A Level Results Day was a moment of sheer celebration for many students at City of Bristol College, with learners marking the end of a period of hard work and commitment.
These incredible achievements are reflected in the overall A Level results statistics for City of Bristol College, with a 95% pass rate across the board for A Levels and a 100% pass rate in T Levels and Technical subjects.
While the day brought different experiences for each individual, it was especially exciting for those who secured the grades they needed to in order to progress onto university, apprenticeships, or employment.
Among the many success stories were Freya Davies-Mouncher and Shaista Mahmood, who both reflected on their time at City of Bristol College and shared their pride in what they have achieved.
Freya’s Story
For Freya, opening her results was a nerve-wracking moment.
“Terror,” she laughed, describing the first feeling that went through her mind. “I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, but I still managed to get into the university I wanted, so it was okay – terror, relief, but exciting!”
Freya will be heading to The University of Manchester to study Politics and German. Reflecting on her time at City of Bristol College, she spoke warmly of the support she received:
“The teaching quality is great, my teachers were amazing – they were the best thing about college. I’m not the best at motivating myself, so having them there to keep me on track with deadlines really helped.”
She is particularly proud of the history project she completed, which took a lot of time and effort but gave her a real sense of achievement. As she prepares to begin the next chapter of her education, Freya is excited to leave her hometown, experience Freshers’ Week, and embrace university life.
Her advice to future students is clear: “Make yourself do work from day one, stay motivated, and set deadlines. It will make everything easier.”
Freya encapsulated her time at City of Bristol College in three words: “Enjoyable, flexible, and relaxed.”
Shaista’s Story
For fellow student Shaista, results day brought a huge sense of relief.
“I felt so relieved opening my results and seeing that all the hard work I had put in over the last two years had paid off.”
During her time at City of Bristol College, Shaista embraced all opportunities available to her, from joining the Student Council to representing her peers as a student governor. These experiences, she says, made her a “more well-rounded person” and gave her chances she might not have had elsewhere.
She was also highly commended when she received the Principal’s Award at the Further Education Graduation Ceremony – a moment she describes as one of her most cherished memories. “It was a proud moment for me to know that other people had recognised the work I had done while at the college.”
Shaista will now be going on to study BSc Mathematics at The University of Bristol, and she credits City of Bristol College’s supportive staff, extracurricular opportunities, and dedicated personal tutor system for helping her get there.
Her advice to new students?
“Put yourself out there and take the opportunities given to you – it will allow you to meet so many new people and grow your skills. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, whether it’s academic or personal. The college will do their best to support you.”
Looking Ahead
At City of Bristol College, we are immensely proud of all our students and the hard work they have put into their studies. We look forward to following their ongoing journeys, whether that be with us or at other educational institutions.
For those who may not have achieved the grades they had hoped for, we are here to provide support and guidance as they consider their next steps. We also look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students in the coming year and being part of their educational journey.
A £20,000 donation from the Clifton Rocks Railway Trust has been awarded to City of Bristol College’s Advanced Engineering Centre to help inspire and educate the next generation of engineers.
Formed over 20 years ago by a passionate group of local historians and engineers, the Clifton Rocks Railway Trust initially set out to restore the iconic Victorian funicular railway in the Avon Gorge.
Despite raising an impressive £80,000 through a combination of public donations, merchandise and book sales, sadly, plans to fully restore the site were halted as the funds weren’t quite enough to fully acquire or restore the site.
Now unable to utilise the funds, the trust has made the decision to donate the money to four local organisations, one of which is City of Bristol College.
Chair of Trustees, James Tonkin and Trustee Ed Scammel recently paid a visit to the Advanced Engineering Centre in Parkway to officially award the £20,000 and to tour the innovative centre whilst meeting passionate students.
“We realised we didn’t really have much of a job left,” joked trustee Ed Scammell. “So we decided the best thing to do was reinvest that money into the future of engineering, and City of Bristol College was a perfect fit.”
According to James Tonkin, Chair of Trustees, the choice was made after canvassing members and restoration volunteers: “The overwhelming answer was something Bristol-based, something engineering-focused, and something educational. The college ticked every box; it was a unanimous decision.”
