The BSN is committed to providing effective and impactful professional development for our staff
The BSN Professional Development Academy supports our staff's professional learning and training and ensures that our school organisation's current and future needs are met.
At The British School, we are a community of lifelong learners. We are committed to providing our staff with a wide range of high-quality professional development opportunities directly benefitting student outcomes and our school community. This commitment is reflected by our school's status as one of the founding Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Training Schools.
Working in partnership with world-renowned organisations, the Professional Development Academy co-designs impactful programmes specifically for international school staff, including teachers, school leaders and support staff.
Staff remain motivated, possess up-to-date knowledge and skills, and continue to innovate, further improving our high standards.
Our Professional Development opportunities are structured into five key areas:
 | This pathway comprises a suite of BSN-wide courses, many of which are externally accredited. It supports staff hoping to develop their careers or those taking on a new role within the BSN. It includes, for example, the COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders (CPML) and the COBIS Programme for Aspiring Heads (CPAH) programmes. |
 | School-based professional development addresses the strategic priorities across the BSN and the individual campuses. The BSN organises whole-school Professional Development programmes on INSET days in specific areas. These are opportunities to deepen our understanding, skills and knowledge and share our experiences and practice with colleagues from across the organisation. |
 | The best professional development is bespoke to individual needs and aspirations. We create mechanisms for staff to work more flexibly individually or in small groups to address their personalised professional development needs. This may include the use of teaching and learning coaches, lesson study, peer observation or collaborative inquiry. |
 | This strand focuses on supporting communities of best practice and bringing together staff with a shared interest across all campuses. Staff are invited to #LeadershipLounge sessions, events facilitated by our EAL & AEN teams and our new EdTech twilight initiative. Staff are encouraged to create working groups in their areas and work across the BSN to share and develop our collective awareness and knowledge. |
 | A number of courses are mandatory and must be completed regularly by all staff. This includes safeguarding, health and safety and cyber security. This strand also covers necessary courses about specific examination training. |
We take an evidence-based approach and invest in our staff with sustained, outcomes-driven professional learning and development programmes. The BSN is committed to ensuring staff can realise their potential for the benefit of our students and our wider school community.
