Training School Status

Windsor was awarded Training School status in 2004 and retains this status until 2010, when we will apply for redesignation. 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 certificated generic mentor training for our recently qualified teachers every two years. 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 work with NQTs and staff from another High School to maximise collaboration and networking opportunities. The training programme includes a Residential weekend in a local four-star hotel in the Autumn Term.

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.

To support the workforce re-modelling reforms, the school currently supports five teaching assistants in a Foundation Degree delivered at Halesowen College by Windsor's SENCO and the SENCO at the Earls, another local High School. All teaching assistants follow an internal training programme with opportunities for collaboration and work shadowing. All Teaching Assistants also complete and disseminate action research in areas of Special Need.

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. This year we have discrete training programmes for Cover Supervisors, Pastoral Managers and Teaching Assistants, a teaching and learning programme for recently qualified teachers, and half termly Special Needs sessions delivered by experts from the L.A. in addition to other wider professional development opportunities. Our Trust status with two local High Schools, an F.E. College and a University means that opportunities for work shadowing and observation outside Windsor are extensive and easy to arrange.

All Faculties carry out classroom based action research some of which is certificated and supported through the GTC's Teachers' Learning Academy. 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. Staff have participated in a study visit to a High School in Baltimore, USA, two study visits to Schools in Holland and a visit to an International school in Madrid.

We offer support staff a whole range of training including ECDL, NVQs for our technicians and administrative training through our local COVE.

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 high 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.