COLLEGES attended by almost 10,000 students and apprentices have been commended for ‘capturing’ learners’ interest and boosting their confidence.

Education group Activate Learning has won Ofsted’s praise for provision at Activate Apprenticeships, and its three colleges: City of Oxford College, Banbury and Bicester College (which has campuses in both towns), and Reading College.

Last year those four bases taught 9,614 people – including those on A-Level courses, apprenticeships, university-level courses, vocational courses and an array of other classes.

Activate Learning, based at City of Oxford College in Oxpens, has now gained Ofsted’s second-highest rating of ‘good’.

The regulator’s report said: “Most learners benefit from interesting lessons that capture their interest.

“They can describe their progress and achievement clearly and are proud of achievements.

“They become confident in the sometimes complex language of the employment area and can use their knowledge well in the workplace.

“Leaders and managers are ambitious for the success of adult learners.”

The report was published after a team of 11 inspectors visited the colleges between December 12 and 15.

Of eight core areas assessed by inspectors, all but two were judged to be ‘good’.

The category for ‘provision for learners with highest needs’ was hailed ‘outstanding’ - the regulator’s highest possible standard.

During the inspection, the college had 310 learners who received funding for high needs, most of whom were at Reading.

Ofsted’s report highlighted excellent work experience opportunities for high-needs learners, and equally impressive partnership with the community and councils, to promote a positive image of what high-needs learners are capable of achieving.

The remaining category, apprenticeships, was rated ‘requires improvement', however.

Inspectors said too few apprentices complete programmes by the planned end date, and progress of apprentices is ‘too slow’.

The overall rating of ‘good’ was a continuation of Activate Learning’s last Ofsted rating, which was awarded in 2013.

Inspectors wrote: “Since the previous inspection, governors and senior leaders have been successful in improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.”

Sally Dicketts, chief executive of Activate Learning, said the report was a ‘great tribute’ to the efforts of students and staff.

She added: “Inspectors were clearly impressed by our four-year trend of rising results, the high quality of the teaching on show and the excellent student behaviour they witnessed.

“I’m pleased Ofsted highlighted the strength of our partnerships with employers, as these are crucial.

“I am also delighted that provision for learners with high needs was recognised as outstanding.”