Initial teacher education and school based training
The University is a leading regional provider of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). Consistently high achieving in Ofsted inspections and in the Guardian and Times League tables we are recognised as a very good quality training provider by local employers and graduate employability is amongst the highest in the country.
We are also in partnership with several hundred early years, primary and secondary settings.
Successful completion of Initial Teacher Education programmes leads to Qualified Teacher Status.
Strong partnership connections
The Strength of our partnership connections were highlighted in our 2010/11 Ofsted Report which stated:
"The quality of provision across the partnership is good. Schools are keen to be involved... communication across the partnership is strong with school-based trainers clear about their points of contact."
Our partnership colleagues are involved in all aspects of ITE:
- interviewing
- mentoring
- assessment
These all contribute to central based training and strategic planning as part of our Partnership Advisory Group.
This has helped establish a shared commitment and vision for ITE between the University Of Hertfordshire and our partners.
Find out more about the benefits of partnership.
School based training
Our Initial Teacher Education courses are reliant on the school based training in our partnership schools.
The process of mentoring a student provides many advantages for teachers, such as networking with colleagues, a fresh eye, self-questioning, and thus reinforcement of their own practice.
Ongoing support
We support teachers through a supply-paid mentor training event prior to all placement periods, which normally provides differentiated training for New or Established mentors.
Also all of our students receive at least three visits from a lecturer to supervise their work in partnership with the teacher mentor. These placement supervisors have hundreds of years experience between them, often as head teachers.
Important documents
All schools have signed up to our partnership agreement and we are always glad to hear from new schools wishing to join our partnership.
Our students, when on placement, adhere to our Code of Professional Conduct for Trainees . We provide a sample initial teaching training policy to give our schools a starting point when preparing to mentor our students, though we recognise that most schools will have policies of their own.
Students are assigned to placements according to a Policy which aims to ensure fairness and a mix of teaching experiences.
Documents and Resources for Teacher Mentors
The combined placement documentation is a detailed pack which includes copies of all the information given to the students.
- Combined primary school based training documentation
- Combined secondary school based training documentation
The Placement Milestone Notes are detailed descriptions of the stages the mentor and trainee go through together to run a successful placement. They are specific to each course and placement period.
Secondary School Based Training Milestone Notes
Forms for Teacher Mentors
There are forms for the teacher mentors to complete in the course of the placement. These forms are also included in the placement documentation packs. We have kept them as simple as possible.
Primary Forms
- Advanced coach-mentor testimonial form
- Advanced coach-mentor record of evidence
- Approved coach-mentor testimonial form
- Approach coach-mentor record of evidence
- Assessment grid
- Associate coach-mentor testimonial form
- Associate coach-mentor record of evidence
- Attendance register for school based training
- Cause for concern notification
- Career entry and development profile
- Foundation stage plans
- Group assessment checklist
- Lesson evaluation and detailed lesson evaluation
- Lesson observation form
- Lesson observation form - Phonics
- Lesson observation form - Reading
- Lesson plan Key Stage 1 and 2
- Moderation visit form
- Professional training record
- Reading record
- Report and reference
- School based training evaluation: Primary school
- School based training evaluation: Trainee
- School based training - Primary tutor record
- Skills observation forms
- Trainees' observation form
- Whole class assessment checklist
Secondary Forms
These will be available for completion on line via a separate e-portfolio site. Log in details will be provided to all Secondary Teacher Mentors following their student's arrival in school.