The Partnership Development Schools (PDS) Programme supports the creation of collaborative partnerships of schools and initial teacher training (ITT) providers; it aims to improve the quality and number of school placements for trainee teachers.
The Partnership Development Schools (PDS) Programme was set up in 2006 and funded by the TDA until March 2009.
Benefits of the programme
Schools that have completed the first two phases of the initiative have identified benefits that include:
- significant opportunities for personal and professional development of school and ITT provider personnel
- improved quality of mentoring and school-based training including the piloting and production of materials
- improved consistency of mentoring practice and support for ITT trainees in schools
Participating schools and providers indicate that best practice is achieved when there is an equal collaboration between provider and school. ITT providers that saw their role as an investment, actively linking with clusters to support them through the process, were the most effective.
Project structure
PDS projects are run by clusters made up of five schools: one lead and four associates.
Projects in each region are monitored and quality assured by a regional management group (RMG) made up of five members: two ITT providers, two school members and one independent member, usually from the local authority (LA).
Case studies
Projects are designed to address regional and national ITT priorities and contribute to the ITT knowledge base.
Sixty-seven projects are currently running that address the following areas :
- shortage in mathematics
- shortage in science
- shortage in key stage 1
- the 14 – 19 diploma ITT placements
- integrating ITT in performance management frameworks (in primary and secondary)
- developing the role of subject mentors
- enhancing pedagogic subject knowledge
- challenging schools
- assessing the impact for schools of involvement in ITT
- models of ITT placements
- harmonising ITT practice between school and provider
Partnership development schools phase III project overview (PDF, 327KB)
The case studies describe the outcomes of a one year TDA-funded project.
Multiple placements in maths and science
You can find out more about multiple placements for inital teacher trainees in maths and science as well as case studies from ITT providers.