Mentor training
St Mary's are proud to work closely with mentors to ensure trainees receive the bext experience and support on school placements.
A Link Tutor (LT) will act as an advisor, tutor and professional support for the mentor and trainee throughout school experience. At the start of the placement, the LT will complete an Initial Training Meeting, setting the expectations for the placement.
To provide additional training for mentors, a number of mentor training videos have been recorded, which help support the mentor's important role in fostering the development of the trainee.
Abyasa training
St Mary's uses Abyasa Pro to monitor trainee progress on school experience. This is accessed via a web browser at https://placements.stmarys.ac.uk/pro.
Trainee and Link Tutors have automatic access to Abyasa (using their St Mary's university login details), however mentors must be invited by the trainee at the beginning of the placement. It is through the invitation process that mentors are able to set up a username and password to gain access to their trainee's Abyasa account.
To provide additional support for mentors, a number of Abyasa training videos have been designed, to support mentor understanding of the fundamentals of Abyasa.
For queries about using Abyasa, please check the Abyasa FAQs page.
ITTCCF and ECF
In 2019 the DfE produced two significant frameworks for initial teacher training - the Core Content Framework (ITTCCF) and the Early Career Framework (ECF). These frameworks aim to have a substantial impact on the support provided for the early professional development of all teachers from training to their first two years in post.
We have made a short video for you to help explain more about the CCF, and your part in delivering it. Click here to watch.
Mentor documentation and exemplars
St Mary's offers a rigorous system of Quality Assurance in relation to school experience. We provide guidance and documentation to support mentors of Primary ITT at St Mary's. It is the nature of the observation, review and feedback that ensures good quality mentoring.
Our guidance can be found on the mentor documentation and exemplars page.