Sustaining the Future of Teacher Education - Just Suppose - a Conference with a Difference

There was plenty of sound thinking going on at a national conference to discuss the future of teacher education on May 15th at the Eden Project, Cornwall.


The Eden project provided the venue for plenty of 'blue sky' thinking.




The event, called ‘Just Suppose’ hosted by the SWitch and Peninsular Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs) was not a standard conference – there were no slide presentations for a start and keynote speaker, Frank Coffield, lived up to his reputation for challenging opinions, and provided plenty of food for thought. (See picture below)

In a dedicated video message recorded at the Princes Summit on 1 May, Jonathan Porrit laid down a further challenge, urging teacher educators to address the changes needed if we are to reduce the catastrophic impact we are having on the world’s climate and resources. Jonathan is founder director of Forum for the Future, and chair of the UK’s Sustainable Development Commission.


Pictured below: Tim Boyes-Watson, Chief Executive of Learning South West; Mark Glasson of Peninsular CETT; Frank Coffield; Paula Jones, Deputy Chief Executive of Learning South West.

The conference also showcased the impact Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTS) and Continuous  Professional Development have had on initial teacher training. Paula Jones, Deputy Chief Executive of Learning South West and Project Manager for the SWitch CETT said: “Teacher educators from across the country engaged in the big conversations about the future of the profession and shared their experience in the quest for teacher excellence.”

There are 11 CETTs in England which are funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). These CETTs have become crucially important hubs of information and support for teachers and teacher educators.

The conference was part-sponsored by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) who are the body responsible for developing the post.


Delegates engaged in the big conversations about the future of the profession.