Beginning the Year of Masters Level Professional Development A SWOT Analysis

We asked a group of teachers beginning the year what they felt were their strengths and weknesses in embarking on the programme of their own professional development for a year. They also identified the opportunities they had and the "threats" they faced.

The survey shows our researchers are determined people seeking knowledge, and improvements in their practice. They are at the beginning worried that that they might be challenged or lack time. yet they see the porgramme as a great opportunity to raise standards and develop their career. Disruption through lack of time, family commitments or school events is the biggest threat.

Summary of Findings


• Candidates show that they feel their greatest strengths are their experience, determination, motivation and enthusiasm for learning new knowledge, applying it to their work and raising standards. The opportunity of their leadership role was seen as a strength.

• Candidates perceived their weaknesses as a lack of skill, or ability, and a lack of time. Some saw lack of school support as a weakness.

• Candidates perceive that the programme offers them the opportunity to develop practice and raise standards, to re-enthuse and gain a qualification and career development.


• The largest perceived threat is a lack of time in busy working lives with sudden and unexpected disruptions, and maintaining a work life balance.



Evidence Base

11 candidates (including those in first, second and third year of Masters in Education programme) in focused group discussions noting their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in starting a new year. Carried out September 2007.