OFSTED Information

The University of Chichester has been graded as ‘outstanding’ for its provision of both primary and secondary teacher training following a recent OFSTED inspection.

During the inspection over 30 schools were visited by the OFSTED inspection team. They observed classes taken by trainees as well as interviewing ex-trainees, mentors, professional tutors and head teachers.

The Inspectors Report particularly commends the ‘very strong leadership team’, the ‘strength of partnership with schools’ and the ‘high quality professional training’.

Each year approximately 450 teachers graduate from the University and a majority go on to work in schools in the region. The University is the third largest provider of PE secondary teacher training in the UK. In addition, 43 students are taking the employment-based Graduate Teacher Programme, a relatively new approach to teacher training. This innovative part of the provision was graded ‘Good’. Professor Clive Behagg, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chichester, said: “I am delighted with the outcome of this inspection. We have been producing first class teachers for this region for many years and now we have gained the recognition we deserve thanks to a superb partnership with primary and secondary schools, expert tutors and wonderfully dedicated students. The public is right to ask whether higher education courses are value for money – this inspection shows that for Chichester’s Teacher Education programmes the answer is ‘yes, outstandingly so!’.”