TIPD FAQs

  1. What is the criteria for applying for a TIPD visit?
  2. What does the programme involve?
  3. How long are the visits?
  4. What costs are involved?
  5. How do I apply to take part in the TIPD programme?
  6. Benefits to teachers and schools?
  7. Preparation, implementation and dissemination for the TIPD visit?

What is the criteria for applying for a TIPD visit?

Participants must meet the TIPD criteria:

  • Qualified primary, secondary and special needs teachers in state schools with a minimum of two years post QTS experience including their year long induction.
  • Teaching heads in primary schools (with at least 50% teaching timetable).
  • Teachers not based in schools, such as those in Pupil Referral Units.
  • Supply teachers who have been in the post for at least one term and where their involvement can be fully justified.
  • Teaching assistants where their involvement can be fully justified in terms of the extent to which they support the teacher in the classroom.
  • LA officials where they have a full role in facilitation and dissemination, but limited to one LA official per vist where five or more teachers are participating.
  • Teachers from City Technology Colleges (CTC's) and City Academies.
  • Teachers from state maintained nurseries.
  • Teachers from independent schools (school determined strand only - managed by SSAT).

What does the programme involve?

The visit will provide:

  • opportunities to visit school and institutions demonstrating aspect of the theme and how it is linked to achievement;
  • opportunity to forge long term links;
  • opportunities for meeting with teachers, pupils and district/provincial officers and, in some cases appropriate university/college staff.

Each LA will:

  • identify the theme to be researched*;
  • identify learning sets of two or more teachers from each of their participating schools;
  • facilitate pre and post visit meetings;
  • co-ordinate and lead the visit and facilitate its preparation and subsequent dissemination through regular liaison with their teachers.

* Where there are common themes among LAs, and where possible, LECT will base programmes on the participation of two small LA groups working together on their chosen curriculum themes.  A list of DCSF priority themes can be found on the globalgateway website.

How long are the visits?

Visits normally last for 1 week and take place during the school holidays to avoid disruption to schools.  Departures from the UK are normally on a Thursday or Saturday, depending on destination with the return usually on a Sunday.

What costs are involved?

Funding is provided through the DCSF, which LECT will claim towards the following:

  • All international travel costs (arranged by LECT) for travel on pre-determined dates, ususally from London Heathrow.
  • Overseas airport transfer costs.
  • Accommodation on a TWIN-SHARE BASIS, with breakfast in a medium range hotel.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Transport costs associated with the programme of visits to schools and educational institutions at the host destination.
  • Visa costs where required.  Non-UK passport holders should enquire at the High Commission or Embassy of the country to be visited as in some cases visa requirement is waived.
  • Vaccinations (where recommended.  Applicants must seek the advice of their GP).  Also check www.doh.gov.uk

    LECT is a member of the travel health advice charity Interhealth.  TIPD participants within reach of London may use Interhealth’s travel clinic in Waterloo at members discounted rates by quoting ‘LECT’ when they make their appointment. Consultations are free up to 30 minutes, but you will be responsible for the cost of any treatment, vaccinations, or malaria prophylaxis you receive. A price list for vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis is available on Interhealth’s website. Interhealth, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HR. Tel: 020 7902 9000. http://www.interhealth.org.uk/.

LECT will not pay:

  • Supply cover
  • Meals except where listed above.
  • Hotel costs not listed above such as laundry, drinks and food other than breakfast.
  • Transport costs, entry fees and all other expenses incurred as a result of visits not part of the educational programme arranged by LECT (e.g. to local tourist attractions).   If your host has arranged a tourist activity as part of your itinerary, you will still be responsible for any travel or other costs incurred.
  • Pre-departure or dissemination meetings arranged by the LA.
  • Travel within the UK for pre and post-visit meetings.
  • Cancellation charges in the event an individual withdraws for a non-insurable reason.

How do I apply to take part in the TIPD programme?

Each LA has a quota allocation which can be registered with a provider of choice.  LECT holds a database of LA TIPD coordinators and teachers wishing to participate must apply through their LA.  Please contact sarah.gardner@lect.org.uk for details of your LA Co-ordinator.  LA TIPD co-ordinators may contact LECT Staff direct or complete the TIPD 2 Form. All TIPD forms are available by clicking here.

Benefits to teachers and schools

The TIPD programme provides teachers in England with:

  • International professional development experience and the opportunity to observe good and innovative practice in other countries.
  • Scope for the English and overseas teachers to learn from each other through discussions and later, through the exchange of material and sharing of ideas.
  • Enable the development of longer term links between institutions and pupils.

Preparation, implementation and dissemination for the TIPD Visit

It is especially important to ensure that participants know exactly why they are undertaking the development activity and what they expect to learn from it. Good planning is therefore essential and participants will be expected to demonstrate good planning prior to the activity taking place. This will involve:

  • preparation, including the setting of clear aims and objectives and proposed outcomes, and how this will be achieved within the selected format of the activity;
  • plans to implement what they have learned in the classroom after the activity;
  • the evaluation process they plan to use to measure the impact of what they have implemented in the classroom; and
  • the mechanism they intend to use to ensure that best practice is disseminated more widely.

A useful document when preparing for your TIPD visit is:

“ Getting the most from TIPD ”, which can be downloaded from:

www.teachernet.gov.uk/professionaldevelopment/tipd/guidance/hintsandtips/