Teacher Training & Professional Development
Throughout your teaching career you should have access to professional development opportunities which will allow you to teach effectively, respond to technological and policy innovations and pursue your chosen career development path.
The NASUWT works on a number of fronts to secure this right for its members and for all teachers.
Expert advice from Union Learning Reps
It is the Union’s aim to have a Union Learning Representative (ULRs) in every school where there are NASUWT members. These ULRs are trained and able to provide expert advice on learning opportunities to their colleagues.
The NASUWT also publishes guidance documents on issues related to members’ professional development. Through its representative structure, the Union is active in ensuring that members have access to the latest information and advice and are aware of professional development opportunities that are available to them.
The Union also works to ensure that the developmental needs of teachers are constantly in focus for those who make education policy.
In England and Wales, the NASUWT has worked in social partnership as a member of the Rewards and Incentives Group (RIG) to ensure that the professional development needs of teachers are reflected in the revised Performance Management regulations which came into force in 2006/7.
Teacher Training
The NASUWT is committed to supporting members who are undertaking Initial Teacher Training (ITT) across the UK. It is also committed to working with the agencies that are responsible for overseeing teacher training to ensure that future teachers receive the best possible preparation for their future careers.
The NASUWT has joined together with the National Union of Students (NUS) to provide a unique joint service for all Initial Teacher Training (ITT) students.
No other teaching union can offer such an all-encompassing service to its student members. By offering a joint service, teaching students throughout the UK receive the best service available while studying with their ITT provider AND while on placement in school. The NASUWT/NUS ITT Student Service has been extremely successful in negotiating solutions to student members' problems and in ensuring a fair deal on their behalf.
Practical advice
We also give advice and practical help on:
- problems with your mentor in school, tutors in college and other students;
- financial concerns, financial incentive schemes, student support and student loans;
- professional standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS);
- unfair treatment and harassment on placement or in college;
- failure/competency; academic appeals; disciplinary and complaints procedures;
- the National Skills Tests on Numeracy, Literacy and ICT;
- wanting to change course, deferral or withdrawal from course issues.
Whatever the problem, the NASUWT/NUS Initial Teacher Training Student Service is equipped to help. Simply contact your Regional Centre, or National Centre in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The ITT Student Service gives you:
- an experienced network of ITT student caseworkers;
- NASUWT legal cover appropriate to teacher training placements;
- students' union representation in academic hearings;
- general advice and information on issues relevant to student teachers.
The NASUWT has also produced publications on the Induction of NQTs for teachers across the UK which helps newly qualified teachers understand what that they can expect, and what will be expected of them, once they take up a teaching post.
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