Outstanding teachers for our country’s schools

Edge Hill University is spearheading an innovative model of employment-based teacher training that focuses on training outstanding teachers for the country's schools.

The Future Teachers Programme is a graduate teachers programme where trainees will train to teach in priority subjects of mathematics, chemistry and physics and be employed in a cross-section of north-west schools, colleges and academies.

Head of Future Teachers Programme Julie Bostock explained more about the new initiative during a recent open day for interested applicants. Listen to the interview here.

The programme is being driven by the University's Faculty of Education, which was recently graded ‘outstanding' for all aspects of its initial teacher education by Ofsted, together with secondary schools, colleges and academies.

The innovative partnership model has been designed to offer a high quality teacher training graduate programme that focuses on training outstanding teachers whilst at the same time driving school improvement through the network of organisations involved.

Those who enrol for the scheme will become ‘Associate Teachers'; they will receive a training salary and receive their professional training jointly between schools and the University. Ultimately, it will lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with qualified teacher status.

Robert Smedley, Dean of the Faculty of Education, said: "As the UK's largest provider of education and training for the whole school workforce, we're delighted to be leading the way once again by spearheading this innovative graduate teacher programme. This exciting new model of teacher training will drive improvement at subject level and in terms of teaching in the classroom. It will be a fantastic experience for those accepted onto the programme because they will be trained in at least two of our Future Teachers partner schools, so they receive contrasting professional experiences and specialisms. They will also be expected to disseminate their expert knowledge and skills amongst other partners and trainees at Edge Hill.

"Ultimately, the Future Teachers Programme will align with the University's already highly successful initial teacher training programmes and bring a strong focus on teaching quality, a sharing of expertise between the participating schools and the University and access to ‘outstanding' teachers in the shortage subjects, helping schools to recruit teachers of these subjects for the future."

The partnership schools, Colleges and Academies include: The Accrington Academy, Alder Grange Community. Technology College and Sixth Form, Bishop Rawstorne Languages College, Carmel College, Great Sankey High School, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, Hodgson High School, The Sutton Academy (St Helens) and Tarleton High School.

Listen to Liz Salter, a Professional Development Adviser, explain why she will be spreading the word about the new programme.