Prepare to Deliver

Prepare to Deliver a High-Impact CPD Session

Every CPD unit has been designed to minimise preparation time while ensuring maximum impact. Before delivering your session, spend a short amount of time becoming familiar with the materials and planning how the session will run.

The facilitator guide is designed to do most of the work for you, giving you slide-by-slide guidance, key talking points and practical facilitation tips so that you can focus on leading discussion rather than worrying about what to say next.

What You'll Need

Before the session, prepare the following resources.

Essential Resources

  • Presentation slides

  • Facilitator Guide

  • Staff Handout (one per participant)

  • CPD Snapshot (one per participant)

  • Pens for participants

  • Flipchart, mini whiteboards or sticky notes (if required by the session)

  • Projector or large screen

Most sessions require only these resources, making preparation straightforward and practical.

Preparing the Learning Environment

The best professional learning happens when staff have opportunities to think, discuss and reflect.

Where possible:

  • Arrange seating so staff can easily talk in pairs or small groups.

  • Ensure everyone has a clear view of the presentation.

  • Minimise distractions.

  • Have printed resources ready on arrival.

  • Allow sufficient space for collaborative discussion.

Creating a calm, professional environment helps establish that the session is an opportunity for genuine professional learning rather than simply another meeting.

Understanding the Facilitator Guide

The Facilitator Guide is your complete delivery companion.

For every slide you will find:

  • Timing guidance to help keep the session on schedule.

  • Key message outlining the most important learning.

  • What to say providing suggested facilitator language.

  • What to do explaining activities, discussion prompts and practical actions.

  • Facilitator Notes containing research summaries, additional evidence and useful background reading.

This structure means you never need to create speaker notes yourself—the guide has already done that work for you.

Using the IMPACT Framework

Every whole-staff CPD session follows our IMPACT Framework, ensuring a consistent structure that moves from understanding to classroom implementation.

I — Introduce

Create purpose and engagement by exploring why the topic matters.

M — Make Sense

Build secure understanding of the research, concepts and common misconceptions.

P — Prove It

Explore the evidence base and understand why the approach improves learning.

A — Apply It

Translate research into practical classroom strategies that staff can begin using immediately.

C — Connect It

Consider how the approach fits within wider classroom practice, curriculum and school improvement.

T — Take Action

Finish with clear implementation commitments that staff can begin using immediately.

Before You Deliver

Before standing in front of staff, spend 20–30 minutes reading through the guide.

As you read:

  • Highlight key messages you want to emphasise.

  • Identify slides likely to generate discussion.

  • Read the facilitator notes alongside each slide.

  • Familiarise yourself with the research.

  • Decide where you'll pause for discussion.

  • Consider examples from your own school that will make the learning feel relevant.

The more familiar you become with the guide, the more naturally the session will flow.