What is an INSET Day?

Jess Miller

June 27, 2024

5 min read

Continuing professional development (CPD) is vital to all careers. Staff working in the education sector should be allowed to learn and grow in their profession, and they must receive effective training to allow them to fulfil their role to the best of their ability. One of the most essential elements of this training lies in safeguarding. However, staff should also have the chance to explore the themes and topics that interest them the most.

This article will explore what an INSET day is, its specific requirements and how to use this time as effectively as possible.

What are INSET Days for Schools?

INSET stands for ‘In-service Education and Training’. An academic calendar will generally include five INSET days, where children won’t attend, and staff have the opportunity to engage with CPD opportunities and planning. First introduced in 1988 by the then Education Secretary Ken Baker, such days are recognised as an integral part of the teaching staff’s ongoing learning and development. It is important to note that the five days can be broken down into ‘sessions’, and some schools may choose to complete some of their INSET time after school throughout the year. These are generally referred to as ‘twilight sessions’.

School leaders are usually required to lead the planning of INSET days, and it’s important that they carefully consider what will be covered. As safeguarding is paramount, the first INSET day(s), usually in late August or early September, will need to include safeguarding training.

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As the year progresses, these training days are a chance to cover various themes that benefit the school and its staff. No two schools are exactly alike, meaning that different settings will face different challenges and require training based on this. As mentioned previously, some of the time should also be put aside to allow staff to pursue CPD relevant to their particular role or the area they feel they would personally like to develop. There should also be time for individual and department planning.

INSET day may take place at the school, or staff may travel to another school or setting to complete training with other colleagues. Additionally, while CPD may be delivered by staff working at the school, it will often involve inviting guest speakers to deliver specialist training.

Who is Required to Attend INSET Days?

Full-time teaching staff are contracted to attend all INSET days or hours. This includes part-time staff, but only if the INSET day falls on a day they would normally work. However, schools can negotiate contracts whereby part-time staff attend all or some INSET days. If you are a part-time teacher, checking your contract to see what it states is a good idea.

This is also the case for teaching assistants and similar support roles, with staff in these positions also attending the INSET days, especially when safeguarding will be covered. It may be that, in some cases, teaching assistants and support staff complete alternative CPD, rather than joining whole school training, or they may be able to opt in or out. It is important to consider the training requirements of staff, and how best their time will be spent when considering who should attend certain sessions.

What Happens on INSET Days?

The exact structure of an INSET day will depend on various factors. Usually, the first INSET day of the year will begin with all staff gathering together in one place, such as the school assembly hall. This is a good opportunity to welcome staff back following the summer holidays, introduce new staff and perhaps congratulate staff who have enjoyed a special occasion over the summer, such as a marriage or welcoming a new baby.

Often, exam results, such as SATs, GCSEs or A-Levels, are briefly discussed. However, an in-depth exploration of this is usually reserved for a meeting dedicated to the topic.

The following things are essential to include in those first INSET opportunities of the year:

Safeguarding training: New staff must complete safeguarding training, while more experienced staff may undergo refresher training. This should happen at the earliest opportunity; therefore, it usually forms part of the first INSET day at the beginning of a new school year. Our article Safeguarding Training Levels Explained: What’s the Difference? may help you to ensure you are covering the right things.
Policies and procedures: It is important for all staff to be informed of key policies and procedures. While it may not be necessary to cover every single one in person, key things to include are behaviour and attendance policies, procedures for staff absence, how to locate key documents such as the special educational needs register and details of how to contact key personnel such as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Staff must also have time to familiarise themselves with information about the students they will be teaching or supporting, making note of any students with special educational needs, health issues and any pastoral or behavioural concerns. They should read any guidance and documentation designed to help them plan provision for these students, such as individual health care plans (IHCPs) and discuss any concerns with their colleagues. For advice on supporting students with special education needs, see our article: Supporting Pupils with SEN in the Classroom: Guidance for Teachers.

