CPD & Training
Investing in Our People
At IncludEd Independent School, we believe that the quality of education and support our young people receive is directly connected to the knowledge, skills, confidence and wellbeing of the adults working alongside them.
For us, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is not simply about completing training courses.
It is about developing reflective, knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who continually seek to understand more, improve their practice and ensure that every young person receives the right support to thrive.
Our commitment to professional development reflects our wider whole-istic approach to learning: we expect our staff to be learners too.
A Culture of Continuous Learning
Our staff have access to a planned programme of CPD, training and professional development which reflects the needs of our young people, our school priorities and our statutory responsibilities.
Training is delivered through a combination of internal expertise, external providers, specialist training and collaborative learning opportunities.
Our CPD offer includes training and development across areas such as:
- Safeguarding and child protection and keeping Children Safe in Education
- First Aid and emergency response
- Health and safety
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
- Neurodiversity and inclusive practice
- SEMH and emotional regulation
- Positive behaviour support
- Communication and relational practice
- Teaching, learning and assessment
- SEND and individualised provision
- Prevent and online safety
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Professional boundaries and safeguarding practice
Our training programme is reviewed regularly to ensure that professional development remains relevant, purposeful and responsive to the needs of our school community.
Weekly CPD & Reflective Practice
Professional learning at IncludEd is ongoing.
Alongside formal training, we build regular opportunities for staff to engage in weekly CPD, team discussion, reflection, coaching and collaborative problem-solving.
This creates a culture where staff can:
- Share experiences and ideas
- Reflect on what is working
- Consider what could be improved
- Explore individual young people’s needs
- Share effective strategies
- Learn from colleagues
- Develop confidence in their practice
- Identify further training needs
We believe some of the most valuable professional learning happens through honest conversations, reflection and learning from one another.
Training That Reflects Our Young People
Our CPD programme is closely connected to the young people we support.
Because every learner is different, our staff need more than a collection of generic strategies.
They need to understand why a young person may be presenting in a particular way and how our environment, relationships and teaching approaches can help them to regulate, reconnect and learn.
Our training therefore supports our whole-istic approach, helping staff to consider the educational, emotional, social, relational and individual needs of each young person.
Developing Our People
We want IncludEd to be a place where staff can develop as professionals.
We encourage colleagues to identify their own areas of interest and development and, where possible, support opportunities for further learning, responsibility and progression.
We believe that investing in our staff creates a culture where people feel:
Valued.
Supported.
Challenged.
Inspired.
Empowered.
Our aim is to develop a team who are not only highly skilled, but who are passionate about their role and committed to making a difference to the lives of young people.
Sharing Our Practice
At IncludEd, we also recognise the value of sharing what we learn with others.
Our experience of alternative provision, inclusion, SEMH, relational practice and whole-istic education provides opportunities to support colleagues beyond our own school community.
We welcome opportunities to work collaboratively with schools, settings and professionals through:
- Professional visits
- Peer review
- Bespoke training
- CPD sessions
- Consultancy
- School improvement support
- Sharing of effective practice
- Collaborative learning opportunities
We believe that education improves when professionals are willing to share, question, learn and grow together.
Learning From Others
Professional development is a two-way process.
We are proud of the expertise within our own team, while also recognising that there is always more to learn.
We actively encourage staff to engage with external professional networks, specialist organisations, training providers and wider educational practice.
Our approach is one of professional curiosity – never assuming that we have all the answers, but continually looking for ways to strengthen what we do.
Our Commitment to High Standards
At IncludEd Independent School, CPD forms an important part of our commitment to maintaining high standards of education, safeguarding, inclusion and care.
We expect all staff to take responsibility for their professional learning and to apply their learning meaningfully within their practice.
Training is most valuable when it changes what we do.
For this reason, we encourage staff to reflect on the impact of professional development and consider how new knowledge and skills can improve outcomes and experiences for our young people.
Ultimately, investing in our staff is investing in our young people.
When our adults continue to learn, our practice continues to develop.
And when our practice continues to develop, our young people have greater opportunities to Reset. Reconnect. Rise.
Interested in Learning With Us?
We are passionate about collaboration and sharing effective practice across the education community.
If you are a school, alternative provision, education professional or organisation interested in visiting IncludEd, accessing CPD or exploring opportunities to work together, we would be delighted to hear from you.