Bridgwater College secure yet another ‘Outstanding’ grade in their recent Ofsted Care Standards Inspection for their residential provision.

Ofsted carry out inspections under the Care Standards Act to ensure education establishments adhere to regulations, meet the national minimum standards set and that their learners are at the heart of their activity.

At short notice two inspectors carried out the inspection at Bridgwater College’s Cannington Centre where the residential accommodation is located for its learners. The outcome was an Outstanding grade for all four aspects of their inspection: outcomes for learners, quality of service, safeguarding, and effectiveness of leadership and management.

The College was last inspected in 2011 where it also achieved outstanding grades across all elements. Mike Robbins, Principal at Bridgwater College said,

“I am absolutely delighted that we have done so well in our inspection again. The wellbeing of our students is at the heart of what we do and is very satisfying to see that Ofsted have recognised the exceptional job our staff do in supporting students both in their studies and their general wellbeing.”

The summary of findings made by the Ofsted Inspectors were as follows:

• The academic achievement of residential learners is consistently even higher than their non-residential peers.
• Residential learners benefit by receiving support from a very committed, dedicated and exceptionally well-trained team.
• The safety and well-being of residential learners is one of the core values of the college. It is embedded throughout all their practice. This enables residential learners to develop their understanding and skills to ensure their own safety.
• Excellent links and communication across all aspects of the college ensure residential learners benefit from a holistic and consistent care system.
• Leadership and management are strong and committed to driving improvement. The leadership team inspire all College staff to provide residential learners with an outstanding experience at the College.
• Residential learners develop into effective members of their immediate and wider community. This derives from the college community ethos and developing tolerance and understanding of those they come into contact with.
• Residential learners are enabled to achieve. They gain the skills and qualification they need to make them very employable.
• The College has very robust and honest monitoring and evaluation systems. These enable staff to continuously improve the service they provide.

The full report from this inspection and other inspections of Bridgwater College can be found on the Ofsted website.