THE UNIVERSITY of Gloucestershire announced it supports the new government’s targets to recruit 6,500 more teachers. 

The news follows a recent letter to the education workforce by Bridget Phillipson MP, the new Secretary of State for Education, who said she wants to work closely with the sector to increase the numbers of teachers, and raise standards in schools and colleges.

The MP said: “Work to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers for our schools and colleges starts now, and we will bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education, work with local government to provide loving, secure homes for children in care, provide support for children with SEND and their families, and create higher-quality training and employment paths by empowering local communities to develop the skills people need.”

Currently, the University’s School of Education and Science delivers a variety of primary and secondary teacher training programmes to prepare students for entry into the profession. 

This includes Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a vital qualification for educators. 

In the most recent Ofsted report, the University’s programmes were rated ‘Good’, with inspectors highlighting their emphasis on sustainability and the University’s strong partnership with schools.

Dr Graham Parton, Head of the University’s School of Education and Science, said: “It is vital that we boost teacher recruitment in our region, and it is really positive that the new Secretary of State for Education has pledged to introduce 6,500 new teachers into the workforce.

“As one of the country’s oldest and well-respected educators of teachers we are well placed to meet this demand and provide the county with high-quality expert teachers.”

Dame Clare Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “We’re proud of our long and successful heritage in producing many of the nation’s excellent teachers who have helped shape the lives of children and young people over the past 175 years.

“In delivering a range of teacher training programmes, we look forward to playing an important part in driving forward the new Government’s ambitions by developing many more expert teachers in the years ahead.”

Government education plans can be found in more detail via the Government website.