New College Durham Are Supported and Promoted by Professional Bodies and Recognised As Exemplar in the Northern Region
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������������������ AnnualReport 2008/09 Annual Report 2008/09 Welcome Ò ...the overall effectiveness of provision is outstandingÓ (Ofsted, June 2009) Ò ...student recruitment, retention and achievement have continued to hit record levels.Ó Welcome to our Annual Report for the academic year 2008/09 This has been an exceptional year for the College. In June 2009 we were visited by a team of Ofsted inspectors. After a rigorous examination of all aspects of our work, the College was found to be Ò OutstandingÓ across all of our provision. We are naturally very proud of this achievement, which is a fitting tribute to the efforts made by our staff students and governors to make the College the best it can be. Student recruitment, retention and achievement have continued to hit record levels. We intend to build on this success in the future, using our experience and expertise, not just for the benefit of our own students but for the community at large. I am sure you will enjoy reading this Report. We are proud of our College and what we and our students have achieved in the last year. Thank you for your support. John Widdowson Principal and Chief Executive Annual Report 2008/09 An ‘outstanding’ place to learn Ò ...this is a great accomplishment for the College Images supplied by: BlueMoth Photography and one of which we are extremely proud.Ó www.bluemothphotography.co.uk The College was declared as Ô outstandingÕ by Ofsted in June 2009. John Widdowson, Ofsted reported that Ô the overall effectiveness of provision is outstandingÕ Principal and Chief Executive said, "This is a great accomplishment for the College and listed the CollegeÕ s key strengths as: and one of which we are extremely proud. To achieve outstanding grades is really exceptional; with significant elements of our work being exemplary. The inspection • Outstanding success rates on most programmes report represents a clear endorsement of our ability to offer the very best learning • Outstanding support for learners experiences. Staff and students at all levels have worked hard to ensure that our vision to provide first class learning and training for individuals, business and the • Excellent range of progression routes community is achieved. The Ofsted report just confirms our success and is a • Very strong strategic leadership fantastic reward for everyone." • Very effective improvement strategies • Significant contribution to social inclusion A summary of grades awarded by Ofsted: • Outstanding financial and curriculum planning • Wonderful accommodation and resources Effectiveness of Provision Outstanding: Grade 1 Capacity to Improve Outstanding: Grade 1 • Culture of mutual respect and support Achievement and Standards Outstanding: Grade 1 • High proportion of good teaching. Quality of Provision Outstanding: Grade 1 Leadership and Management Outstanding: Grade 1 The Ofsted report also commented that: Ò The CollegeÕ s approach to educational and social inclusion is outstanding. The range of provision is very wide and meets the needs of learners Ò Year after year we have consistently improved on our high academic standards, with well, including those at risk of becoming disengaged from education, employment or training. record levels of enrolments on full-time courses. Student achievement has also been The College is particularly successful in engaging hard to reach groups and works very well at a record high, with the CollegeÕ s academic performance and success rates in further education placing us in the top 10% of all colleges nationally. We are 10% with a wide range of partner organisations. The transition arrangements between school and above the national average for success rates and 8% above on our retention rates; college are strong. Opportunities for learners aged 14 to 16 are very good and a high with 9 out of 10 students completing their studies. Staff keep students motivated, proportion progress to full time courses.Ó inspired and focused on their goals. We look to exceed the expectations of our students and develop rounded and competent people, who are able to contribute to society and our regional economy.Ó Ò We strive to develop and evolve the delivery of our curriculum in response to the changing needs of our learners, employers and the economy. We work in partnership across County Durham and further afield. This will continue as we aim to build on our current performance and achievement levels. A key factor for our continued success will be to build on our valued partnerships in schools, colleges and higher education where we are able to develop and share best practice.