Ofsted praises Ripley ITT for ‘exceptional’ teacher training across the North

A Lancaster-based teacher training provider supporting schools and communities across the North of England has been judged ‘exceptional’ across every area of its primary and secondary provision in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Ripley Initial Teacher Training (ITT), part of The Bay Learning Trust, received the highest possible assessment for achievement, curriculum, teaching and training, inclusion, leadership, and professional behaviours, personal development and wellbeing. Compliance standards, including safeguarding, were also met.

Ofsted describes exceptional practice as being of the highest standard nationally and something from which other providers can learn.

Inspectors praise inclusive culture and high standards

The inspection praised Ripley ITT for creating an ‘exemplary culture of inclusive practice’ in which trainees flourish professionally and personally.

It found that trainees excel within a culture founded on professionalism, care and warm, trusting relationships. They also praised Ripley ITT’s leaders for their continual pursuit of excellence and high levels of support provided to trainees.

Supporting schools across the North

Based in Lancaster, Ripley ITT works with South Cumbria ITT and an extensive network of partner schools across Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Merseyside. Established in 2015, the partnership trained 83 teachers during the last academic year.

Its work has a particular impact in communities experiencing high levels of deprivation, where recruiting and retaining good teachers can play an important role in improving educational outcomes and supporting greater social mobility.

Commitment to diversity in teacher recruitment

Ofsted highlighted Ripley ITT’s work to identify groups that are underrepresented in teaching and target recruitment accordingly. This has included increasing the proportion of trainees from areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, attracting more men into primary teaching and encouraging more women to train as teachers of science, technology and mathematics subjects.

Inspectors also described Ripley ITT’s approach to preparing trainees for the demands of the profession as exemplary.

Reaction to the inspection outcome

Felicity Ackroyd, director of Ripley ITT, said:

“To be judged exceptional across every area of both primary and secondary provision is a tremendous achievement and reflects the work of the Ripley ITT team, as well as South Cumbria ITT, our partner schools and our wider partnership in ensuring that trainees receive a world class experience.

“Ripley ITT prepares trainees for successful, sustained careers in teaching and to make a transformational difference to children’s lives. As an initial teacher education provider, we also have a wider responsibility to develop teachers who are positive role models and help improve opportunity and social mobility through educational excellence.”

Sally Kenyon, CEO of The Bay Learning Trust, said:

“This is an exceptional outcome for Ripley ITT and a powerful endorsement of its people, partners and commitment to excellence.

“Our Trust vision is centred on enabling people to flourish spiritually, academically and socially. That vision is clearly visible at Ripley ITT, where trainees are supported to grow and become outstanding professionals who can transform children’s lives.

“For a relatively small multi-academy trust, the scale and reach of this work is remarkable. Ripley ITT is strengthening the teaching workforce across the North and supporting schools in communities where excellent teaching has a huge impact on opportunity and social mobility.”

Sara Smallman, a secondary drama trainee, said:

“The support I received from Ripley ITT was exceptional. The team took the time to understand me as an individual, challenged me to become the best teacher I could be and gave me the confidence to believe in what I was capable of achieving.”

A spokesperson from one of Ripley ITT’s partner schools, said:

“Ripley ITT is a true partnership. Schools are listened to, involved in shaping the training and supported throughout the process. The partnership is helping schools across our region develop and retain the excellent teachers our communities need.”