The Subject Learning Coach Solution - Putting a CPD Strategy into Action

Delivering a programme of effective continuing professional development (CPD) is essential to ensuring that any organisation can deliver high quality teaching and learning, train and support practitioners towards excellence and ensure learners achieve and attain to their highest potential.

The Teaching and Learning Programme (TLP) has been designed by LSIS to support managers and staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning by linking organisational strategies for quality improvement and CPD.

At the heart of the TLP is the Subject Learning Coach (SLC) programme which has successfully trained over 3000 SLCs who are working within the Learning and Skills sector to cascade effective practice and support the development of excellent teaching and learning.

There is now the opportunity to nominate SLCs to become Advanced Learning Coaches (ALCs) in order that they can begin to carry out a significantly more strategic role combining the planning and delivery of professional training for colleagues who wish to become SLCs and to actively participate in an organisation’s implementation plan for improving the quality of teaching and learning.

There is a suite of support to help managers and their staff to use the components of the TLP to plan their CPD and to take advantage of the opportunity to train ALCs and SLCs to drive the process of excellence and improvement, manage change and foster a culture of high class teaching and learning.

Putting CPD Strategy into Action – Development and Engagement events for Managers

These events are for managers who are responsible for ensuring that strategic overarching plans for CPD across an organisation can be delivered effectively and successfully.

They are designed to provide managers with an opportunity to review their current plans for CPD for all staff across a department, faculty or organisation.

Managers will find out about innovative and effective strategies for developing a culture of excellence and improvement through a whole organisation approach to CPD and focus on how the different strands of the TLP can really support a successful strategic plan for delivering CPD.

Dates:

• 22nd April London
• 29th April Nottingham
• 1st May Leeds.

Who should attend?

• Those responsible for developing and delivering organisational strategy for CPD
• Human resource managers or CPD managers
• Managers wishing to refresh their approach to CPD and link to the Institute for Learning (ifl) requirements
• Those with responsibility for the quality of teaching and learning.

The focus will be:

• Developing a wider understanding of how the components of the TLP can be used to embed a profoundly effective CPD programme
• Providing an opportunity to use a range of methods, tools and approaches to assess CPD capacity and plan new or develop existing strategies
• On how to use emerging and best practice and where to take it next
• Using case scenarios to assess and solve problems and match TLP support to developing a CPD plan.

Further information

Please visit www.subjectlearningcoach.net or telephone the SLC helpline on 0845 602 9154.

Advanced Learning Coach Training events

The ALC training programme is now underway with over 200 participants working towards certification. The next ALC training takes place in May.

Becoming an ALC is an excellent opportunity for SLCs who have completed their training to develop further and become an integral part of the process of planning effective CPD strategy.

The programme is challenging and stretching and has been very well received by both participants and their managers. Early booking is advised to secure a place.

Dates:

• 22nd and 23rd of April, London
• 18th and 19th May, Oxford
• 11th and 12th June, Sheffield.

We have included some of the feedback we have had from SLCs who are now developing their role as an ALC.

“As an Advanced Learning Coach you can develop as a role model and become a strong voice in the strategic planning of your organisation’s approach to CPD and really improve teaching and learning.

“Coaching colleagues has fostered a culture of sharing and mutual support, this combined with the CPD events that we have run, has provided an outcome that has led to a more positive working environment and more importantly has put our learners at the heart of what we do.”

Vicky Stevenson of Wakefield College.

“The ALC role has meant that I am now involved in the strategic planning of the college…..and as a result of this I have been given a promotion…”

Carol Turner of Carlisle College.

“The impact on my practice has been a huge increase in knowledge and skills, more confidence in dealing with colleagues and students in ‘coaching’ situations…I am now more likely to actively seek out solutions to issues relating to coaching and beyond.”

Gordon Brindle, Leeds College of Technology.

This is just a flavour of how successful the launch of this new programme has been. We believe that you would benefit greatly from being a part of this new initiative which builds on the skills you have developed as an SLCF.

Attendance at the two day training event and subsequent evidence you gather in developing your role as an ALC within your organisation will count significantly towards the Institute for Learning (IfL) CPD requirement.

Subject Learning Coach Training events

The popular and acclaimed SLC programme is continuing with further training opportunities in May and June.

Becoming an SLC is an excellent career opportunity for practitioners. SLCs act as pioneers for change and improvement.

Once trained SLCs can influence others to excel and have an impact on the quality of teaching and learning within their own subject and beyond.

Dates:

• 20th May and 24th June, Warwick
• 18th May and 22nd June, Oxford.

Networks – Aspire and Inspire

The third series of network events for the SLC programme will take place in June. These networks are available to all practitioners in the Learning and Skills sector.

They provide an opportunity for practising SLCs to share their experiences and cascade good practice. Those new to the programme can learn how becoming an SLC can benefit their subject and their organisation.

There are opportunities to review and take away new resources and to find out about innovative ideas and initiatives that support excellence in teaching and learning.

Further information

Please visit www.subjectlearningcoach.net.

Going for Gold – in Teaching and Learning 2nd July 2009 Venue: ExCeL Centre, London

The prestigious Teaching and Learning Programme Conference is taking place in July.

This event will showcase how the components of the TLP can have a profound impact on improving performance and foster a culture of excellence and improvement for organisations across the Learning and Skills sector.

We are keen to encourage managers and if possible their key staff (ie SLCs, ALCs, PDAs, e-Guides) to attend this free event together to develop a whole organisational approach to CPD.

Attendance at any or all of the above events will count towards the IfL CPD requirement to receive at least 30 hours (or prorate) of CPD per year.