The Role of the School-Based Tutor in the Professional Development of Teachers

Abstract

This paper examines ways in which a teacher appointed as professional tutor can support staff development activities in a school. Three task areas are identified: support for students in initial training, induction programmes for beginning teachers, and in-service activities for experienced staff. Reference is made to the experience gained in the Teacher Induction Pilot Scheme Project concerning the tutor role. It is argued that a more productive way forward is to concentrate on the staff development tasks that a school has to undertake rather than on the question of who should carry them out. The James Report's suggestion that each school should have a professional tutor with responsibility for staff development will be the correct solution in some cases but not in all.