The £20,000 donation will go directly towards enriching students’ experiences through educational trips, competitions and hands-on projects. These initiatives aim to unite historical engineering achievements with modern innovation.
“It’s not just a long-term benefit; students will feel the impact of this donation from as early as September,” said a college spokesperson. “This is about giving young people real opportunities to explore and excel in engineering.”
“Bristol has engineering in its blood, from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to Concorde,” said James. “But if we don’t teach these skills to the next generation, those legacies die out.”
Ed echoed the sentiment: “Whether it’s aircraft restoration or steam engines, the average age in these communities is rising. If we don’t get young people involved now, those specialist skills will be lost forever.”
Reflecting on the tour of the college’s engineering workshops, Ed laughed: “When I was 16, we were let loose on machines with no real training. It’s clear that things have come a long way, but it’s also inspiring to see students learning with real kit in a safe, supportive environment.”
The trustees hope to stay connected with the college and support future engineering initiatives. “This is just the beginning,” said James. “If we can inspire even one student to pursue engineering, we’ve honoured the legacy of the Clifton Rocks Railway.”
Find out more regarding the engineering courses that are offered at the Advanced Engineering Centre.
On Friday 20 June, we were extremely proud to be gathered at The University of Bristol’s Wills Memorial Building to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Further Education graduates alongside their friends, family and support networks at our 2025 Further Education Graduation.
It certainly was a historic occasion as this marked the first Further Education Graduation held by the college.
The air buzzed with excitement in an incredible venue boasting both grandeur and academic greatness, setting the stage for honouring our students’ new qualifications and outstanding accomplishments.
Distinguished guests, esteemed staff, graduands and members of the congregation came together, making this celebration even more special.
The celebration was kindly sponsored by Dovetail & Slate and The Guild of Guardians of Bristol. Many City of Bristol College Governors were also in attendance; Phil Smith, Jess Winkler, Judi Harper, Dan Jones and Marc Griffiths.
Speaking of the ceremony on the following day, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray commented: “Yesterday was an incredible day at City of Bristol College as we celebrated our Further Education students graduating at the iconic Wills Memorial Building of the University of Bristol.
“We had dance performances from the Flaming Feathers, keynote addresses in each ceremony from a pioneer of the Bristol drum and bass scene DJ Krust, Deputy Principal Catherine Howett bringing the energy to lead the celebration for every single student, food, mocktails, photo booths, music throughout the day, it was a genuine joy.
“The team effort to deliver this event was phenomenal, and colleagues worked hard to curate this event to ensure it was joyful, inspirational and aspirational.
“Students from all four campuses and our two independent living centres experienced an incredible graduation event.
“There were tears from colleagues and parents, and Krust said in his last address that it had been emotional. A parent spoke to me to offer her thanks for recognising vocational students as their education is just as important, I couldn’t agree more.
“Yesterday was about our students, it was about Bristol, it was joyful and it further cements the incredible journey we are on at City of Bristol College.”
Graduating Computing student, and deserving winner of The Principal’s Award, Jasaulla Khan stated: “Last Friday, two years at City of Bristol College had come to a close, having graduated.
“From being in class and pursuing my qualification, to participation outside of academics such as being on the Student Council, organising the college’s first Open Iftar, hosting political hustings and campaigning for social and environmental justice, these past two years have taught me so much.
“Shoutout to the teachers and staff for all their amazing support and also for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the college community, leaving behind a legacy where future students can build upon.
“Finally, a huge thank you to Julia Gray for presenting me with the Principal Award in recognition of these past two years (this was my highlight of the graduation ceremony).
“It was emotional hearing the short intro before I was called up to receive the award. It was around then when it set in and registered in my mind that this chapter is ending and I’ll be taking the next step in my life. But I’ll always hold dear the college and all the people I’ve met there and had the joy of getting to know.”
On the day itself, Director of Student Experience, Quality and Safeguarding, Amy Woodrow said: “Could not have been prouder of the City of Bristol College Student Experience Team than I was today.
“Our first ever Further Education graduation at the spectacular Wills Hall was a huge success. We had fun, food, entertainment and most importantly celebrated the incredible achievements of our amazing students!”
A heartfelt congratulations to all of our incredibly talented Further Education graduates – may your futures be bright!