Ó Annual Report 2008/09 Business, Management and IT Ò ...full-time IT courses continue their three year upward trend, with outstanding value-added data, putting this provision in the top performers nationallyÓ Full-time Further Education The Level 3 National Certificate in IT achieved outstanding value added results; 141 points above the national average, which for the third year running put them in the highest category, from providers across the country. This group also piloted the Ò Extended ProjectÓ , giving an additional AS level; all learners achieved this qualification with 54% at A grade. The Level 3 learners on the National Certificate in Business also continued an upward trend with results above the national average. The Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ Business Administration learners were commended by the external verifier for the high standard of portfolios; this included work based learning NVQ Business Administration where for the third year retention, achievement and success rates were 100%. The comprehensive programme of enrichment activities has added value to all courses and helped to successfully embed the important elements of Every Child Matters into the curriculum. Part-time Further Education All part time Further Education programmes at New College Durham are supported and promoted by professional bodies and recognised as exemplar in the northern region. The College is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute as the largest provider of their qualifications in the region. A member of staff achieved the Chartered Manager qualification, therefore the College has Chartered Manager status, with the teaching team also members of the Chartered Management Institute. The Certificate in Personnel Practice had 100% achievement with an increased number of learners and is promoted by the professional body, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The Association of Accountancy Technicians has worked with the College for 30 years and delivery of their programmes at level 2, level 3, and level 4 continues to be popular. We are recognised by employers as one of the most well established providers of accountancy qualifications in the region. The Chartered Institute of Housing qualifications are delivered by the Housing team, with successful level 2 programmes delivered on employersÕ premises and progression opportunities provided from level 2 to foundation degree and top-up BSc (Hons) in Housing. Annual Report 2008/09 Business, Management and IT Ò ...the very successful Sunderland Leadership Programme continues in its fourth year with Sunderland City Council engaging with a record number of learnersÓ Higher Education Part-time Higher Education programmes in Business continue to be popular, with both students and employers. They include HNC, HND and foundation degrees with excellent progression to the part time BA (Hons) Management, Business and Administration. The full time Foundation Degree in Business continues to grow with improved employer links and valuable work placement opportunities for learners. The internal progression onto the full time BA (Hons) Management, Business and Administration is supported by a strong contingent of students from across Europe. Both of these full time programmes are now involved with the newly formed Business Society at New College Durham, which arranges seminars from local and national businesses and had a very successful educational trip to London to visit the Bank of England and corporate events at Chelsea Football Club. Full Cost Provision The School of Business, Management and IT continues to develop their reputation as providers of leadership and management training. The very successful Sunderland Leadership Programme continues in its fourth year with Sunderland City Council engaging with a record number of learners, exceeding 150, which meant that the awards ceremony was held in the Marriott Hotel in Sunderland. The College also continues to be the only provider regionally of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) post graduate qualifications in Accountancy with flexible delivery leading to very good success rates for the programme. Annual Report 2008/09 Art, Design and Media Ò ...Media students produced an excellent set of promotional films for the CollegeÕ s Entry to Employment (E2E) programmeÓ Further Education Over 100 Art, Design and Media students exhibited work in the New Talent show which took place at the end of June. Students displayed a large selection of artwork including fine art, animation, illustration, surface pattern, textiles, fashion, corporate ID, ceramics and much more. The highlight of the show was a Ô Reveal and ConcealÕ themed fashion show. The aim of the show was to promote the work of our talented students on the National Diploma, First Diploma in Art and Design and National Diploma in Media. Many of the students whose work was featured have progressed onto Further or Higher Education or have already secured employment in the creative industry Work by first and second year National Diploma Art and Design students was showcased at the Empty Shop gallery in Durham City. The exhibition included illustrations, 3D projects, ceramics and fashion. Students used a city centre venue in order to bring their artwork to the public eye and show the general public what new talent there is from the College. The Media students produced an excellent set of promotional films for the CollegeÕ s Entry to Employment (E2E) programme. The evaluation of these productions was a ‘client presentation’ and a final DVD was produced to be used for promoting the E2E vision.