Shipley College

Shipley College is a small general further education college based in Saltaire, near Shipley, serving young learners, adults, apprentices and learners with high needs across the Bradford area and beyond. Its May 2026 inspection found the college performing at the expected standard overall, with safeguarding standards met. Provision for learners with high needs is a clear strength, and the college also stands out for its strong contribution to meeting local and regional skills needs. The college's main strengths are its close work with employers and community stakeholders, its inclusive culture, and the quality of support and teaching for learners with high needs. Most learners and apprentices make positive progress, behave well, and move on to positive destinations. Apprenticeships and education programmes for young people are generally effective, with well-designed curricula and strong employer involvement. However, adult learning achievement is a significant concern: overall achievement rates in 2024/25 were below national rates, and too few adult learners achieved functional skills English and mathematics qualifications. GCSE mathematics outcomes also remain below national averages. Other issues include delays in support for a small proportion of learners and apprentices with SEND, inconsistent written feedback in some areas, and concerns from some staff that leaders do not consistently listen to them. Leaders have put improvement actions in place, but in some areas it is too soon to see their full impact.

Strengths

• Strong contribution to meeting local and regional skills needs through effective stakeholder partnerships.
• Highly effective community outreach, including ESOL courses delivered in community venues.
• Curricula are co-designed with employers to provide practical, industry-relevant learning.
• Inclusive culture with well-planned support for learners with SEND and other barriers.
• Governors provide effective challenge and support, holding leaders to account.
• Supportive leadership culture with manageable staff workloads for most staff.
• High-quality, highly personalised provision for learners with high needs.
• Strong teaching and support in high needs provision, promoting independence and rapid progress.
• Apprentices make positive progress, achieve well, and are valued by employers.
• Calm, respectful and inclusive learning environments with good learner behaviour.
• Good careers guidance and positive destinations for most learners and apprentices.
• Effective safeguarding culture, with learners knowing how to keep safe and report concerns.

Areas for Improvement

• Adult learner achievement rates in 2024/25 were below national rates across all levels.
• Too few adult learners achieve functional skills English and mathematics qualifications.
• A small proportion of adult learners do not attend functional skills English and mathematics lessons well enough.
• GCSE mathematics outcomes remain below national averages for young learners and learners with high needs.
• A small proportion of learners and apprentices with SEND do not receive support quickly enough at the start of their programmes.
• Some apprentices with dyslexia face delays in having learning support requests processed.
• Written feedback in GCSE English and Esports is sometimes too vague to help learners improve.
• Some apprenticeship feedback is not marked quickly enough or is not clear and precise.
• Too many learners on level 3 health and social care and level 3 business management left their course early in 2024/25.
• Young learners are less well informed about local safeguarding risks where they live and study.
• Some staff feel leaders do not consistently listen to their concerns or value them sufficiently.
• Attendance of learners on study programmes requires continued improvement.
• Retention and achievement on level 3 study programmes require continued action.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Shipley College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Shipley College is Expected standard, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Shipley College last inspected by Ofsted?

Shipley College was last inspected in July 2026.

What age range does Shipley College cover?

Shipley College for pupils aged 16 to 99.

Where is Shipley College?

Shipley College is at Exhibition Road, Victoria Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JW.