An Innovative Model for ContinuingProfessional DevelopmentSharon McMurray, Claire McveighS.McMurray@Stran.ac.uk this paper considers an innovative model for thedelivery of continuing professional developmentin addressing the needs of children with literacydifficulties. The model was robustly tested overthree years on the large scale Special EducationalNeeds Continuing Professional DevelopmentLiteracy Project in Northern Ireland and wasindependently evaluated by the Education andTraining Inspectorate. Stranmillis UniversityCollege, in partnership with St Mary’s UniversityCollege, Belfast secured £4.06 million over 3years to deliver this model, in order to enableprimary school teachers in Northern Ireland toparticipate in an online course held in their ownschool and, for one teacher from each school toattend specialist face-to-face seminars taughtat Master’s level. One teacher from each schoolhad the opportunity to complete two Master’smodules and to be assessed for the awardof Approved Teacher Status from the BritishDyslexia Association.This paper discusses the design and deliveryof this continuing professional developmentprogramme using this novel integrated model. Itconsiders how this model has increased teacherconfidence and competence in meeting theneeds of children and discusses the key researchfindings indicating improved outcomes forchildren experiencing literacy difficulties.
