ; ones which will also have real impact.

 To read the first installment:Issue one

 Sue Kelly Author of  best selling “The CPD Co-ordinator’s Toolkit”