College starts on the long road to recovery (From Gazette Series)

College starts on the long road to recovery

STROUD COLLEGE is on the road to recovery but still has some way to go. This was the conclusion of an OFSTED report published this week following last autumn's inspection.

Some areas of the college are singled out for praise in the report including its 'outstanding' arts and media courses.

Courses in health, social and public services are also praised, as are the college's links with employers and the support it offers its students. But there is criticism for other areas.

Practical teaching for courses aimed at those wanting to work in the construction industry is not up to scratch, pass rates in that area are low and management ineffective.

Engineering courses also come under fire, again for low pass rates and unsatisfactory management.

The inspection also found overcrowded class sizes and inadequate facilities in some areas. However, it noted that the new principal has set up an estates working group that is already addressing these issues.

The report also says that until the beginning of 2003 the college was poorly led and morale was low.

The college is still in bad shape financially and senior management have not yet been able to put all the necessary measures in place to make sure students receive a satisfactory education.

But while the OFSTED inspectors found no shortage of faults with the college the overall message of the report was that it was heading in the right direction and things were now improving.

It praised the leadership of new principal Diane Dale and recognised steps were being taken to address problems.

"We've turned a corner," said college principal Diane Dale.

"I don't think there are any surprises for us," she said.

"We are well aware of what we have to do to raise our standards and I am confident that with continued determination and hard work we will become a first class college offering a first class service to all our students."