What is Professional Review and Development

Meaningful professional learning

The professional review and development (PRD) cycle provides teachers in employment with ongoing opportunities to reflect on their practice and professional learning throughout the year. PRD is an integral aspect of Professional Update (PU).

Most often, a formal PRD meeting takes place once a year, but PRD is an ongoing process. Professional discussions should happen continually. Adopting a coaching approach ensures you are appropriately supported and challenged.  

Reflecting against the Professional Standards is a crucial part of PRD. Use these as a self-evaluation framework to inform and guide your professional development and practice.  

Focusing on the impact of your professional development leads to richer and more meaningful PRD discussions.

Engaging with PRD helps you to:

• meet your own learning needs
• meet the learning needs of your learners
• contribute to school improvement

Annual PRD meeting

PRD is a two-way and ongoing process. An annual PRD meeting supports you with ongoing opportunities to engage with PRD. The aims of these discussions are to:

• discuss ongoing professional learning you have undertaken
• self-evaluate and reflect against the relevant Professional Standards
• identify your key strengths and areas for development  
• help you identify your next steps with professional learning

You can also use PRD discussions as an opportunity to discuss your future career growth. This can help guide any future professional learning opportunities you wish to take.

Timeline

There are no set guidelines for when PRD meetings take place. You do not need to wait to be invited by your PU reviewer. You can ask for an annual PRD meeting at any point.  

Preparation

It is important that you prepare for discussions. They are an opportunity for you:

• to build a clear idea of the professional journey you wish to follow
• identify support and professional learning opportunities you may need to achieve your goals

Schools, colleges and other settings where registered teachers are employed should ensure their readiness for PRD. This will make certain that everyone involved can participate in high quality PRD.