University Celebrates Launch of Learning Trust
1 November 2011
Professor Des Hewitt (centre) with school children and college students who all make up the new Burton Co-operative Schools Trust
Today's event was a fantastic celebration of the new Co-operative Trust. All of the children had a fantastic time and it shows that when all the members of the local learning community come together it truly benefits children.
”Professor Des Hewitt, Assistant Head of Teacher Education at the University of Derby
The children get involved in performance poetry
Children and teachers from schools across East Staffordshire joined together with academics from the University of Derby at Burton Albion's football ground on November 1 to celebrate the launch of an innovative co-operative trust.
Through the Burton Co-operative Learning Trust, eight schools from across East Staffordshire (Eton Park, Fountains, Horninglow, John of Rolleston, Lansdowne, Outwoods, Richard Wakefield and William Shrewsbury) will work with the University of Derby, Burton Albion Football Club, the De Ferrers Academy and Burton College to agree a common vision and to raise expectations, aspirations and standards of teachers and children.
During the launch, local sports, arts and educational groups, along with teaching academics from the University of Derby led groups of children aged four to 11 in fun activities including poetry performances, Skype master-classes, science problem solving and French.
Professor Des Hewitt, Assistant Head of Teacher Education at the University of Derby, said: "Today's event was a fantastic celebration of the new Co-operative Trust. All of the children had a fantastic time and it shows that when all the members of the local learning community come together it truly benefits children."
Professor Hewitt added: "We'll use new technologies and new approaches to help schools develop an exciting curriculum for pupils, and our student teachers will work on placements in this cluster of schools generating exciting and inspiring learning for children. This will help the teachers of tomorrow become the best they can be."
Bernadette Hunter, Head Teacher of William Shrewsbury Primary School, added on behalf of the Burton Co-operative Learning Trust: "The launch of our Co-operative Learning Trust is a really exciting educational milestone for schools, children and families in this area.
"The closer partnership working between the eight schools will provide a range of innovative opportunities for the 2,600 children in the Trust to work collaboratively with their peers in other schools; for staff to share expertise and professional development and for schools to group together to get best value from services.
"Working with external partners will provide opportunities for the whole community to be involved in raising standards and contributing to the best possible outcomes for all the children in the Trust."
For more information on teacher education at the University of Derby visit website www.derby.ac.uk/education
