It was disappointing to read John Eggleston’s Opinion piece (TES, February 28), which ignored all the evidence that points to successful partnerships that exist between providers of initial teacher training and schools - partnerships whereby schools and teachers, universities and colleges, trainers as well as trainees and pupils, gain much from the close links established.
In his rush towards anecdotal generalisation, he also misses entirely the point of school-centred initial teacher training and the fact that trainees and the heads of schools involved are overwhelmingly supportive of these arrangements.
Trainees, anxious to get to grips with teaching, benefit from professional training from day one and they also value the contribution that experienced classroom teachers make to their training.
But perhaps most importantly, Mr Eggleston fails to give credit where it is due. The Teacher Training Agency’s funding methodology is succeeding in squeezing out poor and mediocre providers of initial teacher training, and is rewarding high-quality providers. In whose interest would it be to operate in any other way?
Anthea Millett Chief executive Teacher Training Agency Portland House Stag Place London SW1
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