Framework for Training Ringers

The Framework for Training Ringers was developed by the Central Council Education Committee in 2006 as an attempt to reconcile conflicting issues that had been brewing for several years. The late 1990s proposal to form an Instructors Guild  was strongly supported by those who felt the need to improve the standard of training in ringing but vehemently opposed by others who saw any formal structure, especially one that certified standards, would harm ringing since when PCCs and insurers heard about it they would make it a requirement, and ringing would cease at towers without certified instructors. Following an open meeting before its1999 meeting in Lincoln, the Council ruled that the Guild should not consider any accreditation until it had been operating successfully for several years. The idea of an Instructors Guild subsequently morphed into the Network for Ringing Training (NRT)  which launched at the 2001 RoadShow and ran successfully for a number of years, had an active discussion group, held conferences and operated as a support group.

But the accreditation question didn't go away. Ringing centres reported being asked about it and parents compared ringing with other activities that had accreddited instructors. Fromthis emerged the idea of a Code of Practice that would be more flexible than accreditation but could be used where ringers were required to demonstrate acceptable teaching standards. Alternatively the same structure could be used by a band to assess the adequacy of their training systems and how they might be improved. That developed into the Framework, which was launched at the 2006 Central Council meeting.

The material was all down-loadable and it is not known how many bands used it, formally or informally. The accreditation question emerged again in the lead up to the foundation of ART  (Association of Ringing Teachers) in 2012 as a body to support and accredit ringing teachers.

  The documents about the Framework and its development available here are:

• Introduction to the Framework – An explanation of what it is, what it is not, and various ways it could be used. Also as PDF
• The Framework itself – A structured series of statements about desirable aspects of a training system
• Supplementary questions – Using the same structure, a set of questions to help you assess your band's training system
• Introductory flyer (PDF) – To help promote the use of the Framework
• Users information pack – Zip containing everything in printable form, with guidance on its use (sent to pilot users of the Framework)
• Initial discussion paper (PDF) – Setting out early ideas before the Framework was developed.
• Use of a Code of Practice for training ringers (PDF) – Further exploration of the ideas that led to the Framework 
• Critical review (PDF) – Response to adverse criticism of the above