Bishop Auckland College

Overview: Bishop Auckland College is a small general further education college that provides education programmes for young people, adult learning programmes, and apprenticeships across a broad range of vocational subjects. The college has a positive culture, with students and apprentices benefiting from the support of staff, and a strong focus on careers advice and enrichment activities.

Strengths:

• Students and apprentices benefit from a positive culture promoted by staff, with well-presented displays and resources in classrooms.
• Teachers provide highly effective careers advice that prepares students well for their next steps in education and employment.
• The college provides a comprehensive range of enrichment activities and visits, with a high proportion of students taking part.
• Leaders have a clear strategic intent to meet local needs, raise the aspirations of students, and support the local and regional economy.
• The college has a well-structured governance model, with governors having relevant experience and a thorough understanding of the college's strengths and areas for improvement.

Areas to improve:

• Provide an effective curriculum for students aged 14 to 16 that motivates them to attend and enables them to achieve well.
• Ensure that teachers consistently check on learning for all students and apprentices and encourage students to improve their work in response to feedback.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.