Celebrating Success

RNIB College Loughborough: Gold Standard Investors in People

In October 2011 RNIB College Loughborough achieved Investors in People - Gold Standard putting the College into the top 1% of IIP accredited organisations in the UK. Only one in 400 employees works for an organisation with the IIP Gold Award and RNIB College is the only independent specialist college in the UK to achieve it.

IIP is an established and highly regarded national standard that is awarded to companies who meet stringent assessment criteria. Organisations who can demonstrate excellence that surpasses the standard award can achieve bronze, silver or gold standard. Only those reaching in excess of 165 out of a possible 196 points can be awarded the Gold standard. RNIB College Loughborough received 186 points in total. For more information about Investors in People visit http://www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Career Mark Award

RNIB College Loughborough has been awarded Career Mark, the quality standard and framework for good practice in careers education, information, advice and guidance for young people. The achievement of Career Mark by RNIB College has demonstrated a commitment to providing on-going professional support and guidance to its learners regarding their career development. For more information about Career Mark visit http://www.careermark.co.uk/

Learning and Skills Improvement Service: Award Winner: 6 July 2010

RNIB College Loughborough was highly commended at the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) ‘Leading the Learning Voice Awards 2010' in London. The award recognised that the College had listened to the learner voice and made whole organisational change which had impacted the strategy of the College. Members of staff have been interviewed and filmed for a best practice case study on LSIS Excellence Gateway. To find out more about how the college engages its learners contact Norma Curtis, Quality Improvement Manager at enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.

Loughborough College: Care Rated 'Good with Outstanding Features'

In the Ofsted Care Inspection February 2009, it was reported that “the overall quality rating for this setting is good, with outstanding features in the Enjoy and Achieve, Positive Contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation outcome areas. Staff show strong commitment and work hard to achieve the best outcomes for learners.”

Matrix Award for Advice & Guidance

Recreditation was achieved in 2010 with a good report. The matrix Standard is a unique, national quality framework that is applicable to any organisation delivering IAG (information, advice and guidance) in the context of learning and work, whether internally or externally. The Matrix Standard consists of 8 criteria known as elements that relate to key business processes and help organisations to maintain high standards and continuously improve services. To find out more visit: http://www.emqc.co.uk/ThematrixStandard.html

E-Safety Bid

RNIB College Loughborough has an e-safety policy and all learners sign an ‘Acceptable Use Agreement’. The policy is invoked although there are very low incidences as SuperJanet (JISC/University filtering system) filters all material deemed unsuitable in an education setting. Learners in their Peer Review Conference (with the five other specialist colleges in the region) told the College they wanted to have more awareness and understanding about e-safety. Learners felt it was discriminatory that some colleges (not RNIB College) locked access to the Internet or social networking sites. Learners told the College they wanted to be risk assessed for accessing the Internet and they wanted training. Learners at the College have access to the Internet and social networking sites and are learning the skills and abilities to use this safely. The Peer Review and Development Grid has just won an LSIS bid for e-safety policy and procedures development – Dec 2010 which will support the College to meet best practice standards. To find out more about the e-safety initiatives contact Graham Owen, Head of Careat enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.

RNIB College Loughborough: Part of the Community

Negotiations are in place for the College to work more closely with the town of Loughborough as part of the ‘Loughborough in Focus' project and will include reviewing accessibility to public spaces, disability-friendly awards, training and raising awareness of the College through displaying art work from learners at Loughborough Railway Station. Find out more about ideas for community involvement at enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.

Enterprise in the Community Research

Along with their peer review colleagues (5 specialist colleges in the Region), RNIB College Loughborough has been researching best practice in ‘Enterprise in the community’. This research was funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service. The College runs its own enterprises within which learners work towards personal goals and targets (retail, catering and horticulture). The College with the peer review group visited several other Independent Special Colleges’ enterprises in order to bring together a best practice guidance to support all Independent Specialist Colleges. This has now been completed and the guidance is available. RNIB College is presenting this best practice guide at the forthcoming Natspec Conference in May 2011.

The purpose of the research was to identify effective practice and the potential difficulties needing to be addressed when establishing an enterprise to offer curriculum delivery. The best practice guidance is available to support other provisions in developing working environments and improve overall provision within colleges. We hope a further impact will be an increase in good, effective working environments being established to complement teaching and learning within ISCs, thereby supporting learners in preparation for them leaving college.