Training days: this is cheaper for Northwood as the students don’t come in to school they don’t need cover teachers. This training is good as you can deal with weaknesses shown in the last term. But the training days could be used for teaching.
Mentoring: this training makes sure the new teachers have some one to turn to when they join the school for problems and support also gives them a friend in the school and can resolve problems quicker. But this can put pressure on the mentor as they have extra responsibility and if they cant carry out the mentoring properly it can cause problems for Northwood.
Specialised courses: these help to motivate the staff and give them a sense of achievement when completing a course. The courses are specific to their job for example a special needs course for dealing children with special needs. They training help improve the school as the staff have move knowledge about their job. But they can be very expensive, as they have to pay for the teachers going on the course, which could cost about £500 and cover teachers, which cost about £180 and Northwoods total cost for training in 2002 was £16,964.
On the job training: this is when the teacher is learning whilst doing their job. It is cheaper than using other courses, as they don’t need to find cover teachers. The training is quicker and more specific. But it might not work as the trainee is leaning from other teachers, which might not be doing it right and could pick up bad habits.
External courses: this type of training is run by professionals and is good as they give the best training and makes the teachers more motivated and capable at their job. But they are very expensive and you will have to find cover teachers which can cost up to £180.
Vocational courses: this type of training enable Northwood to gain skilled employees. They are expanding on their knowledge of their job, which will benefit the schools results. The teachers will feel more motivated after getting more qualifications. And will make the school more competitive. But the courses do take up time and money.
Northwoods training and development is evaluated through performance management. The training the employee receives is reflected in the overall performance of the school. It can be assessed through results achieved by pupils because it shows the teaching has improved. Each employee is given an evaluation form before training which he or she fills in the form asks how can Northwood benefit and how their career can be developed. After training Northwood evaluates the form and assesses weather it has helped the school or the employees career. Northwood can evaluate how the training has helped the school by looking at the schools results and how the career of the teacher has improved for example being promoted.
I have given examples of how the training and development function is carried out at Northwood by looking at types of training Northwood uses. I have evaluated each one giving advantages and disadvantages. Also shown why training is important to the school. I have shown costs that the school might have when training for example cover teachers. I have also discussed how Northwood carry out their evaluation of training and development.
