Continuous Professional Development: Strategies and Planning

Course Objectives

• To provide participants with a clear understanding of the importance and impact of continuous professional development (CPD) in education.
• To explore effective strategies for planning, implementing, and evaluating CPD initiatives.
• To equip educators with tools to identify professional learning needs at individual, team, and school levels.
• To promote collaborative approaches that foster a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement.
• To support participants in developing sustainable action plans for long-term professional growth and school development.

Schedule

Module 1 – The Purpose and Impact of CPD in Education

• The role of CPD in improving teaching quality, student outcomes, and school innovation.
• Evidence from European and international research on effective professional development.
• Characteristics of schools with strong CPD cultures: what makes them successful?
• Real examples of impactful CPD programmes implemented in European schools.

Module 2 – Identifying Professional Growth Needs

• Tools and frameworks to analyse individual, team, and school-wide learning needs.
• Using self-assessment, peer observation, and student feedback to guide CPD priorities.
• Aligning CPD objectives with school improvement plans and curriculum goals.
• Examples of needs-assessment processes that led to measurable results.

Module 3 – Effective Models of Teacher Development

• Comparing different approaches: workshops, mentoring, peer coaching, lesson study, job shadowing, and professional learning communities (PLCs).
• How to integrate formal, informal, and digital learning opportunities for maximum impact.
• Case studies of innovative CPD projects that improved teacher performance and student learning.
• Strategies for building teacher-led professional development initiatives.

Module 4 – Planning and Designing Strategic CPD Programmes

• Step-by-step process for creating school-wide and individual CPD plans.
• Setting SMART goals, defining success indicators, and allocating resources effectively.
• How to connect CPD initiatives to school priorities and Erasmus+ opportunities.
• Examples of strategic CPD frameworks successfully applied in Europe.

Module 5 – Implementing CPD Effectively

• Keys to fostering teacher motivation and ownership of professional growth.
• Leadership roles in supporting CPD and creating collaborative school cultures.
• How to facilitate peer learning, co-teaching, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Lessons from schools that successfully embedded CPD into their daily practices.

Module 6 – Digital Tools and International Opportunities for CPD

• Online platforms and resources for professional growth (MOOCs, webinars, e-portfolios).
• Leveraging Erasmus+, eTwinning, and job shadowing to expand learning opportunities.
• Building international networks for sharing best practices and collaborative projects.
• Examples of schools using digital CPD tools to foster innovation.

Module 7 – Evaluating and Sustaining CPD Impact

• Methods for assessing the effectiveness of CPD on teaching and learning outcomes.
• Collecting evidence and feedback to continuously improve CPD initiatives.
• Embedding CPD as part of the school’s culture for long-term growth.
• Indicators of success: how to measure real change in teacher practice and student results.

Module 8 – Creating a Practical CPD Action Plan

• Framework for designing a personal and school-wide CPD strategy.
• Defining clear goals, activities, timelines, and evaluation tools.
• Aligning the plan with European opportunities and collaborative networks.
• Ensuring sustainability and adaptability for future needs.