A group of teachers and school leaders from the School of Education's partner schools recently completed a five-week professional development course, "Mentoring Skills for Cooperating Teachers: Supporting Student Teachers", led by the Teacher Education and Development Research Group. Designed and taught by Dr Gavin Murphy (PME Registrar), Dr Louise Heeran Flynn (PME Placement Coordinator), and Dr Susan McCormick (B.Mus.Ed. Coordinator), sessions were conducted online, culminating in an on-campus event.

The final session, held in March, featured keynote speaker and mentoring expert Professor Andrew Hobson from the University of Brighton. Professor Hobson shared insights on ONSIDE and judgementoring, engaging a diverse group that included doctoral students, school placement tutors, and academics from the School of Education's initial teacher education programmes.

Professor Ann Devitt, Head of the School of Education, welcomed participants and commended their dedication to mentoring student teachers. She remarked on the significant impact their efforts will have as student teachers undertake school placements in partner schools. She emphasised that  "the kind of expertise that you can give, the kind of insight into what's happening on the ground and what your students in your schools need, is invaluable."

To conclude the event, Dr Gavin Murphy reflected on the course's key themes, reinforcing the role of mentoring as a relational and context-sensitive practice. He highlighted how enquiry and reflection strengthen mentoring expertise and that sustaining professional networks supports long-term growth. Participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their commitment to mentoring student teachers and shaping the future of teacher education.

Reflecting on the experience, one participant shared: "I think this initiative was fantastic. There is a need to develop cooperating teachers' mentor roles. As a school, we are going to develop a framework for our student teachers. Thank you for inspiring us and showing us the way!"

The School of Education extends its gratitude to the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences for generously funding the on-campus event, which provided an invaluable opportunity for connection and learning.

Thanks to everyone who made this short course a success – we look forward to future offerings.  

Pics of 3 lecturers