Green light for new CPD Framework
Sunday, 01 December 2013
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has confirmed accreditation of the University's new FLAIR Framework (Facilitating Learning and Teaching Achievement and Individual Recognition) to support the professional recognition of all staff involved in teaching and supporting learning at Reading.
This is an exciting new development for Reading made possible by an initiative begun in 2012 by Clare McCullagh and Dr Nina Brooke in the University's Centre for Quality Support and Development, supported by Dr Anne Crook and Professor Julian Park.
Reading has a well-established history of providing taught HEA accredited initial professional development programmes, with many of our staff having successfully completed programmes leading to HEA Fellow and Associate Fellow status.
The new FLAIR Framework will comprise two routes: a taught route, the new Academic Practice Programme (the APP), to be launched in January 2014, and a non-taught CPD route for experienced staff.
Design work for our new taught programme highlighted an opportunity to move beyond initial taught professional development to consider a more holistic approach to continuing professional development for all staff.
Previously, experienced staff seeking professional recognition applied directly to the HEA for Fellowship via a written application. Under our framework, staff will be able to make an internal application for fellowship, with the decisions and awards relating to these applications being made by internal judgement panels.
The new FLAIR Framework underpins the University's commitment to ensuring a high quality experience for our students which depends largely upon research-informed, innovative and evidence-based approaches to teaching practice and support.
It also increases opportunities to support and recognise staff involved with teaching and supporting learning, as reflected in the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy.
A pilot phase for the CPD route will be launched in 2014, prior to a full roll-out of the scheme across the University in 2015. If you would like any more information about the new FLAIR Framework, please contact c.e.mccullagh@reading.ac.uk or n.m.brooke@reading.ac.uk