In 2017 ILTT was graded by Ofsted as an ‘Outstanding’ provider of Initial Teacher Education on what was the partnerships first inspection. This judgment was repeated in May 2023 due to the quality of the ITT provision offered. The Inspectors were very complementary about a number of elements of our work which include:
Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are committed to excellence. They have an acute understanding of the partnership’s strengths and how it can evolve to sustain future excellence. School leaders say they have ‘invested’ in the partnership. One school leader, typical of many, said, ‘There is a really strong culture of ambition, professionalism and high expectation, but this is all wrapped up by having the well-being of all trainees at heart.’ Schools are proud to be associated with the partnership.
Trainees are exceptionally positive about their initial teacher education. Many seek out the programme because of its strong reputation for the high quality of training. Trainees benefit from an excellent curriculum, taught by experts.
The ‘strands and components’ curriculum ensures that trainees know what is required to become an effective teacher and how to support pupils’ different needs. Trainees gain a deep insight into professional attributes such as resilience, reflection and emotional intelligence through the ‘IL6’ component. Close checking against ‘gaining-applying-refining’ criteria means that trainees and staff know precisely where trainees are on the journey to becoming a teacher.
All trainees are very well prepared for the realities of teaching, including in different settings. In the primary phase, trainees gain exceptional knowledge and skills to help pupils develop confidence and fluency in reading and mathematics. Secondary trainees relish the opportunity to explore aspects of school inclusion.
Trainees benefit from high levels of support from staff at the centre and also when on placement in schools to help ensure their success. They strongly value the ethos of ‘people first, trainees second’. One trainee captured the sentiments of many by saying, ‘The provider has given me the opportunity to grow and become the best teacher I can be. High-quality lessons, well-being support and approachable leaders have all played a vital role in this.’
Trainees benefit from consistent high-quality mentoring. Mentors are well trained and receive precise guidance so that they realise the high expectations set out by the partnership. Trainees report high levels of satisfaction with the quality of their school placement and mentoring experiences. Trainees describe the course as ‘a really good teaching programme with helpful and inspiring leaders and mentors’. Mentors value the opportunities to work jointly with partnership leaders in checking the quality of their work.
The curriculum is ambitious for all trainees. The exceptional ‘strands and components’ curriculum ensures that trainees constantly reflect and build on their practice through both the central training and school-based experiences. Trainees receive high-quality subject development sessions from specialists, including in all primary foundation subjects.
Our SCITT is continually improving our work and we feel confident that each year our support for trainees entering the profession improves. For more information about how our trainees perform within our partnership you can visit our ‘Track Record’ page. You can view our full OFSTED Inspection reports by clicking below Click Here.