At Caludon Castle School we believe that we have a responsibility to bring out the best in people. To this end, we have developed high quality and effective training provision for the continuous professional development of all staff.
Great importance is given to the training of those new to the profession. The advantages to the individuals and their subsequent career development are obvious. There is also a tremendous benefit to the school: our reputation in this area means that we are able more easily to recruit and retain quality people.
Most importantly, there are significant advantages for those whose interests are at the heart of everything we do: our students. They have the benefit of being taught by people who are fresh, new and enthusiastic but who are trained by us to use the most effective educational techniques and insights.
Much of our training is delivered by Advanced Skills Teachers. These are teachers who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in all aspects of teaching and have been recognised by the DfES. Through our training programmes they share their skills and are available to encourage and mentor. Senior staff are, also, heavily involved in our induction training; they are able to impart their specialist skills to our new staff, thus integrating them fully into our ways of working.
We are in partnership in the area of teacher training with many Higher Education Institutions, such as Warwick, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton universities. In July 2010 we were awarded a kitemark for our excellence in training by the University of Warwick and have been designated as an Enhanced Partner School, so that we train PGCEs not only in their subject specialisms, but also in their professional skills. Ofsted said about our training: ‘outstanding training provision for all GTP and PGCE trainees, ... some of the best feedback to trainees that we have ever seen. The mentor practice is to match those of the very best.’ Warwick University Ofsted 2010
We encourage both PGCE and GTP routes into teaching; we are training nine GTPs in 2011-2012 and fifty PGCEs. As part of our Leadership Specialist status, we share our expertise with local schools and with other accredited Training Schools; we hold Subject Mentor Training meetings here and we host subject specific training for PGCE trainees.
