05.12.2007
The university has become the UK's first further education teacher training provider to achieve the highest possible grade from Ofsted, the national Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. The recent Ofsted inspection awarded all of the university's post compulsory education courses grade one.
The key strengths of the university's School of Education included 'excellent individual support', 'meticulously managed programmes', 'very good feedback on lesson observations by tutors and mentors' and 'comprehensive and effective procedures for assuring the quality of the training'.
Head of the School of Education, Lorraine Harrison, said: "The grade one is good for us because it affirms the importance of this programme, applauds the excellent partnership that we have with FE colleges in the region and recognises the distinctive nature of the courses here."
"We are the only institution that has been awarded this grade nationally and it signifies the very high quality of our students who will make an outstanding contribution to the profession in this sector and influence the quality of young people's learning."
The Ofsted inspection for 2006-2007 evaluated the full-time, pre-service postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE) and the part-time, in-service PGCE and Certificate in Education based at the university and at partner colleges.
The post compulsory education courses are designed for trainee teachers already working in the sector, such as a college of further education or for trainers in organisations like the NHS or police service. It is part of the university's continuing professional development provision, designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers and people involved in training or development.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
