Ofsted finds Furness College 'inadequate' after inspection

When inspectors visited the Channelside campus in Barrow on October 8, they found inadequate leadership and management, and reported quality of education, personal development and behaviour and attitudes all requires improvement.

The college, which currently has over a thousand learners between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, as well as 284 adult learners and 535 apprentices, has been told its education programmes are not up to scratch.

(Image: Newsquest) While learners benefit from a ‘welcoming and friendly’ environment, Ofsted said the college makes a limited contribution to meeting skills needs.

Inspectors noted that too few learners and apprentices routinely attend their course or training.

The report said that most teachers are appropriately qualified and have relevant experience, however, they also found the quality of teaching was not of a consistently high quality.

“Teachers do not provide learners with effective feedback that helps them to improve their work,” Ofsted said, “Too often, learners’ work does not always improve over time.”

The inspection found that leaders and managers do not have sufficient oversight of the progress that learners and apprentices make.

A joint statement issued by Nicola Cove, Principal and CEO and Gary Lovatt, Chair of the Board of Governors for Furness College, was issued today.

“We are very disappointed with the Ofsted Inspectors’ findings.

“We are pleased that Safeguarding was graded as ‘Effective’, as much work has and continues to be carried out in ensuring that Furness College provides a safe and secure environment in which to study and work. We recognise the Inspectors’ positives comments about the College being a welcoming and friendly learning environment.

Nicola Cove (Image: Newsquest) “Additionally, it is noted that teachers help learners and apprentices who stay on their course or apprenticeship to prepare for their next steps and that learners and apprentices develop their confidence and resilience. This is really important to us as it underpins our commitment to our students to support them being their very best and transforming futures.

“Equally, important is the recognition of being a key contributor to Team Barrow in supporting the demands that will be placed upon Barrow in the coming years and decades.

“We acknowledge the Inspector’s comments on attendance, retention and achievement.

“At the start of this academic year the College put a number of plans in place to address some of these issues, specifically the decline over time in attendance, retention and achievement.  It was unfortunate that the inspection took place so early in the year and as such we were not able to evidence the positive signs were now starting to see, but we are confident in this approach.

“We are focussed on looking forward and want to reassure all our students, parents, employers and stakeholders that our senior leadership team, staff and board of governors are wholly committed to delivering improvements.

“Furness College looks forward to working with the FE Commissioners Office and Ofsted over the coming months. The support they provide will help us achieve this.”

Anyone wishing to contact the College should do so using the following email address Feedback@furness.ac.uk