The remainder of the day will then depend on the needs and requirements of the individual school and staff. Most often, the afternoon will include time for key stage staff or departments to gather and spend some time preparing for the start of term.

At the start of the academic year, there is much to cover, so some schools may opt to have more than one INSET day. Many schools, particularly secondary schools, stagger students’ arrival in the following days to allow for more time to complete various tasks, such as drawing up seating plans and printing resources.

INSET days that happen throughout the year can take various formats and may include elements of whole school training, departmental time, small group training, planning and individual CPD.

What Makes an INSET Day Effective?

The teaching profession is known for being busy, dynamic, exciting and challenging. Therefore, the question should be: How can this be reflected on an INSET day? It’s likely that staff will already have a long list of jobs they need to do when an INSET day comes around, and they may be longing for an opportunity to tick some tasks off that list. The key is to strike a balance between time that can be used flexibly and time spent completing organised training activities.

Here are 10 tips for making INSET days an effective and valuable use of time:

Tailor safeguarding training: This training is essential and should be high-quality and relevant to the setting. Ensure that key issues staff may need to deal with are covered, along with procedures for reporting concerns.
Choose carefully: especially when all or the majority of staff will be expected to attend a session, ensure that the content chosen tackles a relevant issue. For example, in an area where County Lines is prevalent, it may be beneficial to invite the local police to run some training. Consulting staff to explore their challenges and understand their training needs can also allow time to be used effectively.
Plan in advance: Avoid filling time with unnecessary sessions, organising training, or booking external providers at the last minute. With time being so valuable and of the essence in the profession, staff will be frustrated if they are offered training that they don’t feel is truly worth their time.
Allocate time to tackle workload: With teaching unions reporting soaring levels of teacher stress and burnout, some INSET time must be allocated to teachers addressing their own tasks. This may include planning, marking or organising the resources and displays in their classrooms.
Encourage collaboration: With so many talented practitioners working in the education sector, it makes sense to seek opportunities to share best practice. INSET days can be an excellent way to bring schools and staff together to explore issues and learn from one another.
Aim to inspire: Working in education can be very challenging, and staff need to be inspired to continue the work they do. Inviting external speakers to deliver inspirational and motivational sessions can be refreshing. These may be linked directly to education or a completely different area – stories of resilience and positivity can help rebuild a sense of determination amongst staff.
Leave room for departmental time: Schools are such busy environments that it can be challenging for staff to find time to sit down with the colleagues they work closely with. Time to plan schemes of work, moderate marking, discuss trips and extracurricular activities and share good practice will be hugely appreciated.
Allow staff to embark on their chosen CPD: It can be motivating for staff to have the opportunity to use some of their INSET time to pursue the CPD that is important to them. Whether your setting can offer staff a few hours to pursue this or a whole day, it is an excellent way to ensure staff feel supported in their own personal development.
Create a comfortable environment: Make sure that the facilities used have comfort in mind, as far as possible. Ensure that there is enough space and seating for all staff and that the room isn’t too hot or cold. Remember to consider refreshments, too – don’t underestimate the power of a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit! If the budget allows, providing lunch can also be a good way of showing staff appreciation. Additionally, this encourages staff to gather in a more relaxed environment and enjoy one another’s company, boosting morale.
Boost well-being: These days present an excellent opportunity to find ways to ensure that staff feel supported in their well-being. This can be an exciting team-building exercise or simply be achieved by providing enough time for staff to get on top of their seemingly never-ending ‘to-do’ list. Working in education is known to be challenging, so reminding staff that their hard work is valued and doesn’t go unnoticed can also go a long way in motivating them and helping them remember that it is all worthwhile! For more tips on supporting staff well-being, see our article: How to Promote Staff Well-being in Schools.

As we have explored, INSET days must be carefully planned to ensure the time is used effectively. It is all about finding the right balance and ensuring that essential elements are covered alongside optional topics. Additional training should selected in line with the needs of the setting and its staff and should aim to be engaging and relevant.