The Teacher Learning Academy for Schools

The Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) offers schools a new approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that is grounded in everyday practice.

Teachers told us that they want to develop their classroom practice to enhance children’s learning. This is why we have developed the TLA framework, the first professional recognition system designed for teachers, by teachers and with teachers. The Teacher Learning Academy provides teachers with opportunities to try out new teaching approaches and to reflect on ways to improve classroom experience. They are enabled to share best practice with other teachers, thus making a contribution to whole school improvement, whilst gaining professional recognition for their work.

It is based on what research tells us works: that professional development is most effective when it is applied in the classroom; focuses on something that really matters to the teacher; involves working with and learning from colleagues, sharing learning and evaluating the impact. The TLA creates real impact, as confirmed by the recent NFER evaluation report. Find out more by reading Creating impact, demonstrating impact.

Following the TLA approach to CPD enables you, as a school leader, to:

• support teachers to achieve professional excellence through demonstrating the impact of their work in the classroom;
• get the most out of formal CPD courses by using the TLA process to apply new learning in the classroom;
• generate new ideas and fresh approaches that can be used to support school-wide improvement;
• improve recruitment and retention by giving all staff the opportunity to gain professional recognition for their ongoing professional development;
• make your school an inspiring place to work and learn with recognition for your school’s success in the local community;
• have access to the TLA online community where you can communicate with colleagues, join discussion groups and forums and engage with the wider teaching and learning community.

If you would like to encourage your staff to enrol with the TLA you might like to consider becoming a TLA School. As a TLA School you will be able to demonstrate your unreserved commitment to CPD and school improvement.

If you want to find out more, read on:

What makes the Teacher Learning Academy different?
What recognition do teachers receive?
How are TLA Stages recognised?
How can the TLA help my staff?
What do I need to do?

What makes the TLA different?

The TLA provides a means of recognising the learning and professional development gained by teachers in their day-to-day practice. It is designed to reflect recent research into what makes effective CPD in schools. The TLA helps teachers to apply the knowledge and skills that they develop through a wide range of CPD experiences as well as the learning gained from sharing experience and practice with colleagues in school. It is practical, it encourages them to research an area they are interested in and above all, TLA presentations are verified by other teachers who have been trained as verifiers and have completed their own presentation. The TLA engages teachers because it is relevant to improving practice and is focused on an area of teacher choice and interest.

What recognition do teachers receive?

Teachers receive feedback on their work which enables them to extend their professional experience and expertise. Teachers have told us how useful it is to have structured, on-going opportunities for professional dialogue and this is another factor which encourages them to continue with the TLA process.

The teacher will also receive a certificate to celebrate recognition from the TLA when a presentation successfully meets the criteria.

All teachers who have paid to enrol with the TLA since June 8th 2009 may also achieve a College of Teachers’ qualification as well as professional recognition from the TLA. Each qualification has a CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer System) value of 10, 20 or 30 credits respectively.

To find out more about the College of Teachers’ qualifications please visit www.collegeofteachers.ac.uk/tla

It will also be linked to Stage Four. The details of this will be confirmed in due course and will again apply to all who have paid to enrol since June 8th 2009.

Teachers will receive this recognition and accreditation once they have submitted a TLA presentation, and that has been recognised, after successfully meeting the presentation requirements and verification criteria for the relevant stage. The award of the College of Teachers’ qualifications will be ratified by the College of Teachers Awards Committee.

How are TLA Stages recognised?

All TLA presentations are evaluated by TLA Verifiers who undertake a review and provide feedback to the teacher based upon the established criteria for each Stage. Verifiers are other teachers that have applied to take on this role and have been trained and licensed by the TLA. All presentations will be sent to Verifiers based in a TLA School. 

If the criteria are not met, the teacher's presentation cannot be recognised. However, specific and developmental feedback is provided to the teacher and the presentation, appropriately amended, can be resubmitted.

Presentations and their verification are moderated and are subject to a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure consistency of standards. All first time verifications by new Verifiers, all judgements of “not yet recognised” and all Stage Three presentations are moderated. In addition 10% of all Stage One and Two presentations are moderated. Moderation is school-based in the first instance and other quality assurance and control activities, including the provision of developmental feedback to Verifiers, are centrally based.

Find out more about how to become a TLA School.

How can the TLA help my staff?

The TLA framework is underpinned by the six core dimensions. These dimensions enable teachers to make links between classroom based enquiry and a relevant aspect of teaching and learning. In addition, the opportunity for sharing and coaching between colleagues creates a powerful culture for high quality professional dialogue. This has the potential for an immediate and ongoing impact on teaching practices and quality of pupil learning.

The TLA supports your staff by:

• encouraging them to develop their skills, reflect on their performance and take action by applying new techniques or approaches to teaching and learning whilst engaging with a knowledge base that is drawn from theory and practice;
• providing a structured framework for sharing ideas and feedback with colleagues;
• using a coaching and mentoring approach to on going CPD and
• providing recognition for professional development which is rooted in everyday practice.

CPD is closely linked to performance management and professional standards. Many schools are now accepting TLA recognition as a key performance indicator when reviewing teachers' objectives.

The benefits of individual research are multiplied when you organise school events dedicated to sharing findings and experiences.

What do I need to do?

You may want to simply support individual teachers who want to submit a presentation to the TLA or, you may consider that the benefits of the TLA warrant making it a key component of your school improvement strategy. In this case, you should consider becoming a TLA School.