New training strategy could reverse teaching 'crisis'

A new teacher training strategy at the Institute of Education will help to

solve the recruitment and retention crisis in teaching while contributing to

the improvement of London’s schools.

The Institute launched its University Partnership Schools scheme at a

conference on 23 July addressed by Arts Minister Estelle Morris and School

Standards Minister David Miliband.

Under the scheme, Institute experts in school improvement, leadership and

professional development, race and language issues, action research and

various teaching innovations will provide support to schools. The Institute

will also help schools to set up networks of collaboration.

At the same time, the Institute’s trainee teachers will work in larger teams

and be fully involved in the overall life of the schools.

As a result, it is expected that more will carry on teaching in London

schools after they finish their training and continue to receive support

from the Institute.

Speaking at the conference – the final event in the Institute’s centenary

year – the dean of initial teacher education, Michael Totterdell, said: “The

arrangements will be similar to those for junior doctors: schools will get

more from their trainee teachers, but will also contribute more to them. We

would hope that the scheme will help to make the crisis in teacher

recruitment and retention a thing of the past.”

Professor Geoff Whitty, the Institute’s director, added: “The Institute’s

close links with London schools go back to our foundation in 1902. I am

delighted to see those ties being further strengthened as we enter our

second century."

(GMcG)