A Co-constructed School-University Partnership Model of Professional Development for Teachers

This article analyses an innovative model of school-university partnership to deliver effective professional development for teachers. The university engages in partnership with a school (either primary, secondary or a group of schools) and then they co-construct and co-deliver a programme based upon what improvement the school requires for its teachers. The teachers get access to the university’s resources and gain a postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree or a postgraduate certificate. This model has produced mutual benefits for all the parties concerned. The university has boosted reputation in the field and such partnerships with schools in professional development have led to other collaborations. Schools have benefitted from creating learning communities in their organisations and they have an upskilled workforce which impacts on pupil outcomes. Ultimately, the collaboration of partners has led to best practice professional development, which in turn has benefitted teachers and the pupils in their care.