University Outperforms Sector for Newly Qualified Teachers

Released: 23.11.15

The University has outperformed the sector in a recent national survey of newly qualified teachers.

In the National Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) Survey 2015, both primary and secondary teachers rated the overall quality of their training at the University of St Mark & St John as above national figures. Secondary teachers rated the University at an outstanding 100%, compared to a 91% national figure. Primary teachers rated the University 93% for its overall quality of training, compared to a national figure of 85%.

Gill Golder, Director of Teacher Education at the University of St Mark & St John, said: “The results reflect the constant strive to meet the changing landscape of teacher education, working in partnership to ensure that trainee teachers are prepared for the rigours of the teaching profession and are given an excellent start in their career, and for many this is a stepping stone to rapid career development”.

Examples of this are graduates Nathan Kemp, who studied BEd primary and was awarded Teacher of the Year at age 28, and Siobhan Easton, the youngest primary Head in England who led her school, Marine Academy Plymouth, to achieve ‘Outstanding’ status in OFSTED at age 27.

As a result of its successes in teacher education, the University is now offering new Secondary PGCE programmes in Religious Education, Geography, Media Studies, Drama and Psychology starting in 2016. Applications are now open for the BEd Primary and Secondary Education degrees, where students gain an honours degree and qualified teacher status in three years. School Direct routes into teaching in early years, primary and secondary are also offered.

The NQT survey results support the University of St Mark & St John’s recognition as a leading University for Education. In 2014 it gained ‘Outstanding’ for Leadership and Management in the new OFSTED inspection framework and remains the only University provider of Initial Teacher Education to gain this accolade. In addition,  the Complete University Guide 2015 named it as the best University in the South West for Education degree programmes.

The National NQT survey is carried out six months into teachers' first year of teaching. Newly qualified teachers are asked to give their perceptions of the quality of their training in preparing them to fulfil the complex but highly rewarding role of a teacher.

For more information contact Gill Golder ggolder@marjon.ac.uk.