Back to the Future: Do lessons from Finland point the way to a return to Model Schools for Northern Ireland?

The paper examines the school-based element of initial teacher education (ITE)and the ways in which it contributes to the professional learning of studentteachers in Finland (University of Helsinki) and Northern Ireland (removed forreview). In particular it seeks to assess the potential of Training Schools forNorthern Ireland. Universities in Finland that provide teacher education have at 10least one designated training school in which all student teachers have theopportunity to undertake a practicum. The Finnish model was selected for comparisonbecause of the country’s consistently excellent results in the OECD’sProgrammes for International Student Assessment which is undoubtedly due, inpart, to the quality of the teachers. Teaching/training schools have featured 15prominently in recent reviews of teacher education in England and Scotlandand, while not specifically mentioned in the Northern Ireland (NI) review document,the overall concept could enrich the school-based element of ITE in NI,using existing collaborative networks of schools.Keywords: training schools; school-based ITE; partnerships 20