Read our latest Ofsted report

15th July 2026

NTTC was inspected by Ofsted in April 2026 and the inspectors’ report is available to read here.

This was the first time NTTC has been inspected under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, having received a ‘Good’ rating in our previous inspections (in 2016 and 2023) under the old framework.

The inspection report found that NTTC:

•         meets or exceeds the ‘Expected Standard’ across all five of the new inspection criteria;
•         has a ‘Strong Standard’ for Inclusion (primary and secondary) and for Professional Behaviours, Personal Development and Wellbeing (primary);
•          and our trainees ‘flourish, ‘achieve well’ and ‘progress onto successful careers’ in teaching.

The new ‘Expected’ standard corresponds closely with the previous ‘Outstanding’ grading, which shows that NTTC is going from strength to strength.

The Ofsted report highlights our continuing success in preparing trainees for their teaching careers, stating that ‘trainees conduct themselves with maturity and are well prepared for the expectations of the classroom’, developing into ‘self-directed professionals’ who enter the profession ‘able to plan, adapt and respond to the needs of the pupils they teach.’

The inspectors’ report also comments on the high quality of education that NTTC trainees receive, noting that trainees benefit from ‘a carefully crafted curriculum’ that ‘equips trainees well’ to respond to a wide range of pupil needs. Secondary trainees benefit from expert help in breaking their ‘subject expertise down into manageable pieces for pupils.’

Trainee teachers are supported by mentors in school as well as by the NTTC team and the Ofsted report reflects very positively on the experience that trainees have with NTTC. It says that trainees ‘feel they are part of a caring community’, that they ‘feel very well supported’, and ‘benefit from highly approachable staff who know them well.’

On inclusion, for which NTTC is judged to have a ‘Strong Standard’ for both primary and secondary trainees, the report says, ‘Leaders are rightly proud of the positive and supportive culture they have established.’

Lin Goram, Director of Norfolk Teacher Training Centre, comments:

NTTC, working closely with a wide range of primary and secondary settings across Norfolk and into Suffolk, continues to provide our trainees and apprentices with an excellent preparation for their teaching careers.

 

Our school-based approach means trainees and apprentices maximise their time in the classroom during their training year, spending 4 days a week in school from the very beginning of September term, while being well supported by mentors in school, NTTC curriculum leads, tutors and their peers.

 

Although the criteria used by Ofsted for this inspection are new, it is pleasing that the inspectors have reflected many of our key strengths – that we offer our trainees a close-knit and supportive community, a progressive approach to developing their teaching experience and classroom confidence, with tailored support from phase and subject experts.”