Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Quick Links: Education Links Staff Training Summary 2024/2025
At Education Links, we are committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth for all our staff. We recognise that to provide the highest quality educational experiences for our pupils, it is essential that our educators are not only well-trained but also continually developing their professional skills and knowledge. Our extensive training programme is designed to support our teachers in their ongoing professional journey.
Our comprehensive CPD programme encompasses various forms of training at all levels, ensuring that every staff member has access to the resources and support they need to excel. Here’s a detailed overview of our CPD initiatives:
Weekly Staff Training Sessions:
- Every week, we hold dedicated training sessions for all staff members. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including the latest educational research, innovative teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and the integration of technology in teaching. These sessions are designed to keep our staff up-to-date with current trends and best practices in education.
Specialised Training for Early Career Teachers (ECTs):
- We offer tailored training programmes specifically for Early Career Teachers (ECTs). This training is focused on supporting new teachers as they transition from their initial teacher education into the classroom. Topics include lesson planning, assessment strategies, and effective communication with students and parents. Our goal is to build a strong foundation for ECTs to develop into proficient and confident educators.
Team Teaching Opportunities for ECTs:
- To further support Early Career Teachers, we encourage team teaching. This approach allows ECTs to collaborate with experienced teachers, providing them with hands-on experience and mentorship. Through team teaching, ECTs can observe and implement effective teaching practices, receive immediate feedback, and gradually take on more responsibility in a supportive environment.
Visits to Other Schools to Observe Best Practices:
- Learning from the successes of others is a key component of our CPD programme. We arrange visits to other schools renowned for their best practices. These visits enable our staff to observe different teaching methods, classroom setups, and school cultures. By seeing how other educators address challenges and achieve excellence, our staff can bring back innovative ideas and strategies to implement at Education Links.
Access to External CPD Resources:
- In addition to our in-house training, we provide access to a wide range of external CPD opportunities. This includes workshops, seminars, conferences, and online courses offered by educational organisations and institutions. These external resources allow our staff to pursue specialised interests, stay informed about advancements in education, and network with other professionals in the field.
In-House Training with Certification:
- We offer a variety of in-house training programmes that come with formal certification upon completion. These programmes cover areas such as leadership development, curriculum design, and advanced pedagogical techniques. By providing certification, we recognise and validate the professional growth of our staff, encouraging them to continue their development.
We believe that our innovative CPD programme empowers our teaching staff to deliver exceptional learning opportunities for Education Links pupils. Our commitment to continuous professional development ensures that our educators are always equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to inspire and educate our students effectively.
Education Links Staff Training Summary 2024/2025
This summary provides a comprehensive analysis of the training completed by Education Link staff during the academic year 2024/2025. It draws upon detailed records of courses, webinars, and resources undertaken, highlighting their purpose, rationale, and impact. The report outlines the scope of activity, the rationale behind the training, benefits to both staff and students, subgroup analysis by staff role, and the broader themes and implications of this professional development work.
1. Overview of Training Activity
A total of 705 training records were logged during the year, representing 16 distinct staff roles. This engagement reflects the integration of CPD as a central element of staff practice. Training formats included 503 courses, 185 webinars, and 17 resources. On average, staff committed 61.7 minutes per training, with completion rates approaching 100%.
2. Purpose and Rationale of Training
The rationale for the training programme rests on three main pillars: statutory safeguarding obligations, professional growth in pedagogy and behaviour, and the creation of a safe, inclusive learning environment. Safeguarding modules such as the Prevent Duty, FGM awareness, and certificates in safeguarding were delivered to ensure all staff remain legally compliant and able to act decisively in the interests of pupil welfare. Training on behaviour management, trauma-informed practice, and building relationships provided staff with practical strategies for fostering positive, respectful classroom climates. Meanwhile, cyber security and online safety courses prepared educators to both protect sensitive data and guide pupils in navigating digital spaces responsibly. Finally, health and safety courses, such as fire safety certificates, ensured the wider environment in which students and staff operate remains compliant and secure.
