MORE than 500 trainee teachers have begun their studies at the University of Worcester, helping to fill growing shortages in classrooms across the region.

A recent report by the House of Commons Education Committee found schools are facing an increasingly challenging teacher shortage with recruitment targets consistently missed.

The University’s new intake of trainee teachers, which is above last year’s total, will help to fill this deficit, with many likely to take up positions in the city, thanks to the University’s long established links with local schools.

Ann Jordan, head of the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester, said: “We are fully committed to educating our trainees to the very best of their ability knowing they will go on to make a positive contribution to the profession, teaching with confidence and competence in order to inspire children and young people to achieve the very best that they can.”

The University of Worcester is noted for the excellent quality of its teacher education, having been founded in 1946 as an Emergency Teacher Training College. Since that time it has educated thousands of teachers who have gone on to make a real impact on the lives of children across the country, including the latest cohort of more than 400 trainees who are set to formally graduate next month.

Trainee teachers at the University of Worcester gain hours of practical teaching experience in the classroom, having to complete a minimum of 120 days working in schools. During their placements, trainees contribute to all aspects of school life, gain opportunity to practise and develop their teaching skills, whilst also making a positive contribution to overall staff capacity in their placement school.

The University works with more than 500 partnership colleges, schools and nurseries across the county and the surrounding regions.

Courses at Worcester qualify students to teach at all levels of the education system.

To find out more visit the University at its next open days tomorrow, October 27 and Saturday, October 28.

There will be a further open day on Sunday, November 26.

There you can find out about how to make a strong application and get advice on the skills test for numeracy and literacy you need to pass to get into teaching.

For more details or to book a place visit worcester.ac.uk.