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In Challoner House, we run training and CPD for everyone from trainee teachers to aspirant headteachers on their NPQH programme, and this creates great buzz and energy for the school and the training team. 

This week I have delivered training to both our newest trainee teachers, and to our experienced staff on the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQSL), with both groups exploring issues of behaviour and school culture. 

It’s a great opportunity to see the ‘Golden Thread’ of teacher professional development from training to leadership in action. 

With the trainee teachers, we looked at their objective to learn how to: 

“teach and rigorously maintain clear behavioural expectations (e.g. for contributions, volume level and concentration), applying rules, sanctions and rewards in line with school policy, escalating behaviour incidents as appropriate.”   

For trainees, we are teaching explicit strategies, focusing on giving trainees a practical toolkit classroom management strategies and a clear sense of what to do when faced with different behavioural challenges.    

For senior leaders, you can see how staff have developed their skills, expertise, and responsibility over their years in the profession. The senior leader framework says that leaders must: 

“Contribute to the creation and consistent implementation of a whole school approach to recognition, rules and sanctions that is predictable and built on good relationships between pupils and staff, complements the intended school culture and includes a clear approach to escalation of behaviour incidents.” 

It’s fascinating to explore the identity shift senior leaders go through as they shift their mindsets to a sense of whole school responsibility, looking beyond their classroom to the whole school culture and vision.  

It’s also great to work with participants on NPQ programmes who originally trained with us and to be part of the development of staff over many years of their careers.  

Emily Giubertoni 

Director Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance