A national cross-sectoral Professional Development Support Service for Teachers was established in September 2010 to support the sharing and development of expertise, best pedagogical practice, skills and competencies across the primary and post-primary sectors.
A cross-sectoral approach to continuing professional development (CPD) aims to streamline, coordinate and prevent a duplication of available resources in the system and seeks to ensure cohesion and coherence across all sectors. This supports the achievement of appropriate teaching and learning standards and the development of a reflective, enquiry-oriented, life-long learning approach to the teaching profession.
The Department is committed to the facilitation of a sustained national effort to promote a smooth and seamless transition at each point of change in the education system including the transition between primary and post-primary schools.
In addition, a cross-sectoral approach to CPD aims to build long-term capacity across each geographical region and harness existing reserves of experience and expertise at regional level.
A range of cross-sectoral continuing professional development models are provided and are complimented by differentiated sectoral models of CPD linked to the identified specific needs of primary and/or post-primary teachers.