Ofsted praise for York St John University’s teacher training

Ofsted judged the overall provision as ‘good’, with an ‘outstanding’ rating awarded to leadership in the primary age category. The report looked at both the primary and secondary provision within the University’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) partnership and follows an inspection in March 2022.

Highlighting that trainees are well prepared for a career in teaching by York St University, inspectors commended the considered and logical curriculum, the passionate delivery of training by experts and the genuine partnership between schools and the University. Transition into employment as an early career teacher was also highly rated.

The report opens with a comment from a headteacher saying, “There is something special about York St John trainees. They are diligent, kind, caring and self-reflective.” and notes that this comment is typical of those made to inspectors. Other key findings include that trainees are well supported whilst at University and on placements, they gain the key skills to manage their workload and pupil behaviour well, and that communication between trainees, tutors, leaders and mentors is strong.

Keither Parker, Associate Head of the School of Education, Language & Psychology at York St John University commented:

“The result of the inspection is testament to our ITE team and school partners who are absolutely dedicated to providing high quality ITE programmes. These programmes provide a strong foundation for our student teachers who go on to become great teachers and leaders in our local and national schools, supporting children and young people across the country.”

Dr Caroline Elbra-Ramsay, Deputy Head of the School of Education, Language & Psychology at York St John University added:

“I am so pleased that the inspectors recognised that York St John student teachers are indeed a special group of people. It is always a genuine privilege to work with them. They are highly reflective, passionate about learning and teaching and are an asset to the education community. You will be hard pressed to find many young people in the region who haven’t been taught be a York St John graduate teacher.”

Professor Karen Bryan, Vice Chancellor of York St John University said:

“Our Ofsted result is valuable recognition of the quality and consistency of our teacher training, highlighting the enduring value of our contribution in this field, which is especially significant given the University’s 180-year history as a teacher training institution. Congratulations to all involved who deliver the training within the University and in the schools we partner with.”

The University’s positive Ofsted result comes at a time when almost half of the initial teacher training (ITT) age phase partnerships have been rated less than ‘good’ under Ofsted's new framework which began last year, as reported in an article published in the Tes (The Times Educational Supplement). This follows confirmation that York St John University is one of only 80 teacher training providers to have been re-accredited after the first round of the government’s recent review of the sector.

York St John University offers a variety of routes into teaching, based on campus or in a school, including a three-year primary undergraduate degree and one-year PGCE programme in both primary and secondary education. The University partnership includes more than 500 schools from across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region.

Visit the Ofsted website to read the full report.

Pictured: (Back row, left to right) Gill Lamb, Campus Stockton Technology Alliance, Caroline Elbra-Ramsay, Deputy Head of the School of Education, Language & Psychology, York St John University, Chris Aitkin, Director of Campus Stockton Teaching Alliance, Keither Parker, Associate Head of the School of Education, Language & Psychology, York St John University, Jane Thackstone, Green Lane Primary Academy Deputy Head Teacher, Middlesbrough School’s Teaching Alliance, ITT Alliance Lead; and children from Green Lane Primary Academy, Middlesbrough