Research shows high demand for continuing professional development
At a time of significant change in the curriculum and the removal of assessment levels, results of the 2014 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Training in Schools research carried out for the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has indicated an increasing demand for training in schools.
The headline finding of the survey of 598 UK schools (372 primary, 226 secondary), highlighted the fact that CPD is rated as highly important in 74 per cent of primary and 38 per cent of secondary schools. The highly anticipated research also revealed that 55 per cent of schools are currently prioritising their training to support assessment and monitoring.
Considering the Government’s focus on English and maths across all schools, with additional focus on the introduction of computer science in primary schools and the STEM subjects in secondary schools, responses received offered no surprises. When asked about the subject areas that would be prioritised for training, primary schools suggested that their main priority is for training to support the teaching of computer science, followed by English and then maths, while secondary schools responded slightly differently with their priority being science, followed by English and then maths.
The survey found clear preferences for the way schools wished CPD to be delivered with 40 per cent of school preferring training delivery to be onsite 1:1 or small group training. 41 per cent of schools with heads of ICT showed a preference for conferences and seminars for training delivery, with just 23 per cent choosing offsite 1:1 training.
The last element of the research attempted to determine the amount of training a typical teacher may receive in a year. The responses revealed that 53 per cent of schools commit to less than five days per year, with 39 per cent taking between five and 10 days and just 8 per cent investing in more than 10 days training per annum. The majority (85 per cent) forecast the same expenditure next year.
Caroline Wright, director, BESA said, “Ongoing changes in government policy are driving demand in schools for high quality training and professional development.
BESA members are developing resources to support those needs and it is vital that teachers are given time and support to help develop the new skills and knowledge needed to deliver the Government’s curriculum and assessment changes effectively.””
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About BESA
Established in 1933, BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market.
With 81 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry. BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools.
BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service. For more information, please visit www.besa.org.uk or download the BESA app: UK Ed Suppliers.
For further press information contact:
Sue Murray, Mango Marketing
T: 01932 829 077
E: sue.murray@mangomarketing.com
For information from BESA contact:
Caroline Wright, BESA
T: 020 7537 4997
