Creating the educators of tomorrow through strong partnerships
We are celebrating team success at the Vice-Chancellor’s Education Excellence Awards.
30 July 2025
The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) team, who are responsible for the Primary and Secondary PGCE courses, received the award for successfully leading a rigorous, three-year reaccreditation process. This process required all ITE providers to develop detailed curricula for student teachers and school-based mentors, ensuring that training systematically and consistently drew upon the latest high-quality research on teaching and learning. The team's leadership resulted in a successful reaccreditation, affirming the University's status as a leading provider of ITE.
The team said:
"We are incredibly proud that this programme has been recognised. It's a testament to the dedication of our team and partner schools in preparing the next generation of outstanding teachers for both primary and secondary education. At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to supporting trainees as they begin their journey into the profession, ensuring they are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in classrooms across our region and beyond.
At a time when the education sector faces significant challenges in teacher recruitment and retention, the success of our ITE provision is more important than ever. We are proud to be playing a vital role in attracting and nurturing passionate, skilled teachers who are so urgently needed in our schools."
Fiona Hepton
"We are delighted to be recognised for our work in enhancing the quality and reach of our initial teacher education programmes at Newcastle University. As the lead partner in a growing collaboration with Durham University, we are extending our impact even further across the region and are proud not only to deliver training that meets the rigorous standards set by the DfE and Ofsted, but also to provide our local schools with some of the very best Early Career Teachers."
Jon Haines
"We are deeply honoured to receive this award. It recognises the sustained commitment, innovation, and impact of our Initial Teacher Education programmes, and is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our team, our partner schools, and our collaboration with Durham University in preparing the next generation of outstanding teachers for both primary and secondary education.
From navigating rigorous reaccreditation and inspection processes to expanding our regional reach, our team has consistently demonstrated leadership, resilience, and an unwavering focus on quality and equity. We are proud to be shaping a diverse and passionate teaching workforce that is making a real difference in classrooms across our region and beyond."
Fred Clark
About the awards
The Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) Awards aim to raise the status of education at Newcastle University. The awards reward individuals and teams who have made a marked impact on the student educational experience.
Individuals or teams who offer an exceptional contribution to education at Newcastle University can enter.
There were three Faculty awards in this year's Vice-Chancellor's Education Excellence Awards.
To see all the 2025 winners and learn how to apply in the future, visit the Vice-Chancellor’s Education Excellence Awards webpage.