Carr Hill High School has been associated with Edge Hill as a mentor for the Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning for three years. A number of employees are currently enrolled as part-time students and are underway with their studies, coursework and research. The school support them in the following ways:

• Half a day time off weekly for study
• Access to all school policies
• Part payment of college fees for the duration of the course
• Mentor available in school to allow consultation (1 hour per fortnight for each student)
• Mentor gives her PPA time to allow further mentoring if needed
• Day off school to attend graduation ceremony
• Timetab le can be flexible to allow students to access classes in subjects they do not usually support in so that some tasks can be completed.

The school has been involved in both the development and delivery of the Foundation Degree in Supporting Teaching and Learning, by representing the mentors at the validation panel and offering work placements to visiting students.

The first student mentored from Carr Hill High School completed her Foundation Degree in June 2005, gaining a merit for all her consistent and studious work. The current students are being mentored through their assignments. The school believes that although this is quite a challenge, with the continued support and access to colleagues at Edge Hill, and the students’ own commitment and enthusiasm to the degree, it is going to be an encouraging and exciting journey. It perceives the benefits of Teaching Assistants developing their skills and knowledge in an area that needs so much support, and feels that the Foundation Degree is the right way forward for these students.