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The City of Liverpool College is delighted to share our latest Ofsted report, confirming our ‘transformative and life-enhancing’ student experience. We’re celebrating the well-deserved recognition of our ‘outstanding’ personal development and adult learning programmes and much, much more across the College. The report also highlights the ‘exceptional’ work we do with employers and others across the Liverpool City Region, making ‘a strong contribution to meeting needs and an impact that is recognised ‘locally, regionally, nationally and, in a few instances, internationally.’
Scroll down to see more highlights from our fantastic report.
Read our full Ofsted reportThe majority of students find their college experience to be transformative and life-enhancing.
Ofsted 2024
“Students appreciate the haven the college provides and they value being part of its positive community.” Ofsted 2024
Ofsted’s praise of the positive and inclusive energy of our student community was a wonderful recognition of how our students grow with us. They commended the inspiring attitudes of students and apprentices toward learning, a learning experience that “develops them as a whole person… not just their technical skills”, and how that shapes an extraordinary social and cultural landscape at CoLC.
Read the full reportHighly effective personal development
Our ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating for personal development is fantastic - a testament to the dedication of our progress leaders and the “diverse opportunities” we provide.
“Teachers are extremely passionate about supporting students to work in the industries that they love. They weave work-related opportunities seamlessly into their curriculums.”
We can’t thank our teachers and progress leaders enough for making sure The College shines through when it comes to rich learning experiences, seamless career progression, passionate educators, and enlightening employer masterclasses. We are so incredibly proud to foster an educational environment where excellence, growth, and real-world readiness intersect.
“Progress Leaders focus on ‘careers not courses’ to develop students’ work-readiness. They run employer, apprenticeship and curriculum events to provide students with greater insight into their potential career pathways.”
“Students develop highly relevant experience through their engagement with wider community projects, such as Eurovision and work with local schools.”
Read the full report‘Outstanding’ Adult learning
Our leaders are going the extra mile to "create diverse opportunities to develop adults’ personal and employability skills.
“The college makes a strong contribution to meeting skills needs.”
When it comes to delivering exceptional education, meeting skills needs and surpassing industry expectations, we’ve come out with a glowing report from Ofsted. We know that our leaders ensure our curriculums stay up-to-date, meeting industry standards. Our student projects? They’re winning national awards. It’s not just about words; it’s about real results, preparing students and apprentices with skills employers need now and in the future. That’s what sets us apart.
“Leaders ensure that curriculums are up to date and meet industry standards. They have secured significant funding to invest in new equipment and technologies to develop students’ technical skills and to meet employers’ current and future needs.”
“Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need.”
“Leaders have developed an exceptional network of stakeholders across their civic, community, education and employer communities. The impact of these relationships is highly recognised locally, regionally, nationally and, in a few instances, internationally.”
“Leaders ensure curriculums help students and apprentices prepare for their next steps and progress to aspirational careers.”
“Leaders provide additional qualifications to enhance apprentices’ learning and to make them as employable as possible.”
Ofsted’s commendation underscores our commitment to inclusivity, creating an environment that recognises our students as individuals with individual needs and personalised support.
“Leaders create an environment where students with high needs are welcomed and provided with the support to meet their needs.”
“Teachers are quick to recognise the barriers to learning some students face and put appropriate support measures in place.”
“Leaders ensure curriculums help students and apprentices prepare for their next steps and progress to aspirational careers.”
Read the full reportThis report reaffirms our commitment to providing the best possible learning experience for our students and ensuring that they are fully prepared for the next steps in their academic and professional lives.”
Elaine Bowker, Principal & Chief Executive The City of Liverpool College
| Overall effectiveness | Good |
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Education programmes for young people | Good |
| Adult learning programmes | Outstanding |
| Apprenticeships | Good |
| Provision for learners with high needs | Good |
| Overall effectiveness at previous inspection | Good |
Read the full reportTo be one of just a few colleges receiving such excellent marks testifies to the hard work and resilience of our teachers and students, plus the support of the wider community of Liverpool, who have worked so closely with us. We’re delighted to see the impact we have on students, employers and our communities recognised publicly in this report.
Elaine Bowker, Principal & Chief Executive The City of Liverpool College
