Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

Ms A Barrow Principal St Brendan’s Sixth Form College Broomhill Road Bristol BS4 5RQ

p.1

Ofsted 2010 11 best practice survey: safeguarding in colleges

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 22 September 2010 to look at your provision for safeguarding learners.

p.1

Ofsted 2010 11 best practice survey: safeguarding in colleges

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our publication about best practice in safeguarding in colleges. The publication will include case studies about individual providers. If St Brendan’s is included as a case study, you will have an opportunity to comment before publication.

p.1

Features of good practice:

 a deep rooted culture of safeguarding individual learners and promoting a safe and healthy environment, endorsed at all levels of management and supported by all staff  the very high profile given to safeguarding within the college, which is driven proactively by senior managers and the governing body, and embedded in all policies and procedures  proactive work to identify vulnerable learners before and during enrolment and on-programme. The provision of additional support is outstanding  strong fostering of the college’s ethos of inclusion and respect for the individual and of diversity, learner empowerment and mutual support. The tutorial and ‘Spiritual Journey’ programmes are well developed and resourced, and focus on individual development and self respect. Students display strong awareness of morale values and expectations  high levels of individual support for learners. Learners are encouraged to

p.1

Features of good practice:

discuss, debate, and reflect on the full range of ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes in an environment where expectations of behaviour are high and learners are supported to be independent. Learners behave well, feel safe and demonstrate safe working practices consistently  extensive and rigorous health and safety and risk assessment processes which involve learners and through which they are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and safety. Property safety management is rigorous: all staff are well trained in safety matters: the new building has been designed carefully to incorporate many features which support safeguarding.

p.1

Areas for development:

 further development of internet safety in an ever-changing environment which the college has prioritised already  to review reporting arrangements to agree more systematic involvement of the safeguarding link governor.

p.2

Areas for development:

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop safeguarding in the college.

p.2

Areas for development:

As explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on the Ofsted website. It may be used to inform decisions about any future inspection.

p.2