SHIPLEY College has been praised by inspectors, who said its new building has helped improve the local provision for young people with high needs.

Ofsted visited the school for a short visit last month, and have recently released their finding in a letter to principal Nav Chohan.

The college, based in some of Saltaire's most prominent buildings, was last visited in 2013, moving up from "satisfactory" to being "good."

It maintained that level in this inspection, with Ofsted saying: "High achievement rates have been maintained over the last few years and, in a number of areas, have improved."

It was the first inspection since the £2 million Johnathan Silver Building opened in 2015.

Earlier this year the building won the Best Education Building Award at the 2016 West Yorkshire LABC Building Excellence Awards.

Ofsted's letter says: "Construction of the Jonathan Silver Building, a specialised facility, has supported the expansion of provision for learners with high needs."

Addressing Mr Chohan, it adds: "You, senior managers and governors have worked successfully to develop a culture of high aspirations in the college.

"You have increased the number of apprentices, building on areas of strength in the provision and in response to local demand.

"Learners achieve well on most courses, and there are only a small number of courses where achievement is not high.

"Staff provide a supportive but challenging culture for learners. Learners enjoy their studies, have good attitudes to learning and are keen to do well.

"Senior managers have responded well to employer demands in both college-based learning and apprenticeships; for example, they have expanded programmes in the retail sector to link with the development of a new shopping centre in Bradford.

"The percentage of apprentices who achieve sustained employment has increased markedly, with examples of apprentices achieving promotion or being given additional responsibilities at work."

However, the report does say the college needs to improve students maths skills in vocational lessons, and that attendance rates for English and maths classes, particularly adult classes, were "not good enough."

Mr Chohan said: "I am extremely proud of our staff's 'culture of high aspirations' as described in the report.

"It is so encouraging to receive external recognition for our students' hard work and achievements."

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