CPD AS A CULTURE
Why Schools Must Invest in Their Teachers
By Grant Woolner, Deputy Head (Academic)
In the next article in our Thought Leadership series, Deputy Head (Academic) Grant Woolner reflects on why investing in staff development is not an optional extra, but one of the most important responsibilities any school can embrace.
The Most Important Investment a School Can Make Isn’t a Building
In a recent article, I wrote about ambition and how it cannot be forced; it can only be fostered. The same is true of excellence in school staff.
Schools can invest in buildings, technology and facilities, all of which undoubtedly enhance the educational experience. Yet none of these investments has as profound an impact on young people as the investment made in the adults who teach and support them every day.
Just as pupils flourish when their ambitions are nurtured, staff thrive when they are given opportunities to grow.
For this reason, professional development should never be viewed as a series of training sessions scattered throughout the year. At Luckley we have created a welcoming, open-door culture in which continuous development is woven into everyday practice. Staff reflect, collaborate, experiment and continually refine their craft lesson by lesson, week by week. Growth has become part of the school’s identity rather than an occasional event.
At Luckley, we see professional development as a shared responsibility. Our size provides opportunities for cross-pollination between departments; particularly impactful when supporting teachers at the beginning of their careers. Staff regularly work together to develop curriculum ideas, explore new approaches to teaching and learning, and learn from one another’s expertise. The most valuable development happens not in conference halls but in conversations between colleagues united by a desire to provide the very best for our pupils.
The same is true for the development of future leaders. Schools cannot simply hope that leadership capacity will emerge when it is needed; it must be cultivated. By providing opportunities for staff to lead initiatives, contribute to strategic thinking and develop their professional expertise, Luckley builds resilience while creating clear pathways for growth and retention. Our staff is our most valuable asset and our approach to their development reflects this.
Most importantly, investing in staff allows us to model the very qualities we seek to instil in our pupils. We speak often about the importance of lifelong learning, curiosity and resilience. Students are far more likely to embrace those values when they see them embodied by the adults around them; adults who take a genuine joy from trying new things, stepping outside comfort zones, and becoming their authentic best selves.
The sunflower in my earlier article grew because the conditions for growth were right. The same principle applies to schools. When staff are supported, challenged and trusted to develop, they grow. When school staff grow, pupils benefit. And when pupils benefit, the entire school community flourishes.
Grant Woolner, Deputy Head (Academic)
