We are very proud to have developed strong links with several Initial Teacher Education institutions over many years. In addition to working with Chester, Bangor, Manchester and Edge Hill Universities, we are proud to be a Lead Partner School for the Open University and work to support their Associate Teachers across the region with regard to coaching and mentoring.

Our primary aims regarding initial teacher education are to:

• Provide a caring environment in which to develop the potential of all trainee/associate teachers through high quality teaching and learning opportunities.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to our Open University schools in order for them to provide high quality teaching and learning opportunities for trainee/associate teachers within their school.

We aim to provide high quality initial teacher education across all curriculum areas. In doing so we believe initial teacher education will have a significant impact on:

• Improvements in teaching and learning.
• Professional development for teachers, particularly those mentors working with initial trainees.
• The learning of students.
• The development and support given to newly qualified teachers.
• The recruitment of high quality, well qualified specialist teachers.