ATL

Learning with ATL

As the education union, ATL is committed to helping its members develop through the course of their careers. This is why members can access a comprehensive range of continuing professional development (CPD) courses and reps courses through ATL, which are free to all members.

Courses for ATL members

CPD can take place in several different ways; attending courses, reading a relevant book or watching a colleague perform within their role are some examples of how you can access CPD in your workplace and with your union.

ATL's professional development programme is designed to help you in that process and to enable you to identify and meet your learning needs as part of a performance management review, Institute for Learning (IfL) requirement, or any kind of development structure your workplace offers you. All courses in the programme, except Preparing for retirement, are free to standard members

Courses for active ATL members

Alongside our CPD programme, there is a range of courses for school and college reps, health and safety reps and union learning reps (ULRs) in every sector. If you're interested in becoming an ATL rep or would like to find out more see the the 'Get involved' section of this website. There's also a useful summary of information about ULR in ATL's guide to union learning.

The right course for you

The professional development programme reflects the diverse and inclusive nature of ATL's membership. To find the right course for you, we suggest thinking about not only what would benefit your institution and students, but also what would be of most value to your own personal development.

Some of our courses have been specifically designed for particular groups of members, so look out for 'who this course is for' section shown for each course.

Gaining accreditation

Nearly all of the courses listed in this programme are eligible for accreditation at postgraduate and undergraduate level via our unique partnership with Edge Hill University. Courses that carry the Edge Hill University logo indicate where this is possible. For more information on how you can build up credits to gain a postgraduate or foundation degree, largely free of charge, see this introduction to the Edge Hill programme.

Courses for newly qualified members

If you are a newly qualified teacher, probationer or student in your final year, we have courses available to you if you upgrade to standard membership – now free for the first four terms of your first teaching job.

Getting support from your employer to attend

Accessing professional development is an important part of being an educational professional. It is the responsibility of both the employer and the employee to ensure that that performance management, IfL and any other professional requirements are met.

Therefore it is important that you receive support from your employer to attend this course, not just regarding the need to take time away from the workplace but also regarding travel expenses. There are no course fees for members to attend an ATL CPD course, but ATL does not cover travel or accommodation costs.

For more information, see ATL's guide to Taking time off for CPD.

Attendance

There are a limited number of places and many courses are oversubscribed. If you are unable to attend, please inform us as soon as possible so that we can offer your place to another ATL member.

Every effort is made to ensure courses take place. In the unfortunate event that a course is cancelled, members will be informed as soon as possible.

While on the course

ATL courses are structured to give everyone an active role and to value the different knowledge, experience and skills within the classroom. Courses are based on a firm belief that everyone has an equal right to participate. We ask that you respect the other participants on your course by listening to what others have to say and by getting involved in discussion and activities.