Skip to content
Middlesbrough College trainee teacher programme dubbed ‘good’ after previously ‘requiring improvement’
A Teesside college programme has been graded ‘good’ after a previous inspection found improvements were needed.
Middlesbrough College’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme for students aiming to become the next generation of educators was inspected twice between 2021 and 2022 by standards body Ofsted, however both inspections found it ‘required improvement’. Now, after a third inspection in May, the team are celebrating a ‘good’ rating.
Previous inspections found that progress for trainees in the programme were ‘slower than expected’ and highlighted that feedback from tutors had ‘not been developed enough’. However, following a visit from inspectors between May 2 and May 5, it was reported that ‘significant improvements have been made’.
READ MORE: King’s Birthday Honours 2023: The incredible Teessiders among thousands nationwide that made list
The college programme at the time of inspection had 36 trainees on the further education and skills phase of their training. There were also 10 trainees on the level five certificate in education and 25 trainees on a level six professional graduate certificate in education.
In its latest report, Ofsted noted that trainee teachers at Middlesbrough College “gain substantial new knowledge and skills to prepare them to be 21st-century educators”.
Despite previous reports noting issues with feedback from tutors, the new report stated: “[Students] learn from expert tutors and mentors who help them secure their understanding of contemporary teaching strategies.
“Trainees are nurtured to try new approaches and develop their individual craft to be effective teachers.”
The report also highlighted the positive work of the leaders and managers on the ITE programme, saying they had ‘developed an ambitious curriculum’ which is relevant to educational research. It also noted that the trainees can confidently explain these concepts and put them to practice with their teaching.
Inspectors looked at previous issues where trainees had not passed the first module at the first attempt and how tutors and management responded to this. They said that the team was ‘quick to respond’ and create additional resources to ensure trainees were supported and passed.
The report reads: “Leaders, managers and tutors responded quickly to this issue by creating additional resources to support trainees in structuring their assignments and enhancing their academic writing skills.
“They also improved access for trainees to existing academic support. Trainees used this additional support to improve, and all achieved in subsequent assessments. “
Chiefs at Middlesbrough College have been thrilled with the outcome of the assessment, and said that the latest report is ‘a tribute to the hard work and dedication of staff’.
Ben Robinson, deputy principal and head of curriculum at Middlesbrough College, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see that the work which everyone has been putting in has been recognised in this latest Ofsted report.
“It is a tribute to the dedication and determination of our teaching and support staff that the quality of our training has been recognised and acknowledged by the inspectors.
“We look forward to continuing our progress and to giving the educators of tomorrow the best possible start to their careers in the classroom.”
Inspectors also praised how well the college’s ITE courses prepared student teachers for life in the classroom. Their report said: “Trainees gain experience in the wider role of a teacher, including curriculum design, quality assurance and pastoral responsibilities.
“Through opportunities to observe colleagues teaching different levels, qualification types and subjects, most trainees gain an understanding of the wider sector in further education.
“Trainees understand the realities of teaching, and most feel well prepared to move on to the next steps of their career, including being aware of options for professional formation.”
Ofsted also singled out how the College has “designed an ITE programme which is well suited for trainees who come directly from industry with no prior experience in teaching”. One of the students on the college’s ITE programme, Benn Whitehead, is currently studying for his Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) after first arriving at the college as a school leaver in 2014.
As part of his teacher training, Benn has been teaching students on the college’s Level 3 Performing Arts (Acting) course which he originally studied almost ten years ago. Benn said: “I knew going into teaching that I wanted to teach at college level and I couldn’t think of anywhere better than to return to Middlesbrough College to complete my training. The teaching on my PGCE course has been second to none.
“I’m now looking to step into my first professional teaching role, and I hope to inspire other young people who have an interest in performing arts in the North-East.”
Middlesbrough College principal and chief executive Zoe Lewis said: “There can be fewer things more important in education than ensuring that those who will go on to teach the students of tomorrow get the best possible grounding.
“That’s why I’m so pleased that the team on the ITE programme have had their hard work recognised in this latest Ofsted report.
“As with all 12,000 students at Middlesbrough College, we want to equip our trainee teachers with the skills and the confidence to pursue their life and career goals.
“It is great that we now have independent confirmation that we are doing exactly that.”
READ NEXT:
