In November last year, nine inspectors visited Moulton College to measure key indicators including the quality of education, leadership and management, personal development and behaviours and attitudes. The final report, released by Ofsted at the end of the week-long inspection confirmed the college’s new status as ‘Good’.
This comes after the college, which was ‘Outstanding’ in 2008, received Grade Four ‘Inadequate’ in 2018 and 2019, meaning it was failing to provide an acceptable quality of education and care. A report by the FE Commissioner in 2018 also placed the college into financial intervention, so the new Good status is a triumph for the college’s leadership team.
Corrie Harris, Principal and CEO, said:
“We are absolutely delighted with this result, and all credit goes to our staff and students for this achievement. We have made significant changes at the college during the last couple of years and we have gone from strength to strength. It is wonderful that Moulton College has finally received the recognition it deserves, following a challenging
few years.”
This latest rating stands the college in good stead to move forward with its investment plans and application to reinstate apprenticeships, something it has been keen to do for a long time. Corrie Harris credits the improvement to having the right culture, procedures and staff training.
The college has restructured its curriculum, which inspectors said contributed to the improvement in the quality of education, and staff use labour market intelligence to identify gaps in the labour market.
Perfect end to centenary year
The news of Moulton College’s new Ofsted rating arrived at a poignant time in the college’s history, celebrating 100 years of teaching and education (1921 – 2021).
Activities took place throughout last year, including the relaunch of the college’s alumni association in spring, and the planting of 400 saplings as part of BBC Countryfile’s Plant Britain Initiative. The hope is for the saplings, which include 12 different tree varieties, to grow into a diverse woodland providing rich habitat for surrounding wildlife.
The college also hosted a celebration event in summer, inviting staff, employer partners and previous students from across its 100-year history to share memories of their time at Moulton College. TV personality and presenter, Adam Henson, pictured right, also attended the momentous occasion and shared his experiences of life as a farmer.
In autumn, a touching monument carved by the Moulton College stonemasonry department was unveiled in the village’s public gardens. This project, undertaken in partnership with Moulton Parish Council, is hoped to bring together members of the local community by providing a lasting place for reflection. The monument, which is sculpted from eight pieces of Ancaster hard white stone, features the symbolic poppy and dove, representing new life and peace. The words ‘forever in our hearts’ have been carved across the front.
Corrie Harris said:
“2021 was a great year, celebrating 100 years of teaching and learning and culminating in a fantastic Ofsted result. 2022 has already started well, and I’m determined for our success to continue. It really is a great time to be at Moulton College.”
The year ahead
Applications to study at Moulton College are already ahead of last year and progress is under way to reinstate apprenticeships as planned. The college is planning a particular focus on delivering apprenticeships in construction subjects, and the land-based sectors due to a lack of other providers in the local area.
The college is also hosting an exhibition and workshop in March to showcase new and emerging technologies in construction. The exhibition aims to inspire young people to explore the wide range of opportunities in the sector.
Demonstrations will include augmented reality, geo-spatial technologies, remote plant operations and robotics. Alongside the exhibition, there will also be a workshop where industry leaders will be discussing the key skills they need from future employees to help inform the college’s
curriculum development.
Matt Cappell, Head of Construction at Moulton College, said:
“Moving away from its stereotypical associations as being a sector of hard labour, times are changing for construction, with great employment opportunities opening up for those interested in technologies. It’s fantastic that the college is working together with employers and specialists in the field to showcase these opportunities to young people, and strengthen its connections with
the sector.”
The full Ofsted report can be viewed at www.gov.uk
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For more information about Moulton College visit www.moulton.ac.uk
