Sector Endorsement B&FC’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading colleges is underpinned by endorsements from leading educational organisations and from various industry accreditations. Read on to find out more. B&FC is ranked in the top 3% of further education colleges in England and has maintained this position for six consecutive years.[1] A recent Ofsted inspection in November 2021 also identified several areas in which the College continues to excel not least in how it helps students transition successfully into the world of work, thus helping to power the UK and regional economies. The College’s BA Honours and Top-Up Degrees are validated by Lancaster University, one of the country’s top 20 HE institutions and we are one of only eight further education providers with foundation degree awarding powers. Other accolades include STEM assured status, an independent, industry-backed validation of our science, technology, engineering and maths provision as well as several industry-based accreditations. These accolades are a real endorsement of the superlative learning experience we provide for students so that they can confidently achieve all their goals. Our latest Ofsted report can be viewed here. [1] National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) from the Department for Education and Education and Skills Funding Agency 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19. National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) What they are – The National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) data is used to compare performance between all General Further Education colleges (GFEC) in England. Published by the Department for Education, the NARTs rank colleges by the percentage of qualifications attained by students. Latest results - The National Achievement Rates Tables for 2018/19 were published in March 2020. They show B&FC is among England’s highest performing colleges for the sixth year running, ranked fifth out of 172 general further education colleges. The figures cover the 2018-19 academic year and indicate that B&FC has performed in the top 3% of colleges in England. The performance tables also revealed B&FC is ranked second in England for improving student success in maths and fifth in England for improved outcomes in English. View the National Achievement Rates Tables for 2018 to 2019. The Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE) Blackpool and The Fylde College is a founding member of the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE), a new membership body for the higher performing FE colleges and training providers in the UK. It received its Royal Charter on 9 October 2015. CIFE will be devoted to developing the potential, reputation and standing of the further education sector. Its mission will be to bring together the best training providers across the sector and collectively to promote, recognise and celebrate their professionalism and success. CFE will aim to raise standards in the sector by offering an indicator of whole-organisation quality which goes beyond formal QA and appraisal mechanisms. Its members will be committed to developing models of best practice, continuously seeking ways to improve teaching and learning as well as governance.