Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Provision Expansion pilot

See 'Attachments' for full description. The Department for Education is launching a pilot to extend the reach of 'Outstanding' Initial Teacher Training providers into challenging areas of the country.

We announced in an October 2017 Press Release that we would, "Support our best teacher trainer providers ... to expand their reach into challenging areas ... so more areas benefit from excellent teacher training, and help increase the supply of great teachers to the schools that need them the most." Currently there are variations in teacher supply challenges across the country, often at school level, including (but not exclusively) some poor-performing schools struggling to recruit the teachers they need to improve their outcomes. While expansion in school-led teacher training provision has been successful, the increase in national training capacity has not yet delivered new supply to some schools most in need of new teachers.

The department intends to incentivise 'Outstanding' ITT providers to expand their provision in challenging areas for teacher recruitment including to schools not currently involved in ITT that are Ofsted Category 3 or 4. This is intended to improve the supply of trainee teachers, promote school improvement through ITT, support teacher retention, and remove obstacles to social mobility in these regions and their schools.

Bids might target one or more of the category 5 and 6 'Achieving Excellence Areas' and/or one or more of the 12 Opportunity areas. Providers may also propose any other area as long as they supply compelling evidence of teacher supply need and impact in their bids.

Providers should ensure that they utilise current published data, including, but not limited to the recently published Teachers Analysis Compendium 3. The Expression of Intent form confirms that you have consulted with colleagues and potential partners, including schools, and that you will be working on a submission for this exercise.

The Expression of Intent form should be submitted to the department by 30th April 2018, and is available as an attachment, and in the bidding documentation Eligibility restricted to Ofsted 'Outstanding' accredited ITT providers. Please note that this is a grant.