Sheffield Hallam University

Professional learning built on collaboration, inquiry, innovation and trust

The Wipro Teacher Fellow and Teacher Mentor Programme is an evidence-based, individualised programme of professional learning designed to improve teachers’ confidence, motivation and capability in one or more of the STEM subjects. Programme participants are drawn from primary and secondary schools in South Yorkshire and the surrounding region.

Three cohorts of teachers and mentors have gone through the since its inception in early 2019. Cohort 4 of the programme started in September 2023.

The programme has two parts and two sets of participants - Teacher Fellows and Teacher Mentors.

Teacher Fellows

This part of the programme is for:

  • Secondary school teachers in the early stages of teaching one of the STEM subjects.
  • Primary teachers who wish to develop their specialist knowledge in one or more of the STEM subjects.

Teacher Fellows are in their first 6-7 years of teaching or new to teaching their subject. Over a 36 month period, Teacher Fellows collaborate with expert colleagues, Teacher Mentors and each other to:

  • Improve their subject and pedagogical knowledge.
  • Develop, trial and evaluate innovative ways of teaching their subject.
  • Deepen their understanding of teaching through curriculum development and research.
  • Carry out an inquiry into their practice.

Teacher Mentors

Our Mentors are expert, experienced teachers and subject leaders who support the Teacher Fellows throughout the programme, and also take part in their own programme of development.

For Cohort 4 we have two types of mentors:

  • New Mentors – some of whom have been Fellows in previous cohorts and who will be supported through a bespoke programme of professional development.
  • Senior Mentors who have already completed the mentor programme and who will receive ongoing support with their mentoring skills.

The programme has been subject to ongoing formative evaluation since its inception. This has been crucial to its development and in shaping the professional learning we have offered to participants.

Loading...