The arrangements recognise the new framework for inspecting providers introduced by Ofsted in September 2002, which allows for good providers to be subject to full inspection only once in six years. The TTA uses Ofsted evidence to formulate its own quality grades, which are published on its website and used in allocating places to universities, colleges and schools which offer teacher training.

Ofsted reports from 2003 will comprise grades for three cells &150; standards(S), training (T) and, now, management and quality assurance (M).

Following the consultation, which prompted 53 responses and attendance at two national seminars, the TTA has decided that for the academic year 2004/05:

• the T and S cells should be given equal weight in determining quality categories, and the new M cell will be used where these differ;
• determination of quality categories should still be based on Ofsted evidence - at least until research into the application and use of value added data is completed;
• the TTA will defer its approach of immediately cutting the number of places allocated to a provider found to have failed to meet the training standards required, while the provider seeks to rectify areas of non-compliance with TTA support and guidance; and
• innovative projects which meet TTA and DfES priorities will be inspected by Ofsted, but have the option of standing outside inspection gradings for three years.

Michael Day, the TTA's Director of Funding and Quality, said:

"The quality of initial teacher training is at the heart of the TTA's aim to help every pupil fulfil their potential, and Ofsted reports show that we have the best new teachers ever. These measures recognise important changes to the framework in which training providers operate. They will help them to improve further and support innovation."

Notes to editors
The new Ofsted framework for inspection of ITT came into effect from September 2002. The TTA has a statutory duty to link funding and quality, and the new framework is based on the use of different inspections cells and a revised schedule for inspectors.

The consultation paper on the use of inspection evidence in ITT was published on 4 April 2003. See the consultation report for more details.

In 2003-04 there will be 127 providers of ITT in England, comprising universities, colleges and schools. The quality of training on the Graduate Teacher Programme is inspected separately.