The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and its partner schools have been successful in their application to deliver innovative new programmes of initial teacher education (ITE) from September 2019.
Programmes put forward by the Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership (APLP), a collaboration involving UWTSD’s Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education and a network of more than 100 schools, have received accreditation from the Education Workforce Council (EWC).
Partnerships in Wales had until December 1, 2017, to submit their proposed programmes of ITE, based on detailed criteria put forward by the Welsh Government to meet the needs of wide-ranging education reforms.
The APLP was subsequently visited by an independent accreditation panel, which has now recommended APLP programmes for approval.
New programmes will go live in September 2019 and have been drawn with the demands of the new national curriculum and Professional Teaching Standards in mind.
The development of the APLP heralds a new and innovative approach to teacher education, with Yr Athrofa and partner schools jointly responsible for the construction and delivery of all ITE programmes.
The APLP model of ITE has at its core an understanding that schools and universities are equal partners, and each have an integral role to play in the development of teacher education, the governance of the partnership and the processes needed for rigorous quality assurance.
Today’s announcement marks another important milestone in the university’s long history of teacher education and together UWTSD and partner schools have a strong track-record in successfully teaching and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Professor Dylan Jones, Dean of Yr Athrofa, said:
“We are delighted that the innovative programmes put forward by the APLP for accreditation have been approved by the EWC’s independent panel.
“The programmes were the result of more than two years’ co-construction and involved significant input from both school and university-based staff. I would like to congratulate and thank all of those who contributed to their development.
“A huge amount of time and energy was spent by colleagues in preparing our new ITE offer – and this positive outcome is just rewards for their efforts. The spirit in which this hugely important work was undertaken was truly commendable and reflects the power of partnerships in education.
“We look forward to collaborating further with partners across the education system to ensure the next generation of classroom teachers are best-placed to lead on Wales’ new and exciting national curriculum.
“We are very proud of what we have created together with schools and are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor of UWTSD, said:
“I am delighted that the University’s longstanding reputation and strong track record for ITE and training continues and that our partnership with schools will lead the way in developing confident and reflective learning communities.
“In creating Yr Athrofa – the Institute of Education, our intention was to lead transformational change and support a self-improving education system, in accordance with the Welsh Government’s policies relating to teacher education, curriculum reform and school improvement.
“The establishment of the APLP in partnership with the profession is part of that change. Together we have established strategic hubs across the region to deliver new programmes to equip tomorrow’s teachers with the skills that they need to ensure that children in Wales are given every opportunity to achieve their potential and to thrive.”
