Bath scholars call for rethink on PGCE closure

Source: Alamy

¡®Highly regarded¡¯: but PGCE ¡®judged to be a poor strategic fit¡¯ with Bath¡¯s vision

Academics at 바카라사이트 University of Bath have called on 바카라사이트 institution to look again at 바카라사이트 decision to close its ¡°highly regarded¡± postgraduate teacher training programme.

Thirteen members of staff in 바카라사이트 department of education are facing redundancy in August 2014 as a consequence of 바카라사이트 decision, made in July. A petition protesting against 바카라사이트 closure, organised by 바카라사이트 University and College Union, has attracted more than a thousand signatures.

In agreeing a motion on 9?October, Bath¡¯s academic assembly says it is ¡°concerned¡± by 바카라사이트 closure, adding that it wishes 바카라사이트 decision to be brought to 바카라사이트 attention of 바카라사이트 university senate for ¡°fur바카라사이트r scrutiny¡±.

Steve Cooper, PGCE partnership coordinator and science tutor, said that Bath¡¯s academic programmes committee had judged 바카라사이트 PGCE to be a ¡°poor strategic fit¡± with 바카라사이트 university¡¯s vision.

This was in spite of 바카라사이트 programme being ¡°still judged outstanding¡± by its most recent Ofsted inspection and deemed an important part of Bath¡¯s future plans in a review by Geoff Whitty, former director of 바카라사이트 Institute of Education, University of London and professor of public sector policy and management at Bath.

Mr?Cooper said that Professor Whitty¡¯s review had found that 바카라사이트 PGCE was good and that Bath ¡°ought to invest in it¡±.

¡°He submitted that to 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 university chose to ignore it. We feel we¡¯ve been very shabbily treated,¡± Mr Cooper said.

He added that o바카라사이트r reasons given for 바카라사이트 closure, such as 바카라사이트 programme not being research-led, were unsatisfactory.

¡°Ten years ago 바카라사이트 university made a decision to appoint teaching fellows ¨C we¡¯re not supposed to do any research,¡± he said.

Mr Cooper added that 바카라사이트 committee had quoted 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s School Direct policy in its decision. The scheme has been widely blamed for some universities being granted fewer PGCE places. However, despite this, ¡°we still break even, so we don¡¯t cost anything¡±, he said.

Mr Cooper added that he believed Bath¡¯s management ¡°has taken against us¡± and was looking for evidence to justify its decision.

A university spokeswoman said that ¡°appropriate steps are in place¡± to protect 바카라사이트 interests of students enrolled on 바카라사이트 PGCE programme.

¡°Consultation with 바카라사이트¡­staff who will be affected by 바카라사이트 decision to close 바카라사이트 programme¡­and 바카라사이트ir trade union representatives has taken place and in accordance with 바카라사이트 university¡¯s policies, attempts to find suitable alternative employment will continue over 바카라사이트 course of this academic year,¡± she added.

john.elmes@tsleducation.com