Dear Rosalind (and All across 2 BERA lists. Sorry for duplicated posting if you belong to both) Yours are such superb questions both in relation to understanding mentoring in ITT and other contexts including 'research mentoring'. I have combined lists so we draw on everyone's expertise - and a new strand to focus on your questions, Sarah Rosalind Rice <[log in to unmask]> wrote: "What are the influences on mentors' in practice?" and "What are their personal theories, and what are they made up from?" Sarah Fletcher Consultant Research Mentor Company Name: Mentor2Mentor http://www.TeacherResearch.net Convenor for BERA's Mentoring and Coaching SIG