Teacher education rated as Outstanding
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Published
10 June 2024
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The University of East London School of Education and Communities has received top ratings in its most recent Ofsted inspection.
The primary and further education provision has been graded as "Outstanding," while the secondary age provision has been graded as "Good”.
These grades reflect UEL's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional teacher education and training, with a strong focus on student outcomes and experiences.
A joint inspection by 11 of His Majesty’s Inspectors and one Ofsted Inspector in April involved meetings with partnership leaders, including the Dean and the Head of Department, as well as trainees, mentors, tutors, and other stakeholders.
According to the report, aspiring teachers receive unparalleled preparation and career support for their journey into education.
The inspectors highlighted that many trainees secure jobs in partner schools even before they complete their programmes. This success is largely due to UEL’s robust partnerships with local schools, which ensure that trainees receive practical, hands-on experience that is closely integrated with their academic learning.
Mr Richard Harty, Dean of the School of Education and Communities, said,
We are thrilled with the Ofsted inspection outcomes, which recognise the dedication and hard work of our staff, students, and partner schools. Achieving 'Outstanding' ratings for our primary and further education provision is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our innovative approach to teacher education. We will continue to build on this success and strive for further improvements in all areas. We’re particularly pleased that the inspectors highlighted our careers-first approach which supports our students to move successfully into work on completion of their training."
Mr Ciro Genovese, Head of Teacher Education, said, "The Ofsted report highlights the strength of our curriculum and the exceptional support we provide to our trainees.
“Our focus on inclusion, diversity, and high-quality training ensures that our trainees are well-prepared to make a positive impact in their classrooms. We are particularly proud of our 'Outstanding' rating in primary and further education, and the many strengths within our secondary provision. We will not be complacent but instead commit to building on our strengths and addressing areas for improvement to achieve excellence across the board."
What the report says
In the primary phase, trainees benefit from high-quality training delivered by experienced experts. The curriculum is designed to exceed core content framework (CCF) requirements, ensuring that trainees develop a deep understanding of their subjects.
This foundation is enhanced by a strong focus on inclusion and diversity, preparing trainees to meet the needs of all pupils. The teaching of early reading and phonics is given high priority, with events such as the “festival of phonics” providing in-depth training that trainees can apply during their school placements.
The further education and skills (FES) phase also received an "Outstanding" rating. Trainees in this phase experience a highly ambitious curriculum that is closely aligned with their teaching placements. Tutors, who bring extensive real-world experience, provide credible and contextualised teaching theories.
This approach ensures that trainees are well-prepared to teach a diverse range of students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Comprehensive feedback and targeted mentoring further enhance their teaching practice, building their confidence and competence.
In the secondary phase, the Ofsted report praised the ambitious and carefully sequenced core curriculum. Trainees are prepared to critique learning theories and develop their subject knowledge, ensuring they are well-equipped for their teaching careers. Inspectors also praised innovative mentor training and resources in secondary, including video “shorts” for mentoring discussions.
If you would like to learn more about teacher training, see our course pages.
Key highlights of the report
Primary Phase:
- Trainees receive high-quality training from experienced experts.
- The curriculum exceeds core content framework (CCF) requirements and is logically sequenced.
- There is a strong focus on inclusion, diversity, and respecting pupils' rights.
- Emphasis on the teaching of early reading and phonics, supported by events like the “festival of phonics”.
- Rigorous monitoring of mentoring quality ensures effective trainee support.
Further Education and Skills (FES) Phase:
- Highly ambitious curriculum aligned with practical teaching placements.
- Tutors provide extensive, credible teaching theories and contextualised examples from their own experience.
- Comprehensive integration of SEND strategies and support for diverse student groups.
- Detailed and constructive feedback on teaching practice.
- Effective collaboration between tutors and mentors ensures clear improvement targets for trainees.
Secondary Phase:
- Ambitious and carefully sequenced core curriculum.
- Emphasis on critiquing learning theories and developing subject knowledge.
- Strong preparation for teaching pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) and SEND.
- Suite of mentor training programmes and innovative resources for mentoring discussions.