Last updated 16:01, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Dr Neil Simco

A GROUND-BREAKING partnership between the University of Cumbria and the National Union of Teachers has been launched.

The NUT is building on its partnerships across the country by teaming up with the university to offer a range of high-quality professional development programmes for teachers.

This is the first time the union, which is the largest teacher organisation in Europe, has teamed up with any institution in the North West and Christine Blower, the NUT’s acting general secretary, said that they chose the university because it is one of the best in the country for teacher training.

She said: “Our professional development programmes are well respected and based on evidence of what works for teachers’ learning.

“Time and again, the NUT has drawn on the best that universities can offer for expert input to our courses. What better way now for the NUT to take a step further and link up in partnership with one of the biggest teacher training providers in the country.

“I welcome our partnership with the University of Cumbria. It will provide the very best CPD and it shows that teacher organisations and universities can offer high quality professional development for all teachers.”

The university is equally happy to be entering the partnership.

Dr Neil Simco, the dean of education at the university said: “The faculty of education at the University of Cumbria is delighted to be entering into this partnership with the NUT.

“We are very committed to this work as it will provide fresh opportunities for teachers to undertake high quality, contemporary, professional development.”