Investing in Professional Learning: Our Early Morning CPD Sessions – Mrs Catherine Gregory (CHS Assistant Head, Teaching & Learning)

At CHS, we believe professional learning should be practical, collaborative, and inspiring. That’s why we offer our popular 30-Minute Takeaway Breakfast CPD Sessions, bite-sized opportunities to explore new ideas, share expertise, and connect with colleagues over coffee and croissants. These sessions complement our more formal CPD programme by offering quick, focused, and practical ideas to energise staff and enhance classroom practice, all while fostering a sense of connection and collaboration within our School community.

Running from 8:00-8:30 am every Thursday, the sessions are led by staff volunteers from across CHS. We welcome speakers regardless of their role or level of experience; it doesn’t matter if you have been in the profession 30 years or 3 months. This approach taps into a diverse range of perspectives and ideas. Encouraging staff to share insights from hobbies, previous careers, or even a book they’ve read, alongside evidence-informed teaching and learning strategies, enriches our CPD sessions with real-world applications that spark creativity and innovation in the classroom. From Cultivating Curiosity to Learning to Learn, every session delivers practical takeaways to energise staff and promote professional development.

Last week, Mrs Vickie Gardner, Teacher of Drama and English, delivered a vibrant session on Drama as a Teaching Tool, showcasing how drama can help students grasp complex ideas, such as socialism vs. capitalism or the water cycle. Vickie shared techniques like still images, hot seating, and conscience alley, proving that drama is a versatile and creative tool for any subject.

This week, Mr Peter Thorn, Head of Politics, will lead a session on Encouraging Full Civic Participation, exploring ways we can inspire young people to engage with society, develop responsibility, and think critically about the world they live in. With the increasing challenges young people face today, this session promises to provide thought-provoking strategies to guide them towards becoming informed and active citizens beyond CHS. 

These sessions not only create opportunities for staff to grow professionally, but also enrich the experiences of our students. Quite simply, these sessions celebrate the expertise and enthusiasm of our community.

We’re proud to foster a culture where professional growth is a shared responsibility, and our CPD sessions remind us of the joy in learning from one another. Together, we’re building a vibrant, reflective community, and breakfast doesn’t hurt either!