You know those INSET days where everyone leaves buzzing for five minutes, then it’s back to the grind with no real follow-through? We’ve all been there. But lately, there’s a proper shift happening in schools, and it’s worth getting excited about it.
Ofsted’s latest guidance is steering away from the old “CPD box-ticking” mindset towards something far more meaningful: sustained professional learning. It’s not just a rebrand.
Inspectors now look for evidence that schools invest in building teachers’ expertise over time. Particularly, the kind that directly supports the delivery of the curriculum, reduces workload pressures, and ultimately benefits pupils.
The term “professional learning” is everywhere in their toolkit, while “CPD” barely gets a mention. (Take a look at the details in Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework here)
In the staffroom, this feels like common sense. Instead of one-off workshops that fade by half-term, the focus is on coherent, evidence-informed programmes. Think ongoing collaboration, retrieval practice, coaching conversations, and tailored support that fits individual needs as well as whole-school priorities. It’s about creating a culture where learning isn’t simply an add-on.
For teachers and support staff, this means real opportunities to grow without the exhaustion of endless disconnected sessions. Imagine monthly threads on adaptive teaching or AI in the classroom that build progressively, with time to trial, reflect, and tweak. For heads and managers, it’s a chance to show Ofsted that staff development links straight to better outcomes, behaviour strategies, and even retention.
The challenge? Not every school has the budget or bandwidth to make it happen perfectly. Research from the Teacher Development Trust suggests allocating around 1% of the overall budget to genuine adult learning. That’s a figure that often surprises people but pays dividends in morale and impact.
That’s where partners like Strategy Education come in. As recruiters who work closely with schools and educators every day, we see firsthand how investing in sustainable professional learning helps retain brilliant staff and attract the right people.
When schools prioritise meaningful development, everyone wins. Teachers feel valued, leaders demonstrate clear vision, and pupils get the consistent expertise they deserve.
In a sector where burnout is all too common, sustained professional learning could be the key to keeping great people. When teachers feel genuinely supported to grow, rather than attending yet another box-ticking session that adds to their workload, they’re far more likely to stay.
Heads and governors who prioritise meaningful, ongoing development report stronger retention, fewer unplanned departures, and teams that arrive energised rather than exhausted. In today’s recruitment landscape, where every good teacher is in demand, investing in professional learning isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s one of the most powerful ways to build loyalty and protect your school’s future.
So, next time you’re chatting in the staffroom about workload or Ofsted prep, ask yourself: Is our approach to staff growth fragmented or truly sustained? If you’re looking to build (or join) a team that puts professional learning at the heart of what you do, drop us a line. We’d love to chat about how we can support your next steps.
