Monday 25 July 2011
Outstanding result for Nottingham Trent University Teach First Ofsted
The School of Education has led the Midlands Teach First provision since 2007
Nottingham Trent University's School of Education has been judged to be Outstanding in all aspects of its Teach First Midlands provision, the highest rating possible, following an Ofsted inspection.
Independent charity Teach First works to break the link between low family income and poor educational attainment by placing outstanding graduates (participants) to teach and lead in schools in challenging circumstances. This is the first ever full Ofsted inspection of Teach First and its university partners.
The School of Education has led the Teach First training provision in the East and West Midlands since 2007, working closely with Birmingham City University, Newman University College, the University of Wolverhampton and the University of Worcester.
The results of the Ofsted inspection highlighted excellent communication between all those involved and highlighted a shared drive to improve the quality of learning and achievement among the pupils they teach, many of whom are from low socio-economic backgrounds. This ambition has resulted in training being consistently of very high quality.
Also commended in the final report is the strong, positive partnership that Teach First has with schools in the region, many of which value the opportunities they have to shape the programme.
School-based mentors and Teach First tutors were also praised for how they monitor progress and frequently observe teaching, giving participants a clear understanding of what they need to do next to improve.
The preparation of participants to teach a variety of learners was also deemed to be Grade 1 standard. They were regarded as having very positive relationships with the students they teach and, through the combination of the highly effective training they receive, and their own capability, were able to raise students' aspirations and achievements and promote good behaviour.
The report also noted how highly Teach First teachers are regarded in their schools, with a large proportion taking on additional responsibilities within their departments during the programme.
Associate Dean of the School of Education, Professor Robert Bowen, said: "Our mission to inspire, excite and empower learners and create exceptional teachers is very similar to Teach First, and it's fantastic to have it reaffirmed that we are reaching this goal in the Midlands. There's always been a strong sense of teamwork in the region and we've worked hard to ensure that the programme is fully up-to-date and that participants and schools are supported to a very high standard.
"This is timely recognition of what has been accomplished in the past four years and a further basis on which to build future partnerships between Nottingham Trent University, Midlands' schools and other educational providers."
Teach First Founder and CEO Brett Wigdortz said: "These positive ratings mean that children in our partner schools are receiving high-quality education from outstandingly well-trained and highly motivated teachers who understand the crucial role they play in breaking the link between family income and educational attainment."
Notes to editors:
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
The Ofsted inspection was carried out by Her Majesty's inspectors supported by a team of specialist inspectors in accordance with the Framework for the inspection of Initial Teacher Education (2008-11).
About Teach First
Teach First is an independent charity working to break the link between low family income and poor educational attainment which is greater in the UK than in almost any other developed country. The scale of change needed is so great that it requires a movement of leaders to make a difference at a pupil, school and system level. Teach First is working towards achieving its mission by enabling its participants and ambassadors in the classroom to raise the achievement, aspiration, and access to opportunity of children from low socio-economic backgrounds, whilst developing a network of leaders with a life-long commitment to ending inequality in education from both inside and outside the classroom.
Since launching in 2002, Teach First has recruited and trained increasing numbers of participants - more than 770 new participants began their teacher training in June - and is working to place 1140 graduates per year by 2013, which would make it the largest graduate recruiter in the UK.
Teach First operates in six regions across England: London, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West and the North East.
The charity has expanded to work in the primary sector with the first cohort of Teach First primary teachers entering classrooms in September in London, the East and West Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Teach First is raising the quality and profile of the teaching profession and has made teaching in a challenging school one of the most prestigious options for top graduates. In 2010, Teach First was ranked 7th in the coveted league of Times Top 100 Graduate Employers. Interest in the programme continues to grow amongst top graduates, with the number of applicants rising from 3,000 in 2009 to over 5,000 in 2011.
Teach First primary schools must have more than 50% of their pupils living in the lowest 30% of the IDACI*, prioritising those schools with higher levels of deprivation.
Teach First secondary schools must have one of the following:
- A first criterion based on the IDACI - Teach First works in schools that have more than 50% of their pupils living in the lowest 30% of the IDACI, prioritising those schools with higher levels of deprivation
- A second criterion based on attainment - Teach First prioritises schools with low attainment in regards to the 5+ A*-C (English and Maths) GCSE measure. Teach First works in schools whose results fall below the lowest 30% of the national distribution
- Teach First also works in schools that have a Challenge status: either National Challenge or City Challenge.
*Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index.
