Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL)

Edge Hill University is part of a national initiative to improve the professional status of thousands of newly qualified teachers.

The Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL) is a new programme which is being introduced principally in the North West. Its aim is to move teaching towards becoming a Masters-level profession and to produce a demonstrable difference in the quality of teaching and learning. The Government says that the practice-based nature of the MTL will help teachers improve their skills, in line with the changing needs of 21st century schools. And, it is hoped, because the programme develops an ethos of shared learning, the impact of the MTL will benefit the school as a whole.

Edge Hill is one member of a consortium which will provide the North West Masters in Teaching and Learning (NWMTL). The other members are the Universities of Chester, Cumbria and Manchester, the Open University, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

It is hoped at least 75% of new teachers in the North West - approximately 2,000 in the first year - will sign up for the programme. All newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who started work in September in maintained schools or settings can enrol from January 2010 and will begin the programme in April.

Robert Smedley, Dean of the Faculty of Education, said: "The vision is that participating teachers will become consistently effective in enabling all learners to realise their potential, regardless of age, abilities or background.

"The programme involves practice-based learning, drawing on a wide range of expertise, problem solving and critical thinking. Participants will be encouraged to construct their own arguments by testing their ideas based on prior knowledge and applying these to situations relevant to their own school context. They will be supported throughout by a university tutor and a school-based coach.

"While the programme will be the same throughout all the NWMTL universities, participants will choose to register with one university, from which they will receive their degree. There is a broad agreement that the number of participants each university recruits will be in line with Initial Teacher Training quotas but we have the capacity at Edge Hill to accept every participant who indicates that they wish to work with us."

For more information, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/masters-in-teaching-and-learning.