Supporting professional development through an action research community of practice

Coleen Robinson

In this forum, the discussion will be centred around a research study that developed a CPD framework designed to support early career teachers (ECTs) through action research within a community of practice (CoP) established across the year for Initial Teacher Trainers (ITTs) and Early Career Teachers (ECTs). The findings demonstrated that this approach significantly enhanced participants' teaching practices, making them more reflective and collaborative educators. The CPD framework fostered a sense of empowerment among teachers, allowing them to agency to address their own specific challenges (e.g., classroom management, student engagement, instructional effectiveness, etc) and develop personalized strategies that demonstrated positive student outcomes (e.g., better behaviour, engagement and academic performance).

The framework was viewed positively by school leaders and mentors. The framework's bespoke nature was highlighted as a key strength, tailoring professional development to the evolving needs of teachers, which contrasted with traditional, generic CPD models. It also served as an accessible approach to strengthen a school’s ability to demonstrate a cohesive programme for inspection and to support the enhanced DFE mentor requirements. The forum will focus on how school leaders, mentors, CPD professionals and practitioners can use this approach in their own setting to provide a supportive environment for shared learning and peer support. Recommendations and implications for policy will also be discussed, including support for international teachers and their integration in UK schools.  

Biography

Born and raised in Jamaica, Coleen Robinson pursued her education to undergraduate level on the island, where she served as a secondary science teacher and developed a strong foundation in teaching and learning. Over the years, Coleen has gained extensive experience in various roles within education, including pastoral and curriculum development. Her passion for fostering growth in both students and educators has been a driving force throughout her career.

She recently completed a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and currently work as the Teaching and Learning Lead within the Science Department at a secondary school in East London. She is especially passionate about teacher development, and is now implementing the framework from her dissertation as a CPD method to support and train international teachers. Her dedication to improving teaching practices and enhancing teacher performance has had a positive impact on her school community and the teachers she has worked with over the years.

This event is free and open to the public, staff and students.

This is an online event. Registration is essential to receive the link to ZOOM. 

Please note, this seminar is being recorded.