Transforming Initial Teacher Education

Tracing the development of initial teacher education since the large-scale expansion of the teaching profession after the Second World War to the present day, The Transformation of Initial Teacher Education explores the changing nature of teacher training.

Examining the growth of the ‘teaching industry’, this book addresses key issues including:

• the return to an apprentice model
• the growing importance of schools in initial teacher training
• the continuing decline in the role played by higher education
• an examination of the broader socio-economic context of increased marketisiation
• a reconsideration of the international political factors driving the reform process; and
  
• interviews with prominent individuals who have been involved with the development of policy

Considering the ideas and ideals that have permeated teacher education and how these have shaped the experiences of trainees on a variety of programmes across a broader international context, this book examines the future of teacher education and the changing nature of teaching, providing essential insight for trainee teachers, school staff and any academics involved in teacher education.

Ian Abbott is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Education Studies at the University of Warwick. He was previously the Director of the Centre and prior to that led the University’s Institute of Education. He has worked with in partnership with a number of external organisations, including Teach First and Teaching Leaders. He has collaborated with a number of schools and colleges on a range of research and staff development projects. He has extensive experience of initial teacher education and has worked on a range of programmes. He has written extensively on a range of education policy issues including a number of books on aspects of secondary teacher education.

Mike Rathbone was Director of Continuing Professional Development in the Institute of Education at the University of Warwick. He has wide-ranging experience of primary teacher training and has worked in a number of schools and higher education institutions. He has published widely on teacher education and continuing professional development, especially related to beginning teachers.

Philip Whitehead began his career in education teaching in a comprehensive school in London in 1972. Since then he has worked across most phases of education including secondary, further, higher and special education. He was the headteacher of a secondary school in Papua New Guinea for three years. On returning to the UK he took management roles in staff development and teacher training, before moving into development work in higher education. He has carried out research into learning journeys and ethnicity, leadership cultures, educational policy, and professional development. At present he is Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Nottingham.