Research into teachers’ professional development: Privacy notice

Ofsted is carrying out an independent review of teachers’ professional development. The review is looking at the quality of teachers’ training and development, with a particular focus on the early career framework (ECF) and national professional qualifications (NPQs). In addition, they are carrying out a review of tutoring (outside the scope of this research).

The review into professional development will include

  • What teachers and leaders are receiving
  • Management of professional development
  • Awareness of professional development
  • Quality of professional development
  • Impact of professional development

Ofsted has commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) to undertake a small-scale cohort study to track a sample of teachers through their professional development journeys in the academic year 2022-2023. This will involve video/telephone interviews, an online survey and an online workshop – four waves of contact, all within the academic year.

We are inviting you to take part to discuss your experiences of professional development – this could include

  • department or school level training, including during INSET days;
  • MAT or LA run training;
  • activities provided as part of the Early Career Framework or National Professional Qualifications;
  • or other external training activities provided by educational consultants.

The interviews will be audio/video recorded and notes taken. The surveys will be online and will be anonymous. During the workshop, we will encourage participants to share their experiences without breaking the confidentiality of colleagues and pupils, and that participants do not share the discussions outside of the meeting.

Who will have access to my data?

IES is working with Roots Research who will recruit teachers to take part in the research. They will share with IES only the necessary data that we need to ensure you meet our sampling criteria and to keep in touch with you for additional waves of research within this project. During the interviews and research we will collect from you information about your work and training history.

How will my data treated?

All data is held in secure servers in password protected files that operate in accordance with GDPR. The data will be seen by researchers from IES. Only anonymised aggregated data will be shared with Ofsted.

As a result of the research, a number of reports will be produced. These reports will be based on aggregated data, and although quotes might include reference to your role (e.g. classroom teacher, head of department), they will not reference your school or organisation.  No quotations will be attributed to named members of staff. Data will be used anonymously and treated confidentially.

The data will be deleted six months after the final report for Ofsted has been signed off.

Who can I contact for more information or to withdraw?

Your participation is voluntary and you have the right to refuse to take part, to refuse to answer specific questions if you do take part, and the right to withdraw your data up to one week after it has been collected.

If you wish to withdraw from the research panel at Root Research, please get in touch directly with the team there rfq@rootsresearch.co.uk or 01273 617132.

For more information about this project please contact the IES project Director Emma Pollard emma.pollard@ies.ac.uk

Who can I contact with a complaint?

If you would like to contact a senior member of IES with a complaint about this research, please contact the Director of Policy, Becci Newton

Alternatively please read the IES complaints procedure online

https://www.employment-studies.co.uk/contact-us/how-make-complaint

If you would like to contact the research lead at Ofsted with a complaint about this research, please contact the senior evaluation lead, Alan Passingham:

Further information on the rights available to you is also available from the Information Commissioner’s Office - the independent body responsible for regulating data protection within the UK. They can also deal with any complaints you may have regarding our use of your data:

  • Tel: 0303 123 1113
  • Email: casework@ico.org.uk
  • Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF