Issue - meetings

To share information on the Professional Learning Offer.

To accept and approve the content of the report and the plans to develop and evolve the Professional Learning Offer in the future.

The report was presented, noting that the Professional Learning Offer is provided on three tiers:

1.     The generic offer of professional learning programmes or the training that is available to everyone across the region.

2.     The professional learning support that promotes collaboration in primary clusters and the secondary alliances, as well as the professional learning networks supporting secondary, primary and special schools.

3.     The specific professional learning offer that is available to all schools individually in their support plan.

It was highlighted that professional learning support is different and separate to school improvement work. It was explained that the generic professional learning offer is broad and comprehensive and that it arises from the most common priorities in regional schools. It was suggested that it could be argued that the offer is too broad, but the service serves approximately 12,000 teaching staff and an effort is made to ensure there is something to suit everyone.

The need to ensure that messages regarding training are clear was noted, and the need for collaboration and support for teachers and practitioners. It was explained that, in turn, teachers need to commit to implementing what they learn and that training sessions are a good opportunity for teachers to work together and share good practice.

During the subsequent discussion, members made the following comments:

-        Members noted they are comfortable and satisfied with the provision overall.

-        There was concern that it is noted in the report there are no financial implications arising from the offer, as it is impossible to produce something commercial without investing money and human resources.

-        In relation to this, the importance of looking beyond schools was noted, in the context of generating an income as schools are already under immense financial pressure.

DECISION 

To accept and approve the content of the report and the plans to develop and evolve the Professional Learning Offer in the future.