Ofsted’s ‘good’ rating for University of Bolton’s degree apprenticeship provision

The University of Bolton’s degree Apprenticeship Provision has been rated “good” after an Ofsted inspection.

A team of six Ofsted Inspectors, led by one of His Majesty’s Inspectors, visited the University in May and looked at a range of degree apprenticeships, including those in nursing, health, and engineering.

They found that:

• Leaders are passionate about providing specialist apprenticeships that benefit the communities they serve
• Apprentices enjoy their experience at university and acquire valuable knowledge, skills and behaviours
• Apprentices benefit from highly relevant curriculums and appreciate the high standard of education and training they receive
• Lecturers have specialist knowledge and a wealth of academic and vocational experience, and are registered with relevant professional bodies
• Lecturers successfully integrate the development of apprentices English, maths, and digital skills
• Employers appreciate the significant contribution apprentices make to their workforce
• Employers actively contribute to the content, design, and teaching of the curriculum 

The university has more than 900 learners on higher level apprenticeships, including:

• Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship• Operating Department Practitioner
• Electrical Engineering
• Facilities Management
• Advanced Clinical Practitioner

The report describes the quality of education as “good”, providing apprentices the skills, knowledge, and behaviours to progress onto enhanced career opportunities.

Personal development and behaviour and attitudes were both also graded as “good”. University lecturers provided clear careers advice and effectively developed apprentices’ understanding of equality and diversity and fundamental British values.

Leadership and management was also graded “good”. The inspectors recognised that leaders have “take swift incisive actions” to bring about improvements.

After the inspection, Ofsted said leaders have developed a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation and place apprentices’ experience, development and progress first.

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “I am delighted that thanks to the ongoing hard work of the team and their passion, commitment and dedication, the University’s degree apprenticeship provision has received such a positive outcome following the recent Ofsted inspection.

“I am especially pleased that the inspectors recognised that there is a culture of continuous improvement here at the University of Bolton.

“We will continue to put our learners at the heart of everything we do. This fact is evidenced year on year at the University by our top levels of student satisfaction relative to other universities in the Greater Manchester and North West region.”