Discover more about our Further Education courses.
We recently spoke with Sarah, a remarkable Partners in Bristol alumni who has come full circle; now working as an IT Tutor for the same organisation that helped to launch her career.
Her story is truly one of resilience and a passion for helping others. Once facing unemployment as a single parent, Sarah enrolled on a course with Partners in Bristol.
Through dedication and hard work, she caught the attention of her tutor, who encouraged her to apply for an IT Tutor position when one became available. Today, she’s helping others to build the same skills that changed her career trajectory.
Speaking of her journey starting with Partners in Bristol, Sarah commented: “Prior to working at Partners in Bristol, I was unemployed and also a single parent, which made my employability prospects harder than they would be for other people.
“I did a course with Partners in Bristol, and I provided IT support to other students during the course and this flagged me up to my tutor as someone that was talented with IT; Partners in Bristol had a vacancy for an IT Tutor and he encouraged me to apply and here I am!”
She also delved into her personal academic background, adding: “I have a degree in Media and whilst I needed a lot of IT skills for that and for a lot of the software I use, I also have a personal background in teaching IT.
“I used to volunteer in a community charity hub, and I used to run drop-in sessions where I would teach people, especially older people, how to use their phones or smart tablets or laptops.”
Looking forward to her future steps, Sarah said: “I’m really keen to continue to settle in and be the best teacher that I can be.
“Lack of IT skills can be one of the biggest hindrances for getting in the workplace, as everything is so technology-based now. So, if I’m enabling people to get better jobs by providing them with IT skills, then I’m happy.”
Discussing what she would say to a prospective learner thinking of enrolling on a Partners in Bristol course, Sarah added: “I would say do your course, do the best that you can and never be afraid to ask your tutor for help because they’re always there to help you and make sure that you can pass the course.
“Keep your spirits up and take everything that you can from the course, always ask for help, do the best you can and dive into the opportunity that it gives you.”
To browse the opportunities that Partners in Bristol can offer you, simply click here.
A group of students from City of Bristol College recently took part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme, joining thousands of peers from across the UK in this powerful educational experience.
The visit to the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, is a key component of the programme and aims to deepen understanding of the Holocaust among post-16 students and educators.
Rooted in the principle that “hearing is not like seeing,” ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ is designed to move beyond traditional classroom learning. It provides students with a connection to one of history’s darkest chapters, encouraging reflection, empathy and a commitment to remembrance.
This experience marks a significant moment in students’ education, allowing for a deeper awareness of the importance of human rights and the dangers of prejudice and discrimination.
Below, you’ll find a detailed account of City of Bristol College students’ experience of the programme and their recent visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in the words of Youth Social Action Apprentice, Anne Draper.
Lessons from Auschwitz Project – Anne’s words:
On Brandon Hill, near the College Green Campus, there is a Ginkgo tree planted in memory of Anne Frank to commemorate what would have been her 80th birthday. Anne Frank is one of the most recognisable victims of the Holocaust; the murder of 6 million Jewish men, women and children by the Nazis and their collaborators.
This spring, two students from City of Bristol College had the opportunity to take part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project organised by the Holocaust Education Trust. This project gives names back to the nameless victims of the Holocaust and shares their stories and those of the diverse Jewish communities around Europe before the Second World War.
The project started with a seminar in Bristol where participants heard a powerful and moving testimony from Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich.
Students then participated in a day trip to Poland, visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. During the visit to the Auschwitz camp, participants witnessed the preserved barracks and haunting displays of seized belongings, including piles of shoes, suitcases, glasses and human hair.
Students followed the steps of the new arrivals at the camp, walking up the ramp where selections were made. Some people would be sent to the gas chambers immediately, and some would survive for at least for a while as forced labour.
A display that left a big impression on the group was the Book of Names, which seeks to name every Jewish person murdered in the Holocaust and give them back their identity. Currently, it contains 4.8 million names, with space for more to be added, creating a visible monument that visitors are encouraged to explore.
Everyone was struck by the scale of the site and how the Holocaust affected communities from all corners of Europe. The impact of seeing this first-hand went beyond what can be achieved by classroom learning.
At the end of the trip, students took part in a moving service to commemorate the victims and allow time for reflection, led by a rabbi, before returning to Bristol with the mission to share what they had learned with our college community.
