Our most recent Ofsted inspection took place in March 2024. Download the report [PDF]

Ofsted (2024) reported that:

“Trainees become reflective practitioners with a rich knowledge of pedagogy and the subjects they will teach. The courses teach them what they need at the right time.”

“Trainees praise the high-quality pastoral support they receive”.

[The] “centre-based training is closely aligned to trainees’ experiences and training in schools.”

Primary Phase (2024)

“Trainees enjoy a positive experience here. They benefit from an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum. The primary phase team has thought carefully about what trainees learn and the order in which they learn it.”

“Trainees learn how to teach early reading and phonics very well. The curriculum teaches relevant and up-to-date research.”

“Leaders are quick to react should a trainee require extra help, or a mentor raise any concerns. Consequently, both trainees’ satisfaction regarding the course and their completion of it are strong and improving.”

Secondary Phase (2024)

“The secondary phase trainees become independent, reflective and creative practitioners who are well-prepared to be teachers of the next generation.”

[Secondary] “trainees develop greater sophistication in their understanding and practice as they advance through the curriculum. In all the secondary training courses that the university offers, trainees do well.”

“Trainees benefit substantially from the expertise of the subject trainers and the model of delivery. Subject trainers are experts in their field.”

Further Education and Skills Phase (2024)

“Partners are fully involved in the co-design and teaching of the curriculum. This has been highly effective in creating a coherent and bespoke programme… [and] as a result, they enjoy an exceptionally positive experience.”

“The curriculum is meticulously sequenced and skilfully adapted to trainees’ needs. Tutors tailor the learning carefully to subject areas. They model inclusive and best practice for trainees to learn from.”

“The phase team ensures that the curriculum builds on the latest academic research. Tutors collaborate on active research, then apply this in their teaching.”

[The] “leaders and tutors have a forensic oversight of the trainee’s development.”