Innovation and change in professional development: an Anglo-Swedish initiative

This article describes the development of an in-service programme of professional development for Swedish teachers through an Anglo-Swedish collaboration. It focuses on the key issues which have been addressed in establishing and developing the programme, and also discusses the underlying considerations and approaches which characterise its nature. The development of a framework for learning embracing the accreditation of prior learning, comparative professional studies and professionally focused small-scale research, are aspects of key importance to this development. These aspects are discussed in terms of their professional relevance together with a recognition of the value of teaching and learning and an empowering classroom practice which hitherto has not been fully recognised.