Staff Training And Development

Brooke Weston has a long established and comprehensive range of staff training programmes so that the principle of 'life-long learning' which we instil in our students is embraced by staff as well. There are many levels of vocational and academic qualifications which the College sponsors, from basic first aid courses right through to Masters degrees. The level of commitment needed is demonstrated by the fact that the vast majority of training takes place in the employees' own free time.

Here's some of the training which takes place through Brooke Weston:

First aid award:

This is a four-day course that means the College has a fully trained first aider on site at all times. Five staff have this qualification.

BELA award:

The Basic Expedition Leaders Award, a nationally recognised qualification to support staff in organising the Duke of Edinburgh programme for College students. Three staff have this and two are working towards it.

Professional qualifications:

This is a wide ranging category and it can cover everything from subject based training, such as the Microsoft Professional training qualifications, through to exam board training or specialist coaching awards for the PE staff.

Support staff training:

The support staff play a vital part in the running of the College and many have undertaken extra training to enhance their roles. These have included NVQ qualifications in Accounting, Customer Service and Management. Eight staff have worked towards these qualifications which accredit accomplishments in the workplace. They are; Debbie Faller, Ivan Chan, Rhonda Fosbrook, Christine Gray, Paul Twamley, Jazz Saini, Barry Gibb and Sandra Childs. Librarian Charlie Smith has been awarded her degree in Information and Library Studies from the University of Aberystwyth.

Graduate Teacher Programme:

The teaching staff are equally well catered for in terms of professional development starting with our Graduate Teacher Programme in which graduates and industry professionals undertake a conversion course to gain teaching qualifications. Sarah and John Williams and Jonathan Lee are all on this course and we have a total of 12 new teachers who have successfully completed their NQT year.

Further training:

Training continues in the form of the Leading from the Middle qualification and other personalised qualifications. Leading from the Middle is aimed at middle managers or heads of department. At present four Brooke Weston teachers are on that course run by the National College for School Leadership. One member of staff is undertaking the SCiP diploma at Leicester University which is a school based investigative research project.

Masters degrees:

A total of 13 teachers are studying for Masters degrees, funded by Brooke Weston and accredited by Leicester University with four, Mark Willimott, Rachel Kay, Sally Birkby and Lise Wildman all due to graduate in January 2007. Such is the College and staff's commitment to lifelong learning that in just two years time all the full time teachers in design technology will have a Masters degree!

National Qualification for Headship:

The logical conclusion to all this study is the NPQH which is the national benchmark for all current or aspiring headteachers, accredited by the National College for School Leadership. Currently two staff members are working towards this qualification.

Vice Principal Trish Stringer oversees all the professional training carried out by Brooke Weston employees. She said, 'It is absolutely vital, especially within education, to develop staff throughout their careers. We can't expect to teach our students well if our staff are not willing to invest in and continue their own education. Learning is a life-long skill and it re-awakens staff to the whole process of teaching, learning, assignments and assessment.'