October 2, 2026
By Rachel O’Neill and Jessica Watson
Between the two of us, we’ve spent decades in classrooms and school corridors — Rachel across more than 20 years in primary education as a teacher and Deputy Head, and Jessica as a secondary mathematics teacher and school leader before moving into education technology. Different phases, different subjects, but one shared truth: teachers are time-poor.
Every minute of the school day is accounted for, and asking busy staff to carve out time for professional development is no small thing. But in our experience, it’s one of the most worthwhile investments a school can make.
Every Minute Matters
In a busy school, professional development can easily become another demand on an already full timetable. Yet the right training does the opposite. It saves time, builds staff confidence and helps schools achieve greater impact from the tools they already use.
We’ve seen it happen. When professional learning is flexible, relevant and focused on everyday practice, it stops being a chore and becomes an investment — one that benefits staff and pupils alike. Teacher training shouldn’t mean pulling colleagues away from their priorities. It should strengthen the work they’re already doing, whether that’s a maths department refining assessment or a leadership team planning school improvement.
The Value of Pausing to Reflect
Here’s something we rarely give ourselves permission to do: stop and think. Professional development creates that space.
It gives busy teachers and school leaders the valuable opportunity to step back from the demands of daily practice, pause, reflect, and take stock of what is working well and where a different approach may be needed. That dedicated time for self-evaluation is powerful. It lets teaching staff critically reflect on their teaching and leadership, explore data in greater depth, and spot meaningful opportunities to improve student outcomes.
CPD isn’t just about learning new skills. It’s about reflection that leads to better decisions.
Grounding Decisions in Evidence
By grounding decisions in data, we make more informed choices, sharpen our focus on student outcomes, and put in place strategies that deliver the greatest impact for learners. When staff build the confidence to interpret their data well, school improvement stops feeling like guesswork. It becomes deliberate. Good professional development helps change that
That confidence matters at every key stage. Professional development helps staff refresh their knowledge and develop practical approaches they can apply straight away in the classroom.
Learning That Fits Around School Life
No two schools are the same, which is why flexibility matters when exploring training for yourself or your staff.
Look for training that fits around real timetables — whether that’s on-demand videos you can pause and revisit, e-learning courses that suit any schedule, or expert-led consultations tailored to your school’s context. Professional development should help staff build their knowledge without pulling them away from their day-to-day priorities.
A Small Step Worth Taking
Professional development doesn’t have to disrupt school life. With training that responds to your school’s needs, your team can strengthen their practice, use their chosen tools with confidence and turn everyday effort into lasting impact.
If you’re ready to make every minute count, explore the flexible training options available to your school — and choose the format that works best for your staff.
Explore Renaissance Professional Development
About the Authors
Rachel O’Neill
Rachel is the UK Customer Training Manager at Renaissance, supporting colleagues and schools throughout their training journey to help them maximise the impact of Renaissance products, including GL Assessment. With more than 20 years’ experience in primary education, she began her career as a classroom teacher before progressing into senior leadership as a Deputy Head. Throughout her career, she has led on assessment, teaching and learning, and pupil wellbeing, developing a deep understanding of the challenges schools face. Passionate about empowering educators through effective training and support, Rachel is committed to helping schools achieve the best outcomes for their pupils. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking, running, and discovering great food.
Jessica Watson
Jessica Watson is a Customer Experience Manager at Renaissance, where she works to enable schools get the most from their digital learning tools. A former secondary mathematics teacher and school leader, Jessica brings first-hand classroom experience to her work and understands both the opportunities and pressures schools face every day. Since moving into education technology, Jessica has supported schools in the UK and internationally through training, consultancy and customer success roles. She is passionate about making professional learning practical and relevant, helping teachers and leaders use assessment and learning tools in ways that support pupils, inform decision-making and make everyday school life a little easier.