3. Benefits to Staff
The benefits of this training to staff are significant. Staff consistently demonstrated high completion rates, which indicates confidence in professional development processes and a willingness to engage. Teachers and support staff acquired concrete skills in behaviour management and safeguarding that are directly applicable to their classrooms and interactions with pupils. Administrative and premises staff benefited from training in data security and health and safety, strengthening their ability to support the wider school infrastructure. Across all roles, the training reinforced professional identity, provided assurance of compliance, and contributed to the culture of lifelong learning within the institution.
4. Benefits to Students
The impact on students is both tangible and profound. A workforce trained in safeguarding and the Prevent Duty is more capable of identifying and addressing risks to pupils' welfare. Students benefit from calmer, better-managed classrooms when staff apply strategies from behaviour management and trauma-informed practice modules. Inclusive support for learners with SEND and autism is improved when learning support assistants and teachers are equipped with tailored approaches. Moreover, the embedding of online safety into staff practice ensures pupils receive consistent, accurate guidance about digital citizenship and personal security online. The net result is a safer, more supportive, and more inclusive learning environment for every child.
5. Subgroup Analysis
Analysis of training by staff subgroup reveals a targeted approach. Teachers engaged heavily with pedagogical modules such as differentiation, online safety, and challenging behaviour. Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members, including Deputy Heads, undertook safeguarding and compliance training appropriate to their responsibilities for whole-school standards. Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) showed strong uptake of Prevent Duty and safeguarding modules, reflecting their close daily contact with pupils. Administrative staff prioritised compliance training, particularly data privacy and workplace safety, while specialist roles such as sports coaches combined wellbeing and safeguarding courses with modules relevant to site and pupil management. This demonstrates that the training programme was not uniform but carefully aligned to the needs of each role.
6. Key Themes and Training Focus
The training programme can be understood through four overarching themes. First, Mental Health Awareness featured prominently, with staff completing modules on trauma-informed practice, autistic pupil wellbeing, and general mental health awareness. Second, statutory compliance remained central, with Prevent, FGM, and Fire Safety courses ensuring all legal requirements were met. Third, behaviour management featured strongly, equipping staff with strategies for supporting positive behaviour and addressing challenges constructively. Finally, the digital dimension was acknowledged through cyber security and online safety modules, reflecting the realities of modern education. Taken together, these themes highlight a balanced CPD strategy that addresses compliance, pedagogy, wellbeing, and digital literacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2024/2025 training programme for Education Link staff was comprehensive, purposeful, and impactful. It strengthened the professional capacity of staff across all roles, ensured compliance with statutory requirements, and created direct benefits for pupils through safer environments and improved pedagogy. The programme has succeeded in embedding a culture of professional growth and demonstrates Education Link’s commitment to both staff development and pupil wellbeing. Engagement was exceptional, with near-total completion rates, signalling a workforce that is motivated, prepared, and aligned with the institution’s mission.
Course Name |
|
Certificate in Understanding Mental Health (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) (2024-25) |
|
Effective Behaviour Management: Is 'Challenging Behaviour' Misunderstood? |
|
Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Autistic Pupils |
|
Certificate in the Use of Reasonable Force (2024-25) |
|
Annual Certificate in Fire Safety (2023-24) |
|
Trauma-Informed Practice in Safeguarding | Secondary |
|
Teaching Online Safety in Line with RSHE & KCSIE | Secondary |
|
Annual Certificate in Understanding the Prevent Duty |
|
Building Positive Relationships to Manage Behaviour of SEND Pupils | Secondary |
|
