Teesside University reaches national teacher-training award shortlist

Teesside University has been named one of three finalists for a national award recognising higher education institutions that train teachers. The Middlesbrough university is shortlisted for Higher Education Institution of the Year in the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers Awards 2026, with the winner due to be announced in London on 5 November.

NASBTT’s own shortlist confirms Teesside alongside Newcastle University and the University of Wolverhampton. The association says judging is complete. For Teesside, that makes this a firm place on the national shortlist, rather than an award win, and the final result remains to come.

A place on the national shortlist

The category sits within awards for initial teacher training, covering the people and organisations that prepare new teachers. Teesside University said its nomination recognises work across its teacher-training programmes and its support for schools and education providers in the region.

Samantha Eason, the university’s Head of Department for Education, linked the nomination to the work of staff, partner organisations and students. She said the shortlist reflected a combination of teacher education, partnership working and contribution to the wider education system.

How the training works locally

That partnership element matters locally because trainee teachers need experience in real classrooms as well as academic study. Teesside says it works with schools and colleges across the Tees Valley, drawing on practising teachers in partner settings and building mentor networks around its courses.

Its primary and secondary routes include qualified teacher status, which is required for teaching in many English schools. The university also offers routes spanning primary education, secondary subjects and education and youth work. Professional placements are used to develop teaching practice and reflective skills.

The university describes the partnership’s aim as maintaining a supply of teaching professionals for schools and colleges in the area. The award shortlist does not, by itself, measure recruitment, course completion or how many trainees stay in the Tees Valley, and no figures for those outcomes were published with the announcement.

Earlier inspection context

There is some earlier inspection context. In April 2024, Teesside University reported that Ofsted had rated its initial teacher-training provision Good overall following an inspection that February. The inspection covered primary, secondary and further education phases and involved 55 trainees, according to the university’s account of the report.

At that point, the secondary programme had begun in September 2022 and the primary programme in September 2023. The university said inspectors highlighted its relationships with schools, partner colleges and other stakeholders, as well as the support available to trainees.

What happens next

NASBTT is a registered charity focused on school-led teacher training and professional development. Its published 2026 shortlist confirms the three institutions in Teesside’s category and says the winners will be announced at the awards celebration.

The next firm date is 5 November, when Teesside University says the awards will be announced during NASBTT’s annual conference in London. Until then, the university remains one of three finalists. The university release does not set out judging criteria or publish scorecards.

People considering teacher training can contact teachertrainingadmissions@tees.ac.uk. Schools and colleges interested in becoming a training partner can use ittadmin@tees.ac.uk, both published by Teesside University.