Teacher Training and Development
We are a reflective and collaborative staff body at Emanuel, and we provide many opportunities for teachers to develop as practitioners and share good practice. Below, hear from members of teaching staff and learn more about our initiatives.
Generous CPD budget
The school provides a generous CPD budget each year. Individually all teaching staff are warmly encouraged to work with their line managers to identify and pursue any further training needed and to share what they have learned. Recent CPD courses attended by colleagues have included: The ChatGPT Revolution: what it means for pupils’ future working lives (Mungo Dunnett Associates); Adelphi Genetics Forum Teachers’ Conference; AI in Education Forum (Europe)(Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications); Historical Association Annual Conference; Rekordbox and DDJ400 training (Crossfader); Coaching for Leadership (HMC); Next steps for climate change and sustainability education in England (Westminster Education Forum); Nurturing Bright Futures Conference (UEA); Educational Visits Coordinator Training (Royal Geographical Society). Recent whole teaching staff training on INSET days has included: Supporting pupils with ADHD; Taking a coaching approach with pupils; Taking a coaching approach with colleagues; Resilience and Pressure Management.
Programme of Support for Early Careers Teachers
We have an excellent annual programme of support in place for Early Careers Teachers (ECTs) overseen by our Senior Tutor. Additionally, Emanuel is a regional hub for ISTIP (the Independent Schools’ Teacher Induction Panel – the ‘Appropriate Body’ for the independent sector) and hosts termly CPD conferences for ECTs. Presentations last year included: a seminar on Diversity and Inclusion in Language from Shola Apena Rogers, Director of ACEN; a Body Language Workshop from expert Mike Carter; How to be brilliant at Behaviour Management and Motivation from education expert Caroline Bentley-Davis, and in house presentations from Emanuel colleagues on: Cultivating grit in our students; What next? Career development – Pastoral and Academic routes; How do we learn? and Making the most of ECT years – top tips from recent ECTs.
Wider School Initiatives
Wider school initiatives to develop teachers’ skills include active support for staff from all academic departments to gain experience examining at (I)GCSE and A level and enabling heads of departments to complete the HMC Independent Schools Qualification in Academic Management (ISQAM) and heads of year to complete the equivalent Pastoral Leadership Qualification (PLQ). The school is also open to providing bespoke support such as interest free loans and some sponsorship to assist with the course fees for colleagues undertaking further professional qualifications, such as masters degrees.
Annual Departmental CPD day
There is also a whole school annual Departmental CPD day every May, where Heads of Departments organise professional development which provides opportunities for their teams to expand their subject knowledge and reignite the joy of their subject. Some recent examples: ‘Regeneration and Innovation’ walking tour of Kings Cross focusing on preservation of heritage, innovative use of public space and attracting and expanding knowledge-based industries (Geography); CPD from Charlie Willcocks working on Logic Pro skills and developing music technology (Music); Escape room activities with a view to future trip planning (Maths); a ‘Bodhitree tour’ of the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green with a view to using with GCSE students (RPE); a guided tour of the City of London and visit to the Bank of England Museum (Economics and Business); Natural History Museum – behind the scenes tour of the science labs and visit to the new exhibition looking at careers, and developing subject knowledge (Biology); Freud Museum visit and in-person training session on talks offered to students (Freud and Science/Schizophrenia); talk about designing and building VR games, specifically about coding in the physics from both the graphics side and the gameplay and how the lighting works and is computed (Physics).
Friday Takeaway Slides for Innovative Learning
The school continues to be reflective and aspirational about utilising effective pedagogy. Weekly, teachers are sent a Friday takeaway slide with a suggested innovation to classroom practice to enhance learning which is simple to implement.
Teaching and Learning Committee
Twice-termly, our Teaching and Learning Committee meets to engage with the latest educational research and share best practice within school. This is a cross-curricular group of staff from all academic disciplines. Recent meetings have included presentations from colleagues on: Developing good study habits and a positive academic mindset; The value of gritty learning; The benefits of using a coaching approach in schools; Best practice in the classroom – collaborative session; Evidence informed practice to develop classroom delivery.
Teaching and Learning Presentations
February 2024 – The benefits of a coaching approach in schools
November 2023 – The value of gritty learning
September 2023 – Developing good study habits
