Hull College 'a shining beacon', says England's top inspector (video)
HULL College has been praised as an outstanding example by England's chief inspector of schools.
In a visit to Hull, Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said the college was a shining beacon.
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Sir Michael Wilshaw at Hull College with students, from left, Josh Robinson, 15, Mia Muckley, 15 and Samuel Thacker, 14.
He said the college, which is rated outstanding by his watchdog, was an example to others and he and his advisors are looking at how they can use the college to benefit others.
But, on his first visit to the city, he warned schools in the city have to up their game.
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He said: "The college has certainly impressed me.
"It is my third visit to a college and it was a heart-warming experience.
"It is an outstanding college. It certainly was when we last inspected it and I can see the reason why.
"I have spoken to the students and the staff and all of them have said how much they enjoy working here, being here and learning here.
"Aspirations are high, expectations are high and students are achieving very, very well."
Sir Michael has been critical of schools in Hull on a number of occasions and reiterated his concerns during his visit to the city.
He said the excellence of college provision now needed transferring down. He said: "Hull is doing well in terms of its post-16 college provision.
"What needs to happen now is that excellence needs to transfer down to schools.
"We want to see more schools in Hull doing as well as this college is doing. And that's something Ofsted will be looking at closely over the next few months."
Sir Michael said he will now take what he has seen at Hull College and use it as an example to others.
He said: "We are worried about students in quite a lot of colleges in the country.
"This is a shining beacon of good practice and one of the issues we have just discussed is how we can disseminate that good practice to other institutions."
Sir Michael spent four hours at the college, talking to staff and students. He toured the construction centre and also Hull's Studio School. He ate lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding prepared by students in the college's restaurant.
Gary Warke, the college's new chief executive, said: "He wanted to see what it was that was unique about Hull College.
"His background is in schools and he came here to understand us.
"He spoke to students and they were fantastic. He has been able to sample the college restaurant and see the breadth of our provision."
4 Comments
by bazza_12
Saturday, February 23 2013, 6:42PM
“What I find interesting is these children are being taught in a college, by staff who, for the most part don't have a secondary teaching qualification. The children are there because they've either opted for a vocational course (that isn't provided by the school) or they were unruly and have been dumped on the further education sector to deal with. Either way the teaching staff aren't earning anywhere near what a secondary teacher would earn, nor can they - even if they so wished, work in a secondary school and receive the same pay as any other teacher.”
by PatrickNewman
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:10PM
“What you wont hear from this Tory appointment is any criticism of government cuts to education spending and the rush to pitch fork as many schools as possible into academy status - often sponsored by corporate and religious interest organisations.”
by Paul_at_Hull
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:07PM
“I'm delighted to see that Hull College is doing so well. Congratulations. So the youngsters are doing their bit to make the college a success. Now, we just need Government and businesses to match this achievement and create the jobs for these youngsters instead of wasting this massive potential.”
by AdPotentia
Saturday, February 23 2013, 10:29AM
“Sir Michael said he will now take what he has seen at Hull College and use it as an example to others.
Does that include having someone rush the grass to make it look pretty? Seriously someone was out with a brush sweeping grass!”