Wakefield Early Professional Development Programme
Wakefield LEA is working in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University to provide a programme of professional development and support for teachers in their second and third years of teaching, to strengthen their skills and confidence. All teachers in their second and third years are able to apply for the programme but there is a limit to the number of places.
Aims of the Project
The outcomes are that, by the end of the two-year programme, participants should:
- Have made significant progress towards the threshold standards – increasing their pedagogical skills and their ability to apply them to a wider range of children and in a wider range of situations
- Have strengthened their ability to learn – from the knowledge and skills base of their school, professional networks, research and critical enquiry
- Have increased their ability to contribute as professionals, to their immediate colleagues, their school and the wider educational community
- Be more strongly committed to teaching as a career.
The Programme
There are three phases:-
- Phase 1 provides support for the rest of the programme through a taught module. This includes a detailed needs analysis, and leads to the creation of an Individual Professional Development Plan.
- Phase 2, participants implement their development plans to meet their own professional development needs.
- Phase 3 is concerned with initial preparations for Threshold application.
Qualification
Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Professional Development (60 credit points). This could form part of a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credit points) or a full Masters degree (180 credit points).
Assessment
A portfolio of evidence of professional learning and development acquired through participation in the programme, and submitted in three stages.
Advantages of Accredited Programme
- Provides participants with access to university resources and facilities
- Enables participants to gain further professional qualifications
- Provides evidence of commitment to continuous professional development
- Provides substantial and significant evidence for Threshold Standards.
