The College of Animal Welfare has been rated as ‘Good’ across the board following its recent Ofsted inspection.
This is the first inspection the College has been through since the new, more stringent, inspection regime came into effect in September. The week long inspection involved a team of seven inspectors covering three of the College’s centres, distance learning school and work based learning programmes. In addition, Abbeydale Vetlink and The Open College of Equine Studies were visited as these are collaborative partners of the College delivering small animal and equine veterinary nursing, respectively.
Barbara Cooper, College Principal, commented ‘We are delighted to have received a solid ‘Good’ grade across all areas including veterinary nursing. Under the new regime, we were given just two days notice of the inspection and we are pleased that the report reflects the true ethos of the College and the dedication and hard work of its staff, students and employers’. She added ‘Let’s not forget the quality of the teaching at our collaborative partners which was also rated as ‘Good’’.
The College was particularly praised for its exceptionally high success rates of learners on veterinary nursing apprenticeships (96%) and its well qualified, experienced and knowledgeable staff; acknowledging that learners with learning difficulties performed particularly well. The report commended learners’ development of skills in mathematics and English highlighting the very high success rate in functional skills (93%) and identified how visits to learners in their practice improves progress and ensures that individualised support and help for each learner and employer are effective.
The inspectors commended the College’s investment in its high quality resources including technology both inside and outside the classroom, most notably the development of its Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which is used effectively to support learners with their learning outside of the classroom. Excellent curriculum planning was noted, with managers proactively listening to employers and designing programmes which suit their needs.
Karen Davidson Vice Principal (Academic) commented “We are delighted that the Ofsted inspectors have recognised the College’s strengths and support systems which help learners to achieve their qualification.’
As always there are opportunities for improvement and the inspectors suggested that the College could provide learners with additional opportunities to make more use of learner-centred activities and should look at further promoting veterinary nursing as a career option to minority ethnic groups and men.