Institute of Education

Our vision is to develop outstanding teachers who are:  

• Knowledgeable of the most effective pedagogical approaches to inform deliberate and effective pedagogical choices  
• Research informed critical thinkers who utilise a robust evidence base to improve practice and children's outcomes.  
• Rights Respecting educators who embrace diversity and provide inclusive classrooms, and can respond flexibly to meet the needs of all learners  
• Autonomous, critical and innovative to nurture curiosity, wonder and exploration and achievement in a range of educational contexts  
• Reflective practitioners who recognise the power that education has to shape lives, with a willingness to grow and learn, have the tools to do so and who can transform the lives of the children they will teach and the communities they will work.

We put our vision into action by providing students with lectures and seminars based on the very best in research to challenge your views and enable you to understand the qualities, attributes and knowledge needed to thrive in the classroom. The programme provides students with:

• a deep understanding of teaching excellence,  
• the many factors influencing children and school communities, and 
• the importance of inclusion.

OfSted has recognised us as a provider of 'Outstanding' Initial Teacher Education in England. Their report, which states that our students 'display impressive levels of confidence and understanding about how to be effective teachers', is a testament to the expertise, hard work and commitment of our staff, students and partnership schools.  

The Complete University Guide ranked us 9th for undergraduate Initial Teacher Education in the UK.

The Institute has an outstanding record of employability in teaching. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate primary and secondary programmes leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status. Campus-based training provides the knowledge, experiences and skills needed to thrive on school experiences. 90% of students judge the course as intellectually stimulating and state that the staff explain things clearly and makes the subject interesting. Students gain a deep understanding of critical educational theories applied through various school-based experiences. Our innovative curriculum encompasses each aspect of the Core Content Framework. It also provides opportunities to develop specialist pedagogical and subject knowledge of a national curriculum subject, or SEN or Early Years. Students enrich their training through option modules that explore different approaches to teaching in different settings.  

Lecturers are experts in their fields, with extensive classroom, research and management-based experience. Many are active researchers and are regional, national and international leaders in their fields. Excellent resources enhance students' training and provide hands-on opportunities to learn and rehearse teaching before school-based placements.   

School experience is rewarding, challenging and intense. School placements provide opportunities to extend, apply and enhance campus-based studies. We have partnerships with over 430 schools providing you with excellent opportunities to gain experience, reflect on your developing practice, learn from your mentors and develop as skilled practitioners.  

Each week of your training is carefully designed to develop students' teaching skills, identify strengths and areas for improvement and take steps to meet the Teacher Standards by the end of your training.  

We know what it takes for students to be successful, and we provide support and challenge to push you to exceed your expectations of yourself, to understand your strengths and to have the knowledge and confidence to be the best teacher you can be.

We have a dedicated student support team to help you have a positive and rewarding time at university.  

Keep up-to-date with the Institute of Education on Twitter: @UOW_IoE