News Story

Ofsted inspectors praise 'safe and friendly' college

6/9/2010

Ofsted inspectors have completed a week-long assessment of Norton Radstock College, declaring it "a satisfactory college" where "learners enjoy their studies and feel safe in the friendly and supportive environment".

Principal and chief executive Shirley Arayan said: "This inspection was very positive and took account of all the provision that we offer. The schools of health and social care, and engineering were inspected in depth, and the feedback from employers was a key element.

In their main findings, the inspectors report:

- The principal and senior managers provide strong leadership, and governance of the college is good. The college is genuinely committed to providing an inclusive community and works effectively with a range of key partners to provide a good range of programmes, particularly for challenging and hard to reach learners.

- Success rates on advanced level courses are good and success rates on intermediate level courses are satisfactory. At foundation level there has been a significant improvement for learners aged 16 to 18.

- Learners said they enjoy their studies. They work productively and generally produce work of a good standard.

- Learners develop relevant skills for employment and those on work-based programmes develop their occupational skills to industry standards.

- The college provides a welcoming environment and learners feel safe, and good anti-bullying policies and strategies are in place.

- The college's arrangements for observing teachers and learning provides a broadly accurate overview of strengths and areas for improvement of teachers’ practice in lessons.

- The college's response to meeting the needs and interests of the learners is good.

- The use of partnerships to develop provision is good. The college is very responsive to employers' needs and staff work well with partners to plan and deliver provision which meets the needs of all learners.

- The college provides good care, guidance and support for learners. Extensive information, advice and guidance help learners make informed choices about their future.

Shirley Arayan said it was gratifying that learners had told inspectors they felt safe and secure at the college and, as a result, they enjoyed studying there. The inspectors had also commented favourably on the contribution learners make to the local community through a range of community projects and charity events. They were particularly impressed by a recent project to clear an overgrown graveyard.

She said: "The inspectors made the comment that, because of our enrichment activities and the courses that we provide, this college prepared learners for work and local jobs."

The Ofsted report makes mention of the college buildings being "old, shabby and inflexible", but notes that plans for a new college building had been halted as a result of "national financial constraints".

Shirley Arayan said: "We are now in the process of finding ways to improve the buildings ourselves."

The full Ofsted Report is available here

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