A new perspective – The ITT market review

Following the publication of the government response to the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) market review, providers now know the work they need to complete, to be able to continue to develop new teachers from September 2024.

Reaccreditation is required to show how providers will meet the new quality requirements for their QTS programs.

These requirements include details for curriculum, mentoring, assessment, quality assurance and partnerships. There is concern that the reaccreditation process may reduce the number of training places or providers, and it involves a significant workload, but it is also an exciting opportunity.

Alison Brady, head of Associated Merseyside Partnership (AMP) SCITT, said: “The market review is a chance to scrutinise how we engage, enable and empower new teachers to deliver the best education to all children and young people. It is an opportunity for providers and schools to work in partnership to provide a coherent system of teacher development.

“The establishment of four intensive training and practice weeks, in addition to the traditional school placements, will forge opportunities for new partnerships between schools and providers. The requirement for dedicated training time for all mentors will support the ongoing professional development of teachers and all ITT providers will have a comprehensive mentor training curriculum.”

The team of teacher educators at AMP SCITT will be working closely with partnership schools over the next 12 months to redesign their ITE curriculum. Alison Brady said: “Like most ITT providers in England, we have strong evidence ITT programmes we have delivered in the past are effective at producing teachers who have a positive impact upon learning and who flourish and stay in the profession. However, with new perspectives perhaps we could make Initial Teacher Training even better.”

Robin Walker, minister of state for school standards said: “Together, we will create a truly world-class teacher development system that makes England the best place in the world to become a great teacher.”

All schools benefit from the new ITT teachers but there are significant benefits for those schools who actively participate. Involvement in ITT offers professional development opportunities for staff who support trainees and can put schools in direct contact with the latest evidence and research on what works in teaching.

Alison concluded: “I hope all schools see the benefits of being active partners in the delivery of ITT and engage with their local ITT providers, both SCITTs and universities to establish strong networks for teacher education.”