1. Policy Statement
Brussels College is committed to fostering a dynamic, high-quality academic environment aligned with international standards of teaching and learning. This Staff Development Policy sets out our structured approach to supporting all academic and administrative staff in continuously enhancing their expertise, so that every qualification we deliver — whether awarded by Brussels College or by a partner body such as Northwood University or NCC Education — is taught to a consistently high standard.
✓ Our Commitment: Every member of academic and administrative staff has access to structured induction, ongoing professional development, and regular feedback to support their growth.
2. Strategic Objectives
Our staff development activity aims to:
- Ensure all academic and administrative staff are equipped to deliver Brussels College's programmes, including those affiliated with Northwood University and other awarding-body partners, to a consistently high quality
- Align teaching practices with the learning, assessment, and technology-enhanced education expectations of our academic and awarding-body partners
- Build long-term academic capacity within Brussels College
- Promote inclusive and student-focused pedagogical approaches
- Foster leadership development, innovation, and continuous improvement
3. Key Areas of Staff Development
3.1 Teaching Excellence and Curriculum Delivery
- Initial training for all academic staff on the academic frameworks, module specifications, and assessment strategies of the qualification(s) they teach
- Ongoing workshops on curriculum design, inclusive pedagogy, assessment for learning, and feedback practices
- Peer review of teaching and classroom observation schemes
3.2 Digital and Learning Technology Skills
- Structured training on the core tools used for course delivery, including Google Classroom and Google Workspace for Education
- Integration of these tools with Brussels College's student records system and high-speed on-campus infrastructure
- Specialist support sessions on blended and online delivery in both physical-campus and remote-learning contexts
3.3 Quality Assurance and Academic Standards
- Sessions on the academic regulations, quality processes, moderation procedures, and external examiner/verifier engagement relevant to each qualification delivered
- Support for compliance with the standards and frameworks of Brussels College's academic and awarding-body partners
3.4 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Staff training in inclusive teaching practices, unconscious bias, and accessibility for students with disabilities or diverse needs
- Ongoing development to support ethical recruitment, culturally responsive pedagogy, and student welfare (see the Equality and Diversity Policy)
3.5 Research and Scholarship
- Encouragement of applied research, particularly among faculty involved in postgraduate teaching
- Research seminars and access to relevant academic and professional networks
- Support for staff aiming to publish in academic journals and attend international conferences
4. Staff Development Methods
Our approach includes:
- Internal training sessions and continuing professional development (CPD) seminars
- Webinars and online resources developed in cooperation with our academic and awarding-body partners
- Shadowing and mentoring schemes
- Online learning modules delivered via Google Classroom
- Annual teaching and learning conferences
5. Induction and Onboarding
A structured induction programme is provided for:
- New academic and administrative staff, introducing them to the relevant curriculum and academic expectations
- External guest lecturers or occasional staff
All staff members are trained on safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and anti-bribery protocols as part of induction.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
Progress is tracked through:
- Annual staff appraisals aligned with performance development reviews
- Feedback from students and teaching observations
- Peer-review cycles and teaching audits
- A central log of training completion, maintained by the Vice Rector's office
7. Governance and Oversight
The Vice Rector is responsible for coordinating staff development activity, maintaining training records, and ensuring alignment with the requirements of each academic and awarding-body partnership. This policy is reviewed annually to reflect changes in partnership requirements, regulatory expectations, and staff feedback.
8. Related Policies
9. Contact Information
ℹ️ Staff Development Enquiries:
Email:
i.chiloglu@brucol.be (Vice Rector)
General Office:
office@brucol.be
Phone: +32 471 09 6641
Address:
Brussels College, Excelsiorlaan 5, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium