The inspection included visits to six schools and discussions with trainees and staff at an additional fifteen partner schools, and the results highlight the strong relationships the School of Education has fostered with local institutions.
“Local headteachers believe that appointing a Sheffield University trainee enhances the quality of teaching in their schools.”
Ofsted report
Inspectors highlighted the university’s commitment to ensuring trainees can address the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Trainees “spoke passionately about the impact of the course on their understanding of inclusion” and were often “inspired to hone their own inclusive practice.”
The report also commended the School's commitment to educational research, inspiring partnership schools to engage in this work.
Head of School Rebecca Lawthom said the recent report “recognises the excellence apparent in our approach to initial secondary teacher education.”
“We are delighted with our recent Outstanding Ofsted report. As a School of Education, we are not simply interested in theorising education, we practice high-quality pedagogy.
Rebecca Lawthom
Head of School
“The team of academics and professional service colleagues have improved upon the previous inspection, where we were graded as ‘Good’. The final report is peppered with phrases such as 'exemplary inclusion,' 'ambitious curriculum', 'seamless connections' and 'university commitment to moral purpose' recognising both strong practice and our palpable sense of social justice values.
"65% of our students last year were employed in local schools at the end of their training, we should be proud that many of our teachers stay in the region, contributing to the local economy, and that they are proud to be Sheffield-made.”