It is the policy of Alton Convent School to encourage the professional development of its staff.  The aim of this is that individual staff: 

• may be enabled to improve and extend their range of skills
• may identify and exploit career opportunities as part of their own career plan

In addition Alton Convent School aims to promote best practice in all aspects of school life, whether in teaching, learning or auxiliary services, in order to improve the effectiveness of the school in fulfilling its mission.

Responsibilities

Members of staff have a responsibility for reviewing and seeking to extend their own skills and for participating wholeheartedly in any school staff development opportunities.  Informal self-appraisal and target setting is seen as an important aspect of any individual Career Development Plan

The Deputy Head and teacher responsible for Staff Development have delegated responsibility from the Headmistress to manage staff development for all staff.  The responsibility involves holding and managing the staff development budget in conjunction with the Bursar.

The Staff Development Team will:

• identify needs
• advise on opportunities
• monitor plans in the light of budgetary constraints and identified priority needs
• assist in planning In-Service Training Days
• review effectiveness of In-Service Training Days
• review effectiveness of Staff Development Policy implementation

Identifying Needs and Opportunities

Staff Entitlement for individual members of staff will include:

• NQT - induction scheme as required
• Induction on joining the schoolI
• Preparation for new responsibilities
• Improvement of skill/knowledge
• Extension of management and leadership skills where appropriate
• Implementation of SDP
• Staff In- Service Training Days
• Participation in national curriculum development projects
• Observation internally and visits to other institutions
• Individual programme of support particularly on joining
• Curriculum support courses organised by external bodies e.g. Examination Boards, ISC, ISA
• Formal part time course, leading to specific qualifications
• Internally organised programmes to meet individual or group needs

Monitoring and Evaluation

Individual members of Staff are expected to:

• Prepare for training
• Evaluate and report on effectiveness of training
• Disseminate learning to colleagues as appropriate

The Senior Management Team  will review and evaluate the Staff Development Programme to assess effectiveness and budgetary value.