STUDENTS at an outstanding college in Widnes feel ‘valued’ and ‘respected’, as well as part of a community, according to education watchdogs.

Riverside College, based on Kingsway, was highly praised by Ofsted following an inspection on April 23 and 26, which determined that it continues to be an outstanding school.

The college delivers both A-Levels and apprenticeships and was said to have a ‘strong sense of community’ during the official Ofsted report.

And senior leaders and staff were observed by inspectors to be ‘passionate’ in their mission to provide ‘life-changing opportunities for young people and adults’.

An inspector said: “Leaders and managers are highly ambitious for their students and apprentices.

“Staff work closely with universities and employers to plan curriculums to ensure that students and apprentices are well prepared for their next steps after college.

“For example, managers have worked with the engineering department at a local university to identify what students need to know to prepare for their degree.”

The college also provides its students with ‘high-quality’ careers information, advice and guidance, to ensure each person is on the right course and ‘well prepared’ for the future, the report stated.

It continued: “In addition, students with more complex needs benefit from a dedicated special educational needs and/or disabilities career advisor.

“Students and apprentices are very well informed about their potential next steps and career pathways after college.”

Attendance rates are high among students, it was said, and leaders ensure that teachers at the school are ‘highly qualified’ and have ‘expert subject knowledge’.

“Students and apprentices benefit from highly effective teaching,” the inspector explained.

“Teachers give a great deal of thought to the order of teaching to help students learn and remember more.

“A-level mathematicians learn fluency, reasoning and problem-solving to develop their knowledge and reasoning simultaneously.

“Adult counselling students practise their interpersonal skills and learn about the context within which counselling, and the referral process can be used, including the importance of maintaining ethical standards.

“Students with high needs develop their social skills, such as confidence, resilience and independence as well as developing their communication and employability skills to build their knowledge, skills and behaviours in a meaningful way.”

Meanwhile, pupils who attend the setting were observed as being ‘articulate, enthusiastic and polite’ to their teachers and peers.

“They feel part of a community at the college and build trusting relationships with college staff. Students and apprentices feel valued and respected.

“They are highly motivated, want to do their best, take pride in their work and have high aspirations for themselves.

“Students and apprentices, including those who have additional learning needs, appreciate and benefit greatly from the support they receive from their teachers.”

To read the full praising report visit reports.ofsted.gov.uk/