Professional Development

Professional Development Overview:  Commitment to a data-driven, collaborative, and result-oriented approach to professional development.

Investing in Educators, Empowering Learners:

The Winchester School prioritizes the continuous professional development of its faculty. We offer a comprehensive program designed to equip educators with the latest pedagogical knowledge, skills, and best practices, fostering their professional growth and ultimately, enhancing student achievement through inhouse PD programmes and through external providers such as National College, BPN and CAIE.

Tailored Learning for Individual Needs:

Recognizing the unique needs of each educator, we employ a bespoke approach to professional development. Our program begins with a bi annual skills audit, identifying individual and departmental needs through observations and current educational trends. This data informs the development of a dynamic PD calendar, ensuring all staff receive targeted training.

Sharing Exceptional Practices Within School:

We actively encourage the culture of sharing outstanding practices among educators.  Peer observation, team teaching, appreciative enquiry, and lesson modeling are integral aspects of our program. This provides opportunities for teachers to observe outstanding practices within and beyond their year groups/departments, fostering continuous learning and improvement.

Measuring the Impact:

The impact of our professional development program is actively monitored. Following each session, educators complete a key takeaway form, and their application of new knowledge is evaluated through lesson observations, student outcomes and appraisals.

Supporting Newcomers:

New teachers at The Winchester School benefit from a comprehensive induction program. We pair them with experienced  teachers to provide ongoing support and mentorship during their first year.

Expanding Horizons: Professional Development through Networking and External Partners:

At The Winchester School, we recognize the value of professional networks beyond our institution. Teachers participate in subject-specific GEMS Network meetings, sharing their learnings with colleagues within their year groups/departments. Additionally, participation in external networks, such as the Best Practice Network, SENCO and Dubai Inclusion Network, allows staff to access a wider range of expertise and best practices. We have engaged with the National College in a strategic professional development initiative to elevate professional learning for our teachers, learning partners and learning support assistants. 


Professional Development Overview for Leadership: Focused on practical application, and commitment to growing leaders from within the school.

Cultivating Leaders: A Multi-Tiered Approach:

The Winchester School prioritizes the development of leadership capacity at all . This commitment is manifested through a comprehensive support system that empowers leaders, including mentoring, coaching, and regular presentations to the senior leadership team on findings and actions taken. The Winchester School, in partnership with GEMS Central Professional Development  also offers a robust leadership development program designed to empower aspiring leaders. This comprehensive three-tiered program equips teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in leadership roles.

Building Core Competencies:

The program delves into critical leadership areas, including team dynamics, effective observation and feedback techniques, data-driven self-evaluation and improvement planning, and fostering a culture of accountability. This holistic approach ensures leaders are well-rounded and prepared to navigate the complexities of school leadership.

Demonstrating Impact

To solidify learning and showcase leadership potential, participants are required to develop a portfolio that provides concrete evidence of the impact of their learnings. This portfolio is presented to the Senior Leadership Team, allowing for evaluation and feedback. Upon successful completion of the program and portfolio presentation, leaders receive a certificate of achievement.

Investing in Our People, Building a Stronger Future:

We are proud to acknowledge that all our current leaders have progressed through this program, demonstrating our commitment to cultivating leadership talent from within our own staff. This not only fosters a sense of accomplishment and community but also ensures a deep understanding of The Winchester School's unique context and values.

Elizabeth Jacob
Head of Professional Learning & Development