Teacher Mentoring Programme in the Further Education Sector

Descriptions

The Department for Education (DfE) is conducting a competitive procurement exercise to secure a supplier to deliver a programme of continuous professional development to support effective Teacher Mentoring within the Further Education (FE) sector. The DfE has previously published its commitments to FE providers (which includes colleges and other institutions within the statutory FE sector, and other providers) in the Skills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity and Growth White Paper. The paper identifies a need to ensure all FE providers are well managed, governed and have the best quality teachers and lecturers. In doing so, we will ensure that post-16 further education students have access to world-class technical and vocational education, providing the skills both individuals and employers need for the future economy. The White Paper can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-for-jobs-lifelong-learning-for-opportunity-and-growth In securing a supplier to design and deliver a professional development and training offer for mentors and participants within the FE, the key outcomes the DfE aim to achieve are: to offer additional support and training to FE practitioners that act as mentors for new and inexperienced teachers in the sector; to provide mentors with the skills to assist the wellbeing and mental health of newly appointed FE teachers, to support smooth transition between industries and help form positive teacher-retention practices; offer mentees access to a skilled mentor that can aid their professional and personal development to become excellent teachers. As well as providing the Teacher Mentoring Programme, the supplier will administer and manage grant funding, that FE providers can apply for, to enable individuals to engage in the programme activity.