Exceptional Ofsted judgement for our Initial Teacher Education provision
The highest possible rating was awarded to both our primary and secondary teacher training programmes, and all compliance requirements, including safeguarding, were met.
This achievement reflects the exceptional quality of our teacher education and the expertise, dedication and collaboration of our whole teacher education community. Together, we support trainees to develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to become highly skilled, reflective teachers who make a positive difference to children and young people.
Preparing teachers who make a difference
The report recognised the impact of our provision in preparing trainees to succeed in the classroom and improve outcomes for learners.
Ofsted found that trainees develop strong subject knowledge, pedagogical understanding and the ability to apply evidence-informed approaches to support all learners, including those who may face barriers to learning and wellbeing, and the report noted that:
“Trainees wholeheartedly embody and draw inspiration from the provider’s unrelenting focus on improving the lives of children.”
Inspectors also highlighted that trainees develop a deep understanding of the barriers some learners may face and are equipped to respond with strategies that reduce disadvantage and promote inclusion.
Research-informed teacher education
Research was recognised as a golden thread throughout our programmes, shaping curriculum design, teacher education and classroom practice.
Ofsted found that trainees develop the ability to critically engage with evidence and apply research-informed approaches to support pupils’ learning, stating:
“High-quality research is a golden thread that permeates every aspect of trainees’ experience.”
This approach enables trainees to become reflective practitioners who continue to develop throughout their teaching careers.
Supporting trainees to thrive
The report highlighted the strong culture of inclusion, belonging and support across our programmes.
Ofsted recognised how staff identify and respond to trainees’ individual needs, ensuring support is timely, effective and tailored to their circumstances, noting that:
“The principles of ‘mattering’ and ‘belonging’ are embedded deeply across the provision.”
A collective achievement
This achievement reflects the expertise, dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in our teacher education community. Together, our trainees, mentors, tutors, partnership schools, founding trusts, associate colleges and colleagues across the National Institute contribute to a provision that enables trainees to develop as highly skilled teachers who make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
Ofsted recognised the strength of these partnerships and the important role they play in shaping and delivering our provision. Inspectors found:
“Partnership schools enact their commitment to achieving excellence with absolute fidelity, contributing purposefully to all aspects of the provider’s work.”
They also highlighted that:
“Every regional partner is central to the fabric of the organisation and contributes to the design of the curriculum as well as the strategic development of the organisation.”
Emily Beach, Head of ITE Faculty at the National Institute of Teaching, said:
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It reflects the hard work, expertise and sustained commitment of our whole teacher education community, including our mentors and tutors, who work together every day to develop teachers who can make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
The outcome also recognises the collegiality with our founder trusts and associate colleges, our research informed ITE curriculum and our ethos of belonging, which collectively prepares trainees who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to improve the lives and life chances of children."
Read our full ITE Ofsted inspection report on the GOV.UK website, and find out more about teacher training on the Become a teacher section of our website.