Training School
Action Research CPD Oxford Brookes University T4T
University of Bedfordshire
Feature Title
We Applied for Specialist Sports College and Training School Status in October, 2002. The Training School was a joint application linked with Samuel Whitbread Community College. We were successful with both bids and were designated in September, 2003. In January 2007 we were redesignated as a Training School and will be funded for a further 4 years. The Transitional PI report was very positive and we scored 8 out of 8 against the criteria - verified by Dr. Rob Knee (TDA Training School Consultant). In September 2008 , the Training School’s TDA Annual Review by Dr Knee confirmed we had again met the 8 out of 8 criteria and his report stated “ Redborne Training School has continued to develop an outstanding CPD provision and is clearly disseminating this expertise to other schools within the region and further afield…….Redborne’s own examination performance data has continued to improve and the school has now reached HPSS standards. Much of this success can be attributed to the opportunities provided in relation to staff development and training by the Training School.”
As a Training School
We have a SCITT and postgraduate programme as well as a Graduate Teacher Programme, we also run an Access to Education Scheme and provide numerous CPD opportunities for other schools. This role is being expanded. We are working very closely with the LEA, University of Bedfordshire, Bedford College and our network learning community which places the Training School at the centre of the LEA strategy. The TDA have praised us for our collaborative work. The Head has given evidence to the Prime Minister's Effectiveness Unit and was seconded for 2 days a week in 2005 - 2006 to the LEA to drive the initiative forward.
As a result we have developed very strong links with Oxford Brookes University and the University of Bedfordshire, as a result of which we run several accredited programmes for staff in Bedfordshire. This is an exciting development which we hope to develop further.