In the increasingly competitive field of education, Saltus Grammar School recognised the need for world-class professional development for their faculty. Their teachers, both Bermudian and expatriate, needed opportunities to develop their skills through completing internationally recognised programmes that would prepare them for career progression at Saltus and throughout the world.

Equally importantly, research from around the world demonstrates a clear link between investment in the professional development of teachers and improved learning for students. Saltus has therefore introduced the Saltus Teachers Academy, with its aim being to provide leading-edge professional development.

The academy has created partnerships with the following frontline educational organisations:

Masters in Education

Through a partnership with Nottingham Trent University in England, Saltus will be offering from January 2015 the opportunity to study part-time on Island towards Master’s degrees in Education or Educational Leadership. This exciting programme is open to all teachers on the Island and will provide Bermuda’s educators with opportunities to share best practices. Any interested persons should refer to the Saltus website, www.saltus.bm, for further information.

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders/Middle Leaders

With sponsorship from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, these leadership qualifications are accredited by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) in Britain and are delivered through Saltus’ partnership with “Inspiring Leaders”, who are licensed to deliver the NCTL Leadership programmes at Saltus.

During the previous academic year, 12 participants from Saltus studied towards the programme and are nearing completion. Ms Powell, one of the teachers on the programme, said: “I had the chance to work closely with a UK facilitator and my Saltus coach to complete a team-based school improvement project. Both individuals helped to make my learning exciting and relevant to my current position. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience and would highly recommend it to other teachers.’

This academic year, Saltus is hosting a mixed cohort of teachers from the Berkeley Institute, Bermuda High School, Warwick Academy and Saltus. Claire Charlemagne, the school head, said: “We are delighted that we have a mixed cohort of schools undertaking the leadership programmes this academic year. Developing together as professionals will enable us all to draw on each other’s expertise so that we can provide the students with the very best possible education.”

Harvard iPad boot camp

In July, six teachers from the Saltus Primary Department travelled to Harvard for an intensive iPad course: Emma Law, Liz Dowdell, Trista Levere, Selena Mello, Brittany Adams and Jane Davis. They were accompanied by Jane Hizer, the director of educational technology, and Trudy Bucher, the director of information technology.

The teachers spent three days becoming skilful at integrating the iPad into the primary curriculum. Students will now have 90 iPads available to use as a part of the Primary iPad Programme. Saltus believes strongly in investing in teacher preparation to ensure that these devices enhance and extend traditional classroom learning.

Parents have attended special iPad Boot Camp sessions where they have learnt how their child uses the iPad during the school day. The first of these was held last Wednesday and was very well attended.