Structures for whole school inset days.
This tweet got me thinking and a lot of great ideas were shared. It made me realise how different purposes of whole school meetings/cpd require different structures to facilitate them. Below is my attempt to do that.
All these things could be part of effective inset and if they were then this is how I think I would structure them and why.
This all links to the EEF CPD mechanisms and this blog shows how I’ve interpreted them for department CPD time. My thinking for whole school will run on similar principles.
| Purpose | Example | Structure | Why | Top tip |
| Information giving and aligning | First day back talk on results, notices, and priorities | Everyone together in the hall. Ideally video it for part timers | Strong single message that shares the what and why of the year experienced by all so reduced variation. Builds cohesion and clarity within the group. | Try to keep it concise. Consider summarising slides/handout to focus attention of key aspects. Ideally give middle leaders advance notice of any big changes announced. |
| Important updates of whole school policy for common routines | Safeguarding. Changes to behaviour system/ Entrance into classroom etc.. | Everyone in hall but in groups that are mixed depts | Short sections should be devoted to discussion and practice. Having this in the hall is time efficient and allows the leader to gather feedback by circulating. They can then clarify to all staff is issues. The messages are highly consistent. Mixed groups allow for different perspectives that will help identify any gaps in the new system | Use scenarios that demonstrate different kinds of issues and get teacher to discuss. Don’t be afraid of a quiz. |
| Changes to T&L policy | Introducing oracy, CFU, changing feedback etc.. | Everyone in the hall for start sat in departments | First section should be central to show commonality, build culture, enthuse and explain the why. This should have time for departments to discuss how it impacts their subjects, similar to above. Then feedback to leaders and when consensus of understanding is reached send off into department time for planned implementation and any preparations that will be needed | Middle leaders must know in advance and have had time to prepare their session |
| Department time | Adapting whole school T&L to their context. Working on dept specific aims | Completed it mate: See blog above | Should probably be more time than you think. Should be prepared in advance and shared with line manager for feedback and support. |
What about external speakers? External speakers are very useful at enthusing and raising the profile of the focus area. They can upskill the staff with their expertise and infect them with their passion. But don’t just put them in front of the whole school for 4 hours. The best external speakers will structure their time to create moments of application and discussion. Even better get them to give a very focused input to the whole school and then give them slots with various groups within the staff to work in smaller groups to support them on specific issues. Can you find 90 mins at the end of the day to work with middle leaders on difficult conversations and quality assurance? Could the ECTs have an hour discussing feedback and checking for understanding?
Just because you have an outside speaker visit doesn’t mean they have to spend the whole time doing one thing.
Adam Robbins Education 
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