| Independent colleges of further education can be | | | | students achieve their goals in terms of entry to |
| accredited not only by Ofsted, which advises the | | | | higher education and admission at the university of |
| Secretary of State of Children, Schools and Family | | | | their choice. |
| about the suitability of private colleges for continued | | | | Aspects covered by Ofsted inspections include the |
| registration as independent schools, but also by BAC | | | | attitude of the private college's students to learning, |
| - the British Accreditation Council, which has offered | | | | the level of individual attention offered to them, their |
| a quality assurance scheme for independent further | | | | involvement in lessons, and how their progress is |
| and higher education since 1984. | | | | monitored by the college staff. So, like BAC, Ofsted |
| The BAC accreditation is recognised internationally: | | | | will award high marks to independent colleges of |
| therefore, it is a guarantee for overseas GCSE or | | | | further education where class sizes are small, with a |
| A-level students that the independent college they | | | | high level of individual attention. |
| are enrolling at is considered genuine by immigration | | | | Ofsted inspectors also consider how the private |
| officials and is a reputable institution of further | | | | college's students are assessed, from the point of |
| education. | | | | view of questioning and marking, and evaluate |
| BAC accreditation lasts four years. Inspections are | | | | whether preparation complies with examination |
| carried out in a variety of ways, including announced | | | | specifications, i.e. if assessment tasks are relevant to |
| and unannounced visits to the private college by | | | | expected outcomes. |
| inspectors and the submission of an annual return by | | | | Another important aspect for Ofsted inspectors is |
| the college. | | | | the choice of courses, both in terms of subjects |
| BAC inspectors focus on a variety of areas in order | | | | available and of course options (e.g. two-year, 18 |
| to assess the quality of education provision at | | | | months or one-year sixth-form/A-level courses). |
| independent colleges. They typically observe a | | | | The Ofsted report also considers the additional |
| number of classes at the college for a period of time, | | | | services and support offered by the private college |
| and ask GCSE or sixth-form/A-level students what | | | | of further education; for example, teaching English as |
| they think of their teachers and of the activities | | | | a second language, the tutorial programme and the |
| offered by the independent college. They also ask | | | | availability of extracurricular educational activities. |
| college students about the extra support they | | | | The students' welfare is a major concern of Ofsted's. |
| receive outside classes. They assess the level of | | | | Ofsted inspectors look at whether the independent |
| teaching (e.g. if it's creative and imaginative) and the | | | | college encourages its students to practice sports |
| level of active participation from GCSE and A-level | | | | and whether PE classes are compulsory or optional: |
| students: therefore, small class sizes with a | | | | so, Ofsted inspectors have a favourable impression |
| personalised approach to teaching, which is usually a | | | | of private colleges where living healthily is actively |
| priority of private colleges of further education, are | | | | encouraged. Health and safety, including the standard |
| viewed favourably by BAC inspectors. | | | | of the college premises and of student |
| BAC also considers whether the independent college | | | | accommodation, is another key point contributing to |
| has any specialist facilities, such as computer and | | | | the Oftsted report. Finally, Ofsted inspectors assess |
| multimedia facilities, and may assess the quality of | | | | the moral and personal development of GCSE and |
| the work produced, for example in the Art Centre. | | | | A-level students at the independent college: their |
| The social programme offered by the private college | | | | manners and punctuality, as well as their |
| is another major point of assessment: for example, | | | | understanding of global issues or different cultures. |
| BAC inspectors will look at the choice of educational | | | | BAC and Ofsted accreditation is extremely important |
| activities (such as cultural trips) and of sports | | | | for independent colleges of further education as it |
| available to GCSE and A-level students. Finally, BAC | | | | offers a comprehensive assessment of the private |
| will consider the independent college's administrative | | | | college and determines its reputation, including |
| work, such as timetabling, and how student | | | | overseas. BAC and Ofsted reports offer valuable |
| complaints are handled by college staff. | | | | guidelines to achieve excellence in teaching and |
| Ofsted carries out inspections in cycles which last | | | | highlight areas on which college staff should focus in |
| around three years. Ofsted inspections focus on the | | | | order to provide the highest quality of further |
| quality of teaching at independent colleges of further | | | | education to both GCSE and A-level pupils. |
| education and assess whether sixth-form/A-level | | | | |