WIREDGOV

An imaginative new initiative in initial teacher education (ITE) is being launched by The Institute of Education (IOE), the UK's leading centre for education research and development.

Professional Practice project will give schools greater responsibility in the selection of trainees, and over course design and delivery. This enables schools to nurture teachers at the start of their careers and ensure that they have thorough insight and understanding of the school's ethos, and of the local context in which it is situated.

The project, which embeds an approach to teacher education that is both clinical and academic, is currently being trialled in three neighbouring partners: Eleanor Palmer Primary School, Regent High School and Haverstock School. In conjunction with these schools the IOE has taken the bold step of establishing new posts for Tutors in Professional Practice, who, along with a member of staff from each school, will divide their time between their individual school and the IOE, forging greater understanding and cooperation across these institutions. 

Jonathan Allen, Faculty Director for ITE, Faculty of Children and Learning, IOE, said:  "The schools have been quick to recognise the potential benefits of the Professional Practice project. It offers an innovative professional development opportunity to those selected to take part, and the part redeployment of the teachers and the IOE tutors will contribute to each school's teacher training expertise and the wider activity of the IOE." 

The Professional Practice project gains even greater significance against a background of change in ITE. In 2013-14 the IOE is set to become London's leading provider of the School Direct programme. This new route into teaching, heralds much more involvement of schools in the preparation of newly qualified teachers. 

Rosemary Leeke, Head of Regent High School, who is one of the head teachers involved, commented, "Regent High School is delighted to be an inaugural partner in this exciting opportunity to help train the teachers of tomorrow and to support our own staff in remaining at the forefront of current practice."

For more information contact:

Rowan Walker: r.walker@ioe.ac.uk 020 7911 5423 or
James Russell: j.russell@ioe.ac.uk  020 7911 5556.

Notes to Editors

Institute of Education (IOE)

The Institute of Education is a college of the University of London that specialises in education and related areas of social science and professional practice. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise two-thirds of the Institute's research activity was judged to be internationally significant and over a third was judged to be "world leading". The Institute was recognised by Ofsted in 2010 for its "high quality" initial teacher training programmes that inspire its students "to want to be outstanding teachers". The IOE is a member of the 1994 Group, which brings together 11 internationally renowned, research-intensive universities.

www.ioe.ac.uk