Windsor was awarded Training School status in 2004 and retains this status until 2012. We are one of only three Training Schools in Dudley.
The school has been involved with ITT for many years and takes trainees from five Higher Education Institutions. Our expectation is that all staff at some point are trained as mentors. We offer trainees an extensive after school training programme which is delivered by key staff at Windsor and also taught pedagogy sessions.
We also run a year long induction programme for NQTs and Graduate Teachers delivered by both Windsor staff and external consultants.
We have developed an observatory classroom where trainees and NQTs can watch experienced practitioners teach and vice versa without additional presences in the room altering the dynamics of the group. We are delighted with the training opportunities this room affords. We are able to record lessons onto DVD to share best practice and extend opportunities for self reflection and evaluation.
We use a combination of INSET days and Twilight INSET sessions to deliver training and promote reflection time and collaborative opportunities on both whole school and Faculty teaching and learning priorities. We have a established three phase leadership development programme accessed by a significant number of our staff plus a programme of coaching skills and coaching masterclasses. We run discrete training programmes for Cover Supervisors, Pastoral Managers and Teaching Assistants and regular Special Needs sessions delivered by experts. We have Teaching and Learning programme which is open to the whole school and involves collaborative sharing of best practice as well as accessing specialist research and expertise as appropriate. Regular learning walks focused on teaching and learning help us to identify the needs of the staff and the expertise to share.
All Faculties carry out classroom based action research. Projects have included research into impact of sketch books on raising achievement of boys, the value of homework in Design Technology and why students opt out of MFL at KS4. Research findings are disseminated across the school.
We actively develop and promote international links for staff development and this is evidenced in our status as an International School.
Training School status affords opportunities to see first hand innovative and cutting edge practice in successful schools across the country and embed the best practice at Windsor. We realise that effective, quality training greatly aids recruitment and retention of high quality staff. This impacts positively on teaching and learning and is a significant factor in maintaining pupils' high standards of achievement.