MAT teacher training rated better than universities

School based teacher training in academy chains performs better than other schools and higher education courses in Ofsted inspections
29th August 2019, 2:35pm

School based teacher training in multi academy trusts has performed better in Ofsted inspections than training provided in other schools or universities, new statistics reveal.

The figures show almost half (47 per cent) of the school centred initial teacher training (SCITT) in MATs is rated as outstanding compared with just over a third (36 per cent) of school based training run by schools that are not part of trust.

Data published by Ofsted today also shows that overall SCITTs are rated better than higher education institutions with 41 per cent judged to be outstanding compared with 28 per cent of university courses, a slight narrowing of the gap from last year.

Teacher training provided by Teach First has the most positive inspections outcomes with nine out of the 11 providers run by the charity inspected judged to be outstanding. 


Making the grade: The hardest subjects to qualify in as a teacher

Background: School based training achieves better Ofsted grades 

Research: Schools struggle to find time to mentor trainees


The data shows that all initial teacher training providers inspected received either a good or outstanding at their last inspection.

This is a slight increase on the last two years where 99 per cent of providers were rated good or outstanding.

One provider was judged to require improvement during 2018/19 but has been reinspected and is now judged to be good. 

The data shows that at their most recent inspection 120 providers were rated as outstanding and another 213 were judged to be good.

There are 85 initial teacher education providers which do not have an inspection judgement.

The majority of providers of initial teacher training are either higher education institutions or SCITTs. There are 68 higher education providers and 170 SCITTs across the country. 

The tables also show Ofsted outcomes by government regions.

Training providers based in London had the best inspection outcomes with just over half rated as outstanding.

The West Midlands had the lowest proportion of outstanding providers at 22.5 per cent ( nine of 40.)