A unique collaboration that allows student teachers to collaborate with schools, OFSTED inspectors, researchers and Local Authorities to support school improvement plans has been shortlisted for a national award.
A unique collaboration that allows student teachers to collaborate with schools, OFSTED inspectors, researchers and Local Authorities to support school improvement plans has been shortlisted for a national award.
The Hope Challenge is one of 15 shortlisted entries for the Higher Education Academy’s Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence, which recognises teaching excellence by teams at higher education providers. The collaborative award reflects the key role that teamwork has in promoting student success through learning and teaching.
First piloted in 2015, the Hope Challenge sees student teachers and researchers from Liverpool Hope University go into schools to develop and deliver targeted projects in response to a specific challenge identified by the school. Trainee teachers participate in the Hope Challenge in addition to their course placements, allowing them to experience a wider range of school settings, or to specialise in a particular area.
Eleven primary and secondary schools across the North West have taken part or are currently part of the Hope Challenge. Projects have included creative writing, developing speaking and listening skills in EAL students, GCSE Mathematics intervention and using music to aid reading.
Sue Cronin, Head of Teacher Education at Hope, said: “The real key to the success of the Hope Challenge is collaboration. The school teacher provides their expert knowledge of context and subject, the university tutor brings their pedagogy research, and the trainee teachers bring their ideas to craft sessions that meet the challenge set by the school.
“All of this can achieve improved outcomes for young learners, by improving the quality of new teachers. The results of the first two years for both schools and our students have been extremely promising. We look forward to developing the programme further to meet the changing needs of schools and local authorities.”
Six of the shortlisted institutions will be awarded grants of £15,000 to disseminate their learning. These will be announced at the formal celebration event to be held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London, in late January 2017.