Quality of teacher training provision at Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths has a long-standing reputation for excellence in teacher training, dating back to its foundation in the early 1900s. We are committed to ensuring students are offered high quality teaching and learning here at Goldsmiths.

OFSTED inspections have found all aspects of the PGCE programmes at Goldsmiths meet the standards required by the Government, with the vast majority rated as 'very good' or 'good'.

Employment opportunities are excellent, with the majority of students gaining a first teaching appointment in London or elsewhere. An analysis of the latest data on students who graduated in 2005, shows that 93% of those for whom data are available went into employment after completing their degree.

The recent analysis of TDA data, undertaken at Buckingham University, reported in the press, appears to be based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the data, as it fails to take appropriate account of the fact that teacher-training students in the UK have to complete the DfES Professional Standards [skills] Tests to pass their programmes and to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). These skills tests can be taken at any stage up to five years after students complete the formal part of their programme. This means that students are not registered as having completed – this is clearly not the same as failing.

A further analysis of the Goldsmiths statistics for 2004-05 shows that of the total number of PGCE students, the majority of students have now taken their tests and the proportion outstanding is now extremely low.

Our teacher training students rate the quality of provision at Goldsmiths highly:

Joanne Hunt, PGCE Secondary (Science):

"Having always lived in South East London I had long been aware of Goldsmiths and its excellent reputation for teacher training. The tutors within the Science Department at Goldsmiths are all experienced teachers so I felt well prepared for the start of my first teaching practice. With the support from the College, I developed teaching skills, confidence and subject knowledge."

Alison Copeland, PGCE Primary (Early Years):

"The PGCE course at Goldsmiths is intensive, but the tutors are knowledgeable and supportive. What I particularly liked about Goldsmiths was the diverse backgrounds of the PGCE students, which included graduates fresh out of university, men and women from other non-related industries and professions, and mature candidates who had come through non-traditional routes via Access courses. I have just secured my first teaching post at a school in Lewisham."

Press enquiries: Vicky Annand, Head of Communications and Publicity
Tel 020 7919 7972, email ext-comms@gold.ac.uk