100 new teacher training places have been created by the University of Worcester.

This comes as part of a plan implemented by the new education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, with the aim of boosting total teacher recruitment in the country.

The university, a leading provider of teacher training in the UK, has pledged to help the government achieve this goal.

Read more: Euro 2024 England Vs Spain: Worcester pubs ready for final

These new slots, available for study this coming September, are part of Worcester’s one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) program.

This programme includes primary, secondary, and further education training.

There are also places on the primary teaching course and salaried training offered in partnership with selected schools.

With an additional 100 students due to study to become teachers at the university next year, another 100 places have been created in response to the government’s recruitment efforts, bringing the total to over 600 places.

Professor David Green CBE DL, vice chancellor and chief executive of the university, said: "It is most positive to hear the new secretary of State for Education taking immediate action to boost teacher recruitment.

"Government targets have been missed every year for the past decade.

"It is vital we reverse this trend.

"As one of the country’s largest and very best educators of teachers we are deeply committed to working with the new Government in the interests of our country’s children."

The university has received high ratings from Ofsted, with its training regarded as 'Outstanding'.

Launched in 1946 as a teacher training college, the university now collaborates with nearly 500 schools and education providers across the nation.

Speaking of a visit in 2022 to the university, the new education secretary, Mrs Phillipson, said: "It’s been brilliant to visit Worcester today and to see the University’s work, particularly in training the next generation of teachers.

"We know that we need to see more teachers in our classrooms.

"To hear the dedication and commitment from the University students here was tremendous.

"Universities play an important role in training teachers.

"Speaking with the students earlier, it’s clear that they are receiving a high-quality education and training."