Up until recently, there were no sustainable, high-volume, and practical solutions for guaranteeing quality pipelines for teachers into all three sectors Australian Schools. That changed, however, when Alphacrucis University College partnered with the St Philip’s Christian College network (a group of 6 Schools and 6 Early Learning Centres) to co-design and pioneer Australia’s first Teaching School Hub.
This Teaching School Hub Model is predicated on the Clinical Teaching Model (CTM), embraced by Alphacrucis University College from the inception of their Education Faculty.
This model has since been widely embraced, including over 60 participant schools from all three sectors of Australian school education and all States and Territories.
What is a Teaching School?
In broad terms, a Teaching School consists of a cluster of like-minded schools, drawn together by a proximal geography and/or a unique ethos. The Teaching School then closely partner with a tertiary institute who provides Initial Teacher Education courses.
Through this partnership, the Teaching School provides an innovative and dynamic program. Teaching schools commit to offering trainee positions to a cohort of pre-service teachers each year, based on annual minimum viable numbers. These targeted trainees study together in a values-centred environment, working from day one of their degree in the classroom under the guidance of a Mentor Teacher, the latter themselves being involved in a trained cohort of teacher mentors.
The entire Teaching School is in turn led by a Teaching School director and a tertiary appointed Regional Director. These two collaborate to ensure wrap-around support for the progression of students and the quality of the program. Unique to this model, tertiary and Teaching school create a ‘third-space’ where the dynamic, community orientated formation of trainee teachers occurs.
The Model provides practical teacher training that inducts a trainee into the art and craft of teaching, embedded within the values and ethos of the group of schools that have come together to create the Teaching School.
How can I find out more about getting involved?
Contact us at [email protected]and we can discuss with you how you and your school or institution can get started.