A COLLEGE has been told by the education watchdog that it needs to improve.

The Skipton-based Craven College, previously graded 'good' was marked as 'requires improvement' in overall effectiveness following a four-day visit by Ofsted inspectors at the end of February.

The college, said by Ofsted to have had 'significant turbulence' in its leadership in the last five years is currently led by Anita Lall, following the departure last year of its previous principal Lindsey Johnson.

Ofsted criticised the college for making 'a limited contribution to meeting skills needs' and for poor attendance of learners.

However, the report said learners and apprentices feel welcome in the college and appreciate the 'calm and inclusive environment'.

Leaders were said to be taking 'substantial steps' to make improvements. 

The team of 10 inspectors graded the college as requiring improvement, the second lowest above inadequate, in areas of leadership and management, education programmes for young people and behaviour and attitudes.

A good rating was however given to the other five areas- the quality of education, personal development, adult learning, apprenticeships and provision for learners with high needs.

The report said: "Over the last five years, there has been significant turbulence in the leadership of the college.

"The current senior leadership team, appointed in the last 18 months, has established stability and identified a clear path to make necessary improvements.

"Leaders have taken substantial steps in improving the quality of education across the provision, however, they recognise that their strategic and cultural changes have not fully permeated throughout the organisation."

Mrs Lall, interim principal and chief executive at Craven College, said: “We welcome Ofsted’s findings in their recent inspection report of the college, as these allow us to continuously improve and build on our strengths.

"Whilst the overall grades are not what we wanted or hoped for, the report acknowledges the journey the college has been on recently and highlights the steps we are already taking to address the challenges identified.

"Whilst we are committed to making those improvements, we are proud the report found that our quality of education, apprenticeships, adult learning programme, provision for learners with high needs and personal development for students were graded as ‘good’.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff and students for all their hard work and commitment and to extend our thanks to our community partners and stakeholders who supported the college during the inspection and continue to do so.

"We are dedicated to ensuring all our students benefit from a positive learning experience at our college, preparing them for the next steps in their careers and we will continue our journey to provide quality education to our communities.”