CITY of Bristol College is celebrating its first Good rating from Ofsted since 2010.
A team of 15 inspectors reached the conclusion after spending four days at the college in January.
Ofsted praised CoBC across a number of areas including the way that “staff and students collectively create a culture where students and apprentices can be themselves. As a result, students and apprentices are respectful and value the diverse and inclusive college population.”
“Teachers and other college staff foster mutual trust and respect. Students and apprentices are keen to learn and are supportive of each other in their learning. As a result, students and apprentices display high levels of positive behaviours and are proud of their work. They enjoy their lessons and are motivated to engage in new experiences,” the inspectors said.
Teachers were said to have extensive subject knowledge and experience.
The new inspection framework also assesses providers on how well they meet skills needs. The report recognises the important role that the college plays in the city and beyond:
“Leaders and managers work effectively with employers and stakeholders to identify the current and future skills needs,” they said.
The college was rated as Inadequate in 2014 and 2016. In inspections in 2013, 2017 and 2019 it was judged to Require Improvement.
Peter Rilett, Chair of the college’s Corporation said: “I am delighted that the recent Ofsted report recognises the journey that City of Bristol College has been on and the distance travelled; rewarding us with a Good rating.
“As Bristol’s College, the report is clear that we have strong relationships with a wide range of partners which helps us to meet local, regional and national skills needs.
“The Corporation appointed Julia Gray to the post of Principal & Chief Executive at the start of this year. Julia brings over twenty years’ experience working in the Further Education sector to this role and will lead the college on the next phase of our journey.”
Julia Gray added: ]“I am so pleased to have joined City of Bristol College at the right time to have had the privilege to work with staff, students, apprentices and stakeholders to lead us through this most recent Ofsted inspection.
“The college plays a key role in the city and region and this successful inspection outcome recognises the hard work of the whole-college team and the significant achievements of our students and apprentices.
“This Ofsted outcome will allow us to look to the future, our continued improvements and the further work that we can do to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
The full report can be viewed on the Ofsted website https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/31/131094