Educating teachers for the 21st century

This article is set within the field of teacher education. Its theoretical perspective draws upon the contributory disciplines of Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and History of Education. Its original contribution lies in its discussion of the academic and theoretical background of future primary school teachers in the light of the emergence of Education Studies as self-standing subject in higher education. It is significant in its critique of the influence of government policy on teacher training and the development of competence-led standards for teaching, leading to many HEIs subsequently adopting the Education Studies model. The article draws rigorously upon examples from an Education Studies programme to demonstrate the ways in which such study can provide a critical and theoretical basis for future teachers in the knowledge economy. It was subject to academic peer review