All PGCE programmes in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and the associated postgraduate diploma (PGDE) offered in Scotland will be ended, the institution said in a statement.

Existing students and those enrolled for the final two course start dates will be unaffected by the change and allowed to complete their PGCE course. Existing School Direct commitments will also be honoured.

The institution said in a press release that it would instead focus on sustaining and building on the strengths of its education and schools-targeted curriculum. It will continue to offer undergraduate degrees in early years and primary teaching and a master¡¯s in education.

Any potential developments in the education curriculum will be investigated in the coming months.

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¡°As an Ofsted-rated ¡®outstanding¡¯ provider of initial teacher education we are proud to have offered a first-rate teacher training resource for hundreds of teachers across the UK, thanks to a superb staff team here in the Faculty and in our partner schools,¡± said Mary Kellett, dean and director of studies in the Faculty of Education and Language Studies.

¡°While this decision sees the end of our PGCE and PGDE qualifications, we remain committed to continuing to offering first-class teaching in education, both undergraduate and graduate level.

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¡°I can reassure our students and those who wish to embark on the PGCE course on the January and March enrolment dates that the excellence in teaching they have come to expect from the OU will continue for the full duration of their course.¡±

Registrations will remain open until the end of November for the 2014 intakes.

john.elmes@tsleducation.com