Our partner schools and settings play an important role in providing trainee teachers with high-quality school-based experience. By becoming a partner, you can contribute to teacher training while developing your staff, accessing professional development opportunities and helping to identify future teachers for your school or setting.
Who can become a partner?
We work with a diverse range of schools and early years settings across the Thames Valley and beyond, including nursery, primary and secondary schools, academies and special schools.
Whether you are new to working with the Institute of Education or are interested in developing an existing partnership, we would be happy to discuss the opportunities available.
What does being a partner involve?
Our partnerships can take different forms depending on your school or setting and the teacher training programme you are supporting.
As a partner, you may have opportunities to:
- host trainee teachers as part of their school-based training
- support trainees through mentoring and professional development
- work alongside University tutors to support trainee progress
- contribute to the development of future teachers
- identify and recruit talented trainees who may go on to begin their teaching careers in your school or setting
- contribute to the recruitment process for teacher training, where appropriate.
What support will we receive?
We understand that supporting a trainee is a significant responsibility, which is why we work closely with our partner schools and settings throughout the placement.
Mentors receive training and ongoing support, while University tutors work with schools to support trainees and help ensure placements are successful.
There are also opportunities for professional development, including mentor training and certification.
How to become a partner
If you are interested in becoming a partner, our School Placements team will talk through the opportunities with you and discuss your school's or setting's capacity to support trainees.
Once the partnership arrangements have been agreed, you will be asked to complete a Partnership Agreement.
Ready to get involved?
If you would like to find out more about becoming a partner school or setting, contact our School Placements team: ioeschoolplacements@reading.ac.uk.