Ofsted says trainees are 'inspired by their lecturers'


Provision for primage age training was rated highest. Picture: University of Roehampton

May 9, 2023

A teaching course at The University of Roehampton has been given an ‘Outstanding’ rating after a recent visit by Ofsted.

The inspectors were impressed by the Initial Teaching Education (ITE) primary age courses which were highly ranked for overall effectiveness, quality of education and training, leadership and management.

While the University’s primary-age phase courses, that currently have 673 trainees, scored “Outstanding”, the secondary age-phase, a smaller course with 152 trainees, courses were ranked as “Good”.

Roehampton has one of the largest cohorts of primary teachers in training in the UK and is the only large institution, with over 600 trainees, to secure an “Outstanding” ranking in the primary age phase under the current Ofsted inspection framework.

The report recognised the way that student teachers are "inspired by their lecturers, who instil in them enthusiasm for teaching their subject or phase." Inspectors also noted the ambition of the ITE curriculum at Roehampton, the levels of support offered to student teachers and the quality of partnership communication.

The primary and secondary ITE courses are designed to equip trainees with the practical skills to excel in teaching, managing and understanding pupils’ behaviour, including those with special educational needs. The University has 108 partnership schools in the primary phase and 109 partnership schools in the secondary phase and works with approximately seven all-through schools.

The University offers a number of initial teacher education courses, which for primary age include a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree course, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), the School Direct routes and the teacher apprenticeship programme. For secondary teachers these include the PGCE, School Direct routes and teacher apprenticeship programme..

Professor Peter Flew, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Portfolio Development) and Dean of the School of Education at the University of Roehampton London, said, “We are extremely proud to have been recognised as one of the few outstanding providers of primary ITE courses in the UK who have been judged under the rigour of this current inspection framework. Through the oldest of our four colleges we have been training teachers for over 180 years, and have provided the knowledge and guidance to help them thrive in their development as teachers. Our courses are continually adapted and refined to meet the latest industry practices to ensure that our graduates have the confidence, knowledge and skills to teach and support their pupils when they complete their training.”

Matthew Sossick, Head of ITE at the University of Roehampton London, said, “Teachers play a critical role in supporting the educational and skills development of the future generation and their role cannot be understated. Our upgraded “Outstanding” primary ranking, and secondary “Good” ranking, within the top end of this broad category, is a testament to our hard work in ensuring that trainees are confident, well-equipped to supporting the development of students and know how to tackle the challenges of being a teacher.”

Professor Jean-Noel Ezingeard, Vice Chancellor at the University of Roehampton London, said, “The School of Education is renowned for its high-quality teaching, firmly establishing itself as one of the principal teacher training providers in the UK. The University prides itself on equipping graduates with the very best knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a successful career in teaching. This Ofsted report, alongside our strong REF2021 achievement of being the highest ranked modern university in the country for Education research, demonstrates our commitment to excellence for our students and I’m proud of the leading role the University has in moulding the next generation of teachers in the UK.”