Student Charlotte said: ”This project was something that I will remember for the rest of my life. The opportunity to visit Auschwitz and listen to the testimony of Mala Tribich is something I will never forget.
“The project has helped me understand the full human consequences of the Holocaust and the importance of continuing to remember it.”
At the end of last year, the college proudly signed the Dying to Work Charter, providing protection for all college colleagues.
This confirms the college’s commitment to protect and support colleagues and their families during any terminal illness that they may face. The mental health and wellbeing of colleagues at City of Bristol College is at the centre of a people-first culture.
The charter helps employers to support employees who have a terminal diagnosis to carry on working, if they wish.
At some point in their careers, many workers experience serious illnesses that require extended time off, often several months, for treatment and recovery.
Comprehensive guidance, developed by the Trade Union Congress and other organisations, is available to support individuals dealing with long-term illness and those returning to work after becoming disabled due to illness or injury.
However, in some cases, no effective treatment is available. When this happens, workers may face significant emotional distress, fear and uncertainty. Trade unions play a crucial role in minimising additional stress and providing support during such challenging times.
Speaking of signing the charter, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, said: “The mental health and wellbeing of colleagues at City of Bristol College is at the centre of our people-first culture. I am pleased to have signed the Dying to Work Charter to confirm the commitment to protect and support colleagues and their families during any terminal illness they may face.
“We have had an informal arrangement in place to support employees with a terminal illness for a number of years now and by officially signing this Charter, it ensures that those affected will continue to be supported during a difficult time. I am proud to support this campaign.”
More information on the Dying to Work campaign can be found here: The Dying to Work Campaign | Dying to Work
City of Bristol College is proud to announce its commitment to the Social Recruitment Covenant (SRC), reinforcing its dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. By signing the Covenant, the college underscores its responsibility to remove employment barriers and create equitable opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds.
A national commitment to inclusive recruitment
The Social Recruitment Covenant, officially launched in November 2024 at Westminster, has garnered nationwide support from employers, Social Recruitment Advocacy Group (SRAG) members, partners and members of Parliament.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, attended the landmark event, commending all stakeholders for their efforts in driving social mobility and workplace inclusivity.
As we continue into 2025, the SRC stands at the forefront of tackling labour market challenges. The initiative, founded by PeoplePlus and SRAG, aims to address pressing workforce shortages and skills gaps through socially responsible recruitment strategies.
Addressing the UK’s labour market challenges
The UK labour market faces significant challenges that demand innovative solutions.
Key concerns include:
- Construction Workforce Shortages: The industry requires 250,000 workers to meet project deadlines and an additional 159,000 to achieve housing targets (Financial Times).
- Skills Gaps Across Sectors: One in five employers struggles to fill critical roles due to a lack of skilled candidates (The Telegraph).
- Wage Growth Pressure: A 5.2% rise in wages indicates a tight labour market, emphasising the need for new workforce solutions (Financial Times).
These challenges highlight the urgency of leveraging inclusive recruitment practices to tap into overlooked talent pools and drive economic growth.
City of Bristol College’s Commitment
By signing the Social Recruitment Covenant, City of Bristol College is taking a proactive approach to bridging skills gaps, supporting job seekers and strengthening the local economy.
The college remains dedicated to working alongside industry partners, policymakers and community organisations to create meaningful employment opportunities and build a more inclusive workforce.
As the Social Recruitment Covenant gains momentum across the UK, City of Bristol College stands as a proud advocate for change, helping to shape a fairer and more accessible labour market for all.
City of Bristol College is proud to announce the launch of a new provision of Green Skills courses, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and preparing students to lead the region’s transition to a greener economy.
As part of its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, the college has taken bold steps to address the environmental challenges of today by offering specialised programmes designed to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills that meet the demands of the evolving green economy workforce.
The college is committed to making impactful changes that contribute to a sustainable future. The new Green Skills courses reflect this commitment and offer students the opportunity to make a real difference in the city, the wider community and beyond.
The newly introduced courses cover specialist areas of study including electric/hybrid vehicles, small-scale photovoltaic systems and retrofitting. These programmes are delivered by experienced teaching teams in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience and industry-standard expertise.
