The team at Newbury College are delighted to receive positive confirmation of the impact of changes made over the last few years that are creating opportunities to transform lives.
The Ofsted inspection, which took place recently, highlights our continued commitment to delivering high-quality education, strong student support, and positive outcomes for learners and apprentices across the community, helping them take the next steps in their careers. A consistent message from parents is that Newbury College feels welcoming, safe and supportive, and that staff make a real difference to students’ confidence and progress. The inspection confirmed that ‘learners and apprentices enjoy the inclusive, welcoming and positive culture of the college’.
Principal and Chief Executive, Lee Probert, commented:
“Our colleagues have been relentlessly committed to delivering excellence, addressing areas for improvement and effecting positive change for our student experience and a sustainable future.”
This is reflected in the latest Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR), in which Newbury College is recognised as the most improved General Further Education College in the South East. Achievement rates now exceed the national averages for accredited qualifications at Level 2, 3, 4 and above.
This year, for the first time in several years, Newbury College will also deliver a trading surplus, allowing sustainable quality improvement and ongoing investment in industry-standard facilities.
The College was pleased to have it confirmed by Ofsted that it is providing an environment where students are benefiting from the College’s long-held ethos to provide “Careers not Courses”, strong pastoral and wellbeing support, and purposeful work experience.
The inspectors saw that ‘leaders provide learners with opportunities beyond their course to develop their confidence and resilience’ and that curriculum for high-needs courses ‘are individualised and well-tailored to learners’ needs and employment prospects'.
Throughout the report it is evident that leaders and staff are equipping learners with the skills they need to succeed in their careers; ‘the curriculum enables learners and apprentices to develop the skills for employment, further learning and independent living’ and that learners are developing wider skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for the workplace; ‘with the knowledge and skills they acquire, learners are well prepared for their next steps’.
The value of “Careers not Courses” is especially relevant given the recent news of the growth in 16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training.
Lee Probert continued:
“When the inspectors arrived, we were open about the areas for improvement, and the inspection team validated these. We had already started to address these and will highlight the impact of these changes when Ofsted return.
“We have a clear strategic focus on improvement, collaboration with employers and partners, and a commitment to delivering high-quality provision that meets the needs of our community.”
Newbury College has been a pivotal skills engine for the West Berkshire community for over 75 years. Its mission to create opportunities to transform lives is evident in the number of students, past and present, positively impacting business, and its transformational change highlights the benefits of the institution for our community.