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6 Jul 2010 10:10:42
The University of Bedfordshire has received a good report from Ofsted in a recent Initial Teacher Education (ITE) inspection.
The University trains teachers for the primary, secondary and post-compulsory sectors, including employment-based routes into teaching for graduates.
One area to receive particular praise by Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) was the University’s innovative new models of partnership. The University works in partnership with more than 500 schools and colleges in several local authorities to deliver initial teacher education.
The University was praised for its initial teacher training programmes for “the widening, innovative relationship with schools, colleges and local authorities to develop and provide new models of partnership”.
The report also highlighted other key areas including “high-quality mentoring in the graduate teacher programme” and “the joint participation of school mentors and centre based tutors in compiling the Year 1 Bachelor of Education (BEd) programme”.
For primary provision, it was said: “The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Trainees praise the friendliness of tutors and mentors, and know the university.”
The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) received a number of “outstanding” grades and some key strengths were “an equal and valuable partnership between university, schools and trainees, which ensures good cohesion and progression” and “high-quality mentoring and a commitment to continuing professional development, which results in trainees receiving excellent training”.
The partnership with nine further education colleges provides in-service training for teachers and trainers in the post-compulsory sector and this was also praised.
Key strengths were: “the highly effective training, which encourages trainees’ independent learning and the development of reflective evaluation”; “the strong enthusiasm for and the commitment of the partnership to effect continuous improvements which benefits trainees”; and “the partnership’s positive approach to equality and diversity, which promotes inclusion and develops trainees’ awareness of the diversity of the further education sector”.
Ofsted inspectors visited the Bedford campus for a week recently (10-14 May).
Paul Davies, who is Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education and Sport at the University, said: “The inspection clearly supports the vision and priorities of our teacher training provision and the strong emphasis on working in a true partnership with our schools and local authorities.”
Latest news» 2010» July» Positive Ofsted report after recent inspection
