A COLLEGE is delighted after receiving a good report in its first Ofsted inspection.

Prospects College of Advanced Technology, based in Crompton Close, Basildon, was the first of its kind in the UK when it opened in 2014.

The college, which specialises in providing advanced apprenticeships, was rated as “good” overall by Ofsted.

It was praised for the leadership, quality of teaching, personal development of students, apprenticeships and outcomes for students.

The report noted that the 16 to 19 study programmes required some improvement.

Published yesterday, it reads: “Apprentices and learners are motivated, take pride in their work and contribute well to their lessons and practical activities.

“A large majority of apprentices demonstrate high standards in their work activities and are valued members of employers’ workforces.

“They adopt a positive attitude to their studies and work tasks.

“Apprentices and learners are well behaved, work productively together, demonstrate good interpersonal skills and show high levels of respect for each other and staff at the college.

“Apprentices’ standard of behaviour is exemplary.

“They enjoy their off-the-job learning, and gain good practical skills to do their job well.

“They contribute effectively and are valued members of their employers’ workforces.

“For example, during the replacement of a built-up bituminous roof, the apprentice quickly evaluated the task and measured, marked out and cut new material before positioning and securing it to a high standard.”

Principal Neil Bates was delighted with the report but is determined to improve the college further.

He said: “We are very pleased with it.

“The new inspection regime that started in 2015 is very rigorous and a lot of other colleges have struggled.

“We are delighted that the inspectors were positive about the college.

“We are not complacent and our ambition is to be judged as outstanding by 2018, so this is a good marker to what we want to achieve.

“The report is a credit to all the staff and employers we work with.

“Where the inspectors were particularly positive was about the high numbers of our students who go on apprenticeships and achieve their qualification. A total of 96 per cent of our young people go on to achieve their employment qualification.”

He added the college was proving a popular choice for youngsters and they had interest from academic students too, who saw apprenticeships as a good alternative to university.