By integrating essential tasks and assessments tailored to the green sector, the college is preparing its graduates to excel in careers that will shape the future of the region’s sustainability initiatives.
Impact Beyond the Classroom – Graduates of these courses will join a workforce poised to make a positive impact, not only in Bristol’s built environment but also in the wider region’s green economy. These programmes signal the college’s commitment to empowering the next generation of professionals to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
City of Bristol College’s investment in Green Skills underscores its role as a pioneer in sustainability-focused education. By creating pathways for students to engage in this critical field, the college is ensuring a brighter, greener future for Bristol and beyond.
For further information regarding City of Bristol College’s Green Skills courses, simply click here.
A new public access defibrillator funded by Hargreaves Lansdown has been installed at City of Bristol College’s College Green Centre in memory of Sam Polledri, who tragically died following a cardiac arrest on 26 February 2022, in Millennium Square, aged just 24.
Sam’s family have since established The Sam Polledri Foundation through the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC). The foundation’s initiative is to boost the number of easily accessible defibrillators in public spaces, with the hope that these installations will save lives in Bristol and beyond.
The installation at City of Bristol College marks the 21st defibrillator placed by the foundation. The defibrillator was installed by the college’s contractors, Oakland, who provided their services free of charge.
A commemorative plaque dedicated to Sam’s life accompanies the life-saving equipment. Sam, described by loved ones as “a loving, kind and caring young man” who “absolutely loved life and everyone”, has left a lasting legacy. His family continues to honour his memory by working to prevent similar tragedies, ensuring that others have access to vital medical resources.
Sam’s loved ones reflect on his life with the words: “Taken far too soon, so loved and so missed, every minute of every day.”
To support The Sam Polledri Foundation, donations can be made via the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity here.
Times are changing and so is City of Bristol College. The college is now propelling itself into the future with a fresh perspective, all whilst retaining its focus on providing the city of Bristol and wider region with quality education and pathways into productive careers.
An entirely new brand was unveiled yesterday for the college. A move towards the future, introducing a plethora of vibrant colours and themes to reflect the true vibrancy of their student cohort, alumni, staff and stakeholders.
Following the awarding of a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in January 2023, City of Bristol College have continued a journey towards educational excellence and are delighted to update their branding to reflect this new direction.
Alongside the bold new branding launch, the college also showcased their new 5-year strategy with the accompanying tagline ‘Where Next?’, embracing their purpose as the catalyst for improving regional productivity through the delivery of education and skills.
Speaking of the highly anticipated launch, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray commented:
“It’s an exciting time for City of Bristol College. We are extremely proud of our work so far; this is a testament to the dedication of our hard-working staff and students. Building on this, we are channelling our new positive energy into a new strategy to deliver our ambitious goals for our region.
“Alongside the launch of our new strategy, we have completely rebranded and are excited to share our new identity. We continue to invest in the college and are happy to showcase this new branding on all campuses, including at our recently refurbished College Green Centre.”
The 5-year strategy is in place to ensure that the college is continually improving the quality of service and delivery of skills and academic education to the city and wider community.
City of Bristol College have also recently completely refurbished key areas of their city centre campus, the College Green Centre, thanks to a £10 million grant from the Department for Education. The refurbishment at the College Green Centre introduces a multitude of improvements and sets the scene for what’s to come for the college giving students, staff and employers the facilities they rightly deserve to inspire educational excellence.
The exciting developments have provided a brand new, welcoming reception, student services facility, multi-use careers and exhibition space, plus a new outdoor seating area for students to socialise in alongside the addition of a Costa Coffee on site.
City of Bristol College proudly launched the new branding, refurbished centre and 5-year strategy at a launch event on Thursday 12 September.
City leaders and stakeholders were welcomed to tour the new campus and hear about the new strategy from Principal and CEO Julia Gray and new Chair of Governors, Phil Smith, during the event that showcased the fresh college direction and introduced the ‘Where Next’ vision, along with those who were instrumental in the development and execution of the new approach.
Following the incredible success of City of Bristol College’s Brislington Centre For Independent Living, we have announced the official opening of our second residential training facility at our Ashley Down Centre.
