Mentoring the mentors: a critical reflection of the process of designing and supporting mentor training for post-compulsory sector teaching mentors

Abstract

Each pre or in-service student registered on the University of Wolverhampton's PGCE course is allocated an observer who assesses his or her teaching practice. Prior to September 2002 the observer's title was that of work-based assessor. However, the PGCE team felt that the role undertaken and the responsibilities inherent in the support and observation of the development of teaching practice were dimished somewhat by the use of this rather technical label. The title "Teaching Mentor" was adopted in September 2002. This research reflects the PCE (post-compulsory education) team's attempts to ensure that the shift was not simply semantic, but instead may be seen to be ahead of sectoral developments in its focus upon the individuals who mentor new or unqualified teachers and upon their education and training needs.