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University of Sussex Media Release.
. EXCELLENT OFSTED RESULTS BUT PGCE PROGAMME NO LONGER VIABLE

11 December l998

The University of Sussex is proposing to close its primary PGCE programme next year. The closure recommendation will be put to the University Council at its meeting on 16 December.

Although the programme has obtained very good OFSTED inspection results and is a popular course which recruits easily, the programme has become too small to be financially viable. The Teacher Training Agency rules limit expansion and the drain on resources of OFSTED inspections and the new DfEE initial teacher training requirements have all made the programme too expensive to run. The proposed closure will not entail any job losses.

The University of Sussex Institute of Education (USIE), which pioneered school-based teacher training in the 1960s, 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 University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alasdair Smith, "It is with great regret that we are recommending closure of the Primary PGCE programme. 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."

For further information contact Sue Yates, Information Officer, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678384, Fax 01273 678335, email s.m.yates@sussex.ac.uk

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