Ofsted is publishing its new initial teacher education
(ITE) framework so
that future inspections will focus more on the substance of
the ITE curriculum and how
well trainees are prepared to teach, and less on outcomes data.
The new inspections will help to make sure that ITE partnerships are
focusing on the things that have the most impact on a trainee’s
education and, ultimately, the children and young people they
teach.
The changes bring ITE inspection in line
with Ofsted’s education inspection framework’s (EIF) focus on the quality
of the curriculum. The new frameworkis
tailored to the different phases of trainee education, including
early years, primary, secondary and further education.
The public consultation, Ofsted’s research fieldwork and feedback
from more than 30 pilot inspections undertaken this academic year
have informed amendments to the final framework and handbook.
Ofsted received more than 300 responses to its public
consultation from a wide range of respondents, including
trainees and newly qualified teachers, ITE partnerships,
headteachers and other employers. The vast majority supported the
five key proposals, and many shared their thoughts on the
proposed new handbook.
Two new key judgements for ‘quality of education and training’
and ‘leadership and management’ will focus on
the ITE curriculum and help
inspectors get to the heart of the quality of trainee teachers’
education. These replace the previous judgements of ‘outcomes for
trainees’ and ‘quality of training across the partnership’.
Other changes include:
- applying a new methodology for gathering inspection evidence
- a single visit, four-day inspection, announced three days in
advance, rather than the previous two stage process
- an educationally focused telephone conversation with
partnership leaders prior to the inspection
- spring and summer term inspections only
The new framework will take effect from September 2020, but the
handbook document has been published early so
that ITE partnerships have
time to familiarise themselves with it. The intention is to begin
the new cycle of inspections from January 2021 but given the
impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the education sector, this
will be kept under regular review.
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector said:
I’m pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to our
consultation. All trainee teachers should have access to
high-quality education and training and our new inspections
will help to do just that.
This new framework will make sure we’re looking at the things
that matter most to trainee teachers, so that they can start
their career on solid foundations. Putting the curriculum front
and centre of teacher training is the right thing for new
teachers but above all, for children - so they get a broad,
rich education that will set them up for life.
