Primary PGCE No Longer Viable

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At its meeting next week, the University Council will receive a recommendation that the primary PGCE course should be closed from next year. The recommendation, which was approved by Senate this week, arises from the fact that the course is no longer financially viable.

Although the primary PGCE has obtained very good OFSTED inspection results and is a popular course which recruits easily, the programme has become too small to sustain. The Teacher Training Agency rules prevent the University from expanding the course to a viable level and this, together with the drain on resources of OFSTED inspections and the new DfEE initial teacher training requirements, has made the programme too expensive to run. No jobs will be lost as a result of the proposed closure.

USIE, which pioneered school-based teacher-training in the l960s, will continue to run its successful secondary PGCE programme through the Sussex Consortium for Teacher Education and Research. It will also continue to maintain its strong links with primary education through its programme of continuing professional development covering both masters and doctoral programmes.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alasdair Smith, "It is with regret that we are recommending closure of the primary PGCE. However, if the proposal is accepted by the Council, the University intends to strengthen its secondary PGCE programme and also its continuing professional development and doctoral links so that it remains a major provider for the region's schools and teachers."

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