Before you apply

All programmes submitted for accreditation must meet the Criteria for the accreditation of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes in Wales which are set by Welsh Government. However, before submitting an application, partnerships are required to submit a statement of intent form to the ITE Accreditation Board.

All programmes must receive university approval before they are submitted.

When to apply

Ordinarily, partnerships should ensure any new ITE programmes are submitted at least 18 months prior to the programme’s anticipated start date using the necessary proforma. For example, programmes starting in September 2027 must be submitted to us by March 2026. 

Accreditation

The guidance for submitting an ITE programme to us for accreditation outlines the application and programme assessment process. The associated proforma for submitting ITE programmes should also be completed.

Monitoring ITE programmes

All ITE programmes offered by partnerships in Wales are assessed, evaluated, and monitored against Welsh Government’s Criteria for the accreditation of initial teacher education programmes in Wales.

The monitoring guidance outlines the approach before, during, and after any monitoring activity. The change proforma should be completed, detailing all changes made to the programme.

Estyn and the EWC will share information provided by the partnership for inspection or accreditation/monitoring, to minimise unnecessary burden for the partnerships, and to inform and drive improvements within the sector. Representatives from EWC and Estyn will form part of the feedback sessions for accreditation, monitoring, and inspection visits. Both organisations are also informed of the outcomes of these sessions in line with our information sharing protocols. Information is shared in this way to help improve the quality of ITE provision, and minimise unnecessary burden for partnerships.

Reaccreditation

ITE partnerships are able to apply for reaccreditation once during the lifecycle of a programme of Initial Teacher Education. The guidance for submitting and ITE programme to us for reaccreditation, outlines the application and assessment process. The associated proforma for reaccrediting an ITE programme should also be completed.

Making changes to your programme

If a partnership wishes to make significant changes to an accredited programme it must notify us in writing. This should be done using the  major change to an ITE programme proforma.

Withdrawal of accredited status

In the event that a programme is not achieving the expected standards of provision, or where a partnership elects to no longer offer a programme, we will apply our  guidance for the withdrawal of accredited status of ITE programmes.

Accreditation fees

Partnerships submitting a programme for accreditation, or that have accredited programmes which require a review or monitoring visit must pay the appropriate fee to us.