What’s Your CPD Style?

School business leadership is as much about keeping your knowledge up to date as it is everyone else’s – in this light-hearted quiz, Emma Gray invites you to discover your CPD style and how to make it work for you and your team

Every School Business Leader (SBL) approaches CPD differently. Some leap at every opportunity, some grit their teeth through mandatory training and some avoid anything beyond the statutory essentials. Sound familiar? In times of limited budgets, finding the most impactful and cost-effective staff development opportunities for your school or trust is challenging, but vital for continued success.

Take our short fun quiz to find out your CPD style and learn how to make it work for you and your team. Jot down your score A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4 and add them up at the end.

Q1. When a new training opportunity lands in your inbox, you…
A. sign up before you’ve even finished reading the email.
B. file it to review later alongside your workload.
C. think “Can this help me solve today’s burning issue?”
D. prefer to ask colleagues if they’ve tried it first.

Q2. Your favourite way to learn is…
A. large conferences, workshops, or buzzing events.
B. reading, research and reflection at your own pace.
C. hands-on projects where you can try things out.
D. conversations, networking and sharing stories.

Q3. When providing CPD for staff, you usually…
A. offer as many options as possible – choice is power!
B. tailor the training carefully to each person’s needs.
C. focus on practical, job-ready skills.
D. encourage peer learning and collaboration.

Q4. Your biggest CPD pet peeve is…
A. limited options or being told there’s “No budget.”
B. CPD that feels rushed or poorly thought out.
C. training that’s heavy on theory but light on action.
D. sitting in a lecture with no interaction.

Q5. Your secret CPD superpower is…
A. enthusiasm – you bring the energy to every session.
B. strategy – you link CPD to the bigger picture.
C. problem-solving – you spot what’s useful right now.
D. community-building – you make learning a shared experience.

Q6. If CPD were a holiday, you’d book…
A. a city break packed with tours, museums, and action.
B. a well-planned road trip with an itinerary and maps.
C. a DIY adventure – hands-on, local, and practical.
D. a group retreat with friends and long chats round the fire.

Discover your style and a tip for continued growth.

6–9 = The Explorer
You thrive on new opportunities and rarely say no to training. Your enthusiasm is infectious and helps set a positive tone for staff development in your school. But watch out, too many courses can create overwhelm, both for you and your colleagues. Your growth tip is to pause and prioritise. Ask yourself which CPD will have the biggest ripple effect on pupils and staff.

10–13 = The Planner
You see CPD as an investment and want to make sure every opportunity links to strategy, improvement plans and budgets. You’re the safe pair of hands who ensures CPD has impact. The risk? Overthinking, which can mean missing quick wins or creative ideas. Your growth tip is to leave space for spontaneity. Say yes to one thing this term just because it sparks curiosity.

14–17 = The Firefighter
You’re brilliant at spotting immediate gaps and using CPD to solve today’s challenges. People trust you to deliver training that is useful and practical. But always being in “problem mode” can limit long-term growth. Your growth tip is to shift from urgent to important. Balance quick fixes with development that builds resilience for the future.

18–24 = The Connector
You believe the best learning happens together. Your natural talent is building networks, encouraging peer mentoring and creating a strong culture of sharing. This makes CPD feel human and relational. Remember, informal learning is powerful but structured learning has a key place, sometimes structure and specialist input are essential. Your growth tip is to blend the two. Keep the collaborative magic but add in a little formality where it counts.

Of course, no one style is better than the other. A healthy school CPD culture has Explorers for energy, Planners for strategy, Firefighters for problem-solving and Connectors for culture. Why not share this quiz with your leadership team or colleagues? You might discover you’ve got a great mix of CPD styles, or spot where your culture could use a boost.

Recognising your natural style, and flexing when needed, means you’ll not only make the best use of limited resources, but also create a development culture that benefits you, your team and your pupils.