Relief was the main reaction of students at La Sainte Union college of higher education in Southampton to the events of the past 10 days.
Third-year student Eileen O’Sullivan, 24, who is enjoying teaching practice at Stamshaw Junior School in Portsmouth, said students were relieved that courses would continue with minimal disruption.
“The main feeling is relief that we’re able to finish off at LSU with new teaching staff, in surroundings that are familiar to us,” she said.
“It’s a frightening prospect that next year we’ll be looking for jobs. What will people think? But we have been reassured that at the end of the day when you’re in an interview, they are looking at you as a person.”
Students had not felt poorly trained. “When I compared it to other places where friends were studying, we didn’t seem to be losing out,” Eileen said.
Jim Gardner, president of LSU students’ union, said: “Some people have been concerned but, hopefully, most have been reassured that their degrees will be recognised as good quality, especially as they are validated by Southampton University.
“Some students think we’ve been used, that the way OFSTED carried out the inspection was flawed. They inspected the BEd course, but the final cohort of that course finishes next month.”
