The ‘Outstanding’ rating applies overall and to each of the three sub-categories assessed by the Department.
The Loughborough Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) has been designed by University staff in partnership with teachers from schools, and is intended to help student teachers on the path to becoming well informed, inclusive and reflective professionals.
The inspection was carried out in June, where inspectors met with a number of staff including with the Director of Teacher Education and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, as well as school-based staff such as Headteachers and mentors. The reviews were carried out in mathematics and physical education and the inspectors visited nine partnership schools, speaking with 23 trainees and 10 early career teachers.
The published report praises the University’s provision, stating: “The training course at Loughborough University is outstanding. The curriculum is ambitious and precisely designed so that trainees develop a sophisticated understanding of teaching and education theory. Trainees understand exactly how to apply this understanding to their practice in school. The course goes beyond the core content framework, providing trainees with an excellent grounding in the requirements of teaching, including in upholding the highest standards of professionalism.”
Student teachers’’ reviews of their training were also glowing, describing ‘how brilliant it is to sit in the University and learn” and how tutors are passionate about education and provide exceptional personal and academic support.
The team has been led in recent years by Professor Lorraine Cale. In addition to the overall outstanding rating, the report judged each area including the quality of education and training and leadership and management to be outstanding.
Professor Cale commented: “We are delighted that Ofsted have once again recognised our teacher education provision to be outstanding. This outcome is down to the quality, support, hard work and commitment to innovation and continued improvement by all involved in our Initial Teacher Training Partnership. This includes University colleagues, school-based staff in our 50+ local partnership secondary schools, as well as our student teachers. I’m extremely proud of what we have collectively achieved.”
Professor Rachel Thomson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience added: “Loughborough has a strong history of successfully producing teachers who are in great demand by schools and colleges in the UK and overseas. This is testament to the dedication and passion of Professor Cale and the team over the last few years, which has culminated in this outstanding rating by Ofsted. I hope you’ll join me in thanking them for all that they do and congratulating them on this fantastic achievement.”
If you are interested in undertaking Teacher Training in either secondary mathematics or physical education at Loughborough, we still have places available from September 2024. Visit the pages below for more information: