CPD Team

This will be my last blog post as National CPD Coordinator as I leave Education Scotland at the end of the month.

A lot has changed since I was appointed in May of 2004 with a very open remit to make things happen in the world of CPD. As I look back there are so many highlights and friendships, so much wisdom and fun. Here are some of my personal best bits from the work of a wonderfully dedicated and talented team :

The establishment of the National CPD Network as a learning community, sharing, challenging, learning together – making sure that the real business of CPD – teachers making a difference for children and young people – has stayed at the front of the agenda.

The International Thought-Leaders Programme
Finding the best practice in CPD and leadership internationally and bringing this to Scotland. Ellen Moir, Richard Elmore, Janet Gless, Terry Dozier – so many great thinkers have helped shape our learning

The Flexible Route to Headship
From a single line in the Ambitious Excellent Schools agenda of 2004 (“We will establish new routes to achieve the Standard for Headship, during 2006, to provide choice and alternatives to the Scottish Qualification for Headship”) to the excitement of the launch of cohort 6 in May of this year.

The International Summer Schools on School Leadership
Inspiration, innovation, creativity – learning with and from the world’s best over three great years.

CPD and On-Line Learning
Glow meeting, tweeting, blogging, CPDFind, CPDShorts and building community – this is a journey that has only just begun.

Also PRD, Learning Rounds, Coaching and Mentoring, Strategic Leaders Development Programme, CPD for Educational Leaders, study visits, thought-pieces, occasional papers, Building Windmills – the list goes on.

So thanks to all past and present members of the National CPD Network – you have been our bedrock, our inspiration, our lodestar and our conscience.

Good luck to Laura McAllister and Kate Paton, who will be working with Education Scotland colleagues to carry the flag forward.

And a very special thanks to all the members of the National CPD Team over the last eight years:
Angus MacDonald, Marjory Holmes, Fiona Taylor, John Daffurn, Con Morris, Kat Healey, Jim Keegans, Ruth Johnston, Catriona Oates, Sheila Smith, Margaret Orr

Please keep in touch – I can’t wait to find out what I’m going to do next!

Margaret

margaret_alcorn@yahoo.com