Ofsted Report 2020

Our staff, students and governors had good reason to celebrate in 2020, when we received our latest Ofsted inspection which graded the College as GOOD and recognised the improvements which have been introduced since their previous visit in 2018.

A team of Inspectors spent 4 days on the campus in early March and undertook a comprehensive inspection of all aspects of College life, concluding that students were keen to learn, felt fully supported and were prepared to progress onto employment and higher education.

Inspectors applauded the College’s inclusive curriculum, which fully meets the needs of employers, learners and apprentices and incorporates sector-specific work placements and careers guidance. They noted the strong and sustainable relationships the College continues to develop with local community groups and businesses, highlighting LMC’s central role as a strategic partner with Eden Project North.

Staff were praised for helping to build confidence and motivate learners, fostering a calm, safe and respectful environment and providing effective and skilful support.

The inspection team met a wide range of students & apprentices during their 4-day visit, including a number of adult learners, and were impressed with their commitment and enthusiasm.

“Learners say that they have fallen in love with learning again and their programmes help them to achieve their full potential.”

Ofsted Inspection Report, March 2020.

I am thrilled that the inspection team from Ofsted recognised that the College is delivering on the commitments made in our strategic plan – to be shaped by our employers, to be rooted in our community and to deliver positive outcomes for all.

The new Ofsted inspection framework was only introduced this academic year, so sets the new benchmark for all colleges to aspire to and provides the most up to date and reliable judgement of a college’s performance. We are the first college in our area to be scrutinised under this new and robust inspection regime.

During my three years at the College I have really valued the fantastic commitment of our wonderful team in delivering the best outcomes for our College and community; great credit has to be paid to all staff, students and governors in achieving this outcome.  As an anchor organisation in our community we pride ourselves on highly effective partnerships with local organisations, such as EDF for our Nuclear Engineering; Seatruck Ferries, LTS and Peel Ports for our new Ports and Logistics project; and more recently, Lancaster University, local schools and Eden Project Learning in delivering a brand new ‘Morecambe Bay Curriculum’ and Eden study programme. 

Our highly valued and effective partnerships with local employers of all sizes have led to us becoming one of the highest rated college apprenticeship providers in our region, now recognised as ‘good’ by Ofsted.

The strength and commitment of the Lancaster & Morecambe College community continues to shine through since our inspection. I am proud that, during the Covid-19 lockdown, the College has remained open every day to meet the needs of its most vulnerable students, manufactured masses of PPE for local health and social care providers and, in partnership with Eggcup, has produced over 400 ready meals per production day for the most vulnerable in our community.

Wes Johnson
Principal/Chief Executive