OFSTED praise for college merger

A team of nine inspectors carried out an inspection last month, spending four days at the Buxton and Leek College’s two main campuses.

The resulting report has judged the college, which was formally merged in August 2012, to be good – an improvement on the satisfactory rating of the last OFSTED inspection carried out in 2008.

Principal Len Tildsley said: “I am absolutely delighted that the college is rated as ‘good’ in all aspects – the best inspection result for either of the pre-merged colleges in over 15 years.

“While we are very pleased with this report, we are never complacent and will continue on our journey to becoming outstanding.”

The report praised investment in accommodation and specialist equipment at the college, particularly at the Buxton site and the forthcoming campus developments in Leek.

Teaching and learning at the college has also improved, and apprenticeship success rates for catering and hospitality, and hair and beauty, were recognised as high.