The report states that the College has made significant progress in rectifying the weaknesses identified at the last inspection in 2002. Strengths recognised by Inspectors included improving pass rates for students, strong leadership by governors and senior managers, and the inclusive nature of the colleges provision that effectively widens participation.
The report recognises that the College offers a wide range of programmes to meet the needs of the local community, and that it provides a secure and welcoming learning environment. Accommodation for learners is good, as are support services for learners, and a solid financial record backs up college work, say Inspectors. Further work needs to be done in improving students attendance and punctuality, increasing students pass rates on some level 2 courses and the quality of teaching and learning in a minority of unsatisfactory curriculum areas.
Principal, Paul Head2, acknowledges that more changes are needed. Since the last inspection in February 2002 much has been achieved the proportion of students who successfully complete the qualifications they embark on has risen significantly, and has been recognised by the Inspectors as being satisfactory. However, I am confident that better is still to come. We want to be more than satisfactory.
We have produced, and are working to, a development plan that focuses on meeting the needs of our students and improving their choices. This has given us a clear strategic direction focussed on improving pass rates and the quality of teaching at CONEL. We have already implemented many measures, and our successes have been acknowledged in the report. However, it is clear that we have further work to do, particularly in those areas deemed as being unsatisfactory by the Inspectors.
Of the areas inspected, one area, Trade Union Studies, was judged to be outstanding. Health and Social care was judged as being good, and the remaining seven areas satisfactory. Four curriculum areas examined were inadequate according to Inspectors. (None were deemed very weak, the lowest assessment in Ofsteds scale)3.
Paul Head is optimistic about CONELs future. We are confident that the College can continue to improve and can deliver the standards of education that people rightly expect. We have the support of key local partners such as Haringey Council and local schools, as well as agencies such as the LSC (Learning & Skills Council). Our staff are heavily committed to taking CONEL forward.
Eighty nine per cent of classes observed by the Inspectors were judged to be satisfactory or better, which represents an improvement of 11 per cent from 2002 figures. However, we must still improve the remaining 11 per cent of classes. We are not complacent, but we have achieved a lot in the last two years and the mechanisms are now in place to build on this further. I certainly feel that the College can achieve its vision4 and the best is yet to come.
His sentiments are echoed by Nicky Harrison, Chair of the Board of Governors. The College has responded well to the results of the last inspection, and to feedback from learners and local community partners. The majority of teaching that takes place is satisfactory, but we need to ensure that the quality of teaching to learners is consistently high across the College.
Notes to Editors
1. Copies of the report can be downloaded from the Ofsted website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/manreports/1629.htm
2. Paul Head was appointed to the post of Principal at CONEL in October 2002.
3. The grades for each curriculum area are expressed as:
Outstanding
Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Very Weak
Where provision is deemed unsatisfactory, colleges are re-inspected after two years to ensure improvements have taken place. The College was originally inspected in 2002 in ten curriculum areas, and was judged to be inadequate. Leadership and management was unsatisfactory, and the College was therefore re-inspected in February 2004.
4. CONELs mission, vision and values are:
Mission
We will provide an opportunity for everybody to participate and learn, realise their full potential and raise their achievement, by providing learner centred high quality education, training and excellent services, in a professional and friendly manner.
Vision
CONEL will be the preferred choice for our learners. Through excellent teaching and learning we will develop the potential of our communities and empower local people to take advantage of employment, business and lifelong learning opportunities.
Values
We value:
A positive and friendly environment
A participative and supportive culture
Others opinions and ideas
Diversity and Equality
Respect for each other
Fairness and consistency
The chance to learn and achieve our full potential
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