Professional Development Placement (PDP) Service
Professional Development Placements (PDPs) offer a unique form of professional de
velopment. In essence, PDPs will allow you to visit businesses/organisations to enhance your field of work in education. This maybe to support your curriculum area, management skills or perhaps careers advice. Whether you are a teacher, lecturer, member of school support staff or working in any other field of education, maybe as an Education Adviser or a Connexions Personal
Adviser, PDPs are available to
you.
Ultimately, PDPs will not only support your own professional development but support your institution e.g. whole school action plans. PDPs have been invaluable in improving provision in a particular areas e.g. statutory KS 4 WRL (Work Related learning), CEG (Careers Education Guidance) and Enterprise Learning. The PDP service has been well subscribed by teachers and education professionals for a number of years and it is now regarded as an essential Education Business Link activity. In addition, PDPs are recognised by the DfCFS (formerly DfES), SSAT, SSCs, QCA and other large education linked organisations as a vital form of professional development. This is particularly apparent in the preparation for the forthcoming 14 - 19 Specialised Diplomas where teacher professional development will be vital to their success.