School University Partnerships: The Case Study of Uralla Central School and the University of New England

Uralla Central School is working together with the University of New England within the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme (AGQTP) during 2006 and 2007 undertaking the implementation of the Middle Schooling Program initiative that has been developing in its inception from 2004. During 2005 extensive consultation throughout the school's teaching and executive staff led to the opportunity to create new school organisational and structural changes necessary for the middle schooling program to commence in operation in 2006. The program initiative is framed by the school's high expectation for quality teaching and learning in the central school setting and teacher professional learning anchored on the notions of pedagogical practices has been supported through engagement with the Quality Teaching in NSW public schools (DET 2003). The middle schooling program initiative supports a 'K-12 Advantage' that is central to the school's ethos of quality teaching and learning outcomes for students. The findings show that whilst student outcomes improved, the vital role of all of the stakeholders, including academic partners, is paramount in order to build a culture of professional learning by providing teachers with high quality opportunities to expand their pedagogical practices.