> Professional Development

Parkside is an 'Investor in People' and its most recent accreditation acknowledges the creative ways in which the college extends professional development to staff.

Parkside has a strong collaborative ethos and a history of involvement in networks for sharing best practice. English, Maths and Science teams are designated "leading departments" within the LEA: as such they are involved in formal networking through seminars and visits. We are building a strong cadre of Advanced Skills Teachers who contribute to learning and teaching developments within and beyond the college. Our definition of continuing professional development is a broad and creative one - internal and external opportunities provide leadership development in fields of learning and teaching and research.

Staff gain leadership skills and contribute to wider practice through e.g. chairing ITT subject networks, teaching PGCE seminars, leading training for colleagues, advisory work at local, regional and national level, engaging in research, examining & moderating for external bodies. Staff take advantage of the DfES 4th/5th year of teaching bursaries and Best Practice Research Scholarships to enhance their professional knowledge and skills. The college's creative approach to CPD provides many opportunities for colleagues keen to experiment and develop as leading edge practitioners.

As one of the first Media Arts colleges in UK, Parkside has led in the field of media training. Staff have developed a successful model for media project activity in local primary schools which is being extended to other areas. We are able to provide skills training, showcase lessons and best practice seminars for trainees, teachers and trainers who visit the college from other centres or other countries. Further to this an ongoing programme of installing interactive whiteboard technology throughout the college creates opportunities for training in new pedagogies and with new resources. Lead teachers from Parkside are working with British Film Institute, Specialist Schools Trust and the Cambridge Faculty of Education as well as the Institute of Education in London to research & develop expertise in the field. Lead practitioners contribute to new thinking at local, regional and national conferences and more recently at an international conference in Baltimore, USA through the Specialist Schools Trust.

Parkside works closely with colleagues within the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education Partnership to offer PGCE placements throughout the year. We offer paired placements in autumn as a "Principal cluster" school and individual placements during spring and summer terms. Our mentor team work closely together to deliver a whole school training programme which supports trainees in their professional development. Parkside is an active contributor to PGCE teaching with several staff involved in leading subject seminars at the Faculty. Mentors are very involved in contributing to partnership subject panels. In recent years two full time members of our staff have been trained on the Graduate Trainee scheme with START Education. As a TTA designated Open school, we host visits for experienced graduates interested in a career in teaching. Teacher training is a critical part of our professional development work.