Norland College achieves Gold standard for Teaching for second year running

One of the smallest and most specialist independent higher education institutions in the UK has been awarded a ‘Gold’ rating for the standard of its teaching for the second year running, in the latest government-backed rankings of teaching quality in higher education. 

Bath-based Norland College, which has been providing bespoke early years higher education for 127 years, has once again achieved a TEF (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Gold rating – the highest standard possible – in today’s national assessment of undergraduate teaching. The TEF Gold rating, which aims to help students make more informed choices about where to study for their degrees, will be valid for the College for the next two years.

The award follows an exciting year for the College; in March this year, the College was granted taught degree awarding powers by the Privy Council, becoming the smallest undergraduate degree awarding institution in the UK, and the third-degree awarder in the city of Bath. In April, the College was the winner of the Independent Higher Education (HE) category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) in London.

A key component of TEF is the National Student Survey (NSS), which gathers undergraduates’ opinions about their course, and takes into account factors including the learning environment, student experience, and opportunities for employment on graduation. Completion rates and achievement are also considered with the TEF assessment.

Dr Janet Rose, Principal at Norland College, said:

“We’re extremely proud to achieve a gold TEF award at Norland College for the second year in a row. This award is in recognition of the hard work of our academic and student support team, who consistently strive to make sure the experience our early years students receive is the highest possible quality.

Mandy Donaldson, Vice Principal, Head of Academic Services and Registrar at Norland College, commented:

“We are particularly proud of this award as it is based on feedback from our students, along with their retention rates and achievements. Above all, we’re pleased to be able to offer Norland College students with the rarest of prospects for graduates – guaranteed and well paid employment opportunities with children and families.”

Norland offers a three-year full-time BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Development and Learning. The degree is integrated with the prestigious Norland Diploma, which runs alongside the degree and for one year afterwards, enabling students to put theory into practice. Norland students are also taught an array of value-added specialist skills, from emotion coaching to security training and skid pan driving.

Norland graduates continue to be much in demand and the College is able to provide newly qualified nannies with 100% employment opportunities through its own in-house employment agency.

About Norland College: Founded in Norland Place, London, in 1892 by Emily Ward and has been at the forefront of childcare training ever since, the education at Norland has always been progressive; today’s students study for a BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Development and Learning. The degree runs alongside the prestigious Norland Diploma; a unique qualification which teaches the practical skills it takes to become a Norland Nanny.

Norland graduates are famous for their best in class standard of training and their iconic uniforms. Norland trained early years professionals are employed worldwide through the Norland Agency as Norland Nannies and Maternity Nurses. Norland graduates command the highest salaries in the industry, clinch the most sought-after posts and enjoy a busy life often working for high profile clients.

With a degree behind them, many Norland Nannies also progress into other professions that involve working with children, including teaching. Norland Nannies are also provided with their own recruitment agency, Norland Agency, to ensure that graduates have outstanding employment opportunities upon leaving the College, and throughout their careers.