The Training of Teachers for Better Schools

Abstract

Summary Until her appointment as Director of the Polytechnic of the South Bank (London) from 1 January 1987, the author was Chief Inspector responsible for teacher training in HM Inspectorate, and as such contributed centrally to the development of thinking relative to the debate described in this issue of EJTE. Recent years have seen very rapid changes in teacher education, and it is to be hoped that the next decade will prove relatively stable. Problems to be faced include a demographic imbalance (a growing school population but, for the immediate present, a declining number of 18‐year‐olds who might enter the profession) and a need to ensure high academic and professional standards. Collaboration between trainers and school teachers is important to the training process, and the clinical model, found in medicine and other professions, interests the author. Much needs to be done to ensure the correct balance of training for all entrants, but the author is optimistic about what is being achieved.