Last week saw North Lindsey College receive official praise in the House of Lords for the quality of its teaching.

The debate on Teaching Excellence, moved by Baroness Shephard of Northwold, called for papers to highlight the significance of policies to provide and support teaching excellence in schools, colleges and universities.

Following a visit to the College during February half term, Baroness Wall spent time talking with College Principal Professor Roger Bennett and touring the College’s extensive facilities.  During the tour she praised the business acumen of Professor Bennett in putting in place many initiatives such as the 14-16 Skills Centre which has had far reaching effects on the young people of North Lincolnshire and the proposal for the development of a STEM Academy which has once again put the College at the forefront of change within the further education sector and will drive forward economic growth for the area in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Baroness Shephard of Northwold opened the debate last week by stating: "My Lords, I am delighted to have the chance to open today's debate, because there can be no disagreement in this House about the importance of education for a healthy society and a thriving economy.  Education empowers individuals, endowing them with confidence and self-respect."

Baroness Wall of New Barnet added to the debate stating:  "I recently had the good fortune to visit North Lindsey College in North Lincolnshire.  It is a tremendous example of how teaching excellence across a spectrum of subjects and qualifications can make a real difference to a local economy and community.  Annually, between 600 and 700 young people go through its 14 to 16 skills centre.  Provision is highly flexible and responsive, and it offers young people outstanding learning in a supportive and safe environment.  Teaching is excellent and results achieved are remarkable.  For example, GCSE grades, projected by the school, on average rise by two grades.

"The centre is an outstanding success and is responsible for changing the lives of many young people in bringing together pre-16 and post-16 education for the benefit of the wider community.  In doing so, it continues to make a major contribution locally and nationally and it has set a standard for the centre's international partners. 

 "The centre is also spreading good practice by advising schools, colleges, local authorities, the Learning and Skills Council and overseas partners on how to develop and implement skills centres for 14 to 16 provision."

She went on to say:  "Not only is the college working with 14 to 16 year-olds, importantly, it trains apprentices for hundreds of employers in the region.  Many of the apprentices, after gaining their qualifications with the college, remain working in the region, and therefore contribute to the economic prosperity of the town and county.  Some have gone on to become employers themselves and have continued to work with the college.  Collectively, apprentices everywhere add real economic value to UK plc.

"That is an exciting departure from the status quo, brought about by the college offering examples of teaching excellence. It also demonstrates how truly excellent teachers make new provision and do not stand still."

 To receive such praise in the House of Lords further reinforces the excellent teaching that takes place within the College and highlights what a fantastic resource the College is for the young people of North Lincolnshire and beyond.

Photograph: Baroness Wall of New Barnet

For further information contact Clare French at North Lindsey College on 01724 294166.