Susan Giacoletto

Susan Giacoletto is a Principal Lecturer and Head of Employment-Based Routes in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Faculty of Education, Health & Wellbeing. She leads on School Direct, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships, and the Assessment Only route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), focusing on partnership development, quality assurance, and curriculum delivery across a network of schools.

Her educational background includes a B.Ed. (Hons) in Business Education, a PG Cert in Educational Leadership and Innovation, and an M.A. in Education specializing in Mentoring and Coaching. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the Chartered College of Teaching, holding Qualified Teacher Status.

Susan's research and professional interests focus on the role of emotional intelligence in teacher development, mentor training, and the implementation of the Core Content Framework in schools. She has developed Master’s-level modules for mentor professional development and led initiatives to enhance trainee support through evidence-based mentoring practices. Her expertise also extends to Business Education at the secondary level and the design of vocational qualifications.

She has been instrumental in creating resources for schools to align with national training frameworks and has conducted research on Social and Emotional Life Skills policies across diverse school settings. Her work bridges academic training and school-based practice, ensuring effective professional learning pathways for trainee teachers.

• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy
• Member, Chartered College of Teaching
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Susan leads on multiple grant-supported and partnership-driven teacher training programs, overseeing mentor development, trainee assessment, and curriculum alignment with national standards. She works closely with schools to establish employment-based training routes and ensures robust quality assurance processes across all programs. Her leadership in the Graduate Teacher Programme and School Direct initiatives highlights her sustained contribution to teacher education infrastructure.

She plays a central role in developing and delivering mentor training programs in collaboration with partner schools, contributing to a structured professional development ecosystem for school-based mentors. Her work supports the integration of academic theory and classroom practice across the ITT partnership.