College leads the way (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

College leads the way

CIRENCESTER College is paving the way when it comes to teaching.

The Stroud Road college became just one of 28 to receive the prestigious Learning and Skills Beacon Status award when officials attended a special ceremony in London last week.

And principal Nigel Robbins says the achievement is down to the dedication of his staff and constant improvements.

He said: "It's a reward for all the hard work. We subject them to quite a lot really with our continual assessment.

"We even have our own team of inspectors who go into classes and grade them.

"It's down to a lot of perseverance over a three or four year period. We try to improve what we do and get rid of the weaknesses."

The college went through a rigorous process before it was given the accolade.

It was visited by a team of inspectors and was rated 'excellent' by the Learning and Skills Council.

Key areas which prompted the move include high levels of student achievement - a 99 percent A-level pass rate this year - quality student advice and support, an imaginative expansion programme and having an experienced and versatile management team.

Minister of State for Lifelong Learning Dr Kim Howells said: "The 20 organisations awarded Learning and Skills Beacon Status have already made an outstanding contribution to the Learning and Skills sector.

"The award will enable them to share this good practice, which encourages and promotes excellence and accelerates the rate of improvement across the whole sector.

"I congratulate them on their success."