University of Brighton teacher training marked ‘Outstanding’ in latest Ofsted Inspection

The report, published today, rated the university’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Partnership as ‘Outstanding’ for Primary and Secondary age courses and ‘Good’ for Early Years and Further Education.

The outcome further underlines University of Brighton reputation as a centre of excellence for teacher training. Brighton has been educating teachers and school leaders for over 100 years and is currently ranked sixth in the UK for education courses.

Trainee teachers at Brighton benefit from specialist classrooms and facilities at the university’s Falmer campus, alongside school-based experience with more than 600 partner schools, colleges and early years settings – with support continuing after graduation through their first years on the job.

The Ofsted report highlighted Brighton’s ‘highly impressive’ accredited teacher training programmes, commending the university for its exceptional support structures for trainees and its dedication to fostering a nurturing environment where trainees feel valued and receive expert guidance throughout their program.

Trainees further impressed inspectors with their professionalism and the way they applied the knowledge and skills acquired through their learning within placement settings.

The report said: “Trainees shine at Brighton’s long-established and highly impressive teacher training programmes. The university offers a suite of options to recruit the next generation of teachers. Employers are effusive about the calibre of trainees and how they move from novice to expert. The provider does all it can to prepare trainees for a successful teaching career and to bring ‘practical wisdom’ for the benefit of all.

“The care and dedication shown by staff towards trainees is superb. Trainees are at the heart of everything. They are valued and expertly supported throughout the course.”

Dean of the School of Education Angela Glynn said: “This report is reflective of the excellent quality of training at Brighton. I am very proud of the team and the teacher training provision here and am delighted that the Ofsted inspectors recognised this”.

The curriculum design was also praised for its effectiveness in equipping trainees with crucial skills, including safeguarding, behaviour management, and supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The inspection team lauded Brighton's training approach, which emphasises research-informed teaching strategies enabling trainees to effectively impart knowledge and skills to pupils. This focus on practical application was observed to be particularly strong in the primary and secondary phases. Notably, primary trainees received specific praise for their mastery of systematic synthetic phonics programs, a key strategy for successful reading instruction.

The report also highlights the university's strong partnerships with placement schools and colleges. This collaborative approach ensures all stakeholders share a clear understanding of the program's curriculum, fostering a supportive environment where trainees can receive tailored practice and valuable feedback.

Head of Initial Teacher Education and Senior Lecturer at the School of Education, Polly Herbert said: “I’m extremely proud that the dedication of staff, strength of partnerships and calibre of graduate teachers was highlighted by inspectors. The outcomes are testament to the continued hard work of all members of the ITE team- both at the university and in our partner settings. I’m pleased that the report is truly reflective of the excellent standard of teacher training at Brighton.”

Overall, the inspection team visited 26 schools or colleges and spoke to 106 trainees and 20 early career teachers or former trainees. The inspection confirms the University of Brighton's commitment to excellence in teacher training and its significant impact on the educational community reflected in the rankings: sixth in the UK for Education (Guardian University Guide 2024), Top 20 in the UK for education graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2025 and top 15% in the UK in education and teaching three years after graduating Longitudinal Education Outcomes 2022.