Top marks for town’s outstanding college after latest Ofsted inspection
OFSTED PRAISE FOR BURTON AND SOUTH DERBYSHIRE COLLEGE
BOSSEES at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) say they are ‘delighted’ to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating in their latest Ofsted inspection.
The college, on Lichfield Street, Burton, was rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas which include quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
Highlights from the report include how learners and apprentices make rapid progress, the exceptional relationships between learners and staff, the positive and polite nature of BSDC learners and the college’s leading-edge, industry standard facilities.
It was also praised for having a significant impact in meeting local industry skills needs.
Dawn Ward CBE DL, chief executive of the college said: “We are delighted that the hard work, passion, dedication and commitment of all college staff to serve our learners and industry partners has been recognised in this result.
“However, we are very conscious that it’s at a point in time.
“We are therefore focused on continuing to serve our communities and working hand in hand with our industry, education and voluntary partners to nurture the talent of the future.”
The College, which has a campus in Burton Upon Trent and Swadlincote in South Derbyshire is a general further education provider offering a wide range of programmes, from foundation level through to higher education, including T-levels and apprenticeships.
It serves around 4,000 learners annually, of which 2,000 are on fulltime study programmes.
Recently, the College has recently benefited from more than £5 million investment from the Stronger Towns and Local Skills Improvement Funds which has seen the revitalisation of its facilities to include upgraded Games Development Studios, Cyber Security Lab, Mechatronics Lab, Health Simulation Suite, Biome (creative hybrid space), Virtual Reality Experience Centre, Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Electric Vehicle Cars, Advance Motor Vehicle technology and an Immersive Learning Suite.
Dawn continued “We still have much to do and so many things we want to achieve and we remain committed, via our strategic plan, to our vision to 2030 and securing the future benefits described within that document.
“There is much of what we do that the Ofsted inspectors do not look at, such as our international work.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that all of our provision supports the skills agenda and social mobility needs of East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, both now and in the future.”
There was also praise for the college from Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White.
He said: “It’s fantastic news that Burton & South Derbyshire College has been recognised by Ofsted as being outstanding in all areas.
“It is a testament to the high teaching standards across the college and the commitment and hard work of the staff and students.
“This not only benefits learners undertaking courses, but the wider community – including local schools, employers and partners like ourselves at the county council. Increasing and developing the skills of the local population is certainly a shared priority.”