Simply The Best: “Children at the Heart” of the University of Worcester’s Teacher Education says Ofsted

Primary school teacher reading 'Where the wild things are' to group of children

The University of Worcester, one of the UK’s biggest educators of teachers, has been praised as “exceptional” and rated Outstanding by a large team of His Majesty’s and Ofsted inspectors, in what a former Secretary of State for Education described as “simply the best”.

The University of Worcester’s education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible grade with inspectors stating that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”.

 

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The Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, prominent campaigner for social mobility, former Cabinet Minister and Secretary of State for Education, said: “Providing the very best teacher training for the next generation of teachers is crucial for giving children the best start at schools all over the region.

“Outstanding education only happens with outstanding teachers, which is why Worcester’s teacher training matters so much.”

She added: “It is simply the best teacher training in Primary and Secondary that the University Worcester provides according to this report by His Majesty’s and Ofsted Inspectors.”

Catriona Robinson, Head of the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester, said: “We are very proud of our exceptional trainees, our wonderful early career teachers and our excellent, committed partner schools and Trusts. We hope this report will lead to many more people coming forward to train with us so that, in turn, they can experience the joy of making the difference for children as a truly top teacher.”

 

 

An "exceptional learning experience"

Worcester MP Robin Walker, Chair of the Education Select Committee and a former Schools Minister, added: “High quality teacher training is essential to ensuring that pupils can learn and achieve and there is ample evidence to show that well trained teachers make a huge difference to outcomes.”

He added: “This outstanding rating from Ofsted confirms that Worcester is one of the leading centres for teacher training in the country and that the experience it supports is both exceptional and child centred.”

The University of Worcester and its teacher training partnership, which includes nearly 500 schools across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, the Black Country and Birmingham, has received the very best ‘Outstanding’ mark possible. The Ofsted report is arguably one of the most glowing on teacher training for Primary and Secondary teachers this century.

The official report opens: “Trainees benefit from an exceptional learning experience at Worcester University. This experience instils in them a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference to the lives of the children in the communities they serve.”

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One of the best and largest educators in the Country

The Inspectors repeatedly praise the University’s staff, school mentors and leaders for their work on vital aspects of teacher training including, trainees learning how to teach children to read; managing behaviour; maintaining good mental health; safeguarding; catering for children with special educational needs and every other essential aspect of becoming a teacher, including managing workload.

The Inspectors conclude: “By the end of their experience at Worcester University, trainees are exceptionally well prepared to enter the teaching profession.”

This work by local schools and the University benefits everyone involved and has a truly beneficial impact at scale. The Inspectors commented: “The ITE (Initial Teacher Education) primary partnership is a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours.”

The inspection result makes Worcester the only university in the West Midlands – and only the second in the Country - whose primary and secondary teacher training programmes have been rated Outstanding post pandemic. The University of Worcester is one of the largest as well as the best teacher educators in the Country, educating 777 trainees and working with 471 schools at the time of inspection.

Professor David Green CBE, DL, the University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive said: “Thanks to the brilliant, inspiring work of university staff and partners, Worcester has been officially recognised as one of the very best institutions at which to train to teach in the whole of the UK. There is a desperate teacher shortage across the country. I hope this outstanding report will encourage many more people to come forward to train to teach, confident in the knowledge that Worcester and our wonderful school partners will provide exceptional support to enable them to become first-rate, confident, successful professionals and the truly inspiring teachers the country’s children need and deserve.”

 

 

It's in our DNA

The University of Worcester has been educating professionals to work in schools for over 75 years, since being established as an Emergency Teacher Training college in 1946 to tackle the teacher shortage after the Second World War. Trainees spend half their studies teaching classes in nearly 500 placements schools stretching from Somerset to the Black Country and Birmingham.

Ann Jordan, University Provost and former school leader, said: “Teacher training is in our DNA at Worcester. We believe passionately in the ability of education to transform lives. We know that a great teacher can shape who we are; can open our minds; help us to learn about the world and importantly, about ourselves. As Albert Einstein said: “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved Outstanding in our latest Ofsted inspection and are grateful to our very many partners in schools, early years setting and colleges with whom we work. We could not have achieved this without them. Training the best teachers requires outstanding partnerships and we are committed to building on this success.”

