Outstanding residential at county park setting

Shuttleworth College has been judged to be OUTSTANDING by Ofsted inspectors who were assessing the experience of residential students at the country park setting.

Leaders and managers at the college at Old Warden near Biggleswade, which attracts students from across the UK and around the world, were given high praise. Their work contributed to the “outstanding” overall experience of the young people who live and study there.

Shuttleworth College is part of The Bedford College Group which is currently investing £5 Million at the land-based learning setting having signed a 40-year-lease in 2017.

The latest Ofsted praise builds upon an earlier inspection which highlighted the outstanding residential options.

CEO of The Bedford College Group Ian Pryce CBE said: “Since Shuttleworth College joined Bedford College in 2009 it has reaffirmed its historical position as a world-recognised centre of agricultural educational excellence and has expanded its land-based learning choices in keeping with the opportunities of the 21st Century.”

The residential component is situated in 500 acres of parkland on a self-contained campus in the grounds of Shuttleworth College. It is one of eight sites that make up this general further education college, offering provision from entry to university level. Shuttleworth College offers land-based subjects, including equine, horticultural, agricultural and fish management courses.

There are currently 40 residential students under the age of 18 and 25 residential students over 18. (There are 1,200 students in total at Shuttleworth College). The residential students  are accommodated in five residential halls that are split into under 18, over 18 and male and female halls.

A team of staff that works at the college has additional ‘warden’ responsibilities to provide residential students with supervision during the evening and overnight. These staff are supported by appointed wardens from the student group as well as the wider student support service staff.