Restore the balance

Far from planning to "withdraw teacher training courses", the University of Hertfordshire places continuing development in the full range of its teacher education provision as a high priority in its strategic plan. On the basis of outstanding results from Ofsted and of the high status accorded to the department by the Teacher Training Agency, the university regards education as potentially a flagship department.

In common with other providers we have our problems with the inspection and funding regimes, and we voice our concerns regularly to Ofsted and the TTA. But we remain absolutely committed to providing high-quality education and training and have no intention of withdrawing from teacher education.

Graham Holderness Dean of humanities, languages and education University of Hertfordshire