‘Outstanding’: Bishop Burton retains top Ofsted residential rating
‘PHENOMENAL ACHIEVEMENT’: Staff and students at Bishop Burton College celebrating its latest Ofsted success
By Rick Lyon
Bishop Burton College’s residential accommodation for students has again been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Following a three-day inspection in February, the college has now received the news it has again met Ofsted’s high standards.
The college has 322 students living on its two campuses, at Bishop Burton, near Beverley, and Riseholme, in Lincolnshire.
Inspectors spoke to students, teaching and support staff across the college during their visit and rated the college as ‘Outstanding’ in all three areas of:
Overall experiences and progress of young people
How well young people are helped and protected
The effectiveness of leaders and managers.
The inspection team concluded: “The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good.
“The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.
WELL CARED FOR: Residential students at Bishop Burton College eating lunch
“The young people enjoy staying in the residential accommodation. They have excellent relationships with wardens.”
The inspection report also underlined that “the safety of the young people is prioritised by all staff, who work as a strong team to keep the young people safe” in “a well-maintained and safe living space.”
Ann Paling, Assistant Principal Safeguarding and Residential at the college, said: “Being rated ‘Outstanding’ again is a phenomenal achievement and testament to the hugely dedicated, committed and enthusiastic team we have at the college.
“We’re incredibly proud of the provision we have for students here and the team works tirelessly to ensure they have a happy, healthy and fulfilling experience during their time with us.”
The report praised the whole college team’s approach. It said: “The team of staff are extremely enthusiastic about their work. The support they receive motivates them to be continually thinking of new and innovative ways to support the young people.
“Young people’s emotional wellbeing is highly prioritised and this focus means that their social and academic achievements are noteworthy.
“The wardens use their knowledge of each young person to make sure that the young people have the help they need to succeed.
‘THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE’: Head Warden Sandra Lazenby supporting students
“The staff recognise young people’s need to feel emotionally well to achieve in their studies.”
The report also acknowledged that whilst students are empowered to learn how to take care of themselves, a proactive approach is taken to ensuring student safety, with designated safeguarding leads working closely with domestic staff, site security, wardens, course managers and student support services, which “provides an exceptional level of protection for young people who live away from home.”
Parents were consulted during the inspection process, with one being quoted in the report as saying: “‘They have the right people in the right place. This focus significantly enhances young people’s experiences of being at the college.”
Bill Meredith, Principal and Chief Executive of Bishop Burton, said: “I’m thrilled and hugely proud that the college has been awarded Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ for our residential accommodation.
“The team at Bishop Burton and Riseholme are extremely hard-working, dedicated and passionate about supporting students to realise their full potential and to have this acknowledged is a tremendous and well-deserved result.
“Student welfare, happiness and success are our first and foremost priority at the college and its is incredibly gratifying to see that the high standards the college aspires to are reflected and recognised within this glowing report.”
To read the report in full, click here.