The grand opening ceremony took place yesterday, Tuesday 21 November 2023 and marked a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to providing exceptional education and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This is a unique asset for the city of Bristol; funded by and operated in collaboration with Bristol City Council. This is a place where students learn to be independent and become equipped with the crucial skills needed to help them excel in life.
Skanska undertook the construction of the centre on behalf of Bristol City Council and thoroughly understood the scale and sheer importance of the project. As a result, the Site Manager for the build, Nathan Bowerman, went the extra mile to ensure that the centre was completed to an excellent standard.
Nathan worked with both the college team and WECIL to consult with students regarding the fit and finish of the building. This ensured that students were included in the decision-making process for the entirety of the building, something that played a vital role in its incredible success.
The total build cost of the innovative centre was circa £4.5 million and Skanska very kindly donated circa £1000 worth of equipment from their site offices for re-use within the building.
To commence proceedings, City of Bristol College Vice Chair, Steve Bennett extended a warm welcome to all attendees, setting the stage for an informative yet celebratory opening.
Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, then delivered a compelling speech, offering insights into the project’s history, whilst emphasising the positive impact that it will have on both the lives of students and the wider city of Bristol.
Julia commented: “Firstly, welcome and thank you for attending this momentous day. A particular thanks go to our partners in this project, Bristol City Council, who recognised the need for independence living provision in the city, and the high impact of the existing work our team at our Brislington Centre have delivered over the last six years.
“I wanted to provide some context and history of Project Rainbow, the overarching mission to provide in region independent living support for young people with education, health and care plans in Bristol.
“Prior to 2017, any student who had an Independent living skills target in their EHCP had to leave Bristol and attend a provision elsewhere in the UK. Bristol City Council wanted to address this and approached City of Bristol College along with SEND students and their families to trial a 2-year pilot provision. This is how Project Rainbow started.”
Julia then ran through the establishment of the Brislington Centre before taking the audience through to present day and the grand opening of the Ashley Down Centre.
Julia concluded: “I am delighted that we are here to officially open this centre today. I have seen first-hand how young adults benefit from the support and guidance provided by our incredible colleagues who work at these centres. My personal thanks go to Adam Metcalfe and his team for their continued dedication, vision and commitment; you are all exceptional.
“Independence is something that most young people aspire to, and SEND should not be a barrier to that. It brings me great joy that we at City of Bristol College, in partnership with Bristol City Council, can play a part in being the gateway to independence to the young adults who access our provision.”
Cllr Asher Craig – Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Children’s Services, Education and Equalities, then proceeded to address the audience before officially declaring the centre as being open and participating in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting alongside Julia Gray and a representative young person/student of the college.
Cllr Asher Craig stated: “In Bristol we really believe that every young person should be able to access education in the way that supports and encourages them. The Ashley Down Centre is a great example of that. Having a facility like this in our city means that our young people with special educational needs and disabilities have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment whilst being able to live independently and importantly, within the community.
“The commitment we have made to support those with special educational needs and their families is a whole city commitment. It’s through working together with individuals, families, education providers and many others in the sector that we will achieve the positive outcomes our SEND investment aims to deliver.
“Project Rainbow is an excellent working partnership between Bristol City Council and The City of Bristol College, WECIL and young people as well to improve the offer for young people aged 18 and above.”
Introduced by Strategic Residential Lead, Adam Metcalfe, tours of the impressive new facility took place, led by college staff and enthusiastic young people, enhancing the guests’ understanding of the centre’s functionality and allowing them to explore the state-of-the-art amenities designed to empower SEND students on their journey to independence.
After the tours concluded, Matt Justice, Head of Children and Services at the West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL) delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting the sheer work undertaken as part of the project and the co-production work with students.
Matt said: “We developed an advisory board, specifically to involve young people within this project. We had the brief and then we had to consider how we could involve them and consider what would be important to young people.
“We interviewed young people, ran competitions, did lots and lots of things to give them a voice throughout this entire project, even before there was a spade in the ground. We had a group of 30 young people in a room together for three hours at the Brislington Centre and picked everything from the floors to the furnishings to the colour of the walls.”
