The national news paints a pretty bleak picture right now: public services at breaking point, industrial action across many sectors, rampant inflation and a government who seem to have lost their way.
Two weeks before the end of the Autumn term, we were distracted from these external economic and political winds by a visit from Ofsted, with BHASVIC’s first inspection in a decade. We were one of the first sixth-form colleges to navigate the enhanced skills element of an inspection; an interesting dimension for a provider that sends 75 per cent of students to university, and a divisive one in the sector, given that 16-19 academies are not subjected to this framework.
That said, the duties under the Skills Act have undoubtedly enriched our thinking and provision – although I’m still not sure how working with employers to inform and evolve the delivery of A level maths would provide the benefits espoused.
In the end, we got an early Christmas present with an “outstanding” judgment across the board. This was met with understandable elation and relief, and there’s nothing like a staff Christmas party following a recent and successful inspection. Whilst we’re the recipient of the top grade,
I can’t help thinking that the amount of resource and effort that goes into determining the difference between good and outstanding – often involving subjective judgements that are applied inconsistently – is completely disproportionate to judging whether a provider meets an acceptable standard or not. Surely this regime won’t last under a new government?
