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‘Good’ grades for teacher training provision  

14/07/2021

Teacher training provision at the University of Wolverhampton has been given the thumbs up by OFSTED in one of the first assessments of its kind.  

Initial Teacher Education provision within the University’s Institute of Education had a full OFSTED Inspection in May.  

Nationally, this was one of the first inspections under the new Initial Teacher Education (ITE) inspection framework, which started on 4 May.  

The inspection looked at the overall effectiveness, overall quality of education and training and overall quality of leadership and management across all phases and routes of initial teacher education provision. 

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The final inspection report stated all routes for primary, secondary and further education and skills/post compulsory education training across all criteria assessed were judged as ‘Good’. 

There are a number of highlights and also recommendations including some around early years initial teacher training in the report and these will be taken forward to continue to develop and improve the quality of provision for all trainees. 

At the University, there are currently 371 students on primary age phase, 294 secondary age phase teaching trainees, 196 on further education/post-compulsory education teaching routes and five students on early years employment-based training.   

The OFSTED report highlighted:  

  • Clear Vision and Ambition with high aspiration for trainees 
  • Effective training in the university and the partnership settings 
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development and research 
  • Excellent support provided by staff 
  • Strong relationships between the university and partnership settings 
  • University tutors provide effective help with issues such as managing workload and maintaining good mental health and well-being. 
  • Strong emphasis on inclusion, equality and diversity 
  • Mentors provide strong professional role models 
  • Good understanding of how to meet the needs of children, pupils and students with special educational needs and/or disabilities. (SEND) 

Professor Diana Bannister MBE, Director of the Institute of Education, said: “I would like to thank our whole team for their hard work and commitment before and during the OFSTED inspection. We are extremely proud of the outcomes, particularly given the team has not been on campus together since March 2020. I would also like to thank all of our schools, colleges and education settings for their partnership work and collaboration.” 

Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor, added: “The University was one of the first in the country to be inspected under the new Initial Teacher Education inspection framework so we are delighted with the positive outcome. I want to thank every member of staff across the University and our ITE partnership work involved in this inspection. It involved an immense amount of work and everyone approached this with incredible professionalism and dedication. The University has an essential role providing teacher education across the region, and this is recognition of the high quality of the support, leadership, education and training.”  

The inspection visit involved 16 OFSTED inspectors and 1 Quality Assurance undertaking extensive subject reviews across all aspects of the University’s provision, reviewing trainees in their placement setting with mentors, lesson observations, meetings with University staff, strategic partners and stakeholder engagement.  

The inspection team worked on-site at the Walsall Campus and visited partnership settings across the Black Country and the wider West Midlands. The inspection also involved a survey for staff and trainees. 

Visit the Ofsted website (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/41/70084) for copies of the report.  

  • For anyone who already has the results of their qualifications, applications can be made through Clearing from Monday 5 July. The University’s Clearing webpage provides further information on all the courses available in Clearing. Applications can be made either by calling the Clearing Team on 01902 51 8585 or through the University’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.  
  • For anyone who is awaiting the results of their qualifications, they can register their interest and book a phone call with a Clearing Adviser on results day, Tuesday, 10 August. For more information the next Open Day is on Saturday 17 July. 

 

  

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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