Cyber Security & Data Privacy: Staying Safe Online | Secondary |
|
Certificate in Social, Emotional & Mental Health Needs |
|
Annual Certificate in Safeguarding for Staff (2023-24) |
|
Annual Certificate in First Aid Awareness |
|
Annual Certificate in Health and Safety at Work (2023/2024) (2023-2024) |
|
Annual Certificate in Health and Safety for Staff (2023-24) |
|
Annual Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Staff (2023-2024) |
|
Annual Certificate in Health & Safety for Staff (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Staff (2024-25) |
|
Annual Certificate in Safeguarding for Staff (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (2024-25) (2024-2025) |
|
Annual Certificate in the Role of a Fire Warden (2024-25) (2024-2025) |
|
Annual Certificate in the Prevent Duty (2024-25) |
|
Adverse Childhood Experiences: Trauma-Informed Approach |
|
Annual Certificate in Cyber Security for Staff (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in First Aid Awareness (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Understanding Child-on-Child Abuse & Bullying (2024-25) |
|
Annual Certificate in Fire Safety (2024-25) |
|
Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Teaching Staff (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Knife Crime Awareness (2024-25) |
|
Annual Certificate in the Role of a Fire Warden (2023-24) |
|
Certificate in Display Screen Equipment (2023-24) |
|
Certificate in the Role of an Exam Invigilator (2023-24) |
|
Certificate in Safeguarding for Staff |
|
Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Teaching Staff (2023-24) |
|
Certificate in the Prevent Duty |
|
Certificate in Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) (2023-24) |
|
Mental Health and Wellbeing Lessons: Creating a Safe Space to Facilitate Learning | Secondary |
|
Annual Certificate in Cyber Security for Governors (2024-25) (2024-2025) |
|
Annual Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Senior Leaders |
|
Certificate in Managing Difficult Conversations for Leaders |
|
Annual Certificate in Harmful Sexual Behaviour Awareness for Governors (2024-25) |
|
Innovative Behaviour Management for Early Career Teachers |
|
Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Governors and Trustees |
|
Certificate in Administering Medication (2023/2024) |
|
Certificate in Fire Safety |
|
Certificate in Food Allergy Awareness and Anaphylaxis (2023-24) |
|
Advanced Certificate in Mental Health for the Designated Governor or Trustee |
|
Certificate in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion |
|
Annual Certificate in Safeguarding for Governors (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Administering Medication (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Staff |
|
Certificate in Understanding Child Criminal & Sexual Exploitation |
|
Top Tips on Supporting Children with Self-Regulation |
|
Unconscious Bias: Developing Classroom Resilience for Pupil Outcomes |
|
Annual Certificate in Safer Recruitment (2023/2024) (2023-2024) |
|
Certificate in Cyber Security for Staff |
|
Certificate in Epilepsy Awareness |
|
Certificate in Modern Slavery Awareness |
|
Ofsted Safeguarding & Alternative Provision Meeting Prep | Secondary |
|
Certificate in the Role of the DSL in Secondary Schools |
|
Certificate in Health & Safety for Staff |
|
De-Escalation Strategies in Safeguarding | Secondary |
|
Get ready for the Ofsted SEND Meeting |
|
Certificate in Food Allergy Awareness & Anaphylaxis (2023-24) |
|
Annual Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Designated Leads (2024-2025) |
|
Certificate in the Role of a Trustee |
|
Secondary Maths: Ofsted's Recommendations for High-Quality Education |
|
Annual Certificate in Cyber Security for Staff |
|
Academy Trust Governance: Compliance |
|
How to Manage Exam and Test-Related Anxiety and Stress | Secondary |
|
Annual Certificate in Safer Recruitment (2024-25) |
|
Certificate in Menopause Awareness in Primary Schools and Academies |
|
Safer Recruitment: Embedding Best Practice Measures When Hiring New Staff | Secondary |
|
Understanding and Supporting Autistic Girls |
|
Teaching Protected Characteristics: How to Meet Ofsted Expectations |
|
Ofsted Guidance: Updates to Inspection Handbook & EIF | Secondary |
|
Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Designated Leads |
|
Developing Effective Pedagogical Practice for Pupils with SEND |
|
Certificate in the Role of a Finance Officer |
|
KCSIE 2023: Statutory Mental Health Priorities for the Academic Year 2023/24 | Secondary |
|
Certificate in Food Hygiene & Safety (2023/2024) |
|
