Continuing Professional Development for Teachers: A Guide

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot in education. But what does it actually mean for you as a secondary school teacher? And how can you make it work in your already packed schedule?

This guide breaks down what CPD is, why it matters, and practical ways to fit it into your teaching life.

Key Takeaways

• CPD includes both formal training and everyday activities like peer observation and reading educational research

• Effective CPD directly impacts your teaching and student outcomes, not just tick-box compliance

• Subject-specific CPD is particularly valuable for secondary teachers dealing with curriculum changes

• You don't need huge amounts of time or money – microlearning, school collaboration, and free platforms all count

• Planning and reflecting on your CPD helps demonstrate impact during appraisals

What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

CPD is any learning activity that helps you develop as a teacher. It's about staying current, improving your practice, and making a difference in your classroom.

According to the (opens in a new tab)Department for Education's Teachers' Standards (opens in a new tab), teachers must "take responsibility for improving their teaching through appropriate professional development." (opens in a new tab)Ofsted also considers CPD quality (opens in a new tab) when evaluating schools.

Formal CPD includes structured activities like courses, qualifications, and conferences. Informal CPD covers everyday learning like reading research, trying new strategies, or professional conversations with colleagues.

The key is that genuine CPD should change something about your practice. It's not about collecting certificates – it's about becoming a better teacher.

Why CPD Matters for Secondary School Teachers

High-quality professional development significantly improves student outcomes (opens in a new tab). Teachers engaging with evidence-based CPD are better equipped to meet student needs.

For secondary teachers, CPD helps you keep pace with curriculum changes and exam specifications. It supports career progression and can actually reduce stress by providing strategies for behaviour management and workload reduction. Even within higher education, CPD remains an important feature of an educator’s journey to ensure that we grow in our academic identity and evolve in our teaching practices for the better.

Types of CPD for Teachers

Subject-Specific CPD 

This focuses on your subject knowledge. For Maths teachers, this might include mastery approaches. For Science teachers, practical workshop updates. For English teachers, teaching literature analysis. Subject associations like the Association for Science Education (opens in a new tab) offer excellent opportunities.

Pedagogical CPD 

This covers how you teach – questioning techniques, assessment, differentiation, behaviour management, and SEND training.  (opens in a new tab)

Online CPD Platforms 

These offer flexibility. Open University (opens in a new tab), FutureLearn (opens in a new tab), and The Chartered College of Teaching (opens in a new tab) provide quality resources you can access anytime.

Collaborative CPD 

This includes peer observation, mentoring, and professional learning communities. This costs nothing and happens in your school.

Formal Qualifications 

Qualifications like (opens in a new tab)National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) (opens in a new tab), Master's degrees, or Fellow of AdvanceHE (opens in a new tab) offer recognised credentials for career progression.

How to Choose the Right CPD

Not all CPD delivers impact. Here's how to choose wisely:

• Start with your needs. What do you want to improve specifically?

• Check the evidence. Is it research-based and recommended by reputable organisations?

• Consider relevance. Will it directly improve your teaching?

• Be realistic about time. A 30-minute webinar might deliver more value than a day course you'll struggle to attend.

• Look beyond cost. Free doesn't mean low quality.

• Ask colleagues what they've found valuable.

Create a simple checklist: Does it address a specific need? Is it evidence-based? Will it impact my students? Can I realistically complete it? Does it offer practical strategies?

CPD Planning and Reflection

Setting Goals: Identify what you want to achieve. Make goals specific – instead of "improve behaviour management," try "develop three strategies for managing Year 9 disruption."

Recording CPD: Keep a record including what you did, when, what you learned, and how it changed your practice. Use a spreadsheet, notebook, or app.

After any CPD, ask yourself: What was the key learning? How does this apply to my teaching? What will I do differently? What impact did this have?

A simple template structure:

• CPD Goal

• Why this matters

• Activities planned

• Timeline

• Implementation plan

• Reflection on impact

Overcoming Barriers to CPD

"I don't have time." Start small. A 15-minute podcast during your commute counts. Peer observation during PPA time counts.

"There's no funding." Prioritise free resources from subject associations, universities, Oak National Academy, and the EEF. Collaborative CPD costs nothing.

"I don't know where to start." Focus on one specific area. Ask colleagues for recommendations. Start with your subject association.

"I'm too tired." Choose CPD that energises you. Focus on development that reduces workload or stress.

Remember: CPD should make teaching easier, not harder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as CPD for teachers? 

Both formal (courses, conferences, qualifications) and informal activities (reading research, watching teaching videos, peer observation, professional conversations, trying new strategies). If it helps you develop and impacts your practice, it counts.

Is CPD mandatory for teachers in the UK? 

Yes. The Teachers' Standards (opens in a new tab) require teachers to engage with professional development. However, there's no specific number of hours required annually. Early Career Teachers have specific CPD entitlements (opens in a new tab).

How much CPD should I do each year?

There's no official requirement. Some schools suggest around 30 hours, but quality matters more than quantity. Focus on CPD that addresses your needs and improves teaching.

Where can I find free CPD? 

Oak National Academy, FutureLearn, the EEF, subject associations, education podcasts, your school's peer observation and mentoring, educational social media groups, and openly published research papers all offer free CPD.

Final Thoughts

CPD isn't just another requirement. It's about becoming the teacher you want to be.

Choose CPD that addresses your specific needs, fits your schedule, and is evidence-based. Quality beats quantity. Take control of your professional development – your career is yours to shape.

The right CPD can improve your wellbeing by providing effective strategies that reduce stress and make teaching more enjoyable. Whether you're just starting or have years of experience, there's always something new to learn. Embrace CPD as an ongoing journey, and you'll continue growing throughout your career. 

And remember, Save My Exams is here to support your teaching on a daily basis, helping you to save time on everything from lesson planning to marking. 

References

1. Teachers' standards - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

2. School inspection handbook - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

3. Effective Professional Development | EEF (opens in a new tab)

4. Events and Conferences | (opens in a new tab)www.ase.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

5. Continuing Professional Development online courses | Open University (opens in a new tab)

6. FutureLearn: Online Courses and Degrees from Top Universities (opens in a new tab)

7. Chartered College of Teaching - Chartered College of Teaching (opens in a new tab)

8. National professional qualification (NPQ) courses - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

9. Fellowship | Advance HE (opens in a new tab)

10. Teachers' standards - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

11. Early career framework - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)