We are committed to staff development at all levels. We use a mix of external and internal training using our leading practitioners who have all previously been Specialist Leaders of Education. We also work closely with a cluster of other schools in Walsall to share training resources and create hubs of subject leaders.

Teaching and learning is a high priority at St John’s. Our curriculum team, work together across school to ensure high quality teaching and learning in all subjects. 

Alongside teaching and learning, we ensure staff are trained to support children’s social and emotional needs. We are recognised by the LA as a lead school for… and have …attachment aware. 

Early Career Teachers are supported in a coaching programme which is led by our leading practitioners using a Capita & University of Birmingham programme.  

More experienced teaching staff have been encouraged to complete national professional qualifications. This means that a number of staff through school have their NPQML, NPQSL, NPQH AND NPQEH. Most of those staff trained with University of Wolverhampton who we worked closely with when we held teaching school status to help write and deliver the NPQs. 

All teaching and learning staff are part of the appraisal process which is tied closely to our school development plan and budget.  

Our in house training is called ‘What does Great Learning Look Like at St John’s?’  Teachers and teaching assistants regularly update their understanding of different aspects of teaching and learning.  We all make ‘assessment for learning’ a main focus. This means that we know where children are in their understanding and we change our teaching to meet their needs. All subject leaders have developed a St John’s skills ladder to check children’s progress against expectations.