This page outlines the roles and responsibilities commited to in the Partnership Agreement by the University and its Link Tutors, and the Partner School, its PCM and Mentors (CBMs).
The University will:
- ensure the fulfilment of the responsibilities of the University, which are specified here;
- participate in all matters related to publicity and admissions procedures for the course;
- handle all administrative matters related to course accreditation, inspection, assessment and examination procedures and quality assurance;
- work with the Lead School to manage and co‑ordinate the course;
- provide training at suitable times for all alliance staff involved in delivering the course;
- provide 12 days of lectures for trainees covering core and foundation subjects, and professional studies;
- make arrangements for trainees to reach all the required Teachers' Standards by the end of the course;
- provide personal guidance and support for trainees through access to a personal academic tutor, and counselling, if required. This support may extend to Student Services and/or the Students Union;
- provide trainees with training in awareness of their legal status in school and of e-safety procedures in schools and subject classrooms;
- in conjunction with the Lead School monitor the alliance schools' contribution to training, offering extra support where required to ensure that training provided is of a high standard;
- ensure that all procedures are carried out for the final assessment of trainees for the recommendation of Qualified Teacher Status, and for the completion of an Early Career Teacher (ECT) transition document;
- organise internal and external moderation procedures, and in collaboration with the Lead School investigate quality issues raised through such moderation.
The University Link Tutor will:
- provide school-based staff with relevant subject and course documentation;
- provide trainees and school-based staff with communications from University;
- visit trainees on at least three occasions during the year to observe, support and carry out a QA check of the placement;
- discuss trainee progress in relation to the Teachers’ Standards for QTS.
The Lead School will:
- ensure that all trainees are provided with clear guidance in respect of the safeguarding of children;
- provide a senior and experienced member of staff, taking leadership of ITT, to fulfil the role of the Lead School Manager (Professional Co-ordinating Mentor / PCM) and make appropriate provision for all school placements;
- ensure that all staff receive appropriate on-going training and support to fulfil their roles in ITT;
- ensure that staff training encompasses equal opportunity legislation as it applies to their roles in ITT;
- provide outstanding mentors who have the appropriate subject knowledge and understanding, the pedagogical skills, and the interpersonal qualities, willingness and time to support trainees;
- aim to ensure that trainees are placed in diverse settings;
- audit each trainee's subject knowledge, understanding and skills;
- collate information on trainees' academic background, initial audit and interim and final assessments, and facilitate discussion of these between the Lead School, the alliance schools and the university;
- ensure that trainees undertake DBS clearance;
- ensure that trainees undertake a 'Fitness to Teach' assessment.
The Alliance School will:
- act as the first point of contact with the Lead School managers and administration in co-ordinating all aspects of the training and assessment of the ITT programme;
- provide a programme of induction to the school and training in whole-school issues;
- provide induction into class procedures, data (e.g. target grades for school pupils), resources and specifications as appropriate;
- receive and approve the trainee teacher’s lesson plans in good time and provide appropriate feedback in time for the trainee to make agreed amendments;
- ensure that the trainee is formally observed once a week and is provided with written feedback in relation to the Standards framework, using the university's online training plan;
- jointly observe with the University Link Tutor and/or host mentor as appropriate;
- identify in the trainee profile small areas for development for the next phase of training in relation to the Standards and work with the trainee to set targets and agree a plan of action;
- monitor progress on the online assessment platform Abyasa during the training period;
- oversee the assessment and recording of pupils’ progress undertaken by the trainee;
- provide appropriate training and support for trainees including a guaranteed private meeting each week between the class teacher mentor and trainee, the outcome of which is recorded on Abyasa;
- participate in the assessment of trainees and course evaluation and monitoring procedures;
- keep up-to-date with developments in ITT by participation in any events organised by the Partnership during the academic year;
- co-ordinate the evaluation of school-based training by trainees and mentors and liaise with the Lead School management as appropriate;
- have responsibility for implementation and review of school experience activities;
- provide access to information on the school’s use of a range of data to support pupils’ learning and progress, such as target-setting, assessment and transfer information;
- include trainees in parents' meetings, reporting to parents, and the school’s professional development programme;
- keep the Lead School manager informed of any developments in school that might affect adversely the quality of the trainee experience in school;
- assess the progress against the Standards at the end of each practice together with the partnership Link Tutor as appropriate and agree grades.