HUGH BAIRD COLLEGE RATED ‘OUTSTANDING’

BY OFSTED - DRIVING SKILLS, TALENT AND GROWTH IN THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION

Hugh Baird College has been officially recognised as one of the top further education (FE) providers in the country, earning an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted — one of only three colleges in the entire North West to hold this distinction.

The College, which serves the Liverpool City Region and includes Sefton Sixth Form College in Litherland, offers vocational training for school leavers and adults, apprenticeships, A-levels, and university-level courses.

Hugh Baird College is now among just seventeen ‘Outstanding’ rated providers nationwide, placing it in the country’s top 10% of FE colleges.

The inspection, which took place from 26 to 29 November 2024, commended the College’s ability to transform lives through exceptional education and opportunities.

Ofsted commended the College’s collaboration with employers and how it plays a vital role in addressing skills shortages and meeting the demands of the Liverpool City Region.

Ofsted praised its approach, stating, “The College makes a strong contribution to meeting skills needs” and “Leaders devise curriculums that are sufficiently agile to equip students and apprentices with the knowledge and skills they need for employment in emerging industries.”

Inspectors also highlighted “Leaders ensure that stakeholders are consistently involved in the planning and teaching of curriculums so that students and apprentices learn the skills they need” and “Apprentices develop the resilience and skills needed to thrive in specialist roles, particularly in areas with significant skills shortages.”

Teachers were highlighted for their passion and vocational expertise, making learning engaging and tailored to students’ needs. Ofsted observed,

“Teachers use their passion for the subject and extensive vocational expertise to make learning enjoyable and highly relevant to what students want to do next.”

Leadership at Hugh Baird College was celebrated for its vision and dedication. Inspectors noted, “Leaders’ ambition to become the best college in the country is founded on the belief that their students and apprentices, staff, and local community deserve the best education and training they can provide.”

Sonia Stirling, Deputy Principal of Hugh Baird College, said:

“The Ofsted report highlights the College’s strong contribution to meeting skills needs, which reflects our commitment to aligning education with the demands of the local and national economy. By offering forward-thinking curriculum and working closely with employers, we ensure that our students and apprentices are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in their chosen industries.”

Rachael Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, concluded:

“This accolade reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire college community — our staff, students, apprentices, and employer partners.

At Hugh Baird College, we are driven by the belief that our community and staff deserve nothing less than the very best. That’s why we remain committed to raising aspirations, transforming lives, and delivering an education that empowers every learner to succeed.

The inspection outcome is especially significant as we celebrate 50 years of serving our community, building on recent achievements such as ranking in the top 5% of FE providers in England for apprentice success, the no.1 FE provider in the country for Tech Level 3 progress, a 99% A-level pass rate, and 100% pass rates in many vocational subjects.

This recognition also highlights our vital role in addressing skills gaps, supporting emerging industries, and contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Liverpool City Region. We are proud to make a lasting impact not only on individuals but also on the broader community and economy.”

To find out more and download the full report, visit www.hughbaird.ac.uk/ofsted.

“At Hugh Baird College, we are driven by the belief that our community and staff deserve nothing less than the very best. That’s why we remain committed to raising aspirations, transforming lives, and delivering an education that empowers every learner to succeed.”

Rachael Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College