University of Aberdeen wins £1.8m for teacher training initiatives and research
TEACHER training initiatives at the University of Aberdeen are set to be revolutionised thanks to a £1.8million cash award from the Scottish Executive and The Hunter Foundation (THF)
The University has been awarded sole preferred bidder status for its 'unique, radical, and fundamental approach' to test a new model and approach for Initial Teacher Education (ITE), after a competitive tendering process among Scotland's Universities.
The award - the final, and largest, of the £4 million ring-fenced programmes under the 'Determined to Succeed' strategy for Enterprise in Education - provides funding for a four year pilot development and associated research, with the University Aberdeen raising a further £ 900,000 endowment to continue to research and develop the model post-funding, taking the overall value of the programme to £ 2.7m.
This project will test a new model for the Scottish teacher for the 21st century, recognising the challenges of new trends in global economics, industry and society, designed to raise pupils' achievements and to research teacher effectiveness.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said: "Throughout the University system in Scotland we are looking at new ways of developing and educating our new generation of teachers. This joint project with the Hunter Foundation and Aberdeen University will allow us to accelerate this process. It does so in a way which ensures other Universities will be able to benefit from lessons learned, spreading the benefits across the whole of Scotland."
Ewan Hunter, chief executive of The Hunter Foundation said: "Aberdeen's bid heralds a sea change in the manner in which we will educate the educators of tomorrow - it is unique, radical and fundamental in its approach to a new model for ITE. They have remarkably combined a zest for innovation with a major programme of ITE development that will see Local Authorities and the University come together in true partnership to develop world-class teachers."
Key facets of the Aberdeen bid include:
· Developing fully integrated participation with six Local Authorities and possible linkage to other universities with all joining forces to "radically re-conceptualise" the model of educating primary school teachers
· Testing an extension of the existing one year post-graduation support to a two year 'clinical internship' with the second year seeing ongoing mentoring support
· Introducing evidenced based learning and investigation as a fundamental of delivering ongoing pupil support and development
· Developing a new continuing professional development (CPD) programme to cultivate ongoing mentoring with the six Local Authorities
· Engaging existing teachers as fellow investigators and mentors in educational improvement and helping to Engender even deeper pedagogical knowledge in new teachers.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: "I am absolutely delighted to have secured such a significant funding award for the continuing development of our first-class School of Education.
"There is nothing more important than strengthening the work of Scotland's schools. Tom Hunter's generosity is a wonderful example of someone successful putting something major back into the welfare of Scotland."
Cathy Macaslan, Head of the School of Education, said: "This is a momentous occasion for teacher education in the North and North East, and puts the University and its partner authorities on the international education map.
"We have together created a new vision for teachers in the 21st century based on a deep respect for young people's learning and their potential achievement for the future. We have demonstrated that we are national leaders in this field and we are delighted that this has been recognised by both The Hunter Foundation and the Scottish Executive."
Mr Hunter added: "The benchmark for our new teachers will be world-class. Aberdeen will not be comparing itself to its UK counterparts, the comparison will be global and on a world stage - we want Scotland to lead, not follow. "
Matthew MacIver, the Chief Executive/Registrar of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, said: "We look forward to working with the University of Aberdeen on what promises to be a completely new approach to teacher education in Scotland.
"I am pleased to see the emphasis that is being placed on a new model of partnership with the local authorities. This will be a critical partnership as we train more teachers in Scotland and it is vital that they become an integral part of the whole system."
A detailed programme of action will now be developed by Aberdeen University for delivery as soon as is practicable. A fully transparent and open access web site will also be developed to show progress, plans and actions of Aberdeen University and also to highlight other key innovations in education with key stakeholders. The model of development will ensure best practice is shared across all of Scotland's ITE establishments and encourages their participation.