New report on the future of the professional development system

‘A system that empowers: the future of professional development’ sets out why investment in workforce capability and capacity is the most promising policy lever to improve the education system. Great teaching is the best lever schools have for improving pupil attainment. And high-quality, evidence-based professional development is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to help teachers to keep getting better. It is also proven to have a positive impact on teachers’ job satisfaction and motivation to stay in teaching.

The report suggests:

• A universal teacher development entitlement that is available to all teachers and school leaders nationally, and for the long term, which builds on current strong foundations.
• Creating a professional development system which directs funding towards disadvantage, and towards the system priorities, for example early years and special educational needs and disabilities.
• Providing clarity for schools and trusts on what they can access, over the long term and with clear funding, so they can plan how to best focus their local offer. In turn, this empowers teachers with a clear sense of what is available to help them flourish professionally, so they can both pursue their individual interests and contribute to local improvement priorities.
• Supporting and sustaining an ecosystem made up of a variety of providers – national, regional and specialist – to build capacity and embed a shared understanding of what effective professional development looks like.

More information about the proposal, including a download of the full report, can be read on IPPR's website: https://www.ippr.org/articles/a-system-that-empowers