Safeguarding
All staff receive termly safeguarding training from school leaders. Alongside this, all staff and governors receive weekly e-updates which are followed by a low stakes quiz. This ensures our knowledge is kept up-to-date and reflects contextual safeguarding issues within our school and environment. Staff also access external safeguarding CPD ensuring we remain focussed on the latest information.
Staff Meetings (CPD Meetings)
Weekly staff meetings cover a wide variety of subject, pedagogical and subject pedagogical knowledge. They are often led by specialist subject leaders or are accessed through external providers who ensure our practice remains the best it can possibly be. In addition to this, half-termly support staff meetings delivered, by senior and middle leaders, ensure all staff are aware of the latest pedagogical developments.
Internal CPD
Staff access a variety of additional CPD to support their pedagogical development internally. This includes termly ‘peer mornings’ where staff have the opportunity to share and observe best practice across the school in an informal and supportive way; subject leaders have dedicated leadership time each term to develop, share and observe best practice in their subject; and working collaboratively with North Yorkshire Improvement Advisers to ensure teaching and learning across the school is outstanding.
Internal CPD
We use ‘Steplab’ as a primary tool for enhancing teacher continuous professional development. Each teacher has access to Steplab and drives forward an area of pedagogical enhancement using this tool. They research and share best practice; model lessons and then coach others in this delivery method. This has had a tangible impact on pedagogical practice at Hunton & Arrathorne School and offers opportunities for shared best practice.
External CPD
School accesses training from a variety of external sources. These include subject leaders attending Swaledale Alliance network meetings; specialist training in our Phonics programme ‘Little Wandle’; attendance at Maths Hubs Teacher Research Groups and CPD meetings offered by North Yorkshire Council. We are also outward looking and staff regularly visit other settings to be inspired by best practice.
Early Career Teachers
Early Career Teachers are well supported through a comprehensive induction programme. This allows them to work alongside experienced staff and leaders to craft their classroom practice and ensure teaching and learning remains consistent across school. Supported by Red Kite Teaching Hub, we have an excellent track record of developing Early Career Teachers.
School-to-School Support
Three members of our teaching team are also Peer Support Leaders for the Swaledale Alliance. This involves them offering support to colleagues in other schools in areas of their specialism. Our staff also work alongside the Local Authority on end of key stage moderation and are always keen to host visits from colleagues. Staff from our school facilitate PSHE Networks for the Swaledale Alliance, which include ‘open afternoons’ where alliance staff visit our school to see PSHE in action.
