Mentor development

We recognise the importance of effective mentors who are compassionate, committed and strong in their knowledge of teaching and learning. The DfE requirement of 20 hours of training for mentors with Beginning Teachers from September 2024 has afforded us the opportunity to develop a comprehensive curriculum to support the development of new mentors and those who may need or want to access high quality, free CDP. 

What our Mentors say about working with us

'The support and information received from the University and in particular the support from Lead Mentor has been excellent. The Lead Mentor was so encouraging and supportive of both the BT and myself, this made a very positive impact on us both.' (Stage 1 Mentor)

'I have had a really positive experience with this placement. There was an abundance of support and resources from the university and regular check ins with the Lead Mentor about the progress of the beginning teacher. Even when I couldn't make a time for a meeting, this was never an issue and a new time was offered. The Lead Mentor was always available if I had questions or queries. The beginning teacher placed in my class was knowledgeable about the placement and expectations and has made a very positive impact on the children and staff she has worked with.' (Stage 3 Mentor)

'As a mentor, I feel that there is a lot of support. All resources are easily accessible and the exemplars are really useful when that guidance is needed.' (PG Primary SB Route)

'I found the process of being an ITT/E mentor extremely rewarding and it has made me as a teacher more reflective of my own practice. I found the guidance offered to the BT to be good by the university and they were extremely well supported by the tutors.' (PG Secondary SB Route)

Thank you, mentors!

'The mentors and staff were so supportive and helpful during placement. It made it an overall positive experience.' (B.Ed Stage 2 Beginning Teacher)

All programmes we offer

Funding

DfE Funding for Schools

Funding guidance for schools is here (Conditions of grant - initial teacher training reform funding) and gives school partners the information they will require for understanding the funding conditions and how to claim in Spring 2025. 

Conditions of funding

For a school to claim this funding, the mentor must: 

A school cannot claim funding if a mentor completed their training but does not work with a trainee. 

Payments

Partnership with the university's ITT/E programmes provides opportunities for

  • Access to dedicated School Improvement support
  • Subject network meetings allowing for collaboration and research opportunities 
  • Outreach support promoting aspirations 
  • Opportunities to share good practice and areas of expertise with beginning teachers and academics
  • Engagement with taster days
  • High-quality evidence-based mentor training and development designed to support beginning teachers and whole school culture
  • Access to research-informed, co-constructed bespoke CPD opportunities tailored for your school 
  • University-hosted events, including guest lectures on pertinent educational topics
  • Placements for Beginning Teachers: growing and strengthening the professional workforce 
  • Engagement with Beginning Teachers across different age phrases from EYFS to Post 14
  • Funded mentor training and development 
  • Funded placements 
  • Focused training and practice working with Beginning Teachers, university tutors and school colleagues exploring current evidence-based areas of research (ITaPs)
  • Purpose-built platform to support mentors and schools 
  • Supporting recruitment to the profession through mock interviews 
  • Guest teaching opportunities 
  • Regular communication through partnership newsletters, accessible named personal contacts and Lead Mentors 
  • Opportunities to attend and engage with governance and quality assurance procedures 
  • Ability to feedback through specifically designed systems to influence and enhance our provision and curriculum construction

Please get in touch with one of our partnership quality leads

Julie Somers: j.somers@derby.ac.uk 

Charlie Bray: c.bray@derby.ac.uk 

Access your Training

To access the Mentor Development Platform, please follow the link to the My TDM Tile on Blackboard. 

All mentors will need to complete an Initial Mentor Development Needs Analysis form. This will be used to assess areas of strengths and areas for further development against our Mentor Development Framework. We will also use this form to assess whether any training components can be signed off because of prior learning, provided evidence of previous training is emailed to r.makepeace@derby.ac.uk.