East Midlands: SEN/ disability Initial Teacher Education Cluster Dr Des Hewitt University of Derby [email_address]

Cluster partners and aims Universities Bishop Grosseteste Derby Hull Leeds Metropolitan Leeds Trinity Nottingham Trent Primary undergraduate initial teacher education Aims Trial TDA SEN materials and extended placements Support each other through a collaborative approach Professional development for ITE tutors Develop sustainability in the cluster

Universities

Bishop Grosseteste

Derby

Hull

Leeds Metropolitan

Leeds Trinity

Nottingham Trent

Primary undergraduate initial teacher education

Aims

Trial TDA SEN materials and extended placements

Support each other through a collaborative approach

Professional development for ITE tutors

Develop sustainability in the cluster

How the cluster worked Three (termly) meetings of ITE tutors at different institutions: review of progress and professional development through invited speakers; Visits by lead institution tutors to each of the other institutions: Observation of teaching (University and schools); Discussion with tutors and students Written feedback following visits

Three (termly) meetings of ITE tutors at different institutions: review of progress and professional development through invited speakers;

Visits by lead institution tutors to each of the other institutions:

Observation of teaching (University and schools);

Discussion with tutors and students

Written feedback following visits

What helped the cluster work Dates for the year ahead ; Regular and timely communication ; ‘ Sensitive’ direction from the lead institution; Recognition that we are at different points on the journey; Open dialogue with all colleagues to identify the best ways of adapting to and adapting training materials and placement experiences ; Professional development for ITE colleagues

Dates for the year ahead ;

Regular and timely communication ;

‘ Sensitive’ direction from the lead institution;

Recognition that we are at different points on the journey;

Open dialogue with all colleagues to identify the best ways of adapting to and adapting training materials and placement experiences ;

Professional development for ITE colleagues

Cluster outcomes Student views ‘ Special school experience was transformational ’ ‘ Essential to have a direct experience of special education’ ‘ Whilst I learned strategies which will inform my practice in mainstream, the experience has changed the way I think about inclusion’ ‘ Inclusive and creative learning and teaching: Multi-sensory, purposeful, concrete, cross-curricular with over-teaching….’ ‘ My future lies in special education’

Student views

‘ Special school experience was transformational ’

‘ Essential to have a direct experience of special education’

‘ Whilst I learned strategies which will inform my practice in mainstream, the experience has changed the way I think about inclusion’

‘ Inclusive and creative learning and teaching:

Multi-sensory, purposeful, concrete, cross-curricular with over-teaching….’

‘ My future lies in special education’

ITE tutors ‘ SEN/ disability training materials can be used throughout our B.Ed and PGCE courses .’ ‘ We value the pragmatic and supportive approach of the TDA’ ‘ We have to move beyond a simplistic view of impact .’ ‘ SEN experience develops student beliefs about learning and teaching for all’

ITE tutors

‘ SEN/ disability training materials can be used throughout our B.Ed and PGCE courses .’

‘ We value the pragmatic and supportive approach of the TDA’

‘ We have to move beyond a simplistic view of impact .’

‘ SEN experience develops student beliefs about learning and teaching for all’

The future Eager to continue cluster; Develop approaches to evaluation and impact; Audit and change provision for best use of training materials; Review and rationalize SEN placements to build on the goodwill generated by this project.

Eager to continue cluster;

Develop approaches to evaluation and impact;

Audit and change provision for best use of training materials;

Review and rationalize SEN placements to build on the goodwill generated by this project.