A further education college has been branded as "inadequate" in a damning inspection report.

Now a troubleshooter has been brought in to help deal with the criticisms made by education watchdog Ofsted.

Inspectors gave Keighley College the lowest possible ranking in four out of five areas in which it was assessed.

The college's leadership and management, achievements and standards, effectiveness of provision and capacity to improve were all rated "inadequate".

However the inspection report found the quality of provision "satisfactory".

Now the college is developing a post-inspection action plan in response.

Trevor Jameson has been appointed as a temporary associate principal who will help deliver improvements.

The college's interim vice-principal, Ian Nichol, told the Telegraph & Argus Mr Jameson had a wealth of experience in business recovery and college improvement practice.

The college is planning to move to a new campus which will be built on Dalton Lane in Keighley. The £25 million development had been delayed because Bradford Council was locked in talks with Richard Craven's electrical superstore for more than a year over the sale of the land.

The Ofsted inspection criticised the college's existing accommodation as inadequate And Mr Nichol said this demonstrated the need for the college to move to a purpose-built facility.

The college is also in talks with the Learning and Skills Council over a potential partnership to raise standards at the college.

It is understood that the college could form a partnership with Bradford, Shipley, Craven or Calderdale Colleges. However Mr Nichol declined to comment on whether discussions with these four colleges had taken place.

A joint statement by the college's interim principal, Chris Moore, and chairman of governors Councillor Lynne Joyce said: "The college is reviewing its mission in light of both the Ofsted report and changes in further education nationally.

"Governors, managers and staff are committed to providing high-quality vocational education and training and improving the employability of all its students.

"The college will continue to improve its links with local schools and parents and thereby provide good student support, particularly for disaffected learners.

"However the college acknowledges that the delay in the development of our new college campus has impacted adversely on the quality of our current accommodation and has led to associated difficulties with access for students with mobility problems. We are now going to improve our accommodation by investing in the current buildings to improve access and facilities for students, until the new campus is complete."

Mr Nichol said the Ofsted inspection was based on the results of students' performances in the 2004/05 academic year. And he said there were signs of improvements in both results and the students satisfaction survey for this year.

Ofsted visited the college during March this year.

e-mail: john.roberts@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

THE REPORT'S MAIN FINDINGS
  • Pass rates on key skills course are poor.
  • Leadership and management are inadequate.
  • The college's accommodation is inadequate.
  • The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory but there is not enough good or better teaching.
  • The college demonstrates inadequate capacity to improve.
  • The interim principal Chris Moore had not had time to demonstrate their capacity to improve the college at the time of the inspection.
  • Governors are supportive but not sufficiently effective in monitoring the work of the college.
  • Financial management is unsatisfactory. The college is not making effective and efficient use of its resources.
  • The college's strengths are its partnerships and community links and its support for disaffected learners.