This article examines three possible influences on the impact of teacher professional development as a mechanism for improving teaching and learning. These influences are those from the individual teacher, those from the school and those from the activities in which teachers participate. Data were collected from a national sample of primary and secondary teachers in England. The results reveal that teachers in high performing schools participate in professional development activities that are longer in duration, more active and more collaborative in implementation. In contrast, teachers in the lowest performing schools report high levels of performance management conditions and participate in activities that are short in duration.