Manchester one of country’s best for teacher training, finds report

03 Mar 2011

An Ofsted report has described The University of Manchester as one of country’s best teacher training institutions.

Both primary and secondary PGCE courses at Manchester‘s School of Education were graded as outstanding in the document published by the Government department responsible for inspecting education services - a rare achievement in higher education.

Out of the 22 areas examined by Ofsted, 21 were graded as outstanding. The remaining area was graded as good.

Ofsed also praised the School in 2005 and 2008, when it described its management and quality assurance as ‘outstanding’.

The report described the overall quality of training at the centre and in schools as “outstanding” and said ‘the collegiate ‘can-do’ ethos’ was also a key factor. The trainees get a very good deal it said.

It also added: “The programme is highly effective in ensuring that trainees complete their training, achieve outstandingly well, gain employment and stay in teaching.

“Former trainees commented that on taking up a teaching post they felt ‘ahead of the rest’ because they were very well prepared for all aspects of teaching.”

The School has around 250 trainee teachers in secondary subjects and 150 in primary.

Director for Secondary PGCE Dr David Spendlove said: “The new inspection framework by Ofsted was designed to distinguish between good and outstanding providers.

“So we are delighted to have been recognized  once again as one of the small number of teacher training providers nationally where both primary and secondary PGCE courses have been graded as ‘outstanding’.

“This is recognition of the hard work of trainees, staff and our partnership schools in the North West and confirms The University of Manchester as one of the best providers of teacher education in the country."

He added: “It is particularly pleasing that our training is recognized as personalised and that our partnership with schools has been acknowledged as being of ‘outstanding’ quality.

“High levels of Trainee teachers satisfaction and very good employment prospects, often locally, also contributed to our provision being  identified as ‘outstanding’ and it is a fantastic achievement for all involved.”

Director of Primary PGCE Laurence Hicks said: “We are delighted Ofsted acknowledged how well University-based staff and school-based colleagues collaborate to provide what they describe as outstanding outcomes for trainees.

“And we are proud of our collegiate approach between university and school-based contributors: leaders and trainers at the centre and in the partnership schools work together very well.”