The Role of Mentors and Teacher Tutors in School Based Teacher Education and Induction

In this article I set out to review the literature on the role of school based mentors or designated support teachers. I begin by discussing definitions and go on to suggest some roles for mentors and some elements required in their training. Having reviewed the literature from 1972 to 1991 I discuss the findings of my research into Induction in the primary sector and ways in which they might inform the ongoing debate on the use of mentors and mentoring in school based teacher training. I conclude by offering some suggestions for making mentor training more effective.