Borders College leads by example
Published 10 Jun 2010 13:50
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MOST students leaving college in the Borders go on to further education and gain jobs.
Education inspectors made the assessment following an inspection of Borders College in March this year.
They gave the college a glowing report card and stated the new campus in Galashiels has had a positive impact on students.
However, a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) revealed Borders College had experienced a significant increase in enrolments and applications as a result of the economic downturn which had resulted in pressure on bursary and support funding.
In the report published this week, HM Inspector Sheila Page said: "Within the Scottish Borders and Hawick campuses, the learner experience is greatly enriched by high quality accommodation, facilities and learning resources. This generates a learning environment which promotes high aspirations for success.
"The college has successfully carried out an ambitious co-location project with Heriot-Watt University which has enabled it to rationalise and enrich its curriculum.
"Almost all learners consider that the college is a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment. They also express high levels of satisfaction with programme delivery and services provided by the college. Most learners progress to employment or further learning on completion of their programmes."
But she added: "Although student outcomes are high overall, they have declined significantly over the last three years in a few programmes in particular subject areas. The college is aware of the need to monitor these downward trends closely."
In April 2009 the college took occupancy of the new co-located Scottish Borders Campus, in partnership with Heriot-Watt University. The new Hawick campus opened in December 2008.
And there are plans to upgrade accommodation at the Newtown St Boswells campus, which accommodates the land-based programmes, later this year.
The review team talked to students, staff, Board members, employers and partners of the college before delivering its findings.
It flagged up the college's Borders Business Programme (BBP), a joint three year management degree programme delivered in partnership with Heriot-Watt University, and ESOL provision (for learners whose first language is not English) as examples of excellent practice.
Commenting on the report, Liz McIntyre, principal of Borders College said: "All of us - staff, students and the Board of Management - are very proud of this report. It's a fantastic vote of confidence in the team work that makes this College a first-rate place to learn and it recognises the valuable contribution that the College makes to our local community."
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