Hartpury College

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 1 Hartpury College Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Hartpury, Gloucester GL19 3BE Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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residential accommodation

This college is situated in Hartpury, Gloucestershire. It offers a diverse range of academic, vocational and land-based courses, including sport, agriculture and animal and equine management. There are currently 703 residential students, of whom 585 are under 18.

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residential accommodation

The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this college.

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outstanding

How well young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 1 November 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 2

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students thrive in the residential provision at this college. A dedicated and committed staff team supports them to reach their potential. Students value the opportunities that come from being a residential student. Leaders nurture and foster a sense of community that students belong to. Students say they enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. A thorough induction programme helps students to settle into college life. Leaders commission an external provider to run team-building activities, which helps friendships to form and fosters relationships with students and with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Student voice is strong. Leaders seek regular feedback about different aspects of the student experience, and they take action in response. Last year students were dissatisfied with the catering offer, and a new provider is now in place. While there are some ongoing adjustments being made with the food, including portion sizes, students remain confident that leaders will listen to what they have to say and make changes. Students are invited to nominate themselves as hall representatives. This opportunity goes beyond acting as a spokesperson for the halls. Hall representatives receive coaching sessions from a motivational speaker, which helps to develop their leadership skills and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The introduction of enrichment officers provides proactive, structured activities. Students enjoy lively games of bingo, table-tennis competitions or craft activities. Students can join in with the extensive recreational sports programme, which promotes an active and healthy lifestyle. There are regular trips organised at weekends to take students further afield. Students enjoy the facilities on campus, including spending time in the centrally located common room. Many will support their friends and cheer on their sporting fixtures. Leaders review the uptake of planned activities, adapting the offer to ensure that it meets the students’ needs. Students say there is a great balance of choice and freedom, which helps them to adjust to living away from home.

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Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students benefit from being part of an outstanding learning environment. Many of them choose to study at the college because of the academic reputation and the high-quality facilities. Students say they like the high expectations and high standards that surround them, whether that is from peers or staff. There are strong links and cohesive working between academic and residential staff. In part, this is supported through the varied roles held by residential support officers. However, it is also reinforced through clear processes to communicate important information. Students are clear they would ‘absolutely’ recommend the college to others, and some of them say they already have. Students say they feel supported to learn the skills they will need later in life. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 3

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Safeguarding and well-being are at the centre of the everyday support students receive. Therefore, students develop a sound understanding of health and well- being issues. A well-organised team supports students during the day. Since the last inspection, a new post has been created in the evenings. This means a deputy designated safeguarding lead is available to students or staff after the end of the college day. Students say they know there is always someone to speak to if they need to, and they feel safe. They know how to get help. The safeguarding and well- being service provides excellent support to students in a wide range of areas, including promoting awareness campaigns and providing drop-in services. Nurses develop positive working relationships with the local GP surgery, which helps students to get timely appointments.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff take effective action to help students to be safe. Significant safeguarding concerns have been swiftly identified and well managed. Staff working with students identify who may have a positive relationship and be best placed to speak to them about the support and help they can receive. When necessary, safeguarding concerns are shared with external agencies. Staff keep parents informed about concerns.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Leaders work creatively with external safeguarding partners and charities to improve students’ safety and understanding of risks. This delivers relevant, evidenced-based support. One charity partner delivers training on being an active bystander to students and staff. This results in students being more aware of how to share worries. Staff provide relevant and targeted education to students to improve their safety and well-being. This is as part of the induction to accommodation, through the annual ‘Well-Fest’ festival, and through the ongoing residential life programme of support. Students receive education around topics such as alcohol awareness, substance misuse and safe driving. Leaders recognise the specific risks their residential population may be exposed to and direct interventions as necessary.

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How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Leaders adopt a restorative approach to managing students’ behaviour. Staff focus on supporting students to consider the impact on others, while also exploring and understanding the reasons behind the behaviour. They integrate resilience building to support students to learn and develop, as well as take accountability for their actions. For example, a student found under the influence of alcohol on campus will receive alcohol awareness education as well as a more formal warning. Staff consider students’ background and experiences and how these might impact on their behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have worked tirelessly to transform the residential experience for students. An innovative and creative group shares responsibilities for key aspects of the residential experience. Leaders are creative and ambitious. They introduce new initiatives with purpose, intending to improve student experience and welfare. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 4 Staff are passionate about their role and proud to work for the college. They speak positively of the cultural changes implemented by leaders. They recognise the shift in focus over the recent years, to one that celebrates and promotes well-being and safeguarding. Staff feel empowered to build positive relationships with students, feeling that they have the time to check-in and follow up concerns they might have. Staff receive supervision from the college deputy designated safeguarding leads,

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

helping to further embed the new ethos in practice. This places students and their well-being at the centre of the support offered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders develop excellent working relationships with external partners. For the flagship college wide ‘Well-Fest’ event, police, ambulance, fire and health services all contribute to the day. Following a serious incident in accommodation, the ambulance service commended the ‘exceptional care’ provided, both practically and emotionally, by staff to the student involved. The social worker for one student said that as soon as staff knew they were a child in care, they worked to identify opportunities for bursaries, funding and to get the right accommodation in place. Staff participate in review meetings and contribute to the child’s plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Parents say that staff communication with them is ‘fantastic’ and that their children love being part of the college. They feel that their children are safe and are assured by the support from staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The principal has strong oversight of the provision and empowers staff to fulfil the potential that the residential provision offers. The safeguarding governor maintains an inquisitive oversight of the provision and understands the strategies being introduced to improve student safety and experiences. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 6

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accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: SC046577 Principal/CEO: Professor Andrew Collop

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Inspectors

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Martin Brown, Social Care Inspector Emma Fryer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Hartpury College 7 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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