Bury College

Overview

Bury College is a large further education provider offering courses from foundation to higher education level, alongside apprenticeships. The inspection found that the college maintains a "supportive and inclusive environment" with a "culture of high expectations and mutual respect." Most learners and apprentices behave well, attend classes regularly, and gain the knowledge and skills necessary for their next steps in education or employment.

Strengths

• Staff are "well qualified and experienced," routinely updating their subject knowledge and using effective teaching strategies to help learners retain information in their long-term memories.
• The curriculum is "sequential and logical," ensuring most learners progress successfully to higher learning, apprenticeships, or employment.
• Leaders have established "beneficial partnerships" with local employers and education providers, such as the University of Salford, to meet regional skills needs.
• Learners with high needs receive tailored support through detailed plans, allowing them to make "equivalent progress to that of their peers."
• Learners and apprentices receive effective careers information, helping them make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must prioritise support for apprentices who have not completed their programmes on time to help them "swiftly catch up."
• Robust progress measures are needed for young learners with high needs on the New Horizons programme to ensure they make the progress of which they are capable.
• Leaders should ensure learners and apprentices attend classes frequently to remain on their courses and achieve their qualifications.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff appropriately trained and learners knowing how to report concerns.