ATL and Edge Hill University - Working together
Marty Bousted, General Secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and Chair of unionlearn, was particularly pleased when ATL entered into partnership with Edge Hill University to establish an innovative partnership that will provide ATL members with opportunities to secure accreditation for professional development. The courses are designed to tailor provision to the needs of the members and to reduce costs and this benefits both unions and members.
Edge Hill University is one the country’s leading providers of professional development for the wider school workforce and ATL members will be able to undertake a variety of accredited activities, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, enabling them to develop their knowledge and expertise in the classroom at little or no cost to themselves.
The University has a very successful track record in enabling staff to gain academic credit through portfolio evidence of professional activities undertaken on the job. The accreditation opportunities are for all school and college staff. At undergraduate level colleagues can work towards Fds in Supporting Teaching and Learning or in Professional Development. At postgraduate level, colleagues work towards an MA Education.
These are flexible programmes of study that can be engaged with either online or through practice-based learning modules. These accreditation offers are designed to be flexible, innovative and focussed on impact in the classroom. For staff with a first degree, accreditation is available at postgraduate level, up to and including MA Education. Employer support may include time off for studying and mentoring in the workplace.
Pamela Creeth, a Pupil Support Assistant and ATL member, completed her first year on the Foundation degree in Supporting and Teaching Learning. A union newsletter promoting the discounted offer to union members first made her aware of the degree.
She contacted ATL and signed up to the course finding the trade union-influenced higher learning programme more accessible than others.
“I had been looking to do a degree but was put off by the cost but the fully funded offer made my mind up” Pamela said.
Speaking about the first year she added: “Family commitments and work have often taken up most of my time, but the flexibility of a degree that you can do online, at anytime of the day and night, and the support for fellow learners that I met on the introductory day has enabled me to complete the year.”
Her employer has also been supportive as they realise that they will benefit from a member of staff with increased knowledge, enhanced skills and greater confidence: “Although most of it was undertaken online, the School let me have time off for introductory days in London. They also provided a mentor.”
Pamela would recommend undertaking higher learning to other trade union members: “I would definitely recommend it as it gives people the skills and confidence to move on in their careers.”
In the future, Pamela hopes to progress to the Foundation degree to gain qualified teacher status (QTS)
