Mentoring
Welcome to Mentoring at BCU. In response to the ITT Criteria 2024-25 that Mentors understand the trainee’ ITT Curriculum, we have designed a CPD mentor training package that all mentors can access to support their discussions and professional working relationship with BCU Associate Teachers. Whilst the DfE ITT Mentor Training Announcement November 2024 removed the compliance of up to 20 hours of mentor training, the expectation that mentors are trained to support Associate Teachers on placement remains. At BCU we will continue to provide high quality CPD mentoring via Brightspace and School Mentor Briefings and supportive documentation as outlined in the Primary Letter to School Partners.
Mentoring Overview
School Mentor Briefing MS Teams Links
Brightspace
Brightspace is BCU’s enhanced mentoring CPD training platform. Placement Mentors will each receive a personalised login to access Brightspace.
Headteachers will need to complete your registration via the registration link Once this has been completed, BCU administrators will create a personal Brightspace account using your preferred name and email and email you directly once registered. Once registered, the mentor will be able to access the relevant training based on accredited prior learning (APL) evidence.
BCU Mentor Coach Model
The BCU Mentor Coach Model has been specifically designed to support you as mentor to work effectively with our Associate Teachers. Further information is available on Brightspace, Unit 4
Funding
To reflect the changes brought about by the 2024-25 ITT requirements and recognise the additional contributions of expert colleagues in schools to the ITaP element, placement payments have been increased accordingly.
BCU will pay schools the amounts listed on table below. This payment is a contribution to the school for the mentor support for the ITaPs and the weekly mentoring support. This applies to all BCU Associate Teachers.We have found that it is advantageous to Associate Teachers to place them in pairs in a class, for example a pair of PGCE or BA1 Associate Teachers or a BA3 and a BA1 in a class.
It is also very supportive for Associate Teachers to be placed in the same school in different classes. Payments will be made in the term after the school-based training is completed.
| Number of Associate Teachers | Payment to School |
|---|---|
| 1 | £400 |
| 2 | £900 |
| 3 | £1500 |
| 4 | £3000 |