Ofsted praise
Here we bring you the results of three recent Ofted reports on colleges and training providers in our region.
Training Services 2000 Limited, based in Pride Park, Derby, has been praised for its "outstanding" success rate with apprentices. The newly-published report praised the leadership of the company and a culture that "sets high expectations for learners and staff". Most learners completed their programme well within the planned date and training and assessment were "outstanding". The inspection also said learners made very good progress, produced work of a high standard, had good attendance records and were well-motivated. Employers who sent learners to the company said they had excellent communication with TS2000 and were kept informed about learners' progress and that learners were working to a higher-than-expected standard. Director Barbara Patrick said: "We are delighted to have achieved eight 'outstanding' grades during the inspection. "The lead inspector told us that we were "unique" and that their findings must surely put us amongst the top few training providers in the country. It is very rewarding to have the hard work that we put in to help individuals gain jobs, skills and qualifications recognised. "This recognition is also for the hard work our staff and learners have put in and we must not forget the very supportive employers we work with and their significant contribution to this."
Moulton College - following the excellent Ofsted inspection in 2008 when the Moulton College was judged to be outstanding in all key areas of its activities, the Ofsted inspectors again visited the college in November to carry out a Care Standards Inspection. The college was again judged to be outstanding in all areas reviewed:
The inspector praised the college as a whole and in particular its provision for students aged under18. The glowing report stated: "students confirmed that the college is well managed in all aspects and lives up to its prestigious reputation that informed their decision to join it. Management arrangements ensure that resident students are supported by well-qualified staff who are available in sufficient numbers to provide more than adequate supervision and to respond most effectively to their collective and individual needs".
College Principal, Chris Moody was delighted by the report and says: "The inspectors were again very complementary about the high standards achieved by the College. "I believe our staff provide a service that is exceptional and well above that offered in many other colleges. We have always been proud of the care that we show to the young people entrusted to the college and this belief is upheld by the report. Whilst it can be stressful for staff to have two different Ofsted inspections within such a short period, it is gratifying that we have now achieved an outstanding judgement in every category. This is a truly remarkable achievement. "We will strive to ensure that Moulton College continues to provide some of the best care, education and training, not only in the Northamptonshire, but in the country."
Tresham College of Further and Higher Education is delighted with the Government`s Ofsted Inspection report published in December 2009, which judged Tresham’s overall effectiveness to be ‘Good’.
Inspectors recognised the progress the college has made since it was last inspected in 2006. For learners of all ages and at all levels teaching and learning was judged as good. As well as being recognised for success rates for full and part time learners, Tresham was commended for its levels of achievements for Apprenticeships and Train to Gain.
As part of the new inspection framework the Learner Voice has increased. in importance and inspectors held a number of focus groups and impromptu interviews with learners across the college to find out more about the learners experience throughout the year. Tresham was seen to demonstrate good care, guidance and support including tutorials and progress review for all of its students.
Ofsted also judged that the college was responsive to the needs of the local labour market and praised Tresham’s partnership work with local schools and employers to encourage more people to gain the skills they need to improve their employability and career development.
Mark Silverman, Principal of Tresham commented: "The report is a credit to the hard work of Tresham`s staff and learners and upholds our vision to become an outstanding college in north Northamptonshire. In July Tresham unveiled its new strategic plan for the next five years and I am confident that the college, together with the exciting new campus in Corby to accompany our existing new campus in Kettering is on its way to achieving our ambition of being an outstanding college."
The reports can be accessed at the Ofsted website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
Animal welfare students at Moulton College.