Hallam education expert leads new national panel to improve teacher training

23rd May 2019

New teachers will get extra advice and support during the first years of their careers thanks to a panel of experts headed up by a Sheffield Hallam University academic.

The group of experts, led by Professor Sam Twiselton OBE, director of the Sheffield Institute of Education, will be reviewing the content of teacher training and recommending ways to align it with the Early Career Framework the biggest teaching reform in a generation announced in January 2019. The new guidance will underpin a training programme for all new teachers, beginning with updated core content for teacher training, leading into the Early Career Framework once qualified. Professor Twiselton OBE said: "The highest performing countries around the world share a focus on developing teachers, which will be at the heart of what this group is looking to achieve. "Bringing initial teacher training and the Early Career Framework into close alignment provides a unique opportunity to ensure all newly qualified teachers have access to a shared understanding of how best to develop in their careers." She added: "Sheffield Hallam University is an outstanding Initial Teacher Education provider, recognised for our excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. As one of the largest in the country, we provide more than 1,000 qualified teachers each year to the local region across all age groups. "There is a wealth of expertise for us to draw on within the University and with our partner schools which gives us first-hand knowledge of the issues and pressure teachers are facing today." Minister for School Standards, Nick Gibb, said: "The Early Career Framework is a fundamental shift in the support available to teachers starting out in their careers, ensuring newly qualified teachers continue to be mentored to help them develop the key skills teachers need. "The advisory group that convened today will play an essential role in helping us to ensure that the training teachers receive is consistent, and of the highest quality, as the full programme is rolled out." Prof Twiselton has vast experience of developing curriculum content for teacher training. She will be supported by six leaders in education and teacher training, encompassing views from across the sector, including leading academics and teacher training providers. The other members of the group are: James Noble Rogers, Executive Director of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers Emma Hollis, Executive Director of the National Association of School Based Teacher Training Professor Becky Francis, Director of the Institute of Education, University College London Marie Hamer, Executive Director of Learning Design and Teaching Programmes at Ambition Institute. Reuben Moore, Executive Director of programme development at Teach First John Blake, Director of Policy and Strategy at NowTeach. Launched by the Department of Education's Recruitment & Retention Strategy, the Early Career Framework guarantees new teachers will receive a two-year package of training and support at the start of their career, including a reduced timetable to allow teachers to make the most of their training. Extra investment will also be pledged, through the £42million Teacher Development Premium, to roll-out the Early Career Framework early in the North East, Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester. The group is expected to make its final recommendations by the end of the summer 2019, with publication timed to best support the national roll-out of both the Early Career Framework and Ofsted's new inspection framework. Sheffield Hallam University is committed to working towards safety, prosperity and social inclusion for all.