Matt then welcomed Liam, a student and resident of the Ashley Down Centre For Independent Living to speak to the audience. Talking of his experience of delivering a speech for the grand opening, Liam said: “When I was asked to speak today, I wanted to say what I feel from the bottom of my heart. When I looked over at Carole and the team, it brought me to tears.”
“It was a big step up for me today doing this all and I can’t thank them all enough. Being a part of this all has given me so much opportunity.”
Cllr Asher Craig expressed the council’s gratitude in a speech, acknowledging the significance of the occasion and thanking everyone for their attendance and support.
Cllr Asher Craig said: “The work has been key to make sure that this centre has been designed by young people for young people, I want to thank everyone who has been involved in Project Rainbow and the opening of the new Ashley Down Centre.
“Thank you all for being here today to celebrate what I believe is a fantastic resource in our community for our young people. We need to do this all over again, all over the city. I’ve already had the conversations – let’s keep those conversations going and make it happen.”
The celebration continued with refreshments and an opportunity for guests to mingle, instilling a sense of community and collaboration. The event not only showcased the remarkable achievements of the project but also demonstrated City of Bristol College’s dedication to providing unparalleled educational opportunities for SEND students.
The Ashley Down Centre For Independent Living stands as a unique asset for the city of Bristol, made possible through funding and collaboration with Bristol City Council. It serves as an incredibly valuable place where students can cultivate independence and acquire essential life skills.
City of Bristol College has been awarded a ‘GOOD’ rating from Ofsted and has been shown to be meeting local and regional skills needs following its most recent inspection (January 2023).
Ofsted praised the college across a number of areas including the way that: “staff and students collectively create a culture where students and apprentices can be themselves. As a result, students and apprentices are respectful and value the diverse and inclusive college population.”
During the four-day inspection, a team of fifteen Inspectors found that “teachers and other college staff foster mutual trust and respect. Students and apprentices are keen to learn and are supportive of each other in their learning. As a result, students and apprentices display high levels of positive behaviours and are proud of their work. They enjoy their lessons and are motivated to engage in new experiences.”
The inspection team praised the teachers at the college by recognising their extensive subject knowledge and experience, which helps students to deepen their understanding of the subjects they are studying.
Inspectors also found that for courses designed and delivered for students with high needs, “Leaders and managers have designed a varied specialist curriculum for students with high needs” to “focus on the individual targets of students”. Ofsted described this curriculum as having: “strong links to community groups and preparing students well for independence and employment”.
Inspectors also praised apprenticeship programmes: “leaders and managers have developed effective apprenticeship programmes. Teachers deliver the topics apprentices need in order to be better in their jobs and pass their assessments”.
In addition to the focus on the quality of education, the new inspection framework also assesses providers on how well they meet skills needs. The report recognises the important role that the college plays in the city and beyond:
“Leaders and managers work effectively with employers and stakeholders to identify the current and future skills needs…They actively contribute to the reduction of worklessness…[and] work with national employers…and with local small to medium enterprises to provide the skilled workforce they need. As a result, City of Bristol College curriculum aligns well to local / regional skills priorities.
“Leaders and managers involve a substantial number of employers in curriculum design and teaching across the college. Employers provide specialist input to ensure the curriculum accurately reflects the industry. For example, employers provide careers talks and highlight the realities and expectations of the industry they work in.“
Speaking about the Report, Peter Rilett, Chair of the Corporation said:
“I am delighted that the recent Ofsted Report recognises the journey that City of Bristol College has been on and the distance travelled; rewarding us with a GOOD rating.
“As Bristol’s College, the report is clear that we have strong relationships with a wide range of partners which helps us to meet local, regional and national skills needs.
“The Corporation appointed Julia Gray to the post of Principal & Chief Executive at the start of this year. Julia brings over twenty years’ experience working in the Further Education sector to this role and will lead the college on the next phase of our journey.”
Julia Gray, Principal & Chief Executive added:
“I am so pleased to have joined City of Bristol College at the right time to have had the privilege to work with staff, students, apprentices and stakeholders to lead us through this most recent Ofsted inspection.
“The college plays a key role in the city and region and this successful inspection outcome recognises the hard work of the whole-college team and the significant achievements of our students and apprentices.
“This Ofsted outcome will allow us to look to the future, our continued improvements and the further work that we can do to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
The full report can be viewed on the Ofsted website here.