GOOD...despite the "ageing and poor-quality accommodation"

Saturday 16 December 2023

The state of two of the College of Further Education's campuses has been noted in a report which otherwise highlights the good quality of education students and apprentices are receiving.

The release of the Ofsted report today offers a glowing review of the island's only further education college which is part of the wider Guernsey Institute alongside the GTA University Centre and the Institute of Health & Social Care Studies.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) uses a four grade scale to determine the performance of the facilities it inspects.

The highest rating (Grade 1) is Outstanding, with Good (Grade 2), Requires Improvement (Grade 3), and Inadequate (Grade 4) following. 

The College of FE receiving Good results in each of the areas reviewed by the six strong team of inspectors. 

Pictured: The Good results achieved by the College of FE at its inspection last month.

Dr Louise Misselke, College of Further Education Principal, said she and her entire team are "delighted with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Ofsted inspection.

"This reflects the unwavering commitment of our staff team to our students whatever their age. The report also serves as an ongoing statement of our commitment to the local community in ensuring we both meet the needs of individual students and the needs of our local employers and community.

"I am so proud of every single member of the college staff for the work they do every day in support of our students despite, at times, the very challenging physical environment of our buildings. I am sure that our community will also be very proud they have a ‘good’ college on their doorstep."

Executive Principal of The Guernsey Institute, Jacki Hughes praised Dr Misselke for her leadership at the College.

"On behalf of The Guernsey Institute we are all proud that such a substantial part of TGI is being recognised externally as contributing so positively to the skills needs of Guernsey. Louise and her whole team do a brilliant job for their students and industry."

Ofsted’s report highlights that:

• Leaders have developed very effective partnerships with a wide range of relevant stakeholders. This ensures they develop curriculums that meet industry needs.
• Curriculums are well planned, enabling students and apprentices to develop the new knowledge and skills that they need to be successful at their next stage of learning or employment.
• Adult learners are supported to achieve their career and personal goals.
• Leaders and managers have sufficient and consistent oversight of the quality of education and training in all provision types.
• Apprentices enjoy attending their classes at college. They value the support they receive from their lecturers, which helps them to develop new and complex skills.
• Apprentices take pride in the work they produce, much of which is of a high standard.
• The college has created an inclusive atmosphere where students and apprentices thrive.
• Lecturers play a pivotal role in fostering diversity, promoting positive discussions and instilling a sense of community with the college.
• Students and apprentices feel safe at college. They build effective working relationships with lecturers, who are positive role models.

Nick Hynes, Director of Education, said he was pleased with these results and that the Principal and staff of the College should be too.

"This is an external inspection report that Louise, her team and the whole College of FE community can be rightly proud of. The further education inspection framework judges eight categories and to achieve a good rating across the board is a fantastic achievement. The island should be proud to have a further education college that so successfully meets the needs of an incredibly broad range of stakeholders, from younger students, apprentices, adult learners and the many industries who rely on the college to develop the skilled workforce their business needs."

Ofsted does not judge educational facilities on their buildings, however it was noted that students and apprentices at the Coutanchez and Delancey campuses are studying in "ageing and poor-quality accommodation" while those based at the Performing Arts Centre at Les Ozouets "benefit from studying in high quality dance studios and a theatre".

Pictured: Students and staff at the Performing Arts Centre.

Ofsted said that some students’ teaching and learning experiences are restricted because of the closure of essential teaching rooms at the older locations but it did also highlight that their lecturers employ effective teaching methods, using real-world scenarios to encourage discussion and debate, resulting in students acquiring more sophisticated skills over time. That was considered a real positive in terms of enhancing their confidence, resilience, and awareness of future opportunities.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, welcomed the positive report but also reiterated how the condition of some campuses is letting students and apprentices down.

"As is widely known amongst the community, the College of FE operates from sites that are simply not fit for purpose," she said.

"While this is noted in the inspection report, with inspectors finding that some students’ teaching and learning experiences are restricted because of the poor quality of facilities, this only further demonstrates how impressive the college’s inspection gradings are.

"We must collectively ensure The Guernsey Institute receives the support it deserves, so that it can take what is already a fantastic offering and further develop for the benefit of the whole community."

The funding for the next phase of the Transforming Education Programme has been stalled as the island faces increasing tough financial choices. 

Plans for a brand new campus at Les Ozouets - neighbouring the existing Performing Arts Centre, and incorporating all aspects of The Guernsey Institute and a new sixth form centre - remain a priority for Deputy Dudley-Owen and Mr Hynes but the States rejected funding the project on two occasions recently.

Deputy Dudley-Owen then wrote to parents and carers of current students across the island's schools saying it remains her priority.

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