iTeach, an online initial teacher education programme for secondary school teachers, has been launched by the Dean of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), U.K., Professor Sonia Blandford, and Dr Seán Rowland, Executive Chairman of Hibernia College, Ireland. The joint launch took place on Thursday 16th November during Hibernia College’s graduation ceremony at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin.

iTeach is a high-quality web-based programme allowing students to train to become secondary school teachers in a flexible manner. This project, funded by the TDA, the U.K. government’s training and development agency for schools, will train teachers in each of the maths, physics and chemistry secondary school curriculum areas. The course duration is 18 months and includes 15 weeks of school experience.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Blandford said “Working in partnership is central to the Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University - we welcome the opportunity to deliver a new and innovative initial teacher education programme in partnership with Hibernia College and look forward to our first joint graduates.”

Dr Rowland added “Our proven model of blended initial teacher education, combined with Canterbury’s OFSTED Category A provision, offers an exciting and innovative solution to England’s shortage of maths and science secondary school teachers.” Dr Rowland went on to say “Working with both the TDA and CCCU reflects extremely well on the high-quality online education service that Hibernia College has to offer.”

The 18-month blended-learning course has been designed to allow applicants enter the programme with varying levels of subject specialist knowledge - thereby providing flexible routes of entry to the widest possible audience. Each programme will include courses in the subject specialism, subject teaching methodologies, professional studies and technology in education alongside a significant period of school experience.