Bradford College

1.Inspection Judgements

Inspectors use a four-point scale to summarise their judgements:

• Grade 1 – Outstanding
• Grade 2 – Good
• Grade 3 – Satisfactory
• Grade 4 - Inadequate

2. Scope of the inspection and grades awarded

In deciding the scope of the inspection, Ofsted inspectors took into account the college’s recent self-assesment report; development plans; views of the West Yorkshire LSC; previous inspection reports; and data on learners and their achievement. The inspection focused on:

• Effectiveness of provision – Good:Grade 2
• Capacity to improve  - Outstanding: Grade 1
• Achievement and standards – Good: Grade 2
• Quality of provision – Good: Grade 2
• Leadership and management: Good: Grade 2
  (including Equality of Opportunity which was awarded Outstanding: Grade 1)

Sector subject areas

• Health, Social Care and Early Years – Good: Grade 2
• Science and Mathematics – Outstanding: Grade 1
• Construction – Good: Grade 2
•  Literacy and Numeracy -  Good: Grade 2
• Business Studies – Good: Grade 2
• Provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities – Good: Grade 2

3. Overall Judgements

3.1 Effectiveness of provision (Good: Grade 2) –  quotes from report
 

• Achievement and standards are good
• Learners at all levels make good progress and produce good work
• Teaching and learning are good and the college meets the needs and interests of learners very well
• The promotion of the Every Child Matters agenda is outstanding
• Success in reaching the vulnerable and hard to reach is a particular strength
• Partnership working is strong and employer engagement excellent
• Guidance and support are good and the learning environment is safe and harmonious
• Leadership and management are good, strategic leadership is outstanding
• Staff are well qualified and morale is high
• Equality, diversity and the promotion of community cohesion are outstanding 

3.2. Capacity to improve (Outstanding: Grade 1) – quotes from report

• There is a track record of improvement or maintenance of high standards
• The focus on improvement and the elimination of poor performance is strong
• The strategic leadership of change and improvement are outstanding

Within this category, inspectors also considered the college’s effectiveness in promoting improvements since the last inspection:

The college has made outstanding progress since the last inspection. Success rates have improved…. and all curriculum areas inspected this time are at least good….The college’s responsiveness to the community and employers is outstanding.

3.3 Key Strengths and areas for improvement – quotes from report

Key Strengths

• High Success rates at level 1
• Good Teaching and learning
• Outstanding provision in Science
• Responsiveness of the provision
• Extensive partnership and collaborative working
• Outstanding success in widening participation
• Strong employer engagement
• Good student support
• Outstanding (CHECK) promotion of the Every Child Matters agenda
• Outstanding promotion of equality and diversity
• Outstanding strategic leadership

4. Main Findings

4.1 Achievement and Standards (Good: Grade 2)

“Achievement and standards are good… In the four years to 2008 the overall long course success rate has been above the national average for similar colleges…in this period the rate for learners aged 16-18 has improved faster than the national average.”

“Level 1 success rates are improving and were high in 2008 for both ages and are a significant strength… The success rate at level 2 for learners aged 16-18 has improved markedly.”

“Train to Gain success rates are good and achieved within the planned period.”

“Learners make good progress, enjoy their lessons and produce work of a good standard.”

4.2 Quality of provision (Good: Grade 2)

“Teaching and learning are good…The proportion of lessons judged outstanding has increased since the last inspection…”

 “The degree to which the college meets the needs and interests of learners is as the self assessment report notes, outstanding…”

“A particular strength of the college is its success in reaching out to vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups and providing them with the support and encouragement to engage in learning.”

“The college’s attention to learners’ physical, emotional and spiritual well-being is exemplary.”

“Guidance and support for learners are good. Advice and guidance are largely effective at helping learners move from school to college, placing them on the right course and helping them make progress.”

4.3 Leadership and Management (Good: Grade 2. Contributory grade fro equality of opportunity – Outstanding: Grade 1)

“Leadership and management are good. Several features are outstanding. The strategic leadership of improvements since the last inspection is outstanding. The principal is an inspired leader who, with the support of governors and senior managers, has changed the college’s culture and core values to be more learner focussed.”

“Quality assurance is good… Learners’ views are carefully considered and acted on… The volume of outstanding teaching, an area for improvement at the last inspection, has increased.”

“Curriculum management is good and focussed on improving quality. The quality of provision has improved significantly since the last inspection.”

“Governors make an outstanding contribution to college strategy and performance. Financial management is good and value for money is outstanding…”

 “Equality, diversity and the promotion of community cohesion are, as the self assessment report notes, outstanding.”

5. Subject Sector Areas

5.1 Health, Social Care and Early Years (Good: Grade 2)
Strengths

• Good or outstanding pass rates on most courses
• Much good teaching and learning
• High standard of learners’ work
• Good communications within and across the programme areas

5.2 Science and Mathematics (Outstanding: Grade 1)
Strengths

• High success rates on most courses
• Much good or outstanding teaching in science
• Excellent response to employers
• Highly effective academic support
• Very good initial advice and guidance
• Outstanding leadership and management

5.3 Construction, Planning and the built environment (Good: Grade 2)
Strengths

• High success rates on most courses
• Good quality of learners’ work
• Good teaching in practical lessons
• Wide range of provision
• Effective strategies for improvement

5.4 Literacy and Numeracy (Good: Grade 2)
Strengths

• High success rates on most courses
• Good development of learners’ confidence and communication skills
• Good teaching and learning
• Wide range of venues and flexible learning opportunities
  Good pastoral and curriculum support
• Strong curriculum management

5.5 Provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (Good: Grade 2)
Strengths

• High success rates in most courses
• Much good teaching and learning
• Strong learning support
• Good curriculum management

5.6 Business Studies (Good: Grade 2)
Strengths

• High pass rates on many courses
• Good teaching and learning
• Good support for learners
• Wide range of courses and clear progression routes
• Successful strategy for improving learners performance