Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (21 July) commented on National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) analysis of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) placement capacity in England. This research was commissioned by MillionPlus and its Deans of Education Network to inform its response to the ITT Market Review.

Professor Pat Bailey, interim Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“This MillionPlus-commissioned research spotlights an important long-standing issue for MillionPlus and its member institutions. High-quality ITT requires excellent placements and ensuring consistency and quality across teacher education while having capacity across every part of England is critical.

“MillionPlus universities have built strong partnerships with schools across the country over many years, supporting them to fully engage in ITT. This support has been vital during the pandemic, with the additional challenges and burdens that every school has had to face. The focus now must be on what more we can all do to support schools and encourage even more to play a role in educating the next generation of teachers. As such, we hope the government will carefully study the analysis developed in this research.

“Although MillionPlus believes that the government launched ITT Market Review should have made placements its central focus, it is positive to see the review touch on ways to increase capacity. Now it is incumbent on the government to work with schools and universities to develop these ideas to make them a success.

“This research underlines the importance of a better understanding of the placement environment, so that the right policy decisions can be made to increase capacity and quality.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 3927 2916 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk
2. Initial teacher training placement capacity in English schools: Analysis for MillionPlus by the NFER is available here
3. The main focus of the MillionPlus Deans of Education (DoE) Network is on teacher education policy in England, and the crucial role of modern universities in delivering Initial Teacher Education. The network meets with Department for Education officials regularly, with a formal all-member meeting every three months. The network also shares good practice and formulates policy through regular topical workshops and has formed strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the sector such as UCET, NASBTT and Ofsted
4. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities in the UK, and the voice of 21st century higher education. We champion, promote and raise awareness of the essential role and impact of modern universities in the UK’s world-leading higher education sector. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
5. What are modern universities? Modern universities are long established centres of higher education in their communities with roots that stretch back decades, if not centuries. Many gained university title following legislation agreed by parliament in 1992. They make up almost half of the UK university sector with over a million students studying at modern universities every year.
6. Modern universities: facts and stats