NEWS

Ofsted's “OUTSTANDING” Accolade

Staff and students at Askham Bryan College are celebrating after an Ofsted inspection just released described its student welfare provision as “outstanding” - the highest accolade possible.

The report notes a number of positive comments from students about the college including: “it's mint” … a “great college” and “makes us and others feel welcome.”

Inspectors visited the York based college in January and the report focuses on the welfare of residential students under 18. They made their judgement against a total of 47 standards, examining a wide range of criteria, including students' social and health care, the standard of accommodation, disciplinary and complaints procedures and student safety.

One of the country’s foremost land-based colleges, Askham Bryan College provides education and training at all levels from introductory courses for school leavers  up to honours degrees. Its main residential campus is at York and the College also operates centres in  Guisborough, Bedale, Harrogate, Scarborough, Thirsk and Wakefield.   It has around 750 full time students with more than 200  who are residential.

Liz Philip, Principal said: “In the previous report, four years ago, we were classified as “good” which is the second highest quality rating so we are delighted to now be marked as “outstanding”. The inspectors have singled out a number of areas for praise but I was particularly delighted to read the comment that we are “very student centred” as that is very much the ethos at Askham Bryan.  We are committed to ensuring our students have the most positive experience possible and their welfare is a crucial part of that. This report is a tribute to the dedication of all our staff.”

The report says students' health is given a high priority and that they are well supported by a number of staff, including the dedicated pastoral team. There are very good arrangements to ensure they receive individual support and staff are said to have an “excellent understanding” of students' individual needs. Inspectors comment that there are a number of staff from whom they can gain support. Staff work hard to level the playing field for disadvantaged students and “go the extra mile”, says the report which also notes that the College has a new student enrichment worker to help provide student activities. There is a strong senior management team who are supported by a governing body to drive improvements, say the inspectors.