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'Good’ grades for Early Years in Initial Teacher Training OFSTED Inspection

20/09/2022
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Teacher training provision at the University of Wolverhampton for early years’ settings has been given the thumbs up by Ofsted.  

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) provision within the University’s School of Education had a full Ofsted Inspection in June.

The inspection looked at the overall effectiveness, overall quality of education and training and overall quality of leadership and management across EYITT.  The inspection judgements were:

Overall Effectiveness: GOOD
Quality of Education and Training: GOOD
Quality of Leadership and Management: GOOD

This now means that all Initial Teacher Training Provision within the School of Education at the University is rated “GOOD.”

The Ofsted report stated the ‘University places the well-being of trainees at the heart of what they do’ and highlighted:

  • Leaders are keen to develop trainees who are “informed, inspiring and influential.”
  • Clear Vision and Ambition with high aspiration for trainees
  • Strong relationships between the University and partnership settings
  • Strategic Partnership Group strengthens the provision
  • Co-design of the Early Years’ Curriculum
  • Mentors play a key role in supporting the implementation of the curriculum
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development and research
  • Effective training in the university and the partnership settings
  • Recognition of the specific preparation to work with babies, toddlers and young children
  • Excellent support provided by staff
  • Teaching of systematic synthetic phonics
  • Strong emphasis on inclusion, equality and diversity
  • 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 School of Education, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the outcomes of the inspection. We are extremely proud of the outcomes; we have made incredible progress since our last inspection, and this could not have been achieved without the collaborative efforts of our partner settings.

“It is fundamental that we recognise the importance of Early Years’ provision across the region.   On behalf of the University and the School of Education, I would like to give particular thanks to the EYITT Partner settings and the Strategic Partnership Group for the commitment and support over the last year and throughout the inspection process.”

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. Ofsted inspectors highlighted the ambition for excellence and the School of Education’s mission as a real strength - “Be Informed, Be Inspiring, Be Influential.”

The inspection visit involved two Ofsted inspectors and one Quality Assurance undertaking four subject reviews within the Early Years Initial Teacher Training Curriculum, reviewing trainees in their placement setting with mentors, lesson observations, meetings with University staff, strategic partners and stakeholder engagement.  The trainees involved in the inspection had very positive feedback from the inspection team. 

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 in EYITT.

To view the Ofsted report, click here.

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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