The Ringing Foundation believes in developing a better way to teach ringing, taking inspiration from other successful activities

There is no point whatsoever in the most marvellous publicity and recruitment campaign known to man if there is no capacity to handle the recruits that result. Ringing needs to ensure that nationally (and internationally) we have sufficient numbers of trained teachers of ringing who can provide the high standard of tuition that recruits have a right to expect.

Learning From Others

The Ringing Foundation believes that to do this there is no need to reinvent the wheel. If we take a look at any other competing sporting or cultural activity we will find that in response to this very same need they have developed nationally recognised, structured, teaching and coaching systems, and that individual progress has for many years been measured by progressive standards and performance awards.

Other activities have done this because of the recognised fact that a consistent, structured teaching and learning process gives recruits a clear vision of what is to be achieved and the time needed to achieve it. This stimulates and excites progress in the student, and results not only in better and more consistent performance standards, but also in improved retention rates.

Ringing Foundation Action

This has been a significant focus for The Ringing Foundation over the past two years. We are confident that as the ITTS moves forward and steps up its activities it will be one of the fundamental building blocks upon which a positive and vibrant future for change ringing will be built.

Up to the present, virtually all training within ringing has been tower based. Yes, supported and encouraged by Guilds and Associations, often through their districts and branches, but in essentials tower based. We believe that ringing must now support the present freely given time and resources devoted to recruitment and training in towers and Associations, by providing an embracing ringing-wide organisation that will significantly enhance productivity and outcomes. It will do this through the provision of defined teaching programmes for both trainer and trainee, together with means of measuring and rewarding progress.

Support From The Ringing Community

It will however only be successful if it passes the value for money test. It must have demonstrable advantages over any alternatives, and fit the developing needs of ringers and ringing. Ringers will need to be saying ”why should I not take advantage of this opportunity to develop and extend my enjoyment of ringing?’ rather than ‘I can’t see anything in it for me’. By ringers working together we are sure that this goal can be achieved, and we are extremely grateful for the input that there has already been into the development of the ITTS by the Central Council, by feedback already received from ITTS students and mentors, and by many others interested in the future of ringing.

We have faith that consistently better teaching standards across the country as a whole will act to improve two of the problems we have identified – poor retention rates and standards of performance. But no-one must expect instant results. The Ringing Foundation is in this for the long term, and is looking to the state of ringing in 10 or even 20 years time. We have faith that this is the way forward. We invite you to join us in this.