Embedding a university teacher education programme in a school: an evaluation of a school and university partnership

The government Implementation Plan ‘Training our next generation of outstanding teachers’ (2011:8) suggests that ‘we will … require university ITT (Initial Teacher Training) providers to involve schools fully in their provision’. In 2012, the University involved in this research looked to experiment with an innovative way of embedding a University programme in a school. This research inquiry investigated this unique experiment, focusing on project evaluation as seen by key stakeholders. The political climate surrounding teacher education in England changed rapidly following the start of the project, and the experiment of school-embedded provision was not continued after July 2013. The research project therefore took on a new dimension as a source interest for those endeavouring to forge successful partnerships between schools and HEIs (Higher Education Institutions).