Outstanding Inspection Result

Ofsted visited the college in November and their report has just been published at www.ofsted.gov.uk.

Given the college’s social justice mission, we were particularly pleased with the 1 for Equality and Diversity. Inspectors recognised the success of specific initiatives to attract excluded groups. They looked at everything from curriculum to catering and concluded “the embedding of equality and diversity in all aspects of college life is outstanding”

There was a particular focus on Community Development. Inspectors saw that “learners make excellent progress to develop their skills and contribute substantially to their communities”. They met with a range of partners and judged that “partnerships are energetic and highly effective”. The college is “supremely responsive”.

“Very good teaching and learning” is identified as a key strength, as is the “Wide range of effective support for learners”. “Information, advice and guidance needs of all learners are very carefully met”.

Inspectors were very pleased by the progress made since the last inspection, judging the college had “outstanding capacity to improve” and giving a grade 1 for Leadership and Management. “Team working is excellent” and “the college vision and mission is passionately shared by all staff”.

The final word in Ofsted reports is always left to learners. Our favourite was “This is a classless place”.

The only adult provider to receive straight grade 1s last year was another residential college – Northern College. Inspectors are well aware of the cost of residential education but judged “the college provides exceptionally good value for money”

Read the full report here >>