First Minister launches new North and Mid Wales Centre of Teacher Education

First Minister Carwyn Jones launches the North and Mid Wales Centre of Teacher EducationThe First Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones, today (14 January 2011) launched the new North and Mid Wales Centre of Teacher Education.
The launch took place at the School of Education & Lifelong Learning at Bangor University, and over 150 staff, students and school mentors at Aberystwyth joined the launch via a live video link. There was also a live video link with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales studio in Cardiff.
Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities are jointly running the North and Mid-Wales Centre of Teacher Education, one of three national centres. In operation since 2010, the centre trains Primary and Secondary teachers and works with Primary and Secondary schools across north and mid Wales. This collaboration is set in the context of a wider strategic partnership between Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities regarding Research and Enterprise.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:  “The launch of this new centre signals the beginning of what, I’m sure, will be a successful partnership between Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities in providing comprehensive teacher training provision across north and mid Wales.  I’m sure that this new Centre for Teacher Education will be another excellent example of collaborative arrangements between university departments in Wales.   I wish the Centre, and its staff, every success in the future.”
Professor John G. Hughes, Vice Chancellor of Bangor University said:
“This is a very exciting development. Staff at both universities have worked extremely hard to make this a success by identifying and sharing good practice. The reconfiguration has resulted in a much greater use of new technology including video conferencing equipment which has been installed in large teaching rooms in both universities. This allows better sharing of resources and expertise.
Partnerships with over 100 Secondary Schools and with over 350 Primary Schools have been developed. Schools now work with one Centre rather than two universities; removing previous duplication and the confusion of different systems and different documentation.”
Professor Noel Lloyd, Vice Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said:
“I am very pleased that this new Centre is being launched. It shows excellent collaboration between the two universities and is part of a wider partnership which continues to develop and expand. I also acknowledge the detailed work that has gone in to ensuring the effectiveness of the provision - it is a very good example of what can be achieved by working together.”
“The extensive network of partnerships with schools across mid and north Wales is especially valuable and will be of benefit to the regions.”
The formation of the three Teacher Education Centres in Wales is the result of Government policy which has encouraged reconfiguration across the university sector and is in response to substantial decreases in teacher training places available.

Students study at Bangor for Primary courses, the three year BA Primary Education (Qualified Teacher Status) course and the one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary course.
Both Aberystwyth and Bangor offer the PGCE Secondary programme in Science and in Welsh. Aberystwyth also provides training for the Secondary sector in English and Drama, Geography, History, ICT and Modern Languages.
Bangor also offers Secondary PGCE courses in Art, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Religious Education. In addition Bangor continues to offer the undergraduate secondary BSc (QTS) course in Design and Technology.
All courses offered in both institutions continue to be available through the medium of English and through the medium of Welsh.

Publication date: 14 January 2011