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Union warns of instability for universities' teaching training programmes

6 November 2013

UCU today added its concerns about teacher training in universities to those voiced by the Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET).

Both organisations are worried about the allocation of teacher training places and the fact that so many places are now going to schools and not universities. The government is pushing for more teacher training to take place in schools, via its newly created School Direct programme.

The move away from the traditional university-based model of teacher training will see universities lose their core teacher places. UCU said that university teacher training departments already work in very close partnership with schools and many university departments have achieved high grades from Ofsted in recognition of their work.

The University of Bath's respected PGCE programme, which was rated as 'outstanding' by OFSTED and is financially viable, is one course that is a victim to the changes.

UCU argued that training offered by universities provides a wider overview of the profession, giving trainees the opportunity to learn about different curricula models and approaches to teaching. UCU added that trainees benefit from the expertise of experienced lecturers who are often active in research in their field. University teacher training departments also offer ongoing training and development to existing qualified teachers.

UCU General Secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We have real concerns about what the allocation of teacher training places will do to the stability of teaching courses in our universities. The departments are an invaluable resource for teachers who want to do further training and development during their careers. Our concern is that in years to come, this opportunity could be lost in some parts of the country.

'Trainee teachers based in universities get a holistic and evidence-based view of teaching as they are taught about different approaches to effective teaching in diverse settings. Schools also benefit greatly from their relationship with their local university education departments. We want to see this successful partnership model protected. Cutting teacher training could threaten more university departments.'

Last updated: 10 December 2015

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