Empowering educators: The role of professional development in driving national and organisational education strategies

PD as a strategic lever

Governments and school groups increasingly recognise that high-quality teaching is the most powerful in-school factor influencing learner outcomes. The UK Department for Education (DfE) outlines clear standards for effective PD – emphasising sustained, evidence-based learning that aligns with school improvement goals. 

This is backed up by the OECD’s 2025 report, Unlocking High-Quality Teaching, which identifies five key goals – cognitive engagement, quality content, social-emotional support, classroom interaction, and formative assessment – supported by 20 actionable practices. 

A living framework: Hachette Learning's approach

At the heart of this transformation is the Hachette Learning Teaching Competency Framework – a comprehensive, research-informed model that maps to both the DfE standards and OECD goals. This framework is not static. It is a living, breathing structure – evolving through feedback, research, and collaboration with educators worldwide.

Adaptive Technology: Linking Data to Development

Hachette Learning’s adaptive learning platform, the Hachette Learning Academy, personalises PD pathways for educators. It collects rich data on teacher engagement, progress, and metacognition, which can be used to evidence progress in key strategic areas. This enables: 

• Targeted support for individual teachers 

• Strategic planning for school leaders 

• Evidence-based reporting for governments and stakeholders. 

By linking PD data to teaching standards, schools can ensure that professional development is not only personalised but also strategically aligned with broader educational goals.

An Ecosystem for Growth

Hachette Learning supports educators through a rich ecosystem of professional development resources: 

• John Catt books for deep professional reading 

• Free webinars for accessible, ongoing learning 

• Face-to-face workshops for collaborative development 

• Hachette Learning Academy for adaptive, convenient, data-driven PD. 

Together, these tools empower educators to grow at their own pace, in their own context – while staying aligned with national and organisational priorities. 

Interested in shaping your professional development strategy together? Get in touch with Lucy Clarke at lucy.clark@hachettelearning.com .