Bournemouth and Poole College Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

Staff at Bournemouth and Poole College celebrated the college’s recent ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in style, with over 400 of them forming the word ‘Good’ for a photo opportunity at the start of a staff development and celebration day at the end of the college teaching year.

College Principal Phil Sayles said, “we’re really proud of this result, as it confirms the quality of education at the college, and we wanted to pack as many brilliant colleagues into the photograph to celebrate as possible.”

The Ofsted report noted that, “Students and apprentices at all campuses enjoy their learning. They are taught by subject experts who use their industry knowledge well to enrich their teaching. Students and apprentices acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills and the behaviours expected in industry settings. This prepares them well for their next steps.”

Bournemouth and Poole College achieved ‘Good’ ratings across all evaluated categories, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, education programmes for young people, adult learning programmes, apprenticeships and provision for learners with high needs.

The report praised the college’s dedication to preparing students for successful careers, stating that “many students widen their experiences through high-quality work experiences or work placements”, giving them “an insight into the world of work through activities, visits and guest speakers”. Apprentices benefit from early exposure to key industry concepts and access to high-quality resources and facilities that reflect real-world industry settings. This enables them to “make valuable contributions to their employers from an early stage.” 

Strong partnerships with local employers and organisations were also highlighted as a key factor in the college’s success. Ofsted recognised the institution’s collaboration with local universities, BCP and Dorset councils, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and major employers. Inspectors noted that leaders “use these relationships well to identify skills needs in the region and design courses to meet most of these needs.” 

Furthermore, the report acknowledged the college’s commitment to student welfare, noting that learners feel safe on all campuses and are taught to appreciate and respect diversity. “Staff, students and apprentices actively embrace an inclusive environment,” and students are described as “polite and respectful.”

The inspection covered the college’s two main campuses at Bournemouth and Poole, as well as the specialist Fulcrum site dedicated to boatbuilding and carpentry.

You can read the full report here.