Commenting on the University’s Primary provision, the Inspectors said: “The university is an exciting and inspiring place for trainee primary teachers to study.”

And on its Secondary provision, they wrote: “Leaders across the secondary phase have established a truly high-quality provision. From subject tutors to subject mentors, everyone has an unequivocal understanding of their role in helping to develop trainees.”

The Inspectors also praised the way the University teaches trainees to manage classrooms, commenting: “All trainees are well prepared to manage pupils’ behaviour. In the primary and secondary phases, this aspect of the course is exceptional.”

Across all the phases of education inspected, the Inspectors found that at the University of Worcester “Leaders pay serious attention to transforming trainees into passionate teachers determined to raise the aspirations of the pupils, students and learners they teach.”

 

 

 

What our Partners said about the report:

“It’s a pleasure to work with the University of Worcester as one of their partnership schools. Their students are well prepared for their time at school and both mentors and students are fully supported throughout the teaching practice. When additional support is needed, the university is prompt and empathetic ensuring that students achieve their full potential.”

Marie Waters, Deputy Headteacher at Ledbury Primary School

 

 

“It is always a privilege to collaborate with the University of Worcester in educating, training and inspiring teaching professionals. Their care for the next generation of teachers goes above and beyond.”

Emma Blankley, Lead Mentor for the Marlbrook Alliance of Schools in Herefordshire

 

 

“Congratulations to our colleagues at the University of Worcester for the outstanding Ofsted rating for their Primary and Secondary teacher training courses. This thoroughly deserved recognition reflects the University’s expertise and commitment to training high-quality, reflective, and passionate teachers to ensure that children and young people in our region get the best possible start in life. The University of Worcester has always been committed to delivering exemplary standards in ITT and we look forward to continuing our very successful partnership in the years to come.”

Tom Holder, Lead for Teacher Training and Development at Stour Vale Academy Trust in Halesowen,

 

 

“Working in partnership with the University of Worcester has strengthened every aspect of our provision for colleagues across our primary school partnership. The University of Worcester team are tremendously supportive, responsive and positive in the ways in which they work with both our trainees and our experienced school colleagues. The inspection feedback is well deserved and very much reflects our experience. We are proud to say that we work alongside the University of Worcester and we look forward to continuing to develop our partnerships.”

Lou Evans, Director of Castleman Learning Network in Dorset

 

 

“At Cleeve School, we pride ourselves on our Initial Teacher Training provision as a School Direct training provider and on our strong partnerships with local universities. We are therefore delighted with the outcome of ‘Outstanding’ for the recent Ofsted inspection of the University of Worcester Secondary Phase provision. At a critical time in teacher recruitment and retention, it is vital that trainee teachers are provided with truly high-quality provision and the inspection report clearly shows that this is what University of Worcester provides. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the University of Worcester and being part of their outstanding teacher training provision.”

Alwyn Richards, Executive Head at Cleeve School in Cheltenham

 

 

“At Excelsior we have an excellent relationship with our colleagues at The University of Worcester. We work together for the good of the students who are well trained and come to our schools with a high expectation of themselves and what they can achieve. I’m really pleased to see Worcester receiving such a fantastic Ofsted outcome. It is certainly well deserved. Well done to all at the University of Worcester.”

Jonathan Smart, Deputy CEO at Excelsior MAT, Birmingham

 

 

“We are excited, but not at all surprised, to read the outstanding Ofsted report received by Worcester University. The partnership between Bishop Perowne and the University of Worcester supporting trainee teachers into our profession adds immense value to our school and we look forward to welcoming many more student teachers through our doors in the future, supported expertly as always by Worcester.”

Jane Price, Head Teacher at Bishop Perowne High School in Worcester

 

 

“We are delighted with this well-deserved outcome for the teacher training provision at the University of Worcester. Working in partnership with them to deliver school direct as well as supporting is other ways, ensures that we can provide a strong curriculum, mentoring and preparation for the next generation of teachers in our schools.”

Catherine Atkinson, Director of Learning, Development and Inclusion at Rivers CofE Academy Trust,