PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
A GUIDE FOR TEACHER

What is PDP?

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is “a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development”.

A continuous cycle of self reflection, recording and action, the purpose of PDP is to encourage students to learn to develop themselves and plan for the future by becoming more aware of their capabilities and the opportunities around them. PDP can be applied in a range of contexts, changing the way students approach their studies, make choices in both their academic and personal life and prioritise their actions.



The PDP process is intrinsic to the basic theory of learning and involves:

• reflecting on achievement
• identifying strengths and areas for development
• setting goals
• identifying skills
• recording reflection
• making connections between learning in all contexts and achievement
• acting to nurture potential and address areas which need development

Engaging in PDP should enable students to become more confident individuals and give them the ability to direct their learning in the future, with a view to becoming independent lifelong learners.

Benefits for TEACHER and students

Encouraging students to engage in PDP has clear benefits for both teacher and students, developing students to become:

• more motivated
• more interested in their progress
• better learners
• more self aware
• more employable
• able to recognise and fulfil their potential

By developing independent learners with skills for future employability, PDP also fulfils some of the aims of the school’s Learning and Teaching Strategy.