Certificate in Understanding Honour-Based Abuse (2023-2024) |
|
Implementing your Whole-School Anti-Bullying Strategy | Secondary |
|
Filtering & Monitoring Compliance in line with KCSIE | Secondary |
|
Get Ready for the Ofsted Pupil Premium Meeting | Secondary |
|
Behaviour in Schools: Applying DfE Guidance | Secondary |
|
Get ready for the Ofsted Behaviour and Attendance Meeting | Secondary |
|
Ofsted Guidance on Positive Environments for Children to Flourish | Secondary |
|
Top Tips for Fostering a Sense of Belonging |
|
Top Tips for Supporting Children to Return to Routine |
|
Top Tips for Teaching Cycle Safety |
|
Top Tips for Supporting Children to Build Emotional Resilience |
|
Top Tips for Teaching Children Fire Safety |
|
Top Tips for Supporting Children to Manage Conflict Effectively |
|
Top Tips for Encouraging Healthy Friendships |
|
Maximising Pupil Premium and Understanding Accountability to Ofsted |
|
Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions: Guidance for Governors |
|
Certificate in the Role of a School Governor |
|
Annual Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Designated Safeguarding Leads |
|
Effective Questioning: Improving Pupil Outcomes |
|
Certificate in Using Machinery |
|
KCSIE 2023: Statutory Online Safety Priorities for the Academic Year 2023/24 | Secondary |
|
Certificate in Knife Crime Awareness |
|
Advanced Certificate in the Role of a RSHE/PSHE Lead |
|
Post-16 Provision from 2025: DfE Guide to Qualifications at Level 3 & Below |
|
Statutory Curriculum Changes: Promoting British Values |
|
Certificate in First Aid Awareness |
|
Child-on-Child Abuse Online: Prevention & Response |
|
The Prevent Duty: Policies, Response Strategies and Lessons for Educators |
|
ESFA Guidance: Fraud Prevention for MAT Leads |
|
Commissioning High-Quality Trusts: DfE Decision-Making Process |
|
Maximising the DfE PE and Sport Premium Funding |
|
Compliance Audit: Conducting a Whole-School SEND Review | Secondary |
|
Managing Workload: Month-by-Month Planner for School Leaders | Secondary |
|
Certificate in Understanding Mental Health |
|
Certificate in Understanding Child-on-Child Abuse & Bullying |
|
Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse: DfE Statutory Safeguarding Guidance |
|
KCSIE 2023: Statutory Safeguarding Priorities for the Academic Year 2023/24 | Secondary |
|
Academy Trust Governance: Non-Executive Leadership |
|
Budgeting Essentials: Income, Expenditure & Long-Term Planning |
|
Annual Certificate in Data Protection & GDPR for Governors and Trustees |
|
Academy Trust Handbook 2023: Statutory Priorities for the Academic Year 2023/24 |
|
Changes to Ofsted‚ Äôs School Inspection Handbook in October 2023 | Secondary |
|
Working Effectively with School Leaders: Guidance for Link Governors |
|
English: A Deep Dive into Curriculum Impact | Secondary |
|
A Whole-School Approach to a Broad & Balanced Curriculum | Secondary |
|
Differentiation to Raise Attainment in Multicultural Classrooms | International Senior |
|
Safeguarding and Child Protection for Vulnerable Pupils After Remote Education |
|
Free Webinar: Empowering Pupils on Exam Results Day |
|
Persistent Absence for Unauthorised Reasons: DfE Report Findings |
|
Certificate in Sepsis Awareness |
|
What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Social Pressures: Friends & Followers |
|
What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Generative AI Safety |
|
What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Ofcom Media Report 2025 |
|
Annual Certificate in Health & Safety at Work (2024-25) |
|
What Parents & Educators Need to Know about TikTok |
|
Top Tips for the Start of Term |
|
Top Tips for Encouraging Open Conversations at Home |
|
What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Sharing Intimate Images |
|
Certificate in the Role of a Fire Warden |
|
Certificate in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion |
|
Certificate in Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) |
|
Online Banter |
|
Mastery Learning: A Strategy for Narrowing the Gap |
|
Mental Health & Wellbeing: Supporting Transition from Year 6 to 7 | Secondary |
|
Free Webinar: Mental Health Lead's Role in Addressing Suicidal Ideation & Self-Harm |
|
Scaffolding Strategies: Better Classroom Learning for All Pupils |
|
High-Quality Feedback and Targeted Support to Raise Attainment |
|
New GCSE British Sign Language (BSL): DfE and Ofqual Consultations on Subject Content and Assessment Arrangements |
|
Complying with First Aid Requirements & DfE Updated Guidance |
|
Managing Behaviour in Students with SEND | Secondary |
