Continuing professional development (CPD) is vital for improving skills and knowledge in the rapidly changing STEM subjects.
As primary school teacher Mrs H Hathaway says: “There are always new developments in primary schools with an emphasis, at the moment, on a cross-curricular approach. Recent numeracy CPD I’ve done has involved linking it with other areas of the curriculum as well as making it relevant and interesting for the children. As a teacher, you are continually developing your skills so that you can enhance the learning opportunities for the children you teach.”
CPD is available through a wide range of organisations and local authority advisers and consultants can offer a variety of CPD opportunities and support.
There are also lots of organisations that are supportive of STEM teaching. They provide a range of services such as teacher networks, events and resources and they may promote the subjects to a wider audience and influence policy.