How to Lead Your First CPD Session as a Subject Leader

Feeling nervous about leading CPD? You’re not alone.

If you're a subject leader preparing to deliver your first CPD session, you're in good company. Many middle leaders are confident in their subject – but unsure how to lead staff training.

You might have been asked to deliver a short INSET slot, run a twilight session or lead a staff meeting. It’s a sign of trust, but it can also feel like a lot to get right. So let's help with realistic, clear advice on how to lead CPD as a subject leader in a way that feels manageable and purposeful.

1. Start with one clear takeaway

Before you open PowerPoint or start planning tasks, ask: What do I want staff to walk away thinking, knowing or doing?

It might be:

• Feeling more confident about teaching a tricky unit
  
• Knowing what progression looks like in your subject
  
• Having one new approach to try in the next fortnight
  

If you start with that end goal, your CPD session will stay focused and feel far more useful to colleagues.

Do you need help identifying the priorities? The Subject Leadership: Evaluating Impact and Planning Ahead Pack or Subject Self-Evaluation Form can help clarify where to focus.

2. Keep it small, focused and agreed

It’s tempting to pack too much in, especially if you want to do the subject justice. But effective CPD for teachers doesn’t come from quantity, so ensure you prioritise clarity.

Check in early with your SLT or phase leader:

• How long is your slot?
  
• What do they want covered and what should wait?
  
• Will anyone look over your plan or slides in advance?
  

Getting this sorted up front can take the pressure off and ensure your session fits into the bigger picture.

3. Make it useful beyond your subject

One of the most important parts of leading CPD as a subject leader is making it land beyond your own classroom. Staff want to see how it connects to their phase and their pupils.

You might:

• Offer one or two examples from different year groups
  
• Invite staff to share how they already approach the concept
  
• Ask, “What might this look like in your class?” and gather responses to support others
  

This is all about helping staff see where they can connect and offering practical options to get started.

4. Be clear – but flexible

You’re supporting colleagues to make informed choices about their teaching so think of your role as offering direction, not dictation.

You might say:

• “Here are a few options – which might work in your phase?”
  
• “This worked well in Year 5. What could it look like in KS1?”
  
• “I’ll check in next week if anyone wants to talk it through.”
  

If the session links to a follow-up such as another meeting, a drop-in, or staff sharing examples, mention that to them as it signals that this CPD is connected, not one-and-done.

🛠️ Use the Subject Leader Termly Organiser or the Folder Checklist Template to help keep track of what’s been shared and what’s due to follow up.

5. Choose a delivery style that works for you

There’s no single right way to run a CPD session. Your approach should match your content and your style as a leader. Some subject leaders feel confident presenting while others prefer leading discussion, modelling an example or simply talking through a resource.

You might include:

• A short introduction: “here’s what we’re focusing on and why”
  
• One or two worked examples from your subject
  
• Time for paired discussion or reflection
  
• A clear takeaway or next step
  

Even a 15-minute staff meeting CPD slot can be enough to share what you need to. The Ten-Minute Subject Monitoring tools are designed to help shape tight, purposeful content, especially if you’re short on time.

6. Make sure it connects to your wider subject leadership

To ensure your CPD session doesn't end up as a one-off that's quickly forgotten, be sure to:

• Revisit the theme in next term’s staff meeting
  
• Invite colleagues to trial something and bring examples
  
• Share follow-up prompts or questions for year group meetings
  
• Offer informal support over the next few weeks
  
  

Whatever you choose, agree it with SLT first so expectations are realistic and the support is there. The Subject Folder Pack and Subject Intervention and Provision Map Bundle are useful if you want to keep track of what’s been introduced and how staff are responding.