Professional Development

Developing Expertise Across the Whole School

At Healey Learning Centre, professional development is central to maintaining high standards of education, safeguarding and pupil support across all learning centres.

As a multi-centre school, consistent professional practice is essential. All staff are part of one whole-school workforce and receive ongoing training, guidance and support to ensure shared expectations, consistent approaches and high-quality provision across the school.

Professional learning is continuous, structured and responsive to the needs of pupils and staff.

A Whole-School Approach to Professional Learning

Professional development is planned and delivered at whole-school level, ensuring that staff across all learning centres benefit from shared training, shared knowledge and shared professional standards.

This includes:

  • structured training programmes

  • safeguarding updates and briefings

  • specialist SEND and SEMH development

  • collaborative professional learning

  • leadership-led training

  • access to external expertise

This approach ensures that practice remains consistent across all learning centres.

Fortnightly Whole-School CPD

All staff participate in regular whole-school professional development through structured CPD twilight sessions held every fortnight.

These sessions are delivered by school leaders and external experts and focus on key areas including:

  • safeguarding practice and statutory guidance

  • behaviour and regulation approaches

  • trauma-informed practice

  • curriculum development

  • SEND support and intervention

  • wellbeing and pastoral support

This programme ensures continuous development and shared professional understanding across the workforce.

Specialist Training and External Expertise

The school commissions specialist training and professional support to ensure staff have access to current expertise and best practice.

This includes:

REAL Trust

Staff benefit from participation in regional cluster groups, providing access to specialist expertise, professional networks and shared learning with other education professionals.

Bright Safe

Virtual safeguarding and compliance training supports staff to maintain up-to-date knowledge of statutory requirements and safeguarding practice.

EduCare

Online professional learning modules support ongoing development in safeguarding, wellbeing, behaviour and specialist educational needs.

These resources ensure staff remain informed, skilled and confident in their professional roles.

Ongoing Safeguarding and SEND Communication

Professional learning is supported through regular whole-school communication that keeps staff informed and responsive to emerging needs.

This includes:

  • weekly safeguarding briefings

  • daily SEND spotlights

  • practice updates and guidance

  • sharing of emerging needs and strategies

  • reminders of procedures and expectations

This continuous communication ensures safeguarding awareness and SEND understanding remain active and embedded in daily practice.

Collaborative Professional Practice

Staff work collaboratively across learning centres to share knowledge, reflect on practice and support consistent standards.

This includes:

  • cross-site professional discussions

  • weekly (whole-school) teacher and leadership meetings

  • shared planning and review

  • leadership monitoring and feedback

  • reflective practice and supervision

  • whole-school professional expectations

Collaboration supports consistent, informed and responsive provision across the school.

Supporting High-Quality Provision

Professional development is designed to ensure that all staff are equipped to meet the needs of the pupils we support, particularly those with social, emotional and mental health needs.

Through ongoing training, expert input and collaborative learning, staff develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to provide safe, effective and specialist education.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement

Professional learning at Healey Learning Centre is not occasional, it is embedded in the culture of the school.

Through structured training, expert support and ongoing communication, we ensure that staff continue to grow professionally and that practice continues to develop across all learning centres.

This commitment supports consistent standards, strong safeguarding and positive outcomes for every pupil.