Professional Mentors' Perceptions of the Contribution of School/HEI Partnerships to Professional Development and School Improvement

This article reports on a detailed survey conducted with over 50 professional mentors in secondary schools in the northwest of England. It explores their views about the significance of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in the development of effective continuing professional development within their schools and examines its influence on raising professional standards. It also refines the interrelationship between ITT, professional development and school improvement. Although ITT is clearly seen as a positive force in reinforcing professional activity within schools there are some pertinent messages for the Higher Education Institutes and for the government, as professional goodwill cannot be assumed to be an endless resource.