Herts teacher training receives “strong” Ofsted inspection rating

Education courses at the University of Hertfordshire have been graded a “strong standard” by Ofsted, following an inspection under the regulator’s new framework, launched earlier this year.

Ofsted’s ranking means that “leaders are working above the level expected of them”. The inspection covers both primary and secondary education, and assessed ten areas overall, with nine graded “strong” and one graded “as expected”.

Herts is the first University in the East of England to receive an inspection under the new framework.

In the inspection report Ofsted praised Herts’ programme for offering trainees ‘the guidance they need to develop into confident, capable teachers’. It added that trainees learn to think like professionals from the outset and link their choices to impact rather than compliance. Ofsted also noted that trainees benefit from respectful systems that remove obstacles to their learning and wellbeing.

Dominic Shibli, Head of Initial Teacher Development and Early Childhood Education at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“Strong is awarded where provision not only meets all expected standards but demonstrates additional features of highly effective practice such as our extensive network of partnership schools.

“We train more than 300 teachers each year which makes a significant contribution to the regional and national teacher workforce.

“The outcome reflections the expertise and dedication of colleagues across our primary and secondary teams and the vital contribution of our partnership schools and mentors.”

Earlier this year, Herts provided new Early Years simulation facilities and it is launching one of the UK’s first ever Early Years Degree Apprenticeships in September. Last year, it introduced one of very few part-time teacher training routes, to encourage into teaching those who do not have time to study full-time. The University was ranked first in the UK for teacher training in the Daily Mail University Guide, 2025.

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