Petroc has been crowned the best college in the country in FE Week’s exclusive league table for 2018.
This year’s NICDEX gave 186 colleges a score of up to 40, with 10 marks available in four categories: learner satisfaction, employer satisfaction, 16-to-18 positive progression and adults into employment.
The league table was first devised in 2016 by Nick Linford, FE Week’s editor and a former director of performance at Lewisham College, based on key and official criteria published by the Department for Education.
Petroc topped this year’s leader board and was celebrated at a drinks reception, hosted by FE Week in partnership with Pearson, at the Association of Colleges conference this week.
Exeter College was knocked off the top spot after winning the previous two league tables.
Petroc scored an impressive 36 points overall, scooping a perfect 10 for both employer satisfaction and 16-to-18 progressions. The college scored 8 points for learner satisfaction and 8 for adults into employment.
Second place was shared by Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, and Weston College, which both scored 34 points.
In joint third with 33 points each were Barnsley College, Middlesbrough College and West Suffolk College.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be top of this highly regarded league table, improving on last year’s second place,” said Petroc principal Diane Dimond.
“My thanks go to all our amazing staff and hardworking students, as well as employers and partners in the area who work so closely with us.”
She continued: “At Petroc, success at every level is promoted as a positive driver for continuing in education and gaining employment, and every year our students go on to the best universities in the country, higher and degree apprenticeships as well as skilled careers.
“We pride ourselves on our strong links with employers, ensuring our learners have great work opportunities available to them, and I truly believe this is why we have such success with student progression into employment.
“We work closely with organisations across a wide range of sectors, and value their feedback to shape our curriculum and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our communities. The fact that over 93 per cent of employers would recommend us as a training provider is fantastic and makes me extremely proud.”
Click here to read the full NICDEX supplement.
Picture: From left: Lsect MD and FE Week publisher Shane Mann, Petroc principal Diane Dimond, Petroc vice principal Bill Blythe and FE Week editor Nick Linford
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