A TEACHER training course based in Devon primary schools has been rated as the best in the country in an independent survey. The scheme scored 200 out of 200 in a rating by Prof Alan Smithers at the University of Buckingham. The perfect score was equalled only by Oxford University?s teacher training course. Prof Smithers bases his ratings on Ofsted inspections. And the last full inspection of the Devon scheme in 2003 gave every aspect of the course a Grade 1, signifying very good or excellent features. The Devon Primary SCITT or School-Centred Initial Teacher Training has just been given a short inspection which again concluded that the management and quality assurance was Grade 1. The Devon scheme has been running since 2001 and has 30 trainees in 24 local schools, including Bere Alston and Highampton. Trainees receive on the job training in individual schools which is backed up by centre-based work. The Ofsted inspectors said the key strengths of the course included outstanding leadership and management; excellent levels of communication and organisation; highly focused support and guidance; excellent links between the various course modules and school-based training, and a high quality training for school-based tutors SCITT programme manager David Wood said he was delighted with the report: ?A distinctive feature of the programme is that trainees are school-based for the majority of the year. ?This school-based programme is underpinned by a structured, taught course, delivered centrally by education consultants, advisers and serving practitioners. ?Spending so much time in school enables the trainees to take part in the whole life of the school and become involved with the whole community, including parents, governors and support services.?
