College celebrates outstanding inspection report

Jan 10 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

GATESHEAD College is now ranked among the top 20 in the country after gaining top grades in a recent Government inspections.

Education chiefs at Ofsted announced that the college has been awarded outstanding, grade 1 ratings in all six areas.

This success is the latest in a series of records and milestones achieved by the college in the last 12 months, after its £60m investment in new facilities. Principal Richard Thorold said: “The Ofsted inspectors looked at every aspect of our provision and were extremely impressed with the quality of teaching and learning, the achievements and attitude of our students and staff, and the excellent facilities that are available to them all.”

In 2008, the college completed the development of its world-class campus at the Baltic Business Quarter and Skills Academies at Team Valley and Ofsted recognised that the ‘accommodation is fantastic and learning resources are excellent’.

The Ofsted inspection team scored the college in six areas including quality of provision, achievements and standards and leadership and management.

For the first time in its history Gateshead College achieved outstanding grades in every area.