Room to expand

We have already begun to expand and diversify the activities of the college within the fields of childcare and it is our intention to continue this development. The college has expanded from some 40 students just two years ago to over 160 at present. We are planning to have over 200 students on these courses in the next year.

Your reporter raised with me the question of last year's Adult Learning Inspectorate querying the NVQ provision at the college; I made three main points:

* The inspection rated all teaching and learning as satisfactory or better

* The inspection indicated some concerns about management. I attempted to explain (but your article missed the point) that it was agreed by all parties that the inspection had taken place too early after Princess Christian College had taken over a small work-based training company in 2000. In the period leading up to the inspection, the management systems, databases and policies of the two companies had not had sufficient time to be merged and streamlined. This was recognised by the inspectors, who anticipate a higher grade at the next inspection.