A history of making a difference

Through our work in initial teacher education we, together with our London partners, will support you to make a positive difference to the lives of the children, young people and adult learners you teach.

Our academics, students and alumni have been working to shape the future of education since the IOE’s foundation in 1902.

Professor John Adams delivered the inaugural lecture, titled 'The Training of Teachers', placing particular importance on the need to understand the contents of children's minds and the way they worked.

Today, the IOE is one of the UK's largest providers of postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE), educating around 1,000 student teachers each year, in partnership with around 600 schools, colleges and early years settings. 

A dynamic and purpose-driven community

At the IOE, you will join one of the world’s leading education and social science research communities dedicated to creating a future that is inclusive and just. 

Our research into education, psychology and social science infuses our courses, providing you with new and interesting perspectives to consider important questions such as: what is the purpose of education? What should its values be? Who is responsible for education, and what does it mean to be responsible? What is powerful knowledge and whose knowledge is this?

A future of making an impact

As a teacher, you will be responsible for the developing minds of the children and young people you teach, and the challenge is to equip them for a world we cannot foresee.

The IOE’s expertise in education and social science enables us to understand, respond to and shape this change.

Join the debate

As thought leaders in the educational sector, we run a lively calendar of talks and other events for anyone involved or interested in education.

These bring together a range of experts including academics, politicians, practitioners and policy makers to discuss radical and inspiring ideas for alternative education futures.