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Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a professional development placement?
Professional development placements (formerly teacher placements) involve teachers and lecturers undertaking placements in a business or the world of work, more widely defined, in order to develop themselves personally and/or develop the curriculum and/or the school as an organisation.
How long is a placement?
Professional development placements are normally between one and five days. The minimum is one day (five hours) which could be two half days by one member of staff.
Why should I consider a professional development placement?
Continuous improvement in schools places increased demands on staff, so training and development are more critical than ever. Placements enable education professionals to learn more about their curriculum subject or management techniques, and provide time for reflection, planning and the creation of teaching and learning materials.
Can I be placed in a school?
No, placements must be in different organisations, not your own school or college, or another.
How do I contact my local organiser?
Go to the local contacts page of this website.
How can I get up-to-date information about what’s on offer?
Simply log on to www.pdpdirect.co.uk and go to the calendar of placements page. By registering with us, you’ll receive notification whenever a new placement is added that’s relevant to your subject and role
I’m having trouble registering or unsubscribing, who do I contact?
If you are having problems registering or unsubscribing, please contact clare@sugarstreet.com
What if nothing you are offering meets my need?
Email or ring your local Organiser to discuss a bespoke placement. Placements can be arranged to meet specific needs.
By registering with us, you’ll receive notification whenever a new placement is added that’s relevant to your subject and role
Is funding available?
The professional development placement service is provided free of charge. There may be a charge for some specific placements. In limited circumstances local Education Business Partnerships have funding to assist schools release teachers for professional development placements.
Professional development placements are designed to assist schools raise standards and fulfil their school improvement plans. The government’s Standard Fund is meant provide resources for staff training. Unlike many courses, placements are mostly free, and any supply cover contribution should be seen as a bonus.
Can colleagues in others parts of the country access these placements?
Each area has it’s own Placement Organiser who will offer a programme of placements. This website is designed to enable education professionals within the West Midlands to access all available placements, whatever authority they are in. Subject to places being available, colleagues from other areas are welcome to apply.
I’m a nursery nurse. Who is eligible for these placements?
Placements are open to teachers, learning mentors and personal advisors, careers advisors, classroom support assistants, nursery nurses, ancillary staff, lecturers, senior managers, local authority advisors, anyone who indirectly or indirectly influences young people in schools and colleges, subject to places being available. Each placement listed suggests the principal target group.
There is no company in my local area suitable for my training needs. Can I go elsewhere?
Placements can take place in any suitable employer’s premises, in fact placements sometime take place in Europe and beyond. However, travel and accommodation expenses are seldom available.
When can placements take place?
Placements take place in term time but have been arranged during holidays and twilight sessions. It is not uncommon for teachers to join the night shift at a company. One placement day must comprise a minimum of five hours.
Who organises what I do whilst I’m on placement?
You will be in the care of a member of the company staff, and a programme of activity will be negotiated between you before the placement takes place. But you have the power and responsibility to re-negotiate the programme if it proves unworkable or inappropriate.
What relevance has this for me? I teach key stage one children.
It has often been said that every teacher is a careers teacher, and all education professionals are working to improve the life chances of each pupil, and this includes preparation for working life. Seen holistically, all teachers contribute to this aim, and all can benefit from professional development placements.
I teach religious studies. How could a placement help me?
This will depend on your training needs. Placements have taken place with churches, mosques etc. You could work-shadow a vicar. Teachers have been placed with undertakers! Talk to your local Organiser.
I want to go on a course at my local teachers’ centre. Is that a placement?
No. The acid test is: “Is me learning about the company the main focus of the activity?” Placements can include courses on employers’ premises, which involve staff from the business in the training, and which are work or employment-related, but should exclude educational courses that are delivered on employers’ premises.
I’ve got a question.
To submit a question by email, email Tony O'Callaghan
Your query will be referred to your local Organiser and if relevant to others, may be added to this page.