Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education at IOE
The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is the largest university-led postgraduate initial teacher education (ITE) provider in England. We work with over 600 partner schools, early years settings and colleges across the capital to educate approximately 1,000 new teachers annually.
In London’s diverse, dynamic and complex educational landscape, high-quality partnership between schools and universities is not simply beneficial, it is essential. The success of our ITE programmes is dependent on these partnerships, with our ITE partners making a vibrant and distinctive contribution to each of IOE’s initial teacher education programmes where students can spend up to two thirds of their time on teaching experience.
This year marks 200 years of UCL. As part of these celebrations, we are recognising the vital contribution our London partners make to IOE’s initial teacher education programmes. At IOE, teacher education is a shared responsibility between colleagues at IOE and those working across our partner schools, colleges, and early years settings. These partnership stories offer insight into what this collaboration can look like in practice and how partnership working can enrich both student teachers’ learning and the partners themselves.
I am immensely grateful to our partners for their enduring commitment to both student teachers and the UCL Institute of Education.
Stories from our partnerships
The stories here share and celebrate wonderful examples of partnership work and learning across our ITE programmes, with examples of new teacher and all partner learning being enriched through our collaboration.
ITE partnership stories: Introduction
How strong school-university partnerships ensure new teachers are better prepared, better supported and better placed to thrive.
High-quality mentoring
How mentoring strengthens the teaching profession
Four Mathematics school mentors share what the partnership with IOE has meant for them and their departments.
12 May 2026
An unmatched drive to improve the world for young people
Mackenzie Dawson-Hunt describes how being a school mentor for the Citizenship student teachers has been a transformational experience at Saint Mark's Academy.
12 May 2026
You’d make a great teacher: UCL’s apprentices learning on-the-job
Ruth Smith (Deputy Director of the East London Teaching School Hub) spoke with two UCL apprentices about their experiences on the Secondary Maths Teacher Degree Apprenticeship BSc (QTS).
12 May 2026
Research-informed teaching
Deepening subject-specialist teaching with artscaping
Student teacher Sivney used action research to explore the relationship between art, creativity and children’s wellbeing.
12 May 2026
Growing the future: connecting children with nature through school gardening
Jane Tillin talks about integrating gardening and growing into the curriculum through UCL's research partnership with Brookland Junior School.
12 May 2026
How young Plastic Champions took action on sustainability and plastic waste
Young eco champions at Kenmore Park Junior School in Harrow decided to take action on a sustainability issue in their school.
12 May 2026
Learning from experienced teachers
Cross-curricular learning with the Royal Horticultural Society
IOE partners with the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, helping our student teachers make new and surprising connections between primary education and outdoor learning.
12 May 2026
Gaining confident classroom experience early in the teacher training journey
IOE tutor Sylvia Taylor shares how student teacher Eleanor embraced Tag and Team Teaching during her placement at Grange Park Primary School.
12 May 2026
How matching our school partner's values strengthens teacher training
IOE tutor Lloyd Sutcliffe reflects on the partnership with Wembley Primary School and the focus the school brings to quality Physical Education (PE).
12 May 2026
Strengthening the teaching profession
The best teachers grow when they feel connected
Iraj Felfeli explains how the New River Teaching Alliance's strong connections with its north London community nurture committed teachers who stay and thrive.
12 May 2026
Preparing future educators for truly inclusive practice
Fiona Robinson (Bensham Manor School) reflects on how the partnership strengthens future teachers with the skills to meet the needs of all pupils, especially those with special educational needs.
12 May 2026
Setting student teachers for success in behaviour management
Associate Assistant Headteacher Angela Velasco shares how working in partnership supports one of the most challenging areas for student teachers: behaviour management.
12 May 2026