University of Bedfordshire
Redborne Training School has worked with the University of Bedfordshire to develop Masters modules to improve the quality of local CPD activity.
The aim is to ensure that teachers are involved in challenging CPD work which leads to deep evaluation and has a resulting impact on their teaching. Delivering some M level modules in local schools as well as at the University’s Polhill campus has been a useful development to facilitate teacher participation.
In 2010-11, the Coaching, Co-coaching and Mentoring module will be offered from Redborne Training School, and the Professional and Personal Development in NQT Year module will be offered from our partner school Samuel Whitbread Community College. The 30 Credit NQT module supports the NQT Induction year. This also supports progression for UoB PGCE students exiting with up to 60 Masters credits. The assessment for this module is an action research project, which is submitted in four parts, to enable formative feedback to be provided. The module is supported through research themed tutorial groups, using the subject and specialist expertise within the university and the schools to support focused research.
The final assessment is a presentation on the impact of their research to fellow-NQTs, to support the sharing of best practice. The Coaching, Co-coaching and Mentoring module supports mentoring and coaching in all areas of workforce development: ITT support; NQT support; coaching colleagues and pupil mentoring. The assessment involves designing and implementing a ‘tool’ for assessing the effectiveness of either mentoring or coaching. This leads to an evaluation of own mentor skills and assessments of the skills of others.