Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (5 July) commented on the government’s Initial Teacher Training (ITT) market review report.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, said:

“MillionPlus supports any moves to improve ITT across the country, and we welcome the stated intentions of the expert group in this regard. The focus on increasing school engagement with ITT is another positive and we look forward to continuing our work with DfE on the issue.

“However, there is also much within the report that is potentially damaging and, at the very least requires further clarification, if the aim is not to expose the teacher supply model to unnecessary risk.

“An adequate case for such a dramatic overhaul of the well-established ITT education model, with the increased bureaucratic burden it will inevitably unleash on providers, has yet to be made. This burden, coupled with such a rapid implementation period, makes the risk of providers pulling out of the ITT sector a genuine one. We hope DfE will appreciate that the stated timescales are unworkable and need to be extended to fully address the huge questions that are being asked.

“While it is welcome that all current ITT providers can continue as accredited providers if they reach the suggested quality threshold, these changes will demand extra financial resource and, while the report acknowledges such, it makes no recommendation on where that resource should come from.

“The MillionPlus Deans of Education Network has worked closely with DfE and the ITT Market Review team throughout and will continue to do so. If such radical change is seen as necessary, then it is important for the sector and DfE to continue to work together for it to be a success. However, rushing through reform without fully appreciating the consequences, would be deeply damaging and incredibly risky to the teacher supply chain.”

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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Modern universities: facts and stats