CUREEs work on powerful mentoring has lead to the creation of two key developmental resources which can be used either in a school environment or via a cluster or partnership of organisations who support the development of trainee teachers. The resources are Pulling Through and Doubling Up, packed with tools, activities and professional development which CUREE has developed building on the sound evidence about what really works in mentoring. The packs are available now to really support mentors and mentees when they need it most.
An example of these materials forming the foundation of an inspiring development session was with the NQTs and GTPs in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The LA and the GPT partnership in these areas work closely together and joined forces to work with CUREE to create a training programme for mentors to develop their skills in supporting NQTs and GTPs to bring out their potential more quickly.
The objective of the first training day was to develop participants’ understanding of the core concepts of coaching and mentoring and to provide plenty of opportunity for mentors to see animated examples of mentoring sessions and consider these from the viewpoint of the mentor and the trainee teacher. “It made me reflect upon my role as mentor and refreshed skills that I had forgotten.” Mentors honed and practiced their skills and explored some tools in the ‘Pulling Through’ pack of resources which they were able to take away, equipped to use more of the materials in the variety of situations in which they might find themselves. “The resources provided will enable me to become a more effective mentor as they make trainees learning more specific and manageable.” The LA and GTP partnership were highly impressed too and are buying further resources for all the schools in their remit and working on further training programmes.
If you would like to know more about using the mentoring materials to support trainee teachers or in-school mentors in your school, cluster, LA or GTP partnership do contact amy.britton-powell@curee.co.uk.