This programme looks at the type and range of professional development opportunities available to members of the wider workforce. As schools have expanded, providing more services and in some cases, adopting a more commercial outlook, support staff have increased opportunities to widen their areas of expertise. This can be achieved with specific professional development training and by taking on a wider range of duties. This programme looks at three examples: Librarian Fay Dowding, at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, has taken control of her own professional development by researching and enrolling on a course aimed at developing her management skills.Cleaner Sharon Fisher from Spen Valley Sports College is now studying for an NVQ in cleaning services and she discusses how professional development helps enhance the status of cleaning staff. Senior HLTA Helen Sanderson discusses how her membership of the leadership team at the school works to the benefit of support staff.
