Partner schools

Initial Teacher Training is all about successful collaboration and we work with over 250 partner schools across the region. These vary from small, rural schools for pupils aged 4-8 to large urban comprehensives, which include 6th forms.

Partner schools provide teacher training students with a real classroom environment in which to practise and refine their teaching skills.

Most have been working with us for a long time and, through our partnership committee, influence course development and take a full and active part in making decisions.

Mentors (login needed)

• Contact educationservices@beds.ac.uk for access to mentoring materials

We train school based mentors to work with students on their placements.

They agree that mentoring trainee teachers is a valuable opportunity for their own professional development and it is no surprise that a high proportion of partner schools appoint Bedford trainees after seeing them on school experience.

The commitment is such that an increasing number of school mentors were once trainees at our Bedford campus.

Following a recent Mentor Training Day former student Fionna Byrne wrote in to say:

I thought the training yesterday was great, really useful and informative. I am looking forward to the challenges which I am sure lie ahead as a mentor! It was nice to be back at Polhill and it has made me realise what a good decision it was to begin the MA this September - back where I started in the Faculty.

If you would like to find out more about our partnership with schools please contact E: educationservices@beds.ac.uk