THE principal of Kendal College has responded to an OFSTED report downgrading the centre  from 'good' to 'requires improvement.'

Kendal College was inspected for the first time since 2017 between October 10 to 13 this year.

The report said: "Learners are well-motivated and committed to their learning. They attend regularly and benefit from a positive and respectful culture where staff know and care about them. However, too many learners and apprentices do not receive a high-quality education."

It goes on to say: "In too many areas, learners on education programmes for young people do not retain sufficiently detailed knowledge that they have learned. Consequently, these learners have difficulty recalling key knowledge in preparation for more difficult concepts."

The report recommends the college improves identifying weaknesses in the quality of education, improving the planning and teaching of education programmes for young people, particularly A-levels, provide students with constructive feedback and working closer with employers for apprentice training. 

It also said that teaching needs to be planned effectively for learners with high needs enrolled on level one vocational studies. 

The college has around 1,300 learners in education programmes studying T levels, BTECs and A Levels. According to the report, the largest subject areas are performing arts and media, construction, sport and health and science. 

The college also has 730 adult learners and 800 apprentices. 

Kendal College principal Kelvin Nash said: "Kendal College was inspected by OFSTED in October 2023, where it was graded as requires improvement.  Whilst the college was disappointed with the outcome we have fully embraced the inspection findings, and believe the outcome was a fair reflection of where the college was at that moment in time. 

"Whilst the OFSTED report contains a lot of strong and supportive evidence, particularly around our positive and respectful culture, the development of learner skills, and future progression to employment, the report also recognises that there is work to do in small minority of areas to improve the quality of education across all our different provision types. 

"The college have already introduced several new measures and is taking a positive approach from the outcome using the OFSTED judgement to look at ways to develop and sees the inspection grade as parts of its continuous improvement.

"Kendal College has a solid foundation on which to build as we continue to improve the quality of our provision prior to a future re-inspection.  The College engages significantly with its key stakeholders to ensure our curriculum and facilities are fit for purpose, with OFSTED reporting that college leaders work with employers and other stakeholders effectively to identify, understand, and contribute to meeting local and regional skills needs."