COLLEGES’ TOP OFSTED RATING
AFURTHER education college with many students from a deprived background has been rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Riverside College in Widnes was given a near-clean sweep of top scores across the board following the watchdog’s visit over two weeks between the late February and March to its three sites of Riverside College on Kingsway, Cronton Sixth Form College, and CRMZ youth centre.
Ofsted inspectors were impressed, and in their assessment report published today gave it a top score of ‘outstanding’ in seven out of eight categories.
This was an improvement from September 2015 when it was last inspected and graded ‘good’ – the second highest rating possible out of four.
Among those welcoming the grading were Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who congratulated the college and noted that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had invested nearly £2m in developing in it.
Mary Murphy, principal, said staff were ‘thrilled’ with the result.
Ofsted heaped praise on the college, noting that its 3,200 learners and apprentices ‘enjoy a wide range of courses’, adding that students are ‘exceptionally well motivated and demonstrate extremely positive attitudes to learning’.
As well as being able to ‘develop rapidly’ their knowledge and skill, students have access to a ‘wide range of work experience’ opportunities and develop good interpersonal skills.
Relationships between staff and students were ‘excellent’.
It noted that Halton is the 13th most deprived borough nationally and the third most deprived in the city region.
The report did not express any concerns about safety at the college, and did not mention a double stabbing that took place outside the college near its front door on February 3 and that left two teenagers with serious injuries”.
At the time, Riverside College issued a statement saying the two injured boys, from Liverpool, were students at the college.
Witnesses reported seeing fighting in the car park at the time, and the incident prompted police to arrest seven boys from Liverpool as part of the investigation.
The Ofsted report said “learners and apprentices feel very safe at the college” and “develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe, including when working online”.
It added that safeguarding measures are “effective”.
Discussing safety, the report said: “Staff work together to create a strong culture of safeguarding in the college.
“Managers are highly effective in assessing any potential risks and take swift action to prevent them.
“Staff have excellent relations with agencies, such as social services and the police.
“They identify vulnerable learners quickly and ensure that they are protected from harm and supported to continue with their studies.
“Learners and apprentices have a good understanding of the potential threats posed by extremist groups and know who to contact if needed.
“Managers ensure that learners know how to keep themselves safe online.”
Praising the college leadership, Ofsted’s eight-strong inspection team, led by lead inspector Andrea Machell, said: “Leadership and management are outstanding.
“Senior leaders and governors are very ambitious for their learners and apprentices.
“They are committed to providing a high-quality education, which means that learners and apprentices achieve their full potential.
“Staff at all levels have high aspirations for their learners and apprentices.
“Consequently, learners and apprentices who study here do exceptionally well.”
Welcoming the report’s findings, Mary Murphy, principal, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that this glowing report recognises the tremendous efforts of our dedicated teaching and support staff who over a number of years have worked incredibly hard to consistently deliver high quality education and training.
“I am also delighted that the inspectors acknowledged the motivation and exemplary behaviour of our wonderful students, who we cannot wait to welcome back to the college as the lockdown eases.
“However, this achievement is also attributed to all the people of Halton including Halton Borough Council, Halton head teachers, partners, employers, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the young people and their parents/carers who have supported the college on our journey to outstanding over the last decade.
“We have never wavered from the belief that we could be outstanding and together we have made this happen.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor, said: “I have long thought that Riverside College was outstanding and I am glad that Ofsted agrees.
“We have invested almost £2m in the college to help our young people get the best possible start in life.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and students alike, we are definitely seeing that happen.
“Being the only ‘outstanding’ rated FE (further education) college in the North West under the new framework is an amazing achievement and I am delighted to